Ed Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Ed Schwartz was a Chicago
media personality who hosted local late-night radio
programs from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He was nicknamed "Chicago Ed."
, Ed's interest in radio began as a youngster with the gift of a portable radio from his grandparents. He fell asleep each night tuned to the Jack Eigen Show on WMAQ (AM). When his part-time high school job took him to the WLS (AM)
studios for a delivery, WLS personality Dex Card invited Schwartz to come into the studio and watch him broadcast; the experience made Ed even more determined to secure a job in radio. Schwartz graduated from Bowen High School, and then attended Columbia College
where he studied radio production. Some of Schwartz' classmates included Pat Sajak
, Bob Sirott
, and Bruce DuMont
; Ed was the first of the group to get a broadcasting job. Ed also attended Triton College
where he became a certified paramedic
.
at WLS (AM)
and WIND (AM)
, where he began as music librarian, Ed became a full-time late-night host at WIND in 1973. Ed Schwartz did not have a voice that was naturally suited for radio. His multiple attempts to win an on-air position at both WLS-AM and WIND had failed, but feeling he had something to offer the public via the airwaves, Schwartz never gave up his hopes.
The beginning of Ed's on-air career was something of an accident. The usual late-night radio personality phoned the station to say he would not be in a half-hour before airtime. WIND had made no arrangements for a replacement because of such short notice. Ed was there and was asked to fill in. It soon became his full-time overnight job, as the audience liked his style of honestly speaking his mind and addressing community concerns. During his programs, Schwartz led discussions on local Chicago issues, inviting listeners to call in with their problems so that Schwartz and the listening community could offer some assistance. He frequently telephoned aldermen
in the middle of the night to inform them of listener complaints, and he held open forums on racism, poverty, and health care. While still at WIND, Schwartz started a dating service for listeners of his show. There were 22 weddings before management made the decision to close it down because of possible legal issues.
Ed Schwartz enlivened late-night radio—tracking news stories and doing various types of interviews, along with his willingness to use the power of the media to solve listeners' problems. While other late-night
radio programs set a tone of quiet entertainment or discussion, Schwartz's shows kept a pace like those done at earlier times of the day. Another regular feature of Schwartz's radio shows was his Chicago History programs. Ed's panel of experts would gather at the studio and invite listener questions; stumping the panel meant winning a prize. At the end of these shows, both the panel and the audience learned something about the history of the city. The interviews Schwartz did with local television personalities provided much historic background for a book on Chicago children's television, The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television. Ed's interviews with Frazier Thomas
and Ray Rayner
are cited in the book; he is mentioned in the authors' acknowledgments.
In 1982, at the suggestion of popular WGN radio host Bob Collins, Schwartz moved his program to the more powerful WGN (AM)
, where he began his Good Neighbor Food Drive. This event annually raised up to $200,000 while collecting several tons of food; it was the largest one-day food drive in the United States. According to Schwartz, the food drive was initially a response to mayor Jane Byrne
's decision to spend several thousand dollars on fireworks while Chicago food pantries were struggling to feed the homeless. Schwartz's generous deeds brought him much attention throughout the Chicago area, and by 1992, his program was reaching nearly 380,000 listeners a week and was considered the top-rated overnight radio show in Chicago. Even though Ed was no longer on the air in 1996, WMAQ (AM) played host to the food drive and invited him to preside over it on their airwaves. WBBM-AM
has hosted this annual holiday event since 1997.
Rival radio personalities, especially those at WLUP
, frequently ridiculed Schwartz's upbeat radio program and made light of his battles with obesity
. Kevin Matthews, for example, often referred to Schwartz as "Ed Zeppelin"; another was Steve Dahl
. Schwartz rarely acknowledged their barbs, however, and actually accepted an offer to join WLUP in 1992. However, Schwartz failed to attract the same number of listeners he enjoyed while at WGN, due in large part to a constantly changing time-slot, and he parted ways with WLUP in 1995. Afterward, Schwartz became a columnist for Lerner Newspapers
, which published neighborhood-specific periodicals throughout the Chicago area.
Eddie's last appearance on radio came a few weeks before his death-on his old station, WIND, with Geoff Pinkus.
in September 2005, not long after he was no longer writing his column. Several radio colleagues began organizing fund-raisers to help pay for his medical treatment. After spending a year in a nursing facility, Schwartz returned home in 2006 and began writing a novel based on his life experiences. However, Schwartz continued to suffer from kidney troubles, as well as heart problems, and died on February 4, 2009, aged 62. He was laid to rest under sunny skies after graveside services at Jewish Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park
.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
media personality who hosted local late-night radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
programs from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He was nicknamed "Chicago Ed."
Early life and education
A native of the Southeast Side of ChicagoSoutheast Side, Chicago
The Southeast side of Chicago unofficially begins at about 75th Street and S. Saginaw Avenue , in other words, from Rainbow Beach southwards. It extends south and east to the city limits, generally keeping between Lake Michigan and Lake Calumet...
, Ed's interest in radio began as a youngster with the gift of a portable radio from his grandparents. He fell asleep each night tuned to the Jack Eigen Show on WMAQ (AM). When his part-time high school job took him to the WLS (AM)
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
studios for a delivery, WLS personality Dex Card invited Schwartz to come into the studio and watch him broadcast; the experience made Ed even more determined to secure a job in radio. Schwartz graduated from Bowen High School, and then attended Columbia College
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
where he studied radio production. Some of Schwartz' classmates included Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
, Bob Sirott
Bob Sirott
Robert Michael "Bob" Sirott , is a Chicago broadcaster who currently is one of the two principal news anchors at WFLD-TV in Chicago and is a radio host at WGN-AM.- Early life and education :...
, and Bruce DuMont
Bruce DuMont
Bruce DuMont is an American political analyst and broadcaster based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the host of Beyond the Beltway talk radio, a show that airs on over 30 stations around the United States...
; Ed was the first of the group to get a broadcasting job. Ed also attended Triton College
Triton College
Triton College is a two-year community college located in River Grove, Illinois, a suburb northwest of downtown Chicago. Triton College facilitates accredited degrees, career-oriented learning opportunities, and English as a second language and GED classes.Over 17,000 students enroll at Triton...
where he became a certified paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
.
Professional career
After working as a goferGofer
A gofer or go-fer is an employee who is often sent on errands. "Gofer" reflects the likelihood of instructions to go for coffee, dry cleaning, or stamps, or to make other straightforward or familiar procurements. The term gofer originated in North America...
at WLS (AM)
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
and WIND (AM)
WIND (AM)
WIND "AM 560" is a radio station based in Chicago, Illinois, broadcasting its talk radio format on 560 kHz.Its current owner is Salem Media, a company specializing primarily in Christian radio...
, where he began as music librarian, Ed became a full-time late-night host at WIND in 1973. Ed Schwartz did not have a voice that was naturally suited for radio. His multiple attempts to win an on-air position at both WLS-AM and WIND had failed, but feeling he had something to offer the public via the airwaves, Schwartz never gave up his hopes.
The beginning of Ed's on-air career was something of an accident. The usual late-night radio personality phoned the station to say he would not be in a half-hour before airtime. WIND had made no arrangements for a replacement because of such short notice. Ed was there and was asked to fill in. It soon became his full-time overnight job, as the audience liked his style of honestly speaking his mind and addressing community concerns. During his programs, Schwartz led discussions on local Chicago issues, inviting listeners to call in with their problems so that Schwartz and the listening community could offer some assistance. He frequently telephoned aldermen
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in the middle of the night to inform them of listener complaints, and he held open forums on racism, poverty, and health care. While still at WIND, Schwartz started a dating service for listeners of his show. There were 22 weddings before management made the decision to close it down because of possible legal issues.
Ed Schwartz enlivened late-night radio—tracking news stories and doing various types of interviews, along with his willingness to use the power of the media to solve listeners' problems. While other late-night
Dayparting
In Broadcast programming, dayparting is the practice of dividing the day into several parts, during each of which a different type of radio programming or television programming apropos for that time is aired...
radio programs set a tone of quiet entertainment or discussion, Schwartz's shows kept a pace like those done at earlier times of the day. Another regular feature of Schwartz's radio shows was his Chicago History programs. Ed's panel of experts would gather at the studio and invite listener questions; stumping the panel meant winning a prize. At the end of these shows, both the panel and the audience learned something about the history of the city. The interviews Schwartz did with local television personalities provided much historic background for a book on Chicago children's television, The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television. Ed's interviews with Frazier Thomas
Frazier Thomas
William Frazier Thomas was a Chicago television personality. While Thomas became the author of nine children's books, he was best known for creating, hosting, writing and producing the long-running children's television program Garfield Goose and Friends on WGN-TV.-Magic and broadcasting:Thomas...
and Ray Rayner
Ray Rayner
Ray Rayner was a staple of Chicago children's television in the 1960s and 1970s on WGN-TV.-Early life:...
are cited in the book; he is mentioned in the authors' acknowledgments.
In 1982, at the suggestion of popular WGN radio host Bob Collins, Schwartz moved his program to the more powerful WGN (AM)
WGN (AM)
WGN is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the only radio station owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship television station WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and Chicago magazine locally. WGN's transmitter is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois...
, where he began his Good Neighbor Food Drive. This event annually raised up to $200,000 while collecting several tons of food; it was the largest one-day food drive in the United States. According to Schwartz, the food drive was initially a response to mayor Jane Byrne
Jane Byrne
Jane Margaret Byrne was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. She served from April 16, 1979 to April 29, 1983. Chicago is the largest city in the United States to have had a female mayor as of 2011.-Early political career:...
's decision to spend several thousand dollars on fireworks while Chicago food pantries were struggling to feed the homeless. Schwartz's generous deeds brought him much attention throughout the Chicago area, and by 1992, his program was reaching nearly 380,000 listeners a week and was considered the top-rated overnight radio show in Chicago. Even though Ed was no longer on the air in 1996, WMAQ (AM) played host to the food drive and invited him to preside over it on their airwaves. WBBM-AM
WBBM (AM)
WBBM is an all-news CBS radio station in Chicago, Illinois broadcasting on the AM dial at 780 kHz. It is owned by CBS along with WBBM-TV....
has hosted this annual holiday event since 1997.
Rival radio personalities, especially those at WLUP
WLUP
WLUP-FM is a commercial classic rock radio station serving the Chicago metropolitan area. Owned and operated by Merlin Media, LLC, WLUP transmits its signal from an antenna located the top of the Willis Tower in Downtown Chicago at a height of with an effective radiated power of 4,000 watts...
, frequently ridiculed Schwartz's upbeat radio program and made light of his battles with obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. Kevin Matthews, for example, often referred to Schwartz as "Ed Zeppelin"; another was Steve Dahl
Steve Dahl
Steven Robert Dahl has been an American radio personality and humorist for more than thirty years. He is currently podcasting, and releases the podcasts for download daily from his own website as well as the iTunes store...
. Schwartz rarely acknowledged their barbs, however, and actually accepted an offer to join WLUP in 1992. However, Schwartz failed to attract the same number of listeners he enjoyed while at WGN, due in large part to a constantly changing time-slot, and he parted ways with WLUP in 1995. Afterward, Schwartz became a columnist for Lerner Newspapers
Lerner Newspapers
Lerner Newspapers was once the largest chain of weekly newspapers in the world. Founded by Leo Lerner, the chain was a force in community journalism in Chicago from 1926 to 2005....
, which published neighborhood-specific periodicals throughout the Chicago area.
Eddie's last appearance on radio came a few weeks before his death-on his old station, WIND, with Geoff Pinkus.
Health problems and death
Schwartz was diagnosed with renal failureRenal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
in September 2005, not long after he was no longer writing his column. Several radio colleagues began organizing fund-raisers to help pay for his medical treatment. After spending a year in a nursing facility, Schwartz returned home in 2006 and began writing a novel based on his life experiences. However, Schwartz continued to suffer from kidney troubles, as well as heart problems, and died on February 4, 2009, aged 62. He was laid to rest under sunny skies after graveside services at Jewish Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park
Forest Park, Illinois
Forest Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in the United States. The population was 15,688 at the 2000 census...
.
External links
- Ed Schwartz's old blog page
- Eddie Schwartz Radio Show Theme Song (Windows Media PlayerWindows Media PlayerWindows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
) - Richard Roeper-February 4, 2009-"Chicago Ed lit up the airwaves late at night"
- Ed Schwartz-Story of Caring- February 4, 2009-Chicagoland Radio and Media
- Ed Schwartz-Find A Grave