John Rook was tuned in to the radio industry. Rook, an influential radio programmer in major markets before owning stations here, died on Tuesday of natural causes at his Coeur d'Alene home. He was 78. "John was a legend in the radio world," said longtime friend and Coeur d'Alene attorney John Magnuson. "He was tireless, gregarious and an eternal optimist. He lived a life with more adventures than 100 people." Magnuson shared the story of Tommy James of the American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells stopping in at WLS-Chicago with the song "Crimson and Clover," which hadn't been finalized. James played the song for Rook, who was director of programming, under the condition that Rook wouldn't play it on the radio. But Rook recorded the song with a tape recorder and played it anyway, and the hit then exploded/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.