CHICAGO - Wally Phillips, the most listened-to Chicago radio host for two decades, has died at the age of 82. He was a native of Portsmouth, Ohio. The longtime broadcaster, whose skillful blend of information and humor made him a pioneer of talk radio, died early Thursday after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, according to WGN, where he spent 42 years.
Phillips dominated Chicago’s radio airwaves after taking over WGN’s morning show in 1965. Mixing audience participation, public service and breaking news, his broadcast was the No. 1 morning show in Chicago from 1966 until he left to take over the afternoon program in 1986, according to WGN.
“Wally Phillips was the biggest, most successful, most influential local radio broadcaster in Chicago history,â€
Talk radio pioneer dead at 82
Moderators: The People's DJ, David Paleg