B96 is probably most known for its flagship “Eddie & JoBo” morning show. Ed Volkman & Joe Bohannon have been a fixture at B96 for 20 years. Joe Bohannon first signed on at B96 in 1984 hosting evening as “JoBo In Chicago”. Ed Volkman started at B96 in 1986 hosting morning drive along with Karen Hand and Mike Elston. When Elston left B96 in 1988 Bohannon was moved to mornings along with Volkman and Hand and the “JoBo & Eddie” show was born.
B96 Chicago
Kiss FM Chicago
The duo enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They invited their listeners, who they dubbed “The Worlds Most Dangerous Audience”, to assist in some classic radio bits such as cold water wake-up calls, the daily Twinkie check, and the infamous mattress attacks. Eddie & JoBo rode a wave of success, but on May 10, 1994, they were fired in the aftermath of a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit filed against them by former WMAQ-TV anchor Joan Esposito.[citation needed] Esposito sued Eddie & JoBo in 1993 after JoBo falsely aired a statement that she had been impregnated by a member of the Chicago Bulls.[citation needed]
It was then that B96 decided to move morning drive in a whole new direction, asking the listeners to “choose” the new morning drive in what was known as “The B96 Morning Show Open Auditions” which ran through the summer of 1994. Terry Jacobs and Bill Cody were chosen by the listeners to be the successors of Eddie & JoBo. However, very few people warmed up to “T.J. & Wild Bill” as B96 watched Eddie & JoBo’s 5.7 share in the ratings plummet to a 1.9.[citation needed] T.J. & Wild Bill lasted just 10 months at B96. In July 1995 former evening host George McFly, and former overnight host Frankie "Hollywood" Rodriguez were moved up to mornings in an attempt to offset the drastic ratings slide. But this also proved little popular as “George & Frankie” could only deliver a 2.1 share.[citation needed].
B96 Chicago
Kiss FM Chicago
Once again B96 took morning drive in a new direction by “splitting up” the time slot and airing 2 separate shows. Frankie’s morning show aired from 5–8am, followed by B96’s hugely popular Sunday night sex talk show “Private Lives” hosted by Karen Hand and Dr. Kelly Johnson. Private Lives aired from 8-10 am. Finally, B96 began to see marked improvement in the ratings, but only in the 8–10am slot as Frankie’s ratings continued to suffer severely. Caving into pressure from a campaign lead by former co-workers and former on-air host Karen Hand, plus a relentless barrage of phone calls and letters sent by Eddie and JoBo loyalists,[citation needed] B96 announced on December 12, 1996 that Eddie & JoBo had been re-hired, and would be returning to host morning drive along with Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez starting January 13, 1997 from 5–8 am.
B96 began to see significant improvements in their morning drive ratings as the combo “Eddie & JoBo And Frankie” show and “Private Lives” slowly crept its way up the ratings. Afraid of another possible lawsuit, station management and stepped in to exert more control over the show. They made on-air staff changes and imposed a taped delay, at times as long as 20 minutes. Every word spoken by the duo was closely monitored and had to be approved by a member of management prior to airing. In addition, a member of management had to be in the studio with Eddie & JoBo at all times or they could not broadcast.
Eddie & JoBo adapted to the changes, and ratings continued to climb back to their former glory. Private Lives was dropped from morning drive in 1999 and Eddie & JoBo hosted from 5–10am under tight restrictions until May 29, 2002. Rival station WKSC-FM 103.5 made an offer to them to do morning drive unrestricted on their station. B96 pulled the show as a negotiation tactic in the hopes of keeping the show. Negotiations continued until July when B96 announced at an on air press conference that Eddie & JoBo have signed on with the station in a 7 year, $21 million deal to begin immediately. Most importantly, B96 agreed to drop all restrictions on the show.
B96 Chicago
Kiss FM Chicago
B96 no longer felt a tape delay was needed, and Eddie & JoBo resumed a live show on July 22, 2002. Unfortunately, Eddie & JoBo have seen a marked decline in ratings in recent years. However, many attribute this to the overall stations severe decline in ratings ever since dropping its heavy dance music format for an all hip-hop & rap format in the late 90’s. Ever since abandoning dance music, B96 has witnessed a steady decline from #1 in 1998, all the way down to #9, and even lower in recent years[citation needed].
On January 1, 2006 B96 left the "Killer Bee" image behind and transitioned to the current "Chicago's Hits & Hip-Hop" moniker. The purpose of the change was to reposition themselves as a rhythmic CHR station, not urban rap.
On November 21, 2008, Eddie, JoBo and Erica were relieved of their morning show duties, marking the end of an era in Chicago radio.
On December 31 it was announced that Julian Nieh and Jamar "J Niice" McNeil would be replacing the Eddie & JoBo & Erica Show. "J Niice & Julian on the Radio" made its debut January 5, 2009 in the 5:30-10 a.m. slot. The two were at Clear Channel's WIHT-FM Previously Together.
[edit] Summer Bash concerts
B96 Chicago
Kiss FM Chicago
B96 has held a concert at various local venues for the past 15 years with the exception of 1 year it wasn't held due to lack of good musical talent available to perform. When it started in 1992, it was held at the World Music Theater in Tinley Park which is now called First Midwest Bank Amphitheater. After several years it moved to the Joliet Raceway where it stayed until moving to the Maywood Park Racetrack for a year, and then to Toyota Park in Bridgeview in 2007. B96 has always hosted top musical acts as well as some local acts including J Roman who is now half of B96's afternoon drive show. Several artists have appeared more than once over the years. Mariah Carey was even called on one year to be the main M.C.(master of ceremonies) for the event. Some of the bands that were at the Summer Bash 2009 were: The Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Kelly Clarkson, Flo Rida, Kid Cudi, Asher Roth, LMFAO and many more.
B96 Chicago
Kiss FM Chicago
The Summer Bash concert series proved so successful that the station also began a winter/Holiday Season version of the event: the Jingle Bash. The lineup for the 2009 Jingle Bash included: Pitbull, Sean Kingston, Justin Bieber, and Jump Smokers, among others.
