Lin Brehmer

Lin Brehmer was one of the defining voices of Chicago radio, hosting mornings on 93XRT,  WXRT-FM from 1991 to 2020. Known for his warmth, wit, and deep connection with listeners, he was a trusted companion to generations of Chicagoans while celebrating great music and the artists who created it.

Brehmer began his radio career in 1977 at WQBK-FM in Albany, New York, where he earned the nickname "The Reverend of Rock and Roll." After joining WXRT as Music Director in 1984, he was named FMQB's Music Director of the Year three times before becoming the station's morning host in 1991, a position he held through 2020. He remained associated with WXRT after 2020, continuing to contribute on the air before his passing in 2023.

In addition to his on-air work, Brehmer wrote and broadcast his signature essays, Lin's Bin, inspired first by listeners' letters and later by emails. He estimated writing approximately 1,800 editions. His thoughtful storytelling, humor, and empathy forged an uncommon bond with his audience.

Brehmer famously described himself as "your best friend in the whole world" and regularly reminded listeners that "it's great to be alive," phrases that came to define both his personality and his relationship with listeners.

Brehmer's influence on Chicago radio endures through the generations of listeners he welcomed each morning and the broadcasters he inspired. In 2026, he joined his longtime WXRT colleague, Terri Hemmert, in the Radio Hall of Fame, receiving a Legends induction.