Posted by Bud on April 27, 2010 at 11:07:20:
The Chicago Tribune looks at last Saturday's big party for the 40th anniversary of the "Those Were the Days" radio program, featuring the return of Chuck Schaden.:
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Fans celebrate 40 years of radio memories
Hundreds attend special live broadcast of ‘Those Were the Days’ in Glen Ellyn
By Nancy Gier, Special to the Tribune
4:13 p.m. CDT, April 26, 2010
Mary O'Dowd of Darien was dressed for the occasion.
In her black felt hat, classic pearls, sensible shoes and a charcoal suit reminiscent of Eleanor Roosevelt, the 47-year-old was younger by a generation, though no less enthusiastic, than most of the other 300 fans in the audience Saturday at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
They were there for a special live broadcast commemorating the 40th anniversary of "Those Were the Days," a vintage radio program that for the last several years has aired from the college's radio station, WDCB-FM 90.9. Founded by Chuck Schaden, the show features rebroadcasts of old-time radio shows such as "Our Miss Brooks, "The Burns and Allen Show," "Dragnet" and "The Green Hornet."
"Those were the days," O'Dowd mused about old-time radio. "There was no pretense. It wasn't about who we were or what we were worth. It was about music, stories and having fun."
With frequent applause and laughter, Saturday's audience seemed in total agreement.
Bud Miller, 70, of Naperville, who remembers New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia reading the comics on the air, brought his 12-year-old grandson Michael Miller, who loves Jack Benny. Chris Gallaway, of Peoria Heights, and Karen Klein, of Tinley Park, both in their 50s, love music from the 1940s. They came at least in part to pay homage to Schaden, 75, who retired from the show last July after 39 years on the air.
"I listened to Chuck for years," Gallaway said.
Saturday's broadcast was hosted by current host and producer Steve Darnall, a mere 45, with Schaden as the honored guest. The show included live music by the West End Jazz Band, singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks and guest appearances by actors Ben Hollis and Tim Kazurinsky.
"I didn't expect the show to last one year, much less 40," said Schaden, a resident of Morton Grove.
Schaden, who worked in communications, developed a desire to share his growing collection of tapes after becoming a rabid enthusiast of old-time radio. He went to a 1,000-watt radio station in Evanston, which gave him airtime on Saturdays. Schaden had to produce his own show as well as provide a sponsor. He got financial backing from a savings and loan, and his first show aired on May 2, 1970.
When the station changed its format in 1975, Schaden began broadcasting on WNIB from the Chicago Cultural Center. When WNIB was sold in 2001, "Those Were the Days" found a home on WDCB, where the show airs Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Ken Scott, director of marketing for WDCB, said the union of the show and the radio station has been a good one.
"When WNIB was being sold, it came to our attention that this wonderful program might cease to exist," Scott said. "We couldn't let that happen. The show fits with our mission to serve underserved audiences such as jazz and folk."
Proceeds from tickets for Saturday's special event went to the public radio station.
Current host Darnall, a Chicago resident who was raised in La Grange, had a radio show when he was a student at Lyons Township High School. He has also acted, and his rich baritone lends itself to radio. Darnall discovered old-time radio when he was 12, while in the car with his father, who turned the dial to "Those Were the Days."
"It was ‘Fibber McGee and Molly,' " Darnall recalled. "It was a good introduction. Their type of wiseacre humor can appeal to a 12-year-old."
Darnall got to know Schaden when he interviewed him for a newspaper story. Darnall began publishing the show's companion publication, "The Nostalgia Digest," five years ago and took over as radio host last July.
"It's been nice to keep the party going," Darnall said.
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