Reflections by Chicagoland Radio Veteran Bob Zak

MY FINAL RADIO SHOW … on 95.9 The River

After an amazing 13-year run on a great radio station WERV, we recently parted ways. In this new millenium the radio industry has been faced with new challenges with so many options now available to listeners of music, news and talk, but for me it will always be my first love. Thank you to the many River listeners for tuning in to hear me each night and for your loyalty. I now start the search for my next radio adventure.

I’ve spent almost 35-years as radio announcer for more than a dozen stations and it has been a blast. I was born in Joliet and wanted to be in broadcasting after hearing legendary announcers Larry Lujack in Chicago and Joliet's Frank O'Leary on the radio. Their styles were very different, but their goal was the same...to inform, to educate, and entertain.... all from a little studio beaming radio signals to your home or car. It was exciting. So I set my sights on making it to the airwaves. The journey has been a long one with many stops along the way. After graduating from the Joliet Junior College and then the University of St. Francis, I kicked off my career at Joliet radio station WJRC 1510am as a news writer and reporter, gradually working my way up to morning drive host as well as host of the station’s popular Saturday Golden Oldies radio show.

I then left in 1984 to take on the role of morning announcer and program director at WCCQ 98.3fm in Crest Hill where we launched the station’s country music format that still exists today.

In 1985 I moved on to 1340am WJOL as afternoon host where I stayed for 5 years as part of the most successful news/talk radio lineup in Joliet history which included Bill Drilling, Frank O’Leary, Tony Ray and Don Ladas. At the same time I pulled double duty, also appearing on WJOL’s sister station I-Rock, WLLI playing top 40 rock songs in the evening.

In 1989 I left WJOL to host the midday show on 50,000 watt oldies station WCFL Radio in Chicago the same call letters good 'Ole Uncle Larry Lujack worked under. I also taught broadcasting for 8 years at my Alma Mater, the University of St. Francis, and managed USF’s radio station, WCSF, launching the popular all holiday music “Spirit of Christmas” radio program. At the same time I performed on-air duties at 93.5fm WJTW in Joliet and hosted a weekend talk show on WCSJ radio in Morris.

In the 1990’s I returned to Chicago radio, hosting shows on classic rock station 105.9 WCKG as well as The 70’s station Y107.9. Finally in the early 200o's I landed at my most recent stop, 95.9 The River in Naperville.

Over the last 30+ years in broadcasting I have had the great fortune of working at 14 radio outlets in the Chicagoland area, recorded more than 3000 commercials, and interviewed hundreds of local and national politicians and celebrities. And I still enjoy being behind the microphone entertaining audiences today as much as I did 30+ years ago. I have been lucky. I have been a survivor.

So many great memories. But now I’m not sure what my radio future holds for me in this very challenged industry. Perhaps one day I will be back on the air. One never knows. But for now my Long and Winding Radio Road has come to an end. It's time now to take a break, smoke a good cigar and just relax.

And its also time to say "Thank You" to my radio listeners over the years and many radio colleagues and friends,

All the best.....Bob