Larry Lujack, the legendary Chicago radio DJ who spent the bulk of his years at "Big 89" WLS-AM, has died at 73.
Lujack, known to listeners as "Uncle Lar'" (to his other half, Tommy Edwards' "Li'l Tommy") "Superjock" and other nicknames died Wednesday night of esophageal cancer at his home in New Mexico, the Tribune reports.
"Larry defined WLS. Bigger than life and legendary," Jan Jeffries, senior vice president of corporate/programming for WLS Radio said according to ABC Chicago. "He will be missed as a broadcaster, however, even more as a humanitarian with a heart of gold. Larry would want us to celebrate his life and that is the way will honor his passing. God's speed Larry!"
As CBS reports, Lujack was defined by a sarcastic style and features like the “Klunk Letter of the Day” and “Animal Stories.”
Considered a "shock jock" before there was a name for them, the Sun-Times notes Lujack was "was way ahead of his time" with spots like the “Cheap, Trashy Show Biz Report.”
The Iowa native, who once considered a career in wildlife conservation, retained his cowboy style in the Windy City where he nursed his radio career for nearly 40 years.
Lujack was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2004. He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, a stepson and two grandchildren, the Sun-Times reports. According to ABC, Lujack wanted his body donated to science.
Listen to Lujack's 1973 Christmas address:
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