Posted by Bud on June 29, 2010 at 09:30:47:
Today is yet another very special day for Dick Biondi, Chicago living legend and beloved radio personality. On Tuesday, June 29th, "Dick Biondi Way" will go up at 2:00pm - located at the northwest corner of East Lake Street and North Garland Court in downtown Chicago.
This location was chosen because this small street is adjacent to the building at 360 North Michigan Avenue -- the very same building that the WLS studios operated out of for a great many years (WLS has since relocated to 190 North State Street) and the very same location where Dick Biondi began his amazing Chicago radio career just over 50 years ago. The street -- which is more of an alleyway than a throughway -- is also located just off of Lower Wacker Drive, where Biondi often jokes that his fan club is based out of.
The Chicago City Council approved a resolution on May 12th to bestow this honor to "The Wild I-tralian." The resolution was pushed by another Chicago media great and longtime admirer of Biondi's: Bob Sirott.
The dedication event is open to the public and any fan of Dick Biondi's or classic Chicago radio is invited to the festivities. In addition to the unveiling of the brown, honorary, permanent street sign, many guest speakers and special guests will be on hand. Among the many scheduled to give very brief speeches are Bob Sirott, WLS President & General Manger Michael Damsky, and members of many of the numerous Chicago bands of the 60's who owe a great deal of their early success to Dick Biondi, including Carl Giammarese & Nick Fortuna of the Buckinghams, Jim Peterik of the Ides of March, and Ronnie Rice of the New Colony Six. Of course, the highlight of the afternoon will be the speech of Mr. Biondi himself, a man who has spent most of his life entertaining masses from behind a microphone.