Bottom 30 (1980) Placing: #3
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Steve Dahl first arrived on the Chicago radio scene in 1979 after
being lured away from Detroit by then-ABC-owned WDAI. In his two decades on
Chicago's airwaves, Dahl is famous for allowing his listeners an intimate
look into both his professional and private lives.
Since his time at WDAI, Dahl has had two stints at WLUP-FM (97.9, "The Loop") and
the now-defunct WLUP-AM, five years at WLS-AM (890) and -FM, and he now calls
afternoons at WCKG-FM (105.9) home.
During his time as a radio host, Dahl has earned national recognition as the elder
statesman of Chicago radio. His 1979 Disco Demolition, where he asked listeners
to bring their disco records to Comiskey Park and light them on fire, might have
cost the White Sox a game, but the event gave Dahl a reputation for holding no
cows sacred. His two decades are proof of his irreverence: Parody songs, celebrity
impressions and on-air, frank family discussions are standard fare for Dahl listeners.
Dahl's expertise is not just limited to radio, but extends to television and
music as well. He won a local television Emmy in 1982 in the category
"Outstanding Achievement for a Single Program" for his work on Greetings From
Graceland, which chronicled his tour of Elvis' estate. Since then, he gave
television audiences It's Too Early, New Year's Steve and Garry and the CBS
late-night show, The Midnight Hour. Also, he, along with his band, "The Dahlfins,"
has played to sold-out concert venues, and he continues to entertain live
audiences with his original songs. Most recently, Dahl co-wrote a song that
appeared on his friend and former Beach Boy Brian Wilson's album, Imagination.
In 1993, Dahl and his radio partner of 15 years, Garry Meier, went their separate
ways after experiencing creative differences. Dahl hit another personal and career
milestone in 1995, when he made a commitment to prove to himself that he could end
his addiction to alcohol without the aid of self-help or support groups.
His 20 years in Chicago were recognized with an anniversary party Feb. 23, 1998 at
the Museum of Broadcasting Communications. Illinois governor Jim Edgar proclaimed
the day "Steve Dahl Day" throughout the entire state.
Steve and his wife Janet, reside in the Western Suburbs along with their three
boys: Patrick & Mike, (now enrolled at Northwestern and U of I respectively) their
youngest; Matt and their dogs, Chamois & Mabel.
