Steve Dahl to write final chapter on Disco Demolition

Comiskey Park July 12, 1979

Comiskey Park July 12, 1979

Thirty-five years after he rocked Chicago and blew up the music world in what became the most infamous radio promotion of all time, Steve Dahl hopes to clear the air about Disco Demolition with a definitive book on the event.

The Chicago radio legend is teaming with author Dave Hoekstra and photographer Paul Natkin to write Disco Demolition: the Death of Disco. It’s set for release in April 2016 by Curbside Splendor, an independent publisher based in Humboldt Park. Continue reading

Larry Lujack’s last wish was no big deal

Larry Lujack

Larry Lujack

When the legendary Larry Lujack died last December, generations of listeners mourned the passing of one of radio’s all-time greatest personalities.

Heartfelt tributes extended far beyond Chicago, where Lujack reigned without equal for decades. From an obituary in the New York Times to a salute on the 2014 Grammy Awards show, they attested to the immense popularity and influence of the Hall of Fame broadcaster, who succumbed to esophageal cancer at 73. Continue reading

The man behind ‘The Blaze’ gets in ‘The Groove’ with new jazz station

Chris Devine

Chris Devine

Twenty-three years after he put “The Blaze” on the air, Chris Devine is back in business on Chicago radio.

With the flip of a switch at 9 p.m. Friday, Devine launched a contemporary jazz outlet on 103.9 FM, a broadcast translator licensed to Windy City Broadcasting. The signal also is carried on Hubbard Radio’s WTMX 101.9 HD2, the secondary digital audio channel linked to the modern adult-contemporary station. Continue reading

Crain’s new website holds ‘open house’

Crain'sThe folks at Crain’s Chicago Business unveiled a beautifully redesigned website this week — and now they want everyone to see it.

So they’re holding an “open house” on the site, dropping their usually strict paywall and inviting non-subscribers to sample everything online for one week (including the just-released “40 under 40” list for 2014). The free peek runs through December 12 at chicagobusiness.com. Continue reading