Bob Stroud signed off his final “Ten at 10.” The longtime Chicago rock voice is heading toward retirement.
What We Know: Stroud hosted his last “Ten at 10” on Hubbard Classic Rock’s 97.1 The Drive (WDRV Chicago/96.9 WWDV Zion IL). He launched WDRV’s Classic Rock format in 2001 as its first on-air voice. Stroud stepped back from middays in June 2022 but kept hosting “Ten at 10,” “One 45 at 1:45,” and Sunday’s “Rock and Roll Roots.” That Sunday show debuted in 1980 and traveled with him across six Chicago stations before landing at WDRV.
What’s at Stake: Stroud’s exit closes a 25-year chapter at WDRV and a 46-year run on Chicago airwaves. His final “Ten at 10” featured songs chosen for personal meaning, not just chart impact. The segment doubled as a retrospective on what Stroud called “a long line of rock and roll dreams coming true.” Therefore, the moment carried weight beyond a typical countdown.
What Remains Unclear: Hubbard hasn’t named a replacement for “Ten at 10” or “One 45 at 1:45.” Additionally, the future of “Rock and Roll Roots” remains undetermined. Whether Stroud stays involved with WDRV in any capacity wasn’t addressed publicly.
What It Means: Stroud’s departure marks the end of an era for Chicago classic rock radio. Meanwhile, WDRV must now navigate its identity without the host who built its sound from day one. Consequently, listeners and programmers alike will watch closely how the format evolves post-Stroud. His legacy, however, remains tied to nearly five decades of rock radio in the market.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
