As Top 40 radio grew and was embraced by the public, Dick Biondi served as a driving force in its development. Along the way, he earned a reputation as one of the bad boys of radio. It is a title he wears proudly, along with his claim that he has been fired 23 times during his career. Biondi has collected a variety of aliases and nicknames over the years that personify his reputation: the Wild Italian [sic], the Screamer, Daddy-O Substitute, the Supersonic Spaghetti Slurper, the Big Noise from Buffalo, and the Limp Linguini. In 2001 Biondi celebrated his 50th year in broadcasting, still on the air, still performing at remote broadcasts, and still capturing the ears and hearts of fans in the Chicago area radio market with his shows on Oldies 104.3, WJMK.

Early Days 

     In 1941, as a child of eight, Biondi, the son of a firefighter and a short-order cook from Endicott, New York, moved from playing disc jockey using a wooden spoon as a microphone to his first on-air appearance at WNDO in Auburn reading a commercial. Later, he helped out at WINR in Binghamton. By 1951 he had his own shows, working a split shift in Corning, New York.

     The next year, 1952, after being fired by a new manager, Biondi landed in Alexandria, Louisiana, working primarily as a utility or substitute disc jockey, but also hosting an all-black show called Jammin Jive on KYSO. Another change in management found Biondi on the road to York, Pennsylvania, in 1954.

     From 1954 to 1958, Biondi held court in Youngstown, Ohio, at WHOT-AM. Literally working from the ground up, Biondi helped put down the tiles on the floor before the station went on the air. Biondi honed his talent for picking hit records while working in Youngstown by observing the reactions of his audiences as they watched performers at record hops hosted by Biondi.

     WKBW in Buffalo, New York, hosted Biondi from 1958 to 1960. It was the departure of George "Hound Dog" Lorenz, one of radio's legendary disc jockeys and the man who introduced rock and roll to WKBW's evening listeners, that made Biondi's move to Buffalo possible. Whereas Lorenz had programmed his show without restrictions, new management in 1958 established a Top 40 format they expected Biondi to follow. Biondi, although not thrilled about the restrictions, took on the assignment in what he has described as something of a guerilla warfare role.

Chicago in the 1960s

     In 1960 Chicago's WLS, one of the clear channel stations, became a premier Top 40 radio station. On 2 May 1960, Biondi unleashed his special brand of patter on the nine-to­ midnight shift at WLS. For the next three years, he consistently ranked as one of the most highly rated air personalities in Chicago, regularly attracting well over half of the listeners in the area. Nationwide, Biondi led the country with a Pulse rating that showed an average 60 share of the national audience.

     In mid-1963 Biondi left WLS because of a dispute over the number of commercials during his program and took his act to KRLA Pasadena/Los Angeles. Here, Biondi worked with such notable entertainers as Casey Kasem and Bob Eubanks. In addition to his radio work, Biondi was involved in promoting and hosting rock and roll acts throughout southern California through his Dick Biondi Road Show.

     In October 1967 Biondi returned to Chicago, but this time to WLS's archrival, WCFL. Biondi describes working for Ken Draper, the program director, as being far different than his earlier experiences. Biondi and the other on-air personalities were referred to as "talent" rather than "jocks." The atmosphere was generally supportive, rather than combative.

1970s and Beyond

     After a final disagreement with WCFL management in 197 3 over his "abrasive style," Biondi moved briefly to an on-air position in Cincinnati, en route to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. At the time, Biondi intended, if not to retire, at least to take it easy for a time. In 1977, faced with a dwindling bank account, he presented himself at local radio station WNMB looking for an on-air position. Without the general manager's realizing his legendary status, Biondi was hired (at a salary of about $100 per week) and remained in the area until spring

1983·

     A six-figure salary offer from WBBM-FM to host an oldies show brought Biondi back to Chicago as morning disc jockey. The expense to the station was well justified by a complete and virtually instant sellout of commercial time during Biondi's show. By August 1984, Biondi was firmly entrenched at Oldies 104.3, WJMK in Chicago, where he remains at this writing, easily his longest tenure in any post. He still makes a number of personal appearances each week and delights his audience with interviews and personalized greetings from the many legends of rock and roll he counts among his friends.

Stunts and Memories

     Taking to the recording studio, Biondi had a minor novelty song hit with his original "On Top of a Pizza," which sold more than 11,000 copies. Biondi delighted in ordering off-the­ wall food for delivery to the station, including peanut butter and sauerkraut pizza. During his time at KRLA in Los Angeles, he spent ten days in a cage with a chimpanzee and a typewriter. The idea was that eventually the chimpanzee would peck out the station's call letters (something the chimp never did manage). He stayed atop a flagpole at Idora Park in Youngstown for three days and nights.

     Biondi delighted his audiences with a seemingly never-ending stream of the worst possible knock-knock jokes ("Knock­ knock. Who's There? Biondi. Biondi who? Beyon-di blue horizon"). While airing Gillette shaving razor commercials, Biondi captivated his young male listeners by teaching them, on the air, the finer points of shaving. When he appeared at local high schools, he often dyed his beard to match the school colors.

     Black slacks are a Biondi trademark. The tradition began when Biondi met Elvis Presley during a Cleveland concert. Elvis wore a kelly green jacket and black slacks. During a trip to Memphis, Biondi collected fallen leaves from the grounds of Presley's Graceland mansion, took them home, and then awarded them to his listeners. Biondi once wore a shirt that Elvis had autographed and then flung himself, wearing the shirt, into the audience. Fans went home with both a piece of Elvis and Biondi, while Biondi ended up in the hospital with multiple cuts and bruises.

Biondi's Goal

     The only hobby Biondi indulges in is golf, and he categorizes himself as a duffer. He also says he likes to write. Biondi lists his one goal in life as wanting to be "the oldest, active, working rock-n-roll disc jockey in the United States." He's proud that he's maintained his skinny physique and that he still sports a full head of hair.