It was ten years ago (December 18th, 2013) when Chicago radio legend Larry Lujack passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 73. Despite being away from the media spotlight for several years while retired in New Mexico, news of his death was a big deal story back here. It was also a big topic for anyone who worked in professional radio across the country and were influenced by the self-proclaimed ‘Superjock.’ To this day, Larry is still remembered, revered and most of all missed.
The always charming and delightful Ole Uncle Lar…
Most of you know I was Larry’s producer at WLS AM for two and a half years until he retired for the first time in the late summer of 1987. Despite our professional separation, Larry and I remained in contact and close friends until he left this world. We’d conduct hour long phone calls to each other two to three times a year. I even spent several days staying with him and wife Jude in Santa Fe at his invitation.
I’d love to share loads of details of our working and post-working relationship but much of that will be read in my yet to be published media memoir “Raised on the Radio.” Larry would appreciate me holding back right now. Back when we worked together, before shows when I had personal happenings or comments to share with Larry he’d say, “Don’t tell me now, save it for the show!” Duly noted.
However, I can give you a few teasers. (As Lar would say, that’s good “Quarter hour listening maintenance.”)
I was a fan of Lujack’s since the age of twelve. My sarcastic humor and outlook on things often mirrored his. That’s what drew me to being an ardent follower of his radio show, first on WCFL and then when he returned to WLS for the second and final time.
Superjock Larry Lujack doing his thing on the air.
From age 16 on, I aspired to work in radio. However, being hired to be Larry’s producer, writer and on-air co-conspirator was NEVER in my playbook. As only a few people know, LARRY CAME LOOKING FOR ME. HE DID THERECRUITING! That whole crazy story will be shared in my book.
Of course, my book will also have loads of stories about my other three radio stops, at WCKG, WKQX, Q-101 with Robert Murphy and my decade at country music beacon WUSN, US*99. The road that took me to a twenty-year career in radio will also be in “Raised on the Radio.”
But back to the subject at hand, Larry Lujack. I so much miss the laughs we shared on those phone calls. I miss my friend and wish I could tell him one more time how he changed my life. I don’t know where things would have gone for me without him and to be one of the very few lucky enough to be in Uncle Lar’s inner circle until his passing remains a cherished honor.
I do believe in an afterlife and I hope to get to tell him those things when it’s my turn to leave this world. Until then, as Larry would say, “Save it for the show!”
Larry at home in Santa Fe. Always missed and never forgotten!
NEXT BLOG- Saying goodbye to 2023.