The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1970, holding the call sign WGSY.[2][3] The station was originally owned by George W. Yazell, and had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 145 feet.[3] WGSY aired a variety format.[7][8] In 1977, the station was sold to Radio Illinois, Ltd. for $85,000.[3][9]
In 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WIVQ, and the station began airing a MOR format.[3][10] By 1980, the station had begun airing an adult rock format.[11] By 1983, the station had begun airing a beautiful music/easy listening format.[12] By 1984, the station was airing a MOR format.[13] In 1984, the station was sold to Starved Rock Radio Project for $155,000.[14][15]
In September 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WLRZ.[4] WLRZ would air an adult contemporary format.[16] By 1990, the station had begun airing a classic rock format.[17][18] In 1994, the station was sold to Valley Plus Broadcasting for $150,000.[19][20] In 1997, the station was sold to Mendota Broadcasting, Inc., along with 103.3 WAIV, for $700,000.[21][22]
In July 2000, the station's call sign was changed to WBZG, and the station was branded "The Buzz".[4][23] However, in August 2000, 107.7 WBZM in Bloomington would begin broadcasting with "The Buzz" branding, airing a modern rock format.[24] Unbeknownst to WBZG, the owner of WBZM had trademarked "The Buzz" branding for the entire state of Illinois, and WBZG stopped calling itself "The Buzz" to avoid a lawsuit.[24] The station would later be branded "100.9 FM Rocks!".[25]
On January 24, 2023, it was announced that Studstill Media had sold WBZG, along with its sister stations, to Shaw MediainCrystal Lake, Illinois, for a total of $1.8 million. The sale was under FCC review for just under two months before being finalized on March 23, 2023.[26] Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WBZG and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.[27]
