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The Iconic WRIF Bumper Sticker: A Brief History (PHOTOS)

The image of my friend Steve Galli leaning against the wall next to a door of WRIF stickers has been making the rounds all over the internet lately. He sent…

Steve Galli with his collection of WRIF bumper stickers

Steve Galli with his WRIF bumper stickers.

Steve Galli

The image of my friend Steve Galli leaning against the wall next to a door of WRIF stickers has been making the rounds all over the internet lately. He sent me a text saying that the picture was taken in 1986 or 87. He said it was at the station when we were on 10 mile in Southfield connected to WXYZ, Channel 7.

The iconic stickers have been a big part of the RIFF for the entire 52 years of the station's existence. At every appearance I make someone always, without fail, asks me for a sticker. To this day, I have people sending me self-addressed stamped envelopes looking for the latest ones. Heck, you even see them for sale on certain websites. To me, that's kinda crazy.

Personally, my favorite ones are the stickers in which we get permission from the bands to use their band's logo. One of my favorite RIFF shirts is the one with the famous WRIF oval and METALLICA scrawled across it in that famous font.

I'll never forget coming to interview for my job at the station 28 years ago. As I drove down the street I soon came upon the station parking lot. In it were WRIF promotional vans with the iconic station logo on them It was kind of surreal.

As you can see from the picture below, there have been many WRIF stickers over the years. Think about it for a second, not many other stations do what the RIFF has done with these things over the years. In some ways, the sticker is almost as iconic as the station itself. And the fact that people are still asking for them is the best thing of all.

Check out some of the past stickers below.

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WRIF stickers have been a staple at the station for decades.


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These were some popular stickers back in the day.


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Woodward is filled with hot rods every summer, and WRIF stickers.


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More cruisin' stickers.


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These stickers are bad ass!


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Maybe the loudest concert I've ever been to was AC/DC.


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One word - BRUCE!


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That first Damn Yankees album is pure fire!


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We have to show the "Back" some love too!


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Here's a couple from years gone by with Linkin Park.


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Metallica have always been good sports about letting us use their logo.


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Original Motley Crue stickers.


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Gone but not forgotten - Jeff Beck


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I believe this was from the first go-around with GNR.


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Two words - Go Blue!


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Who misses the old barn? Lots of great memories from the Joe.


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A classic from Hockeytown.


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There's even been Lions stickers.


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Man, I could've posted hundreds of pictures of WRIF stickers that we have here at the station.

MeltdownEditor
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history. Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.