Political Quotes

“Almost 11 years ago today, I spoke on the anniversary of two Chicago treasures: Radio station WXRT and one of its beloved hosts, Lin Brehmer. This weekend, we lost Lin at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer. Lin was a Chicago icon, a poet, a Renaissance man, and a friend. For my colleagues who have not lived in Chicago, let me explain. In the movie, ``Almost Famous,'' there is a scene where the protagonist's oldest sister has left her record collection, and she tells him, ``Look under your bed. It will set you free.'' That is what XRT did for us in Chicago and that is what Lin did for me and so many Chicagoans. Before XRT, AM radio, a dry, repetitive desert was our only option for music. After XRT, we were transformed. It became a 24-hour station in 1976, demonstrating our city's unique commitment to independent thinking and an unbridled celebration of art and music. Like many others, XRT linked us to a new world. XRT encouraged me to leave my sterile environment and travel to the Earl of Old Town to see Steve Goodman and my first concert at the Aragon Ballroom to see Mott the Hoople and the New York Dolls, not to mention other famous haunts like the Metro, the Vic, Checkerboard Lounge, to see greats like Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Muddy Waters, Frank Zappa, Roxy Music, and so many others. When Lin became the music director at WXRT in 1984, he helped introduce us to new music, new genres, and new emotions.…”