Lin Brehmer honored by Radio Hall of Fame as 2026 Legend
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Lin Brehmer. Photo: Courtesy of WXRT
Chicago radio icon Lin Brehmer is being honored by the Radio Hall of Fame more than three years after his death.
The latest: The late WXRT morning host is among the Radio Hall of Fame's 2026 Legends honorees, an annual designation recognizing influential broadcasters who have died.
- Brehmer, known as "Chicago's Best Friend," died in January 2023 at age 68 after battling prostate cancer.
Why it matters: Brehmer spent more than three decades at WXRT and became one of Chicago's most influential and beloved radio personalities, making his Hall of Fame recognition a milestone for the city's broadcasting community.
What they're saying: "Lin was perhaps the most genuine, articulate, charming, clever, tireless, and musically knowledgeable radio host ever," former WXRT program director Norm Winer tells Axios.
- "Now we can picture him smiling when he's referred to as a 'Hall of Famer.'"
Zoom in: Brehmer joins record executive Vivian Carter, co-founder of Vee-Jay Records, and broadcasters Dale Dorman, Gary Krantz, Wink Martindale, B. Mitchell Reed, Pierre Robert, Polito Vega and D.E. "Duke" Wright in this year's Legends class.
State of play: Longtime Chicago broadcaster Fred Winston is also headed to the Radio Hall of Fame as a member of the regular 2026 induction class.
- Winston launched his Chicago radio career in 1971 and became one of the city's best-known personalities at WLS and WJMK.
Zoom out: Brehmer will also be honored later this month with the annual Hometown Celebration: A Benefit for the Lin Brehmer Scholars Fund on Aug. 16, featuring performances by The Score's Matt Spiegel, singer-songwriter Michael McDermott and appearances from Brehmer's former WXRT colleagues.
- The scholarship fund was created after Brehmer's death to honor his commitment to mentoring young people.
Of note: The Radio Hall of Fame is a project of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, which reopened last year at 440 W. Randolph St. in the Loop.
What's next: The 2026 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Fairmont Chicago.