I honestly believe that if you were raised in Chicago, listening to Dick Biondi’s radio broadcasts, you just don’t get it!  We are all spoiled.

The man is a legend, a pioneer, and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His personality has never really changed from the “wacky Jock” who had a hit record with his recording of “On Top Of A Pizza” in the early ‘60’s.

Dick was the very first DJ to play The Beatles in America. When Ringo Starr performed in Chicago in 2003, he requested that Dick Biondi introduce him. Biondi is to the Midwest, what Dick Clark was to Philadelphia. If you meet him on the street after you recognize him and say hello to him, he’ll talk with you like you have been friends for years. I’ve seen that a dozen times.

I first met him in the mid-1980’s. The very first time I had produced a show, I hired Dick Biondi to be the MC.

I had booked Bo Diddley, Freddy Cannon, The Coasters and The Crystals. My band was the opening act and then played backup for those headliners. Biondi would act like an air-traffic controller, bringing groups on and off without a hitch.

What first impressed me was the way he walked up to me, a kid, and introduced himself. “Are you Joe?” he asked. I turned and saw Dick Biondi, “The Wild Itralian.”  He was so kind and gracious and humble. He asked me what I wanted him to do. I said, “Just do whatever you’d like.” He said, “OK, but I hope I don’t mess up your show.”

To this day, after every show, he will find me and ask, “Was I all right?” He just doesn’t understand that he can do no wrong…He’s freakin’ Dick Biondi!

When the groups started showing up, it was like I was watching a movie.

First Bo Diddley walked in. “Holy shit, it’s Dick Biondi!” Bo said.

They hugged and talked and Bo said to me afterwards, “He was the first guy to play one of my records.”

Then Freddie Cannon walked in and saw Biondi across the room, saying, “OH my God, Dick Biondi.”

Freddie kissed his cheek, as if Dick were “The Godfather,” and they talked. Then Freddie came over to me and said, “Because of him, I had some very successful records.”

On and on, this sort of thing went on at every show. Dick Biondi affected the lives of every major rock artist. Every pioneer in the rock and roll business loved him.

Del Shannon had a great story. He told me that when he was very young and on the road alone, he was driving, while on tour, through Texas. Del was lonely and homesick. Del said he started playing with the radio knob and, the next thing he knew, he was dialed into Chicago’s 50,000-watt rock and roll beacon, WLS. It was the Dick Biondi Show. Two songs into the show Dick played Del’s current hit at the time, “Runaway.”

Del said he wasn’t lonely any longer. It was like he had a friend to ride with all through the night until he got to his next destination.

In 2002, I called on Dick to help me with my” Let Freedom Sing Tour.” His answer was fast, “Absolutely! What took you so long to ask, Cantafio?”

Dick Biondi helped organize his radio station WJMK, and they gave us a free live broadcast and about 120 free ads to promote the event. What I didn’t know was that Biondi’s father was a firefighter from New York.

When John Olivero from FDNY Engine Company 55 found out about Biondi, he awarded him an official Engine Company 55 fire helmet. I know Biondi has been honored in the past by some of the biggest name in history. Hell, he is in the Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, but I will tell you that I saw something extra special in his face that night. I saw pride like I had never seen it before with him. In a strange way, he looked as if he had finally accomplished something when John gave him that fire helmet.

Maybe it was because of September 11^th and he knew what John and his brothers had done for our country, and now John was honoring him for helping them. Maybe Biondi felt his father was looking down on him, beaming, “That’s my boy, helping New York firefighters.” Whatever the reason, Dick Biondi completely deserved that honor and probably thousands more like it for everything he has done in the Chicago community.

When I went to Iraq, Biondi called me to wish me luck and to tell me to duck. Can you believe that? He called me! I was so blown away and moved by that call that when I hung up I cried. I was so honored.

When I got home he called to say,“Welcome back.”

I love Dick Biondi and I hope he never leaves the airwaves. When I am alone in my car, I listen to Biondi on WJMK as far as the airwaves will allow. Just like Del Shannon, I am not alone driving anymore; I’m riding with my friend, Dick Biondi.