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Dick Biondi has passed away

K

KeithE4

"The Wild I-tralian" died Monday at his home in Chicago. Cause of death not given, but he had been ill for some time. At his peak in the early/mid 1960s, there was no one better. RIP, Dick. :cry:

radioinsight.com

Dick Biondi Dies At 90

Legendary Chicago area personality Richard 'Dick' Biondi died on Monday, June 26 at the age of 90. Biondi's passing was
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com
 
Dick Biondi 1932-2023

Richard Orlando Biondi, 90, of Chicago, died peacefully at home on Monday June 26th.
Dick was born September 13, 1932 in Endicott, New York, to Mike and Rose Biondi.
Loving husband of Maribeth, cherished brother of Geri, dear brother-in-law of Ron and Larry (Kathleen), special uncle and cousin of many.
He spent most of his 67 year career entertaining the greatest radio audience in the greatest city in the world, Chicago! Heard on WLS, WCFL, WMAQ, WBBM and WJMK, his Radio and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voice will remain as part of the soundtrack of our lives.
A private family interment has been held.
 
cyberdad said:
There will never be another like him.
Click to expand...
As a kid I would religiously listen to WLS in the evenings to hear Biondi.

"On top of a pizza, all covered with cheese..." and all his other signature bits were just amazing to me.

So when accompanying my mother to a medical convention in Chicago one summer, I camped out in the lobby of WLS to get Dick Biondi's autograph on a WLS DJ souvenir card.

You can see the signature on the lower left on the card displayed at the very bottom of the page...

WLS FAMILY ALBUM from The Prairie Farmer Station 1933 to 1957

WLS Family Album was an annual booklet published by WLS in Chicago.
worldradiohistory.com

Or, here...

1688272997328.png
 
KeithE4 said:
"The Wild I-tralian" died Monday at his home in Chicago. Cause of death not given, but he had been ill for some time. At his peak in the early/mid 1960s, there was no one better. RIP, Dick. :cry:

radioinsight.com

Dick Biondi Dies At 90

Legendary Chicago area personality Richard 'Dick' Biondi died on Monday, June 26 at the age of 90. Biondi's passing was
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com
Click to expand...
He was unique and a great person.
 
pjc1961 said:
PBS has posted a video (from "Chicago Tonight") featuring Biondi talking about the early days of Top 40 and his playing The Beatles "Please Please Me" in 1962 (attributed as the first playing of the group in the US):
Click to expand...
1962? Please Please Me wasn't released until 1/11/1963 in the UK, and 2/20/1963 in the US.

www.discogs.com

The Beatles - Please Please Me

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Please Please Me by The Beatles. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com
 
radioman148 said:
He. Wasn’t at KRLA until the summer of 63.
Click to expand...

Did you listen to the video? In the video, Biondi specifically says he was fired from WLS, got the Beatles record from VeeJay in Chicago, brought it with him to LA, and played it on the radio in February of 1963. Maybe it was a different station.
 
TheBigA said:
Did you listen to the video? In the video, Biondi specifically says he was fired from WLS, got the Beatles record from VeeJay in Chicago, brought it with him to LA, and played it on the radio in February of 1963. Maybe it was a different station.
Click to expand...
He played at it at WLS in February of 63. Vee Jay was in the Chicago area. He did play it At KRLA that summer.
 
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