They signed on the air as WFMR on June 26, 1956, with a classical music format from the Bayshore Shopping Center in Glendale, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 24.5 kilowatts and an antenna height of 35 feet (11 m) above average terrain (HAAT).
Three months later, on April 27, 1983, the owner of WXJY picked up the WFMR call sign, its classical music format, and several of its air talents.
WKLH has long been a ratings success in the Milwaukee area, and has also won many awards, including Radio & Records "Classic Rock Station of the Year" in 2001.
"[6] The WKLH call letters previously belonged to an AM/FM pair of stations in St. Johns, Michigan, from October 1983 to September 1985, now known as WWSJ and WQTX, respectively.
Other current or former regular cast members include Mike Gousha from WISN-TV in Milwaukee, improv master Dylan Bolin "Out Of The Box", Segway King Angelo "Mort" Snotlocker, Rudy "Itchy" Itchkowski, Gino (The Judge) Salomone, "Mr.
Angry", Dutch "Wandering Wisconsin", Joyce Garbaciak from WISN-TV, Katrina Cravy from WITI, Greg "The Gristleman" Koch, John McGivern, Willy Porter, Genesis touring guitarist Daryl Stuermer and more.
Other comedy "regulars" include Fred Klett, Jim Gaffigan, Kyle Cease, Kathleen Madigan and Stephen Lynch and Wisconsin native Frank Caliendo.
[8] Once every year starting in 1998, WKLH's morning show hosts the "Miracle Marathon" to raise money for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.