We’ll be seeing RED as we devote our Friday Feature to the music of two longtime XRT favorites who will each be appearing in sold-out XRT Shows within the next two weeks: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bonnie Raitt. Don’t miss a single note from one of the great modern rock bands of and one of the most celebrated and socially conscious artists of our time.

Set your listening device to ROCK starting with Lin Brehmer’s show Friday morning. Read More

Photos: U2Just over 30 years ago a young Irish 4-piece named after a U.S. spy plane made its Chicago debut. U2 has pretty much owned this city for the past quarter century, making an indelible mark on this town’s illustrious rock history.

Let’s spend a day enjoying our favorite songs, rarities and live tracks. More U2

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Santana & Los Lobos. Their respective combination of influences from all sides of the border make their music instantly appealing and totally distinctive. And few performers have rocked so consistently over the years as the two bands who will share this week’s Friday Feature. Hope you don’t mind us getting a head-start on the festivities!More XRT

Photos: The CureTwo of the best established rock juggernauts of the past few decades will be showcased this week on XRT, as we welcome Counting Crows back to Chicago for a sold-out XRT Show, and celebrate the birthday of The Cure‘s founder and frontman, Robert Smith. No party hats, candles, or gifts will be accepted.

Just bring your audio devices and tune in all day Friday, starting with Lin Brehmer on the XRT morning show.Read More & Stream Counting Crows New Album

Photos: Tom PettyPetty has been at the helm of the Heartbreakers longer than any other U.S. rock group has remained together. The caliber of their artistic output is only surpassed by its consistency. Hear recorded highlights from their decades as an ensemble, as well as Petty solo projects all day Friday, starting with Lin Brehmer’s morning show.Watch Video & Get More Tom Petty

Photo Tour Of Pearl Jam’s PJ20…They celebrated their Big 2-Oh last summer over Labor Day weekend at Alpine Valley, but they refuse to rest on their laurels. Let’s rock in the weekend with Pearl Jam, starting with Lin Brehmer’s show Friday morning. XRT has been playing their music since Day One – actually, even before that – and it still sounds great when you turn it up loud! (So what are you waiting for?) Read More

He’s been considered a guitar deity for generations, and his recorded work has ranged from the blues-rock jams of Cream and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers to the more textured stylings of his more recent solo work. But his playing almost defines the history of rock guitar playing. Nowhere but on XRT can you savor the spectrum of Clapton’s contributions and influences. Happy Birthday, E.C. Hear this week’s Friday Feature starting with Lin Brehmer’s morning show.Read More

This Friday it’s a Rock & Roll Birthday Bash for Eric Clapton. The guitar god’s latest solo album, Clapton features Sheryl Crow, Steve Winwood, Derek Trucks, Allen Toussaint and Wynton Marsalis.

Click below for an inside look at his latest disc, Clapton, on this 60-minute special hosted by XRT’s Norm Winer. Listen To The Radio Special In Its Entirety

Eric Clapton is a great artist to have as the Friday Feature on ‘XRT because his work has so many sides (no pun intended) and has spanned so many decades. There’s the young blues-rock guitar god of the mid-sixties who was one of several artists of the time, American but also especially British, who’s music helped to direct young rock fans attention toward blues, for which I will always be grateful. There’s the solo artist that emerged in the seventies and continues to have a fondness for pop ballads. There’s the modern day, blues guitar-playing artist that can fill a stadium. And there’s the man who is one of the world’s great fans of other guitarists, both blues and others, who has put together the remarkable festival-like events that have benefited his Crossroads residential drug treatment center in Antigua.Read More From Marker & Watch Video

Photos: The WhoSomeone once said The Beatles and The Stones were for wimps who couldn’t handle The Who. Oh right, that was me. I was kidding, of course, since my overweening devotion to the first two bands is well documented. But if I were to lock the studio door and play nothing but The Who all day, I’d want to share some of these odds and sods.Lin’s Odds and Sods

Tune in all day to enjoy the recorded legacy of one of rock’s most influential and justifiably popular groups of all-time! In their prime, no other band could match the sheer power and raw energy of a Who live performance. Hear classics, personal faves, and rarities you won’t hear anywhere else! Starting with the XRT Morning Show.Listen To Who Audio On-Demand

Lin & Jason at the South Side Irish Parade (photo: Zack Nechvatal / WXRT)

Chicago River Dye [Photos]Tune in this Friday to XRT’s annual Shamrock & Roll feature, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with the best Irish rock you’ll hear anywhere! And don’t miss our annual Shamrock & Roll Party starring G. Love live from Mystic Celt this Saturday at Noon. Free admission, but capacity’s limited. So get there early! Read More & Watch Video

Peter Gabriel

Photos: Peter Gabriel & The New…One of rock’s true originals, Peter Gabriel, receives the XRT Friday Feature treatment this week starting with Lin Brehmer‘s morning show. Peter’s innovative sense of showmanship, unique combination of musical influences, and his global perspective on humanity have made him a listener favorite since his days with Genesis, Chicago’s only station that’s been playing PG since Day One!Continue & Watch Video