Dick Biondi was an absolute radio legend. He died last week at the age of 90, after a 67-year career that paved the way for generations of broadcasters.

He was the first guy to play the Beatles on the air in Chicago. He was on the ground floor for the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis, as well as plenty other early architects of modern music.

Biondi was inducted to the Radio Hall of Fame in 1998. Specific to Chicago, his voice was heard on WLS-AM, WCFL, WMAQ, WBBM FM, WJMK and WLS-FM.

Biondi’s passing has made me think about the importance of radio during his lifetime, the value of community involvement and the thrill of shared pop culture experience.

With that, I wanted to invite someone on for this episode who could help us learn more about the radio legend. And for that, I’m turning to my old WGN colleague, Scott Miller. Scott’s the morning host at WJBC, the “Voice of Central Illinois,” and he worked with, and knew, Dick Biondi for decades.

(Associated image: Courtesy Scott Miller)

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