Posted by chicagomedia.org on August 05, 2008 at 07:35:41:
I'd be willing to bet that no one has enjoyed a more splendid radio career in Chicago over the last five decades than Clark Weber.
From his arrival as a star disc jockey and program director of powerhouse WLS-AM (890) at the dawn of Top 40 through his various incarnations as a first-rate talk show host, broadcast marketing/advertising executive and industry elder statesman, Weber has done it all with style, class and professionalism.
Still sharp as ever at age 77, Weber has delivered the ultimate insider's memoir about the last golden age of 50,000-watt AM rock radio revelries here.
Written with Chicago author Neal Samors, Clark Weber's Rock and Roll Radio is published by Chicago's Books Press.
In addition to scores of never-before-published photos from Weber's personal collection, the book includes a bonus CD of voices, jingles, commercials and other rare treasures of the era.
For anyone who grew up when the baby-boom entertainment world revolved around the Silver Dollar Survey each week and who and what was on WLS (and, for a time, WCFL), this book is a warm and nostalgic joy ride.
As he kicks off a whirlwind tour of book signings this week, Weber shared a few thoughts:
Q. In the subtitle of the book, you refer to 1955 to 1975 as "The Fun Years." What did you mean by that?
A. 1955 to 1975 saw the creation of personality radio. People actually listened to the DJ and what he said between records.
Q. Why is it that people still feel such strong emotions about WLS in the 1960s?
A. It was a relationship that began when the listeners were young. We were a part of their lives as they grew up. Even now in their 50s, 60s and 70s, there is still a close bond between us.
Q. The only time you pull any punches in the book is when you don't name the power-mad program director at WLS who succeeded you. How come?
A. He was not on the air and was not a known personality.
Q. Was the rivalry between WLS and WCFL as much fun as it seemed at the time?
A. No, not initially. Both stations were preparing for a radio war that put a lot of jobs on the line. Only once in that battle did WCFL come close to winning it.
Q. What was your favorite part of the CD you included?
A. The sharpness of the Anita Kerr radio jingles are great, but without a doubt, the close with Lyle Dean doing the "rest of the WLS story" is my favorite. I still get goosebumps listening to it.
Q. With the exception of Howard Miller, you are the only Chicago radio personality who ever achieved decades of success as both a music DJ and a serious talk show host. How did you manage to do that?
A. I love radio and I knew that if I wanted to be remain a viable personality, I had to offer more than simply introducing records. My audience and I had things to say to each other!
Q. Did sex and drugs ruin rock and roll radio?
A. No. Sad to say, the corporations that own those stations continue to drive them into the ground. The next five years are going to be very scary for radio!
Q. If you hadn't gotten into radio, what do you think you'd be doing today?
A. Playing piano in a whorehouse for tips. Seriously, I'm doing just exactly what I want to do and having a lot of fun doing it!
(Feder)