A great man passed away last night. A man who I only personally knew for 3 years, but whose legacy and great storytelling I grew up with. There was always a story told in my house that began, “Well, John said today…” An orator if there ever was one…a man who loved his children, a man who was passionate about his job, a man who was part of that golden age of broadcasting we may never get again. The times I saw him in the hall, always a smile on his face, always a story to tell. He was always telling me to “just keep singing”. A man who helped out the girls who were tasked with the dreaded Chistmas video that everyone loved, a man who shared stories and made everyone laugh at the Emmy awards ceremony where I was honored to sit next to him. A man who’s legacy will live on and who’s presence will be sorely missed, not only from the WTTW family, but from the broadcasting industry at large.
Too many of that generations storytellers and orators are leaving too soon, and one fears that no one will step up and follow in their footsteps. The era of Irv Kupcinet, Studs Turkel, and now, John Callaway, is coming to an end, and that’s bittersweet. Just last we were were updating a Friday Night Spot, and that undeniable John Callaway smile (always John, never Mr. Callaway) shone bright. Scary how life can just remind us that we’re not immortal. But to say John lived a good life is an understatment. He was the life of this station, he was the breath of Chicago Tonight and he will be sorely and utterly missed.
The irreplaceable John Callaway was 72.
Let’s face it though…each one of these people touched our lives somehow. Everyone in Chicago broadcasting (and beyond) knew who Callaway was…every person at some point has yelled, “Herrreeee’s Johnny!”, all us girls had the “Farrah” feathered bangs at some point in our lives, and everyone has danced to “Thriller” (and some even have videos to prove it…).