Ed Schwartz
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Ed Schwartz is a Chicago media personality who hosted local late-night radio programs from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He is nicknamed "Chicago Ed".
A native of the Southeast Side of Chicago, Schwartz graduated from Bowen High School and then attended Columbia College, where he studied radio production. After working as a gofer at WLS (AM) and WIND (AM), he became a full-time late-night host at WIND in 1973[1]. During his programs, Schwartz lead 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[1].
In 1982, 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[1]. 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[1]. 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 [1].
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"[2]. Schwartz rarely acknowledged their barbs, however, and actually accepted an offer to join WLUP in 1992[2]. 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[3]. Afterwards, Schwartz became a syndicated columnist for Lerner Newspapers, which published neighborhood-specific periodicals throughout the Chicago area[1].
Schwartz was diagnosed with renal failure in September 2005. Sadly , he soon found himself destitute, and several radio colleagues began organizing fund-rasiers for Schwartz[4]. He returned home in summer 2006 and has been writing a novel based on his life experiences. [5].
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Isackson, Noah. "Darkest Hours". Chicago Magazine. March 2006.
- ^ a b Feder, Robert. "Late-night voice Eddie Schwartz turns dial, tosses WGN for a `Loop'". Chicago Sun-Times. 7 May 1992.
- ^ Feder, Robert. "Schwartz, WLUP go separate ways". Chicago Sun-Times. 15 May 1995.
- ^ Feder, Robert. "For ailing Chicago Ed, money, hope running out". Chicago Sun-Times. 22 November 2005.
- ^ Zorn, Eric. "Whatever happened to Ed Schwartz?" http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/06/whatever_happen_1.html.
