Dick Biondi, a radio dynamo whose long 67-year career mirrored the development of rock 'n' roll in America and influenced the Top 40 radio landscape, has had an enduring impression on the business.
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| Dick Biondi |
Biondi, affectionately known as "The Wild I-Tralian," who had an everlasting love for music, a vivacious on-air personality, and an inexhaustible compassion for his dedicated followers, passed away on June 26 at the age of 90, his family announced.
Biondi claimed to have been fired from 25 radio stations in his lifetime during his incredible voyage, but he never intended to retire and almost ever took vacations. He didn't have to temporarily put his career on hold until health difficulties compelled him to in April 2017. He has been a well-liked personality at classic hits WLS 94.7-FM since 2006 up to that point.
From 1960 to 1963, when he was at the height of his popularity, Biondi captured an amazing 60% of all listeners as the evening host on the renowned Top 40 juggernaut WLS 890-AM. Millions of adoring teens in 38 states and Canada heard his mesmerizing voice. Billboard magazine twice named him the No. 1 disc jockey in America during that era in recognition of his influence.
Biondi played a pivotal role in propelling the careers of legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others. Moreover, he holds the distinction of being the first disc jockey to introduce the Beatles to the American airwaves. In February 1963, he debuted their hit single "Please Please Me," and he went on to emcee concerts for both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
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| Dick Biondi WLS |
Remembering the significant influence Biondi had on a generation of music enthusiasts, C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb remarked during Biondi's induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1998, "Dick Biondi helped introduce rock 'n' roll to a generation of kids, including me. He was loud, fast-talking, full of platter chatter and crazy stunts." Lamb, who grew up listening to Biondi in Lafayette, Indiana, acknowledged the DJ's lasting impact on his own life.
Mike "Hot Hits" is a well-known radio consultant. Biondi was praised by Joseph as the best DJ in the annals of rock radio, praising his dynamic and genuine style. Joseph noted that Biondi "sounds and sounded like a rock jock should," highlighting his extraordinary skill.
Biondi said that his consistent passion and determination were the key to his continued success in the field. He once said, "Radio is the best means of communication in the world." Nobody, absolutely nobody, is more personal than your voice entering someone's thoughts.
Richard Orlando Biondi, who was born in Endicott, New York, on September 13, 1932, made his radio debut when he was just eight years old. The chance came about when Biondi accepted Bob Morgan's invitation to read an advertisement for a women's apparel business while visiting his grandparents on WMBO in Auburn, New York. That encounter ignited Biondi's enduring passion for radio.
Biondi followed his interest for radio throughout high school by working behind the scenes at WINR in Binghamton, New York, thanks to encouragement from his parents. He got the opportunity to connect with notable figures in the field there, including Rod Serling, who would later become known for "The Twilight Zone." Bob Cullings, a sportscaster, gave Biondi advice on pronunciation and diction while she delivered coffee and hamburgers for Serling. Biondi expressed his thanks to the mentors who provided him the opportunity to enter the radio industry as he thought back on those early experiences.
Two weeks after receiving his high school diploma, Biondi started working as a sportscaster at WCBA in Corning, New York, just two weeks later. This was the start of a quick trip that brought him through several states before returning him to Upstate New York, including Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He became known as "The Big Noise from Buffalo" at WEBR during this period.
Sam Holman, the program director of WLS, a renowned radio station in Chicago, called Biondi soon after she was let go from WEBR and it changed her life. A new rock 'n' roll format named "The Bright New Sound" was being introduced on the 50,000-watt station, and Holman urged Biondi to participate. Biondi began working for WLS as the host of the 9 p.m. to midnight slot on May 2, 1960.
Due to his noisy and vivacious delivery and particular flair, Biondi rose to fame quite fast. His quick rise was supported by a strong fan base that loved his frantic, loud broadcasts. In addition to his presence on-air, Biondi became well-known for his outrageous off-air antics and the novelty hit song "On Top of a Pizza," a lighthearted spoof of "On Top of Old Smoky." Additionally, his "record hops," or performances at high schools and clubs, sometimes devolved into hysterical mob situations.
However, owing to a disagreement with management over the advertisement load on his show, Biondi's employment at WLS unexpectedly came to an end exactly three years into his career there. Although a false urban legend claimed that he was let go after cracking a pornographic joke on television, the reality was far less scandalous.
After leaving WLS, Biondi spent four years in Los Angeles working at KRLA and hosting a nationally broadcast program. He joined WCFL, a station that competed with WLS, after his return to Chicago in 1967, and then worked briefly at WMAQ. Biondi, however, started another multi-city radio tour in 1972.
When Bob Sirott, a former Chicago DJ whose own career had been impacted by Biondi, located him for a "Where Are They Now" article, Biondi's career had a resurgence. The strong response to the interview led to Biondi's temporary replacement position at Top 40 station WBBM 96.3-FM. Despite spending less than a year at WBBM, this resulted in his being hired on as the morning host on a permanent basis.
When Biondi made his way permanently back to Chicago, he was recruited in 1984 to introduce the oldies format at WJMK 104.3-FM, where he would work for the next 21 years. He ultimately returned to WLS in 2006, this time on the FM side, thanks to a format shift. He switched from anchoring late-night shows to hosting Saturday and Sunday morning programmes in 2015.
Through his yearly marathon remote broadcasts from nearby shopping malls, Biondi shown his dedication to giving back to the community in addition to his radio profession. These broadcasts, which might go on for up to 36 hours straight, were designed to raise money and presents for needy kids around the holidays.
Source: Wikipedia/Chicago Tribune/Europeans24