Jun 24, 2009 10:56 am US/Central
Broadcast Legend John Callaway Dies
John Callaway Spent Early Career At WBBM 780, CBS 2
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Broadcast journalist John Callaway has died.
CBS
Renowned Chicago broadcast journalist John Callaway, who earned the description of "Chicago television's No. 1 interviewer," died Tuesday at the age of 72.
Mr. Callaway died in Racine, Wis., late Tuesday after suffering a heart attack in a store, according to his executive producer.
As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, Mr. Callaway was best known for his wit, integrity and in-depth questions. Born in New Martinsville, West Virginia, as the son of a newspaper editor, Mr. Callaway was a college dropout who went on to carve a huge niche in the broadcast industry.
He was best known as the face of news programming on WTTW-Channel 11 for more than 30 years, but he also spent several years with CBS 2 and sister station WBBM Newsradio 780.
Whether you knew him or simply admired his work, Mr. Callaway's death leaves a void that won't be easily filled.
Mr. Callaway started the "Chicago Tonight" program in 1984, with Mayor Harold Washington as his first guest. He remained host of the program until he retired in 1999 and passed on the baton to Phil Ponce, a former CBS 2 reporter.
"Those of us who worked with him, loved him," Ponce said. "We're going to miss him terribly. He was our compass."
Mr. Callaway interviewed celebrities, politicians and newsmakers, and will be remembered for his unique, insightful style.
"There was no one who prepared better, there was nobody who listened better, and there was no one who knew the right follow-up question to ask," Ponce said.
When it came to interviews, Mr. Callaway lived by his principles.
"I think the challenge of getting something really personable and memorable out of somebody that you're interviewing on television requires you to be truly, deeply be interested in them," Mr. Callaway said in a past interview.
Mr. Callaway was as genuine and real on the air as in person, Ponce said.
"The person you saw on TV? That was John," he said.
Mr. Callaway's Chicago career began at the City News Bureau, the former Chicago wire services that trained rookie reporters in the police, fire and courthouse beats while providing copy to local media outlets. He first came to CBS in 1957, working in both radio and television.
Mr. Callaway was host of a nationally-broadcast nighttime program on WBBM 780. He later became news director there, and he led the station's transition to an all-news station in May 1968.
Later in 1968, Mr. Callaway was named Vice President of CBS Radio in New York, and helped develop all-news stations all around the country. Soon afterward, he went on the air as National Group Correspondent for CBS Radio.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Callaway moved to television and became a reporter for CBS 2. He was a member of the first reporting team on the legendary newscasts that originated from the bustling working newsroom at CBS 2's old McClurg Court studios, with Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson on the anchor desk, beginning in 1973.
Mr. Callaway moved to WTTW-Channel 11 in 1974. He began as news director, and beginning in 1975, he co-anchored a nightly newscast that the station put on for a short time, called "Public Newscenter." He later hosted WTTW's Chicago Feedback town meeting series, before starting "Chicago Tonight," according to WTTW's Web site.
The Chicago Tribune described Mr. Callaway as "Chicago Television's No. 1 interviewer," according to WTTW.
After retiring from "Chicago Tonight," Mr. Callaway still appeared on the air regularly on Channel 11 afterward, and hosted the "Chicago Stories" mini-documentaries about Chicago history. In 2006, he became host of the "Friday Night Show," highlighting his in-depth interviewing style, breadth of knowledge, and humor.
Mr. Callaway also returned briefly to CBS 2 in 2000, as a commentator for "The 10 O'clock News Reported by Carol Marin."
Mr. Callaway won more than 60 awards, including seven Emmys and a Peabody award.
He was also director of the Benton Fellowship program at the University of Chicago.
Mr. Callaway is survived by his wife and daughters, and numerous friends and fans.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Celebrity Watcher: Real Or Fake?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
