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'''Larry Lujack''' (born June 6, 1940), a [[Top 40]] [[Music radio]] [[disc jockey]], was known for his world-weary sarcastic style, "Klunk Letter of the Day"<ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llklunk1.rm~0:00.0~09:55.3 audio file-Reel Radio-Klunk Letter of the Day Composite-WCFL]</ref> and darkly humorous "Animal Stories"<ref>[http://www.animalstoriescd.com/history/index.html Background on "Animal Stories", Lujack and Edwards]</ref><ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llwls031783.rm~0:00.0~01:19:35.0 audio file-Reel Radio Lujack WLS-AM aircheck-March 1983-includes an "Animal Stories" piece]</ref> along with "sidekick [[Tommy Edwards (announcer)|Little Tommy]]", and "Cheap Trashy Show Biz Report." He was also referred to as '''Superjock''', '''Lawrence of Chicago''', '''Uncle Lar''', and '''King of the Corn Belt'''.
'''Larry Lujack''' (born June 6, 1940; deceased December 18, 2013), a [[Top 40]] [[Music radio]] [[disc jockey]], was known for his world-weary sarcastic style, "Klunk Letter of the Day"<ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llklunk1.rm~0:00.0~09:55.3 audio file-Reel Radio-Klunk Letter of the Day Composite-WCFL]</ref> and darkly humorous "Animal Stories"<ref>[http://www.animalstoriescd.com/history/index.html Background on "Animal Stories", Lujack and Edwards]</ref><ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llwls031783.rm~0:00.0~01:19:35.0 audio file-Reel Radio Lujack WLS-AM aircheck-March 1983-includes an "Animal Stories" piece]</ref> along with "sidekick [[Tommy Edwards (announcer)|Little Tommy]]", and "Cheap Trashy Show Biz Report." He was also referred to as '''Superjock''', '''Lawrence of Chicago''', '''Uncle Lar''', and '''King of the Corn Belt'''.

Born in [[Quasqueton, Iowa]] and raised in Idaho as '''Larry Blankenburg''', he later changed his last name to that of his football idol, [[Johnny Lujack]]. He attended the [[College of Idaho]] (in [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]]) and [[University of Idaho]] (in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]]) and was a [[radio]] [[disc jockey]], starting in 1958, at [[KCID]] in [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]].<ref name = "Turn it up">{{Citation | editor-last = Shannon | editor-first = Bob | title = Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996 | year = 2009 | pages = 214–220 | publisher = Austrianmonk publishing|url = http://books.google.com/booksid=IOd_Y6_Af8EC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=kvob+alexandria+la&source=bl&ots=3pq67JXHdi&sig=TC0VncrH33tBdiMrN1sH9lp9DI&hl=en&ei=NRzCS8nwApChnQfEmO22Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CA8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false | isbn = 1-61584-545-3 | accessdate = 2010-04-11}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> His entry into radio came when he was a biology major at College of Idaho and at the time was a matter of finances; he was looking for a part-time job. He originally intended to go into wildlife conservation.<ref name= "Interview">[http://web.archive.org/web/20030816121659/www.manteno.com/wcfl/lujack.html 1985 Larry Lujack Interview]</ref> He subsequently worked at several other [[radio station]]s, including [[KJR (AM)]] in Seattle,<ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llkjr66.ra~0:00.0~10:05.7 audio file-Reel Radio-Larry Lujack aircheck-KJR-July 1966]</ref> but is best known for his antics on [[Chicago]] [[AM radio]] stations [[WLS (AM)|WLS]] and [[WCFL (AM)|WCFL]].<ref>[http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/July%2013,%201972.pdf Mr/ Pop History-Week of July 13, 1972-Larry Lujack joins WCFL-page 4]</ref>

"Animal Stories" came about because WLS was still receiving farm magazines long after they went into Rock and Roll in 1960. Lujack started reading some of them and began airing stories from them instead of reading the grain reports connected with the Farm Report. When the Farm Report was officially discontinued, the feature became Animal Stories.<ref name = "Interview" /><ref>[http://www.qsl.net/n9bat/audio/lujackanimalstories.mp3 audio file-Lujack's own words about how Animal Stories began]</ref>
"Animal Stories" came about because WLS was still receiving farm magazines long after they went into Rock and Roll in 1960. Lujack started reading some of them and began airing stories from them instead of reading the grain reports connected with the Farm Report. When the Farm Report was officially discontinued, the feature became Animal Stories.<ref name = "Interview" /><ref>[http://www.qsl.net/n9bat/audio/lujackanimalstories.mp3 audio file-Lujack's own words about how Animal Stories began]</ref>


He initially retired in 1987,<ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llwls87b.rm~0:00.0~25:54.2 audio file-Lujack's Farewell-WLS-AM-August 28, 1987]</ref><ref>[http://www.wlshistory.com/jox/lujack.htm Copy of "Last Day" WLS memo from Lujack to the staff]</ref> shortly after his son John from his first marriage died in an accident.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3768383.html HighBeam-from Chicago Sun Times May 29, 1986-Larry Lujack's son John, 22, dies in fall from motel roof. (Boise)]</ref><ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-3769168.html Encyclopedia.com-from Chicago Sun Times June 3, 1986-Larry Lujack bids dead son farewell. (on air at WLS-AM)]</ref><ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~idfs/Cems/ch_i-m.htm RootsWeb-Canyon Hill Cemetery-Caldwell, Canyon Co., Idaho-Lujack, John S 1963-1986]</ref> In 1997, he moved from [[Palatine, Illinois|Palatine]] to the outskirts of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]]. Lujack began working again in May 2000 for then-[[WKSC-FM|WUBT]] in Chicago, via a remote [[Integrated Services Digital Network|ISDN]] link from a [[New Mexico]] recording studio. He was teamed up with [[Matt McCann]], who was based in the Chicago studio. The ratings for the show out-paced the rest of the radio station. In 2003, he re-teamed with his Animal Stories partner, Tommy Edwards (Little Tommy), on [[WRLL]] (1690 AM) in Chicago, to broadcast his signature features on weekday mornings. On August 16, 2006, Lujack was fired along with the entire WRLL on-air staff as it was announced that the station's "Real Oldies" format would cease on September 17, 2006. The broadcast duo were on the air once again as part of the [[WLS (AM)|WLS]] "The Big 89 Rewind" on Memorial Day, 2007<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imh-HiSPaDE&feature=related YouTube video of Big 89 Rewind-2007]</ref> and 2008<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnl8_tdEtA8&feature=related YouTube video of WLS Rewind 2008]</ref> where the station returned to its "MusicRadio" programming, featuring many of the former WLS personalities and special guests, other DJs, etc.
He initially retired in 1987,<ref>[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?llwls87b.rm~0:00.0~25:54.2 audio file-Lujack's Farewell-WLS-AM-August 28, 1987]</ref><ref>[http://www.wlshistory.com/jox/lujack.htm Copy of "Last Day" WLS memo from Lujack to the staff]</ref> shortly after his son John from his first marriage died in an accident.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3768383.html HighBeam-from Chicago Sun Times May 29, 1986-Larry Lujack's son John, 22, dies in fall from motel roof. (Boise)]</ref><ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-3769168.html Encyclopedia.com-from Chicago Sun Times June 3, 1986-Larry Lujack bids dead son farewell. (on air at WLS-AM)]</ref><ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~idfs/Cems/ch_i-m.htm RootsWeb-Canyon Hill Cemetery-Caldwell, Canyon Co., Idaho-Lujack, John S 1963-1986]</ref> In 1997, he moved from [[Palatine, Illinois|Palatine]] to the outskirts of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]]. Lujack began working again in May 2000 for then-[[WKSC-FM|WUBT]] in Chicago, via a remote [[Integrated Services Digital Network|ISDN]] link from a [[New Mexico]] recording studio. He was teamed up with [[Matt McCann]], who was based in the Chicago studio. The ratings for the show out-paced the rest of the radio station. In 2003, he re-teamed with his Animal Stories partner, Tommy Edwards (Little Tommy), on [[WRLL]] (1690 AM) in Chicago, to broadcast his signature features on weekday mornings. On August 16, 2006, Lujack was terminated along with the entire WRLL on-air staff as it was announced that the station's "Real Oldies" format would cease on September 17, 2006. The broadcast duo were on the air once again as part of the [[WLS (AM)|WLS]] "The Big 89 Rewind" on Memorial Day, 2007<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imh-HiSPaDE&feature=related YouTube video of Big 89 Rewind-2007]</ref> and 2008<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnl8_tdEtA8&feature=related YouTube video of WLS Rewind 2008]</ref> where the station returned to its "MusicRadio" programming, featuring many of the former WLS personalities and special guests, other DJs, etc.


Lujack was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame in June 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilba.org/hall_of_fame.php|title=Hall of Fame Award|accessdate=2009-02-11|work=|publisher=Illinois Broadcasters Association|year=2009}}</ref> and the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/larrylujack.html|title=Larry Lujack, Disc Jockey|accessdate=2009-02-11|publisher=Radio Hall of Fame|year=2009}}</ref> on November 6, 2004. On April 15, 2008, Larry Lujack was inducted into the [[National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame]] during their annual convention in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].<ref>[http://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=1490 National Association of Broadcasters Press Release-Larry Lujack to be Inducted into NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame]</ref>
Lujack was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame in June 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilba.org/hall_of_fame.php|title=Hall of Fame Award|accessdate=2009-02-11|work=|publisher=Illinois Broadcasters Association|year=2009}}</ref> and the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/larrylujack.html|title=Larry Lujack, Disc Jockey|accessdate=2009-02-11|publisher=Radio Hall of Fame|year=2009}}</ref> on November 6, 2004. On April 15, 2008, Larry Lujack was inducted into the [[National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame]] during their annual convention in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].<ref>[http://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=1490 National Association of Broadcasters Press Release-Larry Lujack to be Inducted into NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame]</ref>


Born Larry Lee Blankenburg in [[Quasqueton, Iowa]] to to Frank L. Blankenburg and Ruth Nieukirk Blankenburg. His family moved to Caldwell, Idaho in 1953. Enthusiastically participating in every high school sport possible, Larry was All State Quarterback in 1956 and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1957. He served in the US Air Force and in the Washington Air National Guard. Larry briefly attended the [[University of Idaho]] (in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]]) where he studied forestry and spent a summer working as forestry service fire lookout. He then attended the [[College of Idaho]] (in [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]]), majoring in biology. It was while he was enrolled in college in 1958, that he noticed an ad for a job for an experienced announcer for [[KCID]] in [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]]. He had no experience but applied anyway, and upon getting the job began his legendary career in radio. Wanting a better radio name, he changed his last name to that of his football idol, Notre Dame quarterback [[Johnny Lujack]]. In 1962, he married Gina McLaughlin from Caldwell,Idaho and they had three children, John, Linda and Anthony. His career advanced quickly landing progressively better radio jobs in Boise, Spokane, San Bernardino, Seattle, Boston, and finally Chicago in 1967. In 1972 following his divorce from his first wife, Larry married Judith Seguin, and together with her son Taber Seguin lived in Palatine, Illinois until moving to Santa Fe, NM in 1997.
Lujack is married to Judith (Jude), his second wife, and has two surviving children: Anthony Lujack and Linda Lujack-Shirley.

In contrast to his radio personality, Larry Lujack was a private person who enjoyed nature, and golf. Those close to him knew him to be a simple, unassuming man who was kind and charitable, albeit always opinionated, ironic, and frequently sarcastic. He had a quick wit that brought humor into almost every circumstance. Larry enjoyed nothing more than a heated philosophical debate, which he almost invariably won.

Golf was Lujack's leisure time obsession. His proudest accomplishment was his 18 hole round of golf at Buffalo Grove in Chicago on the coldest day of the year, 27 degrees below zero with a windchill of -75 degrees, earning him a write up in both Chicago papers on January 23rd, 1985. He was also proud of the 79 score that landed him at the top of leader board for one day at the Palatine Hills Tournament. Larry was absolutely unforgiving to anyone who did not memorize the USGA golf rulebook front to back as he did annually.

Larry Lujack died January 18, 2013 after a year long struggle with esophageal cancer. Larry faced his terminal cancer diagnosis with bravery and acceptance. He remained married to his widow Judith (Jude) Lujack, his second wife of 41 years, and has two surviving children: Anthony Lujack and Linda Lujack-Shirley.


==Radio stations==
==Radio stations==

Revision as of 02:26, 19 December 2013

Larry Lujack (born June 6, 1940; deceased December 18, 2013), a Top 40 Music radio disc jockey, was known for his world-weary sarcastic style, "Klunk Letter of the Day"[1] and darkly humorous "Animal Stories"[2][3] along with "sidekick Little Tommy", and "Cheap Trashy Show Biz Report." He was also referred to as Superjock, Lawrence of Chicago, Uncle Lar, and King of the Corn Belt.

"Animal Stories" came about because WLS was still receiving farm magazines long after they went into Rock and Roll in 1960. Lujack started reading some of them and began airing stories from them instead of reading the grain reports connected with the Farm Report. When the Farm Report was officially discontinued, the feature became Animal Stories.[4][5]

He initially retired in 1987,[6][7] shortly after his son John from his first marriage died in an accident.[8][9][10] In 1997, he moved from Palatine to the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lujack began working again in May 2000 for then-WUBT in Chicago, via a remote ISDN link from a New Mexico recording studio. He was teamed up with Matt McCann, who was based in the Chicago studio. The ratings for the show out-paced the rest of the radio station. In 2003, he re-teamed with his Animal Stories partner, Tommy Edwards (Little Tommy), on WRLL (1690 AM) in Chicago, to broadcast his signature features on weekday mornings. On August 16, 2006, Lujack was terminated along with the entire WRLL on-air staff as it was announced that the station's "Real Oldies" format would cease on September 17, 2006. The broadcast duo were on the air once again as part of the WLS "The Big 89 Rewind" on Memorial Day, 2007[11] and 2008[12] where the station returned to its "MusicRadio" programming, featuring many of the former WLS personalities and special guests, other DJs, etc.

Lujack was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame in June 2002[13] and the National Radio Hall of Fame[14] on November 6, 2004. On April 15, 2008, Larry Lujack was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame during their annual convention in Las Vegas.[15]

Born Larry Lee Blankenburg in Quasqueton, Iowa to to Frank L. Blankenburg and Ruth Nieukirk Blankenburg. His family moved to Caldwell, Idaho in 1953. Enthusiastically participating in every high school sport possible, Larry was All State Quarterback in 1956 and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1957. He served in the US Air Force and in the Washington Air National Guard. Larry briefly attended the University of Idaho (in Moscow) where he studied forestry and spent a summer working as forestry service fire lookout. He then attended the College of Idaho (in Caldwell), majoring in biology. It was while he was enrolled in college in 1958, that he noticed an ad for a job for an experienced announcer for KCID in Caldwell. He had no experience but applied anyway, and upon getting the job began his legendary career in radio. Wanting a better radio name, he changed his last name to that of his football idol, Notre Dame quarterback Johnny Lujack. In 1962, he married Gina McLaughlin from Caldwell,Idaho and they had three children, John, Linda and Anthony. His career advanced quickly landing progressively better radio jobs in Boise, Spokane, San Bernardino, Seattle, Boston, and finally Chicago in 1967. In 1972 following his divorce from his first wife, Larry married Judith Seguin, and together with her son Taber Seguin lived in Palatine, Illinois until moving to Santa Fe, NM in 1997.

In contrast to his radio personality, Larry Lujack was a private person who enjoyed nature, and golf. Those close to him knew him to be a simple, unassuming man who was kind and charitable, albeit always opinionated, ironic, and frequently sarcastic. He had a quick wit that brought humor into almost every circumstance. Larry enjoyed nothing more than a heated philosophical debate, which he almost invariably won.

Golf was Lujack's leisure time obsession. His proudest accomplishment was his 18 hole round of golf at Buffalo Grove in Chicago on the coldest day of the year, 27 degrees below zero with a windchill of -75 degrees, earning him a write up in both Chicago papers on January 23rd, 1985. He was also proud of the 79 score that landed him at the top of leader board for one day at the Palatine Hills Tournament. Larry was absolutely unforgiving to anyone who did not memorize the USGA golf rulebook front to back as he did annually.

Larry Lujack died January 18, 2013 after a year long struggle with esophageal cancer. Larry faced his terminal cancer diagnosis with bravery and acceptance. He remained married to his widow Judith (Jude) Lujack, his second wife of 41 years, and has two surviving children: Anthony Lujack and Linda Lujack-Shirley.

Radio stations

Station City State Dates Notes
KCID 1490 Caldwell ID 1958
KGEM 1140 Boise ID ?[16]
KNEW* 790 Spokane WA 1963[16][17]
KPEG 1380[18] Spokane WA 1963[16]
KRPL 1400 Moscow ID ?[16]
KFXM 590 San Bernardino CA 1963[16]
KJRB* 790 Spokane WA 1962 – 1963[16] evenings
KJR (AM) 950 Seattle WA April 1964 – September 1966
WMEX 1510 Boston MA September 1966 – December 1966 as Johnny Lujack
WCFL 1000 Chicago IL 1967 four months; all-nights
WLS (AM) 890 Chicago IL August 1967 – July 1972 afternoons, then mornings
WCFL 1000 Chicago IL July 3, 1972 – March 16, 1976 afternoons ^
WLS (AM) 890
WLS-FM 94.7		 Chicago IL September 16, 1976 – August 28, 1987 mornings; then in 1985, afternoons**
WUBT 103.5 Chicago IL May 25, 2000 – January 10, 2001
WRLL 1690 Chicago IL September 8, 2003 – August 15, 2006

* KNEW and KJRB refer to the same radio station.

^ After WCFL switched to "Beautiful Music" in 1976, Lujack remained on staff, as he had a high-paying contract. When WLS made him an offer to return to work there, the two stations each paid half of Lujack's remaining WCFL contract.[16][4]

** WLS continued to pay Lujack for five years after his 1987 departure to keep him from competing with them in markets where ABC had local radio outlets.

Works

  • Lujack, Larry; Jedlicka, Daniel A. (1975). Superjock: the loud, frantic, nonstop world of a rock radio DJ. Chicago: H. Regnery Co. ISBN 978-0-8092-8302-6. OCLC 1500182.
  • Lujack, Larry; Edwards, Tommy (2007). Uncle Lar' & Li'l Tommy's best of animal stories. Lake Forest, IL: Animal Stories. OCLC 232150780.

References

  1. ^ audio file-Reel Radio-Klunk Letter of the Day Composite-WCFL
  2. ^ Background on "Animal Stories", Lujack and Edwards
  3. ^ audio file-Reel Radio Lujack WLS-AM aircheck-March 1983-includes an "Animal Stories" piece
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Interview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ audio file-Lujack's own words about how Animal Stories began
  6. ^ audio file-Lujack's Farewell-WLS-AM-August 28, 1987
  7. ^ Copy of "Last Day" WLS memo from Lujack to the staff
  8. ^ HighBeam-from Chicago Sun Times May 29, 1986-Larry Lujack's son John, 22, dies in fall from motel roof. (Boise)
  9. ^ Encyclopedia.com-from Chicago Sun Times June 3, 1986-Larry Lujack bids dead son farewell. (on air at WLS-AM)
  10. ^ RootsWeb-Canyon Hill Cemetery-Caldwell, Canyon Co., Idaho-Lujack, John S 1963-1986
  11. ^ YouTube video of Big 89 Rewind-2007
  12. ^ YouTube video of WLS Rewind 2008
  13. ^ "Hall of Fame Award". Illinois Broadcasters Association. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  14. ^ "Larry Lujack, Disc Jockey". Radio Hall of Fame. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  15. ^ National Association of Broadcasters Press Release-Larry Lujack to be Inducted into NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame
  16. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference Turn it up was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ audio file Reel Radio-Larry Lujack aircheck KNEW-July 1963
  18. ^ Spokane radio-history of KPEG

External links

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