John Williams (radio personality)

John Williams (born October 19, 1959)[1] is an American talk radio show host at WGN (AM) in Chicago and previously at WCCO (AM) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For the Arizona radio announcer and politician, see Jack Williams (American politician).
John Williams
Born
John William Fillipitch

(1959-10-19) October 19, 1959
Chicago, Illinois, US
Career
StyleInterviewer
CountryUnited States

Early life

Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois, as John William Fillipitch.[2]

[1][3] He attended grade school in different places while his father was in the U.S. Air Force, but the family moved back to Joliet, Illinois, after his father's retirement from the service.

Williams graduated from Minooka High School and later from Joliet Junior College, where his father was a school counselor. He eventually graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a broadcasting major.[1]

Radio career

Williams worked briefly at WSPY-FM in Plano, Illinois, then spent 10 years at WMBD (AM) in Peoria, Illinois.[1][4] He also wrote a series of joke books, titled The Spieler Scale of Comedy.[5] After four years at WCCO (AM) in Minneapolis, Williams was hired at WGN (AM) in Chicago in September 1997.[4][6]

Timeline
  • 1981 — WSPY-FM in Plano, Illinois
  • 1981 to 1993 — WMBD (AM), Peoria, Illinois: morning show host and other positions[5]
  • 1993 to 1997 — WCCO (AM), Minneapolis, Minnesota: mid-day show host[6]
  • September 1997 to December 2008 — WGN 720, Chicago, Illinois: mid-day and afternoon show host
  • December 2008 to 2010 — WGN 720, Chicago, Illinois: morning show host, broadcasting from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • April 2010 — WCCO 1:00-3:00
  • July 2010 WGN — 12:30-3:00
  • July 2010 WCCO — 9:00-12:00
  • December 2011 — WGN 12:00-3:00
  • January 2011 — WCCO 3:00-6:00

Recognitions
  • Winner, Personality of the Year: 2001 Illinois Broadcasters Association Silver Dome Awards[4][6][7]
  • Finalist, Personality of the Year: 2006 Illinois Broadcasters Association Silver Dome Awards[4]
  • Finalist, NAB Marconi Radio Awards[4][6]
  • Winner, Best Afternoon Show on a News, Talk, Personality or Sports Station: 2001 Chicago A.I.R. Awards[4][6][8]
  • Winner, Best Talent: 2001 Chicago A.I.R. Awards[4][6][8]

Life outside radio

Williams enjoys reading, running (including once around the block outside WGN in long underwear to fulfill a pledge), and playing basketball. He is married, has two sons, and his late dachshund named Fred, who he called "The World's Largest Wiener Dog".[4]

See also

References
  1. John Williams (c. 1997). "An interview with John Williams" (Interview). Interviewed by E. Allen Campbell. Crown Point, Indiana: E. Allen Campbell (Wolverton Mountain Enterprises). Retrieved 2009-06-17. I was born in Chicago in 1959: I'll be 39 in October.
  2. "On the air: Growing up in Joliet". Chicago Tribune. 9 November 1997.
  3. Joliet Junior College Winter '04 Commencement Keynote Speaker. Retrieved 2006-12-28. Archived July 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "John Williams - WGN Radio". Chicago: WGN Radio. 2009-05-19. Archived from the original on 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  5. "Former WMBD Radio Personality on CBS". Retrieved 2006-12-28.
  6. "Welcome to the World of John Williams". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  7. Scott, Greg (4 May 2005). "Chicago-area social features broadcasters". Saluki Times. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  8. Cox, Ted (17 October 2001). "Old Pro Steals the Show at Chicago Radio Awards". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Retrieved 24 August 2013.
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