Roy Leonard joins the show to share his thoughts on “The Lego Movie”, and the recent happenings in Chicago theatre. Then we take a look at the regular features, “Drunks in the News’, “Straight Outta Context”, and “Nick D Spies”. http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/nickd_hr2_0222.mp3
Roy visits with Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), the most popular jazz singer in the world for more than half a century. (February, 1977) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ellafitzgerald.mp3 Ella Fitzgerald (Tribune file photo)...
We kick off a full Saturday night by catching up with Roy Leonard. Public relations guru Richard Laermer checks in to give his take on Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s death, the upcoming Oscars, and more. http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/nickd_hr1_0208.mp3
One of America’s great comedy writers, Larry Gelbart (TV’s M*A*S*H, the movie Tootsie and Broadway’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ) talks about growing up in Chicago and a great career helping to make other people funny. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/larrygelbart.mp3 Larry Gelbart (Los Angeles Times)...
Nick kicks off a full Saturday night show with Roy Leonard, who shares his favorite films of the year. Then, we hit Drunks in the News, Straight Outta Context and Nick D Spies. http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/nickd_hr1_0104.mp3
Animal rights advocate, social rights historian, novelist and television critic, Cleveland Amory dropped by on October 10, 1975, and even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ll laugh at his wit and be amazed at his knowledge. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/clevelandamory.mp3...
Northshore native Bill Murray talks about his early years at Second City and Saturday Night Live in this 1981 conversation with Roy. (June 19, 1981) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/billmurray.mp3 Bill Murray helps to plug Roy’s “Play Ball” game....
Most Americans know her as Archie Bunker’s wife on TV’s “All In the Family.” But in this 1982 interview she tells Roy about her early career on Broadway and in movies and her one woman show where she portrays Eleanor Roosevelt. (May 6, 1982) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/jeanstapleton.mp3 Jean Stapleton in a 2000 photograph in character as Eleanor Roosevelt in the one-...
In this 1978 interview, the man who makes so many people laugh shows a serious side and talks to Roy about his own family and how he’s bringing up his kids. He also talks to listeners and seems happy to answer their questions. (March 14, 1978) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/billcosby.mp3 Bill Cosby was at The Mill Run Theatre and just as much fun in the studio as he was...
From about 1953 until 1980, Ray Rayner was one Chicago’s most popular television personalities starting at WBBM-TV as the host of a morning show called Rayner Shine. Rayner moved to WGN-TV in 1961 as Sergeant Pettibone, the host of The Dick Tracy Show, then on Bozo’s Circus as the clown Oliver O. Oliver and then his top rated morning show Ray Rayner and his Friends . (February 2, 1984) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com...
Did he really say “Nice guys finish last”? In this 1975 interview, Leo answers the question and offers some insights into the game of baseball and a lot about the Cubs. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/leodurocher.mp3 Chicago Cubs Manager Leo Durocher photographed on 5/19/1967. (Chicago Tribune Photo by Phil Mascione)...
From singing with Benny Goodman to her hits “Fever” and “Is That All There Is?,” Peggy Lee tells it all. (April 19, 1988) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/peggylee.mp3 Roy Leonard with Peggy Lee, 1969...
In one of many appearances on the Roy Leonard Show, Dick talks about the origins of “American Bandstand” and why Elvis never appeared on the show. (November 8, 1985) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dickclark.mp3 Two entertainment legends: Dick Clark visits with Roy Leonard...
The great NBA star came by in 1991 to talk about his book, “A View from Above,” and proved to be a fascinating guest. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/wiltchamberlain.mp3 Los Angeles Lakers’ center Wilt Chamberlain scores against the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, May 6, 1970. (Larry Sharky / Los Angeles Times)...
Harry Connick, Jr. tells how he got hired to record the “When Harry Met Sally” songs, talks about the influence of growing up in New Orleans, and reveals how he quit smoking. (1990) https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3822230/Harry_Connick_Jr__2021-03-18-214130.64kmono.mp3
The great movie star Ginger Rogers talks about dancing with Fred Astaire and her many Hollywood relationships. (1991) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/gingerrogers.mp3 Ginger Rogers, traveling to the East Coast, steps off the Santa Fe Super Chief from Los Angeles at the Dearborn Street Station in 1942. Because no single railroad spanned the country, a cross-country trip inevitab...
James Taylor introduces his new album and talks about how he gets his ideas and writes his songs. (November 19, 1985) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/jamestaylor.mp3 Roy with James Taylor in 1992
Sid Caesar talks about his drug problems and shares great stories about Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart and Carl Reiner. (November 16, 1983) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/sidcaesar.mp3 Roy Leonard with Sid Caesar in 1973....
Debbie Reynolds tells how she lost $21 million and took ten years to pay it off, plus highlights from her singing and acting career. (November 4, 1988) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/debbiereynolds.mp3 Debbie Reynolds placing her handprints in the wet cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood January 14, 1965. (Los Angeles Times)...
Jackie Mason, a man whose made a career out of insulting people. Do people ever get mad at him? Listen to this 1992 interview Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/jackiemason.mp3 Jackie Mason (Handout photo)...
One of the great screenwriting teams of all time talk about the old Hollywood with stories about Bogart and Bacall, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, and Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. (October 22, 1981) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/kaningordon.mp3 Ruth Gordon & Garson Kanin with Roy during a 1973 visit....
An amazing, serious interview about the art of comedy with one of the funniest men alive. (1982) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/jerrylewis.mp3
In 1986 we talked about the difficulties of being Ernest Hemingway’s son and his service with our OSS in WWII and parachuting behind enemy lines. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/jackhemingway.mp3
We traveled to New Orleans back in 1980 to talk to Clint Eastwood, Ronnie Milsap, Merle Haggard, Scatman Crothers and other stars of Clint’s movie Bronco Billy . Here’s a one-hour version of what happened over two days. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clinteastwood2.mp3 Roy with Clint Eastwood in 1978...
Comic David Brenner examined his career in a book back in 1983 and also released his first album. He talks with Roy about both. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/davidbrenner.mp3 David Brenner (Chicago Tribune)...
Lily Tomlin told us where the character “Edith Ann” came from and shared more from her show biz career back in an early 1970’s visit. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/lilytomlin.mp3 Roy Leonard with Lily Tomlin...
One of the great lyricists of all time, Johnny Mercer ( On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe , Moon River , Days of Wine and Roses , Laura , One For My Baby ), in a classic show. (June 2, 1971) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/johnnymercer.mp3 Johnny Mercer (Capitol Records)...
Founding member of Monty Python and the “Ministry of Silly Walks,” John Cleese joined Roy back in 1986 and talked about Faulty Towers as well Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/johncleese.mp3 John Cleese...
“Blue Man Group” has been playing at the Brian Street Theatre for 16 years. Back in 1997, the three founders joined Roy to explain how it all started. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bluemangroup.mp3 Blue Man Group in a 2001 photo (Chicago Tribune photo by James F. Quinn)...
Funny man Steve Martin wrote a play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile , and brought it to our Steppenwolf Theatre in October of 1993. Naturally we wanted to talk with him about it. (October 16, 1993) https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3877912/Steve_Martin_2021-09-21-203812.64kmono.mp3 More from the Archives WGN Radio Archives WGN’s role in Scopes Monkey Trial echoes with impact .cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Remembering Jim Lovell .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From the archives: Steve Dale ta...
