Clark Weber named to Illinois Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame

Clark Weber

Clark Weber

On the eve of his self-imposed retirement, Chicago radio legend Clark Weber has been named to the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Weber, 84, will be inducted June 16 at a dinner opening the group’s annual state conference at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

A giant of Chicago broadcasting since the early 1960s, “Mother Weber’s Oldest Son” succeeded through various incarnations as a disc jockey, talk show host, program director, advertising executive and industry elder statesman, all with style, class and professionalism. His 2008 memoir, Clark Weber’s Rock and Roll Radio, is the definitive story of the golden age of Top 40 radio here and his pivotal roles in that era at WLS AM 890 and the former WCFL.

Having kept up an active schedule of public appearances and speaking engagements, Weber said he’s finally ready to hang it up. “Bob Hope once said the time to retire is when you can still hear the applause from your dressing room,” he told me. “In my case it’s time.”

Weber said his last radio interview will be May 19 with midday hosts Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano on Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. His last speaking appearance will be May 22 at Chestnut Square Retirement Community in Glenview. Then he’ll take one last bow at his June 16 Hall of Fame induction.

As an IBA Hall of Fame honoree, Weber will join a pantheon of broadcast legends that includes Oprah Winfrey, Jack Benny, Orson Welles, Joan Rivers, Dick Biondi, Larry Lujack, Dave Garroway, Paul Harvey, Mike Wallace, Bill Kurtis, Orion Samuelson, Don Cornelius and Siskel & Ebert.

Also honored at the event as IBA Broadcast Pioneers will be veteran Chicago radio newsman Lyle Dean and longtime Chicago sportscaster Armando Perez.