Chicago Radio Icon, Wally Phillips, Dead at 82

Longtime Chicago radio personality, Wally Phillips, has died. The 82-year-old former broadcaster was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, according to an AP story at msnbc.msn.com. The article says, "Phillips dominated Chicago’s radio airwaves after taking over WGN’s morning show in 1965." (Right: Wally Phillips on the air at WGN. Photo Credit: © WGN/Chicago)

The story quoted Bruce DuMont, president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, as saying, "Wally Phillips was the biggest, most successful, most influential local radio broadcaster in Chicago history."

WGN Radio issued a press release which, in part, said:

"Wally's voice was the first millions of Chicagoans heard every morning from 1965 to 1986," said Tom Langmyer, Vice President/General Manager of WGN Radio. "In total, he spent 42 years on WGN (1956-1998). His kind approach and connection to his audience was well known in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. He was one of a kind, and he was a 'Broadcaster' in the truest sense."

Equally noted Chicago talk show host, Steve Dahl, blogged a tribute to Phillips at dahl.com. Dahl wrote:

"Wally was there for his listeners, day in and day out. He woke them up, he shared their morning coffee, and he rode with them to work. He was their friend. Radio is the most personal of all mediums. Wally Phillips understood that, and he made the most of it." You can read the full text here. It will later be archived here.

Listen: WGN/Chicago has provided an MP3 montage of Highlights from Wally Phillips Shows.