Dick Biondi Obituary: Legendary Chicago DJ, Passes Away at 90, A Tribute to the Iconic Radio Personality

Dick Biondi, the beloved disc jockey who entertained Top 40 radio listeners in Chicago for over six decades, passed away on June 26 at his home in Chicago. The announcement was made by WLS 890-AM on Saturday. Biondi, considered by many as the greatest disc jockey of all time, was 90 years old at the time of his death.

Biondi’s remarkable career earned him a place in several prestigious halls of fame, including the National Radio Hall of Fame, the radio exhibit of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. His impact on the industry was recognized when the city of Chicago celebrated the 50th anniversary of his start on the air by naming the alley south of the old WLS studios “Dick Biondi Way” in 2010.

In September 2017, on the occasion of Biondi’s 85th birthday, WLS/94.7-FM honored the legendary personality with a daylong celebration that included on-air tributes, social media messages, and a dedicated “Happy Birthday, Dick Biondi” web page. Unbeknownst to many, these tributes turned out to be Biondi’s farewell from the Cumulus Media classic hits station.

Fans had been eagerly anticipating his return since April 2017 when Biondi was hospitalized for a leg ailment. Several weeks later, he released a statement saying that doctors were doing everything possible to help him regain his strength.

During his tenure at the Top 40 powerhouse WLS 890-AM from 1960 to 1963, Biondi, known as “The Wild I-Tralian,” commanded a staggering 60% share of all listeners, captivating millions of teenagers in 38 states and Canada. After various stops at other stations such as WCFL, WMAQ, WBBM, and WJMK, both in and outside of Chicago, he was reunited with the iconic WLS call letters at WLS 94.7-FM in 2006.

This reunion followed WJMK’s shift away from its oldies format in 2005. According to the terms of his contract, Biondi continued to host a nightly oldies show on the internet and HD radio. However, his audience significantly dwindled, and eventually, the station decided to part ways with him. Biondi was 73 years old at the time and had spent 21 years at WJMK.

Reflecting on his passion for being a DJ, Biondi once remarked in a 2006 interview, “If I didn’t get a job, I was going to go to Target and be the person who says, ‘Welcome to Target!’ because I love talking to people so much. (Being a DJ) is all I ever wanted to do.”

Biondi began his career as a small-town DJ in New York and swiftly rose to prominence at the nation’s top stations. He arrived in Chicago in 1960, joining WLS 890-AM, also known as “The Big 89.” His popular show reached audiences in 40 states and parts of Canada.

Biondi played a significant role in shaping the rock ‘n’ roll music scene, influencing the careers of legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis through his song selections. He made history as the first DJ in America to play a Beatles record, “Please Please Me,” in 1963, and introduced the Fab Four at several major concerts.

During his prime, crowds would gather outside the old WLS studio at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive to watch Biondi’s show live. He even recorded a popular novelty record titled “On Top of a Pizza” and performed at countless sock hops, social gatherings, and charity events throughout the Chicago area.

Biondi’s commitment to charitable endeavors was evident in his involvement in leading toy drives for charity at suburban malls for several years. He embraced public appearances and relished the opportunity to connect with people, a quality that set him apart from other disc jockeys.

“Appearances are fun,” Biondi expressed in 2006. “I can’t understand why celebrities wear dark sunglasses and walk around with 12 bodyguards around them. Why would you do that? I love for people to come up and say hello. Maybe that’s the Italian in me.”

Richard Orlando Biondi was born on September 13, 1932, in Endicott, New York, to Mike and Rose Biondi. He is survived by his wife, Maribeth, his brother Geri, brothers-in-law Ron and Larry (Kathleen), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as stated by WLS. Private services were held to honor his memory.