Most and Least Favorite Chicago DJ'S

[quitnow]

As I read that piece, when the term DJ was used, I thought of Bob Sirott. Nice guy but that was it. He was a DJ.

Thanks...I think? Bob is a nice guy. Loved him on the AM shows on Ch. 5 and Fox 32 and love the PBS show.

To be a personality you have to create something for a listener that doesn't exist in their normal life, which is hard today with all the international media and the quick acces we have to things. Everyone wants to grab the Water Cooler stories and talk about "the funny" stuff, but everyone can read that at work and more than likely get 1000 emails about it. What I learned from Fred was creating a world that is bigger than life for listeners (TV for ears). Give them access to things they can't get and do it in a way that serves them. Through music beds, bits, short comments about songs or artists, using sound bites and sound effects to help enhance the image...A lot of the problem I see now is most JOCKS think it doesn't take talent to play a clip of an artist talking about where they came up with the idea for a song, and they'd rather be the one to tell the story themself. Most do it because they like to hear themselves talk and want to be "the source" for everything. That's selfserving and more boring. "Make the radio world biger than life. Be a star and let the real stars (the artists) shine brightest. Just be yourself and have fun." That's what Fred's advice was then (early 80's) and I've enjoyed success in this business living off it. I regress every once in awhile, but when I feel I'm slipping I go back to that notepad (yes, I still have it) and read his comment again and again until I feel I have banished those deamons for the time being.

 

[Ultimajock]

Steve Dahl was the only one ballsy enough to bad mouth management on the air before anyone.

...Lujack and Imus were doing that before Dahl ever left Southern California...

 

[Radio Listener]

How sad is it that none of us can come up with any current Chicago jocks to put on this list?

Not quite true....several have mentioned Dahl, Brandmeier and Byrd, among others - all of whom are on the air now in Chicago.

 

[quitnow]

Not quite true....several have mentioned Dahl, Brandmeier and Byrd, among others - all of whom are on the air now in Chicago.

But in the context they're being mentioned in, they are gone. Very few, if any, can recapture the city...that's the CITY, not just a Hot A/C audience or a classic rock audience, or pick your format...like the great one's did on a CITY WIDE scale. Winston was a household name. Collins was a household name. Lujack was...right. Ask half of Chicago who Kozman is and they'll look at you like you're crazy.

Don't start a flame war. He's only an example. Most of the people on Chicago radio are right there with him. Koz, if you read this, take no offense. Smile and keep doing what you do. I see the numbers and you're doing just fine!

 

[VickyLou]

Well--For most favorite--and second favorite--Dick Biondi. And he'll be my third favorite too, if he ever starts playing my requests again.
Least favorite is a toss-up. I just wanted to be sure I got my input in on the "most favorite" end!

 

[Tom Wells]

Steve Dahl was the only one ballsy enough to bad mouth management on the air before anyone.

...Lujack and Imus were doing that before Dahl ever left Southern California...

I swear I've heard an aircheck of Dick Biondi singing happy birthday to WLS on one of the early anniversaries, and badmouthing the mangement
for being so cheap.

 

[cahokia]

most favorite, Jerry G Bishop, Bob Collins, Dick Biondi, I don't have a least favorite that i can think of.

 

[cahokia]

I think my least favorite, Mort crowley

 

[HenryOchs]

My favorite Chicago Radio personalities are:

1. Eric and Kathy/WTMX
2. Ty/103.5 KISS-FM
3. Koz/WTMX
4. Silly Jilly/103.5 KISS-FM
5. Nina Chantelle/103.5 KISS-FM
6. Mike Roberts/WTMX
7. Dave Hilton/WLIT
8. Bob Strud/The Drive
9. Billy Hammond/103.5 KISS-FM

 

[kd8hho]

i still miss rock 1035...

 

[VickyLou]

Steve Dahl was the only one ballsy enough to bad mouth management on the air before anyone.

...Lujack and Imus were doing that before Dahl ever left Southern California...

I swear I've heard an aircheck of Dick Biondi singing happy birthday to WLS on one of the early anniversaries, and badmouthing the mangement
for being so cheap.

You have, you have!!! That was Dick's 3rd anniversary with WLS-AM--on May 2, 1963. I have that aircheck on CD; I believe I got it on eBay, and it's still available there.

 

[oaktree]

Uncle Lar', Lil' Tommy.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Ron Britain at Super 'CFL. An inspiration to me ... and I lived in Delaware listening to him on 'CFL.

Barney Pip
Fred Winston
John Records Landecker
Jimmy P. Stagg
Stan "The All Night Record Man" Dale
Bob Dearborn
Gary Gears
(Lyle Dean - WLS News)
Jerry G. Bishop
Kris Erik Stevens
Charlie Van Dyke
Jim Runyon (Chickenman)
Dick Orkin (Chickenman)
(Paul Harvey - News & Comment)
Joel Sebastian
Wally Philips
Scotty Brink
Ron Riley
Clark Weber
Art Roberts
Dick Sainte
John Driscoll
(Mike Drexler - WCFL News)
Howard Miller
"Big" Ron O'Brien
(Carole Simpson - News)
(John Gannon - WCFL News)

All favorites ... and there were others.

 

[VideoPaul]

'RECORDS'
(John Landecker)

hands down!

AMEN!!! (ooh-aah...)

 

[irishivy]

Mancow.

 

[Musicradio]

I've been away awhile from the board, so I just saw this subject.

My vote goes to all the jocks on WLS from 1972-1986. This group of people made it a pleasure to listen to Chicago radio for those of us who were nowhere near the Windy city.

Those are also the people who helped me get into radio. I will owe you forever.

Thanks!

 

[pqgeorge]

As a "skywave" listener from Boston, I am somewhat limited to what I've been able to hear from the Windy City over the years until the Internet made all-day reception available, anywhere. I'll can tell you this..... "The Big 89" WLS was my "fave" ever since September 7, 1968. "Uncle Lar", Fred Winston, John Records Landecker, Yvonne Daniels, Art Roberts, Tommy Edwards, the whole crew at "The Big 89" were the greatest! I grew up listening to WLS practically every night some 900 miles away (and eventually in Stereo)! Not a bad one in the bunch (except maybe Dahl).

I used to love those "Heilmann's Old Style Beer" commercials with the late actor Ed Binns doing the voice-overs. "Old Style Beer, pure brewed in..... God's country. Heilmann Brewing Company, LaCrosse, Wisconsin". Loved the horns on the spot. It really traveled through the noise! Who'd ever forget "Playback......the electronic playground!".

And let me say this. Dick Biondi is a giant of all jocks and a truly a gentleman in every sense of the word. I've had the pleasure several times of speaking with him on the phone and on-line. He's still got it! It's great hearing him today on WLS-FM 94.7. It's a preset on my computer.

Ah, what memories!

Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts

 

[bobes6]

I guess since I started this I should name mine. Greg Brown is my favorite. I listen to him every day. Back in the 60's it was Jim Stagg, Barney Pip, Ron Brittain and of course Chickenman!

 

[1250wg-al]

Wow you folks are bringing back memories from the 70s when I grew up in listening to Chitown radio. Can't forget the jocks from the burbs either. There were many of nights listening to AOR on WOPA and their sex talk program at lunch....lol. Remember when they were an oldies station? Also saw a mention of Ted Lauderback and was wondering if he is still around. Ran into him first I believe at WXFM and then down the road when he was on WFYR and WLS-FM. As for WBBM what ever happen to Ton Phillips from the 70s? Also use to listen to him on WLTH in Gary, In about the time Steve King was there. Also presume the Evan Luck mentioned was the same guy I worked with at WSTK in Woodstock....kid had some pipes as a teen. Ahhh Chicago radio home of many radio icons.

 

[VickyLou]

I'd have to say, Dick Biondi is my most AND least favorite. I mean, he's wonderful--but for heaven's sake, I wish he'd start playing my requests again!! I'm one of his most loyal fans! OK, so I'm out of town. What if I moved to Chicagoland?????? Wouldn't we WANT to make me happy????
Oh well--back to the main point. So that's my most--AND my least--favorite DJ. And that's why too.

 

[Prais]

You guys are a bunch of young "puppies."

REAL DJ's like "Daddi-o Daylie on WAAF, The Magnificent Montague (same place). You gotta have Joel Sebastian (the GREATEST "housewife jock" ever) also King B, Ron Brittain, Dan Sorkin, WALLY PHILLIPS, and Uncle Bobby Collins. Even Howard Miler (ask your grandma)..