The Danimal and The Wild I-Talian in Spring Grove, Il

Yesterday, our new Jewel-Osco store opened in my little old town of Spring Grove. Guess we're not so little anymore. What next, a Walgreen's and Kohls? Population is still around 4000, but we are right in the way of Chicago's outward move, even though we're about 50 miles away. It's coming right up US Highway 12.

In honor of the grand opening, they had the Danimal there signing autographs and saying hi from 6 to 8 PM. Unfortunately, I didn't know about it, and arrived at 9, so missed him. Sigh!!! Now, for some of you NON-BEAR fans, Danimal was the name give to Dan Hampton for his ferocious defensive play. He was one of DABEARS, those swaggering winners of Super Bowl XX!!!

He was born in Oklahoma City in 1957 (OKC, by the way, is on ROUTE 66). He is in the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, and played for DA BEARS from 1979-1990, the glory years.

He played college ball with the Arkansas Razorbacks where he was an All-American his senior year and had 18 qb sacks. He was the Southwest Conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

He was drafted by the Bears in the first round and was a key defenseman from 1979 to 1990, going to four Pro Bowls. He set a career record with 82 sacks with the team and helped rank as the defense giving up the fewest rushing TDs, yardage, and total yards during that time.

He did not take part in the "Super Bowl Shuffle" video as he felt it was too cocky.


DICK BIONDI- "The Wild I-Talian"

One of the all-time great disc jockies will be at the Jewel today to meet and greet. He has spent much of his career here in the Chicago area.

He started in Buffalo, NY in the 50s and came to Chicago's 50,000 watt WLS, 890 AM in 1960 where his show was heard over a lot of the US. From 1963 to 1967, he was at KRLA in Los Angeles before returning to Chicago, this time at WLS's arch rival WCFL at 1000 AM. He was there until 1972.

As I remember it, a comment he made on-air got him fired and then he went to WNMB in North Myrtle Beach for a decade. Wonder if he played BEACH MUSIC and knew Billy Smith?

In 1984, he returned to Chicago for his third tour, this time at Oldies Station WJMK, 104.3 FM. That station closed, and today, he is back with the True Oldies Station.

This guy lived through a whole lot of Rock and Roll. He says, "I tell you, I'm never going to stop. I'm not interested in rusting away." He doesn't stop, just gets fired. One source I used to get this info said he was fired 21 times in 32 years. I would have to believe he was rehired quite a few times.

The depth of his knowledge is legendary. He still does live deejay shows as well as in-studio.

There is some discussion as to whether he was the first deejay to play a Beatles record, "Please, Please Me" back in February 1963. Also, Mr. Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak, won a contest on the Dick Biondi Show and got to be a guest teen deejay.

He has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

Two of My Favorites. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN HISTORY- 1786- THE US Constitution was ratified and became the Supreme Law of the Land. Where would we be without it? Happy 221st birthday!!!