In 1965, Jerry Williams was offered the chance to work for CBS in the third largest media market in the country, Chicago. WBBM would become a talk radio station, the first ever talk station in Chicago!
JW and A Catholic Caller
(15 Minutes) | Jerry hosted the first issue-oriented telephone talk show in Chicago. Here's an example of a caller from an "Open Forum" show. |
A Prejudiced Caller
(11 Minutes) | One of the recurring topics for Jerry in Chicago was race relations. Listen to this caller's opinions and Jerry's response. |
First WBBM show - 9/1/65, Part 1
(31 Minutes) | Jerry's first program in Chicago was much anticipated. It was the first two-way issue oriented talk show in Chicago. Listen closely to the beginning of this half-hour (about 5 minutes in) for a description of what the Jerry Williams Show is: a "reflection in the mirror of public opinion..." Jerry's guest in this segment is David Susskind, TV and theatrical producer from New York. |
First WBBM show - 9/1/65, Part 2
(29 Minutes) | A continuation of the David Susskind interview with calls from the audience. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 1
(48 Minutes) | Madalyn Murray (later Madalyn Murray O'Hair) was arguably America's most famous atheist. It was through her efforts that the initial case regarding prayer in public schools reached the Supreme Court. She was, in the mid-1960's, known as "The Most Hated Woman in America." On a Saturday night, one month into his WBBM experience, Jerry spent three hours with Madalyn Murray. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 2
(20 Minutes) | Continuation of hour one of Jerry Williams' interview with Madalyn Murray from October 1965. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 3
(3 Minutes) | The end of the first hour of Jerry Williams' interview with Madalyn Murray from October 1965. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 4
(48 Minutes) | The final hour of Jerry Williams' interview with Madalyn Murray from October 1965. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 5
(12 Minutes) | The beginning of hour two of Jerry Williams' interview with Madalyn Murray from October 1965. |
JW with Madalyn Murray, Part 6
(79 Minutes) | Continuation of hour two of Jerry Williams' interview with Madalyn Murray from October 1965. |
JW reads a classic HV O'Brien Editorial
(39 Minutes) | As an anti-war advocate during the height of the Vietnam War, Jerry Williams was on WBBM in Chicago. On this particular morning, the Chicago Sun Times re-published a WWII era editorial written by Howard Vincent O'Brien. Jerry's reading of it is particularly moving. |
JW with Bob Carroll, Hour 1
(62 Minutes) | Jerry was moved to mornings on WBBM in 1967. This show is typical of his morning show radio. |
JW with Bob Carroll, Hour 2
(59 Minutes) | A continuation of a typical Jerry Williams morning show on WBBM in 1967. |
JW, Mornings in WBBM, 1967, Part 1
(16 Minutes) | Another hour from one of the Jerry Williams morning shows from WBBM, Chicago circa 1967. |
JW, Mornings in WBBM, 1967, Part 2
(43 Minutes) | More Jerry from this hour on WBBM, Chicago in 1967 |
Responses to H.V. O'Brien reading, 1967
(21 Minutes) | This half-hour followed Jerry's reading of a Howard Vincent O'Brien editorial, "On Seeing a Son Go Off To War". |
JW with his daughters, 1967
(8 Minutes) | On Thanksgiving, 1967, Jerry had his young daughters on the air with him. From the sound of this broadcast you can tell that Jerry was a proud father! |
Jack Ruby, RIP
(48 Minutes) | This broadcast took place the day Jack Ruby died. |
Jerry Williams - Open Lines
(23 Minutes) | Here's a brief segment of open lines with Jerry…a format at which he excels. |
Jerry on Daytime TV
(59 Minutes) | This rant is about the dumb game shows on the three networks at the time - shows you can watch on the Game Show Network today. |
A Wednesday Morning in Chicago
(79 Minutes) | This is typical of a morning with Jerry Williams on WBBM in 1967. Jerry was NOT a morning person, but it was do this shift or find other gainful employment, so.. |
Most Segregated City in America?
(6 Minutes) | Is Chicago the most segregated city in America? Listen to this.. |
Jerry w/Mark Lane
(10 Minutes) | Mark Lane was the leading authority on the Kennedy Assassination. He guested on many shows with Jerry. |
Jerry w/Elmer Gertz
(1 Minutes) | A brief segment with the attorney for Jack Ruby, Elmer Gertz. |
Jerry w/Michael Caine
(1 Minutes) | A brief segment with actor Michael Caine. |
Jerry Williams w/Roy LePlant, Part 1
(29 Minutes) | Roy Leplant was an expert on machines. This is Jerry in the morning on WBBM, Chicago. |
Jerry Williams w/Roy LePlant, Part 2
(26 Minutes) | A continuation of Roy Leplant's wonderful world of machines. |
