Welcome, Dick Biondi fans!Chicago's WLS radio just celebrated a major anniversary. It was on May 2, 1960 that the station switched to their highly successful Top 40 format that lasted for over a quarter of a century.
The first deejay at WLS that day was Mort Crowley, and the first tune he played was the Hollywood Argyles' "Alley-Oop", a hipster's affectionate tribute to the caveman comic strip character.
In honor of this anniversary, my show this week is a collection of early recordings featuring Dick Biondi, the only original WLS deejay still on the air today, and still proudly playing "Alley-Oop" after nearly half a century.
You can read all about the history of WLS from its debut in 1924 to the present on Scott Childers' website. For more info on the clips featuring Mr. Biondi, scroll down to Blogpost #4.
Next week's show is a rebroadcast of my heartfelt tribute to the late Chicago Eddie Schwartz, who became the most popular all-night radio host in Chicago history. You'll hear vintage clips from his late-seventies broadcasts on WIND, plus his original theme song from WGN.
Before I forget... a happy 99th birthday to radio legend Norman Corwin, the greatest living writer in the history of radio. Check out his website.
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