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Legendary Chicago rock disc jockey and personality Richard “Dick” Biondi died on earlier this week, WLS-AM 890 announced on Facebook Saturday night. He was 90.
Biondi “died peacefully at home on Monday, June 26,” according to the radio station.
“Loving husband of Maribeth, cherished brother of Geri, dear brother-in-law of Ron and Larry (Kathleen), special uncle and cousin of many.,” the Facebook post said.
A native of upstate New York, Biondi spent much of his storied 67-year career in Chicago on stations including WLS, WCFL WMAQ, WBBM and WJMK.
He is credited as one of the earliest radio DJs to play rock music on American airwaves, when the music form was still considered controversial.
Biondi has been enshrined in the National Radio Hall of Fame, and since 2010, the same year that the city named an alley south of the old WLS studios near East Lake Street and Garland Court “Dick Biondi Way.”
“His Radio and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voice will remain as part of the soundtrack of our lives,” WLS said.
