2016 : IN REMEMBRANCE
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016 was a rough year . We lost some of our favorite musical and pop culture icons . But we also lost some beloved members and former members of Chicago ’ s media community . I had the opportunity to interview a few of them , and for those I never met , I reached out to some of their former friends and colleagues to pay tribute .
Dan Sorkin
Dan Sorkin was a huge star in Chicago at WCFL in the late 50s and early 60s . The morning man discovered a local comedian named Bob Newhart , and helped propel him to fame . Sorkin was 89 years old when he passed away in June . His life changed forever in 1964 when he suffered a terrible motorcycle accident . I interviewed him in 2010 , and he told me that accident was a blessing in disguise . " Because of a broken back and left leg amputation , my outlook on life and the value and perspective of day to day living took on new meaning . The motorcycle accident grew me up . It gave me a wider understanding of how others cope with life . It sharpened my sense of humor and purpose . It caused me to found a whimsical global amputee support network called Stumps ‘ R Us .”
Dan may be gone , but Stumps ‘ R Us is now in 15 countries and 22 states .
By Rick Kaempfer
she says . “ Herb Kent had been around so long , it ' s sometimes hard to remember which came first , radio or Herb , but one thing is for sure , radio won ' t be the same without him . He is a radio icon , Chicago ' s national treasure . My only hope is that the city will find a way to honor him in such a way ." Herb passed away in October at the age of 89 .
Megan Reed
Megan Reed was a longtime midday music jock in Chicago at WLIT and WSHE . She was only 52 years old when she passed away in February . I got a chance to interview Megan in 2011 , and she wouldn ’ t hear of it when I asked her if radio was heading toward its impending demise . “ I ’ ve been hearing these stories that radio is dying , or that radio isn ’ t any fun anymore , and that nobody cares about it , but I don ’ t buy that for a second . I don ’ t think radio is going anywhere . As for me , it ’ s still great fun . I think you get out of it , what you put into it . I choose to make it as fun as I can .” It ’ s been a little less fun since Megan left us .
Doug Banks
Doug Banks was a beloved figure in Chicago radio for decades , with WBMX , WGCI , and WVAZ . He also co-hosted 190 North on WLS-TV . When he passed away in April at the age of 57 , he was still at the top of his game . John Records Landecker was his friend for more than 20 years . “ Doug was one of America ’ s really great radio personalities ,” Landecker recalls . “ When he moved his syndicated show down to Dallas , we stayed in touch one way or another . A few years ago he was back in town doing his show from the WLS studios for a day and I went back in there and bugged him . It was just like old times . I couldn ’ t believe it when I heard he passed . What a great guy . He will really be missed .”
Herb Kent
Herb Kent , the Cool Gent , was simply one of a kind . Among the many accomplishments during his 50 + year career ( at stations like WVON ); Herb coined the term “ Dusties ”, launched the musical careers of The Temptations , Smokey Robinson , and Curtis Mayfield , and mentored a young Don Cornelius . Melody Spann Cooper is the Chairman of Midway Broadcasting Corporation , the parent company of WVON . " Chicago lost a true broadcast legend this year ,”
Megan Reed
Dave Mitchell
Dave Mitchell ’ s broadcasting career began in 1973 , but it was at WBBM-AM ( beginning in 1992 ) that he made his mark . The veteran traffic reporter , anchor and weekend sports reporter was only 60 years old when he passed away in an automobile accident in April . Bernie Tafoya was a longtime colleague and friend . “ Dave was an upbeat guy who had a great sense of humor and loved his family , hockey , and his country ,” Bernie recalls . “ He was a professional and wellprepared broadcaster who especially relished being a key part of WBBM Newsradio ’ s annual Chicago Air and Water show broadcast . He has definitely been missed .”
Mike Tsolinas
Mike Tsolinas was a television weatherman / meteorologist at two different stations in Chicago ( WFLD and WBBM ) for many years , but his final years were spent on the air in Las Vegas . He died suddenly in July at the age of 57 . Fox 32 ’ s Dane Placko was his former colleague . “ Like the weather itself , Mike was a force of nature ,” Placko says . “ He was a local guy from the northwest suburbs who seemed to know everybody . Mike was a key player during our formative days here at Fox 32 .”
Leslie Witt
Next to Terry Hemmert , Leslie Witt was the longest serving disc jockey at WXRT . She had been there since the late 70s , and possessed an incredible enthusiasm and knowledge of music . Mary Dixon was her colleague for many years . “ We knew that Leslie was very ill ,” Mary says , “ but her death was still a shock . We lost someone who was kind to everyone , loved music , and after nearly 40 years was still very much a part of the family . It was hard on everyone here . The silver lining is that XRT listeners shared in our grief , and in Leslie ’ s honor contributed $ 32,625 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance through our sale of teal throwback XRT t-shirts .” Leslie was 63 years old when she passed away in June .
Scores of other local broadcasters also passed away in 2016 . We salute them and their many accomplishments , and root for a much less tragic 2017 .
16 illinoisentertainer . com january 2017