Here in Atlanta, we listened to WLS in the *early 60’s*, as well.
All the local stations played what we called, “bubble-gum music”, and we were into blues.
Like has been stated, we could only get the station at night, and in good weather conditions...and sometimes it would even fade in, and out.
Good station...back then, anyway.
In the late 70s I could get WLS in Norfolk, Va on a clear night.