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| Chicago Radio Stars On Talkers' "Heaviest Hundred" List |
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| Written by Larz | |||
| Sunday, 01 August 2010 12:39 | |||
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Talkers Magazine is a radio industry publication that focuses on the talk radio format. Once a year (usually in February), it famously puts out its always-controversial and always-conversational "Heavy Hundred" list. That list ranks who the magazine's editors felt were the top 100 talk radio personalities of the previous year. The new issue of Talkers Magazine came out a few days ago, and just so happens to be the 20th Anniversary issue for the periodical. To help celebrate the anniversary, the magazine did a new top 100 list: "The Heaviest Hundred," a ranking of who the magazine felt were "the 100 most important radio talk show hosts of all time." In picking the list, the magazine's editors took into account the same factors they do when choosing their annual list, which is according to the magazine and in alphabetical order: courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness. Also taken into consideration for this "Heaviest Hundred" list was historical relevance, as well as "hosts whose sheer numbers and fame demand their inclusion on this list." The editors openly admit that this list, like most "best of" lists, is "as much art as it is science and the results are arguable." Topping off the list is syndicated talk superstar Rush Limbaugh, who just beat out satellite radio & former syndicated radio star Howard Stern, who came in at #2. The rest of the top 10 are: Larry King, Sean Hannity, Don Imus, Arthur Godfrey, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Sally Jessy Raphael, Barry Gray, and Bruce Williams. Since this is a website that focuses on Chicago media, here are the Chicago & Chicago-related radio hosts that made it onto the Talkers Magazine "Heaviest Hundred" list: #14 - Tom Joyner -- former WGCI-FM "Fly Jock," now heard on WSRB-FM/WPWX-FM via his nationally syndicated show. #24 - Joe Pyne -- one-time DJ heard in the northern suburbs on WLIP-AM, later developed the angry, argumentative radio call-in show now famously done by so many others. Passed away in March 1970. #33 - Bob Collins -- beloved and top-rated morning show host on WGN-AM, who passed away in a private airplane accident in February 2000 at 57 years old. #44 - Stephanie Miller -- one time morning show co-host on WCKG-FM, now heard in syndication on WCPT-AM. #48 - Steve Dahl -- former personality on WDAI-FM, WLUP-FM, WLUP-AM, WMVP-AM, WLS-AM, WLS-FM, WCKG-FM, and WJMK-FM. Currently heard via CBS Radio podcast and writes a weekly column for the Chicago Tribune. #59 - Alan Berg -- a Chicago native & attorney turned talk show host, who was murdered in June 1984 by a neo-Nazi/KKK group for his liberal stances on the radio. #62 - Erich "Mancow" Muller -- former personality on WRCX-FM, WKQX-FM and WLS-AM. Currently doing a syndicated morning show not heard in the Chicago market. #77 - Garry Meier -- former radio personality on WFYR-FM, WYEN-FM, WLUP-FM, WLS-FM, WLS-AM, and WCKG-FM. One-time on-air partner to both Steve Dahl & Roe Conn, as well as working solo. Also once worked for the WGN-TV Morning News. Currently can be heard doing afternoons on WGN-AM. #84 - Don McNeill -- Galena, IL native who went to fame as the host of radio & TV's "Breakfast Club." Passed away in 1996 at the age of 88. #91 - Don Wade & Roma -- The longtime husband & wife morning show team of WLS-AM, who have been with the station since December 1985. #99 - Bubba the Love Sponge -- Bubba (real name: Todd Clem) once worked at WBBM-FM for one year and WYTZ-FM for just under three months. He can currently be heard on syndication in the southeastern part of the US and nationally on XM/Sirius satellite radio. Talkers Magazine's "Hundred" lists often are controversial since many within the industry feel the lists tend to favor Boston & New York talk radio personalities (Talkers is headquartered outside of Boston), as well as conservative personalities, over others who may be more or equally qualified for inclusion on the lists, or if included, should have been ranked higher. Controversy is a common side effect to any type of subjective ranking of popular arts/culture lists, though. The complete list of Talkers Magazine's "Heaviest Hundred" is not currently available online. It is only found within the new 20th Anniversary issue which is currently out. For more information, visit the Talkers website at this link HERE. 
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