Aug. 05--When April Rose was named Loop Rock Girl for Chicago radio station WLUP-FM 97.9 eight years ago, it launched the Northbrook native's entertainment career.
Now a budding star whose credits include everything from MTV's "Girl Code" to movies like "Grown Ups 2," Rose is back for a second turn as the face of the Loop.
The official announcement naming Rose as Loop Rock Girl is scheduled for Wednesday on the Mancow morning show, where she will be a regular on-air contributor.
Rose is the latest to don the iconic Loop T-shirt as the station's ambassador. For listeners of a certain age, Lorelei Shark (formerly Ray), who was the first to fill the role during the station's heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, remains the one and only Loop girl. Shark's sultry rock girl image was branded in Chicago's consciousness with countless commercials and promotional appearances on behalf of the station.
The Loop girl was all but retired until 2005, when the station revived it through an annual contest. Rose bested dozens of competitors to grab the title in 2007, a titular crown that culminated in a provocative and popular Loop Rock Girl calendar shoot.
WLUP-FM has been through several ownership changes since the Loop girl was introduced. Atlanta-based Cumulus Media took over operations of WLUP in January 2014 from former Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels' Merlin Media through a four-year local marketing agreement, with a firm option to buy the station.
During the 1970s and 1980s, WLUP dominated the Chicago rock market, with an army of followers in black Loop T-shirts a ubiquitous sight at summer festivals and concerts, including the infamous Disco Demolition in 1979 at old Comiskey Park, where an on-field riot forced the White Sox to forfeit a game.
Loop girl Lorelei made an appearance at Disco Demolition, but most historians blame on-air personality Steve Dahl for inciting his Loop followers to storm the field and wreak havoc.
Not surprisingly, the Loop scored its highest ratings in the summer of '79, with a 7.3 share that placed it third among all stations. Things are much quieter for the station these days. WLUP is ranked 18th with a 2.2 share in the July Nielsen ratings for Chicago.
Rose used her first run as Loop girl to launch a burgeoning media and entertainment career. Beyond numerous appearances on MTV, she frequently appears as a model in Maxim magazine, hosts a Web series on playboy.com and was recently cast as the female lead in the upcoming remake of the 1980 Clint Eastwood film "Any Which Way You Can," now in production.
In addition, she hosts shows on Comcast SportsNet, all of which keeps her on the air and living in Chicago. Rose bought a home in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, from which she can commute as needed to gigs on either coast from nearby Midway Airport.
Rose talked to the Tribune on the eve of the announcement as the new Loop girl. What follows is an edited transcript.
Q: What are the responsibilities of being Loop girl circa 2015?
This year we're going to have more of an on-air presence. I'll be on the Mancow show more, definitely hosting events and being at concerts. The big thing that people get really excited about, which I love doing, is the Loop Rock Girl calendar, so we'll be doing signings all over Chicago.
This year, it's going to be a bigger push for social media. It's a really cool platform that wasn't big when I was a Loop rock girl before.
Q: How often will you be on the radio?
A: Definitely once a week with Mancow. We'll see how it goes and see what works. When I was a Loop girl, we didn't have an on-air presence. I always kind of felt that's the point of working for a radio station -- being on air. So being on the Mancow show is a perfect fit.
Q: With much of your work in New York and Los Angeles, why live in Chicago?
A: I've always tried to stay and work in Chicago as much as possible. I jump on a plane, sometimes I go to New York for the day. I just considered it my work commute. Some people drive an hour, two hours to work. I flew to work. I just didn't want to leave Chicago. I really love it here, it's an amazing city and nothing else compares to it.
Q: Any concerns that being the Loop girl is exploitative?
A: Before I was in this industry I was a crisis counselor for sexual assault victims for 14 different Chicago hospitals. I have a certain mindset on how women are treated and should be respected, and so I try to bring that to my job with me.
Q: How long will you serve as Loop girl this time?
A: As long as everyone likes me. Things change and new owners take over different companies. In this industry you never know. One day people love you and the next day there's someone new coming along. I'm just happy being in Chicago, being able to work here right now.
rchannick@tribpub.com
