Chicago Trib: Steve Dahl Out At WJMK

Steve Dahl

STEVE DAHL, a CHICAGO radio personality for more than 30 years whose broadcast style inspired a generation of voices, told his CBS Adult Hits WJMK/CHICAGO audience that he was leaving the station after TODAY's broadcast, reports THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. DAHL's announcement confirms longstanding rumors that he would become the latest top-paid CBS RADIO/CHICAGO host cut loose in recent months despite a contract that extends to mid-2011 worth almost $3 million per year.

DAHL, 54, has been a seminal figure in the radio business, both as a solo performer and as part of a team that included pairings with GARRY MEIER and BUZZ KILMAN, his most recent partner.

DAHL's first station split in CHICAGO 30 years ago -- when the old WDAI-F, which recruited him from DETROIT, switched to a dance-music format -- inspired a long-running comedy bit on WLUP-F 97.9 that would lift him to national prominence. His "blowing up" of disco records on the air and Insane Coho Lips Anti-Disco Army rallies built to a crescendo with a 1979 "Disco Demolition" night at CHICAGO's COMISKEY PARK, which has become part of broadcasting and baseball lore.

CBS last month dropped WBBM-F morning duo EDDIE VOLKMAN and JOE BOHANNON, despite contracts that run into next summer worth around $1.5 million to each man annually. MIKE NORTH, another of its $1.5 million morning men, was unable to reach agreement on a new deal at CBS WSCR-F.

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