listening to the 50 year anniversary of this rock and roll dj who was the first to play the Beatles on radio in the USA. He is also credited with being among the firsts to bring Elvis, Jerry Lee and Gene Vincent to regular rotation as well. I grew up listening to this guy on WLS am radio, just a wonderful guy, glad he is still around.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

At 350 miles away, we used to listen to WLS am at night after all the little stations shut down and cleared the air. The jocks were really fun to listen to. Before we had cars, we carried a portable radio on our shoulder and walked everywhere. Fun teenage years. Musicianship was not much of a concern for am rock-n-roll. You couldn't hear it that well. Like punk rock later, it was an attitude, a beat, and a tune.

Not to be picky, but 50 years is not quite long enough to reach those dudes' beginnings. I love spell check. Peace. G

at 50,000 KW WLS am radio was the most powerful broadcasting station back in the day, so fun that you remember from so far away GTG, when I was in service guys I was stationed with from around the midwest would always comment about listening to WLS from Chicago. Great station with many great memories in which Dick Biondi holds a special place.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Absolutely. Wasn't Johnny Lujack big then? I can't remember any others.

SBLS- Are you old enough to remember WJJD Chicago? It was top 40 in 1961 when we moved from LA to Willmette. It's probably talk or ranchero or some other travesty now.

Robben Ford once said kids are missing something now, 'cause radio is all specialized today. He said back in the day "Our Day Will Come" would be followed by "The Purple People Eater". Not his exact words, but something like that....

I found an old playlist of KHJ Los Angeles, from the early '60's. The variety was astounding.

Sigh......

Dick was at a few Battle of the Bands at our high school. Great, timeless, immortal radio personality. Chicago legend.

Yup, 'also remember WJJD Chicago AM, it was union-sponsored, "The Voice of Labor." For whatever reason, WLS was preferred, here.

I just checked. WJJD is country now, with 'southern gospel' on Sunday morning. Wouldn't have guessed that style of music in Chicago.

Coulda been much, much worse.

GTG, Larry Lujack is still around and was a great DJ back when. I remembered "The Screaming Wild Man Carl Bonafetti" but when I searched I came up with a few viruses but nothin' on him. Dick was the "Wild Italian". After midnight back then "The Big Bill Hill Shopping Bag Show" was the listening choice as that DJ played a lot of Chicago Blues artists and some rougher edged R&B.

Taurus, yes I remember WJJD thanks for reminding me, they played everything but mixed it up so it some how sounded like it was supposed to be played in that rotation.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Dick is currently a DJ on the oldies station here in Chicago. I'm not sure if it's syndicated or not. I'm 33 and I've listen to this dude my whole life. Always throws a shot out to not drink and drive. He's a cool cat.

_________________
Keep rockin'