Dave Plier

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier is joined by co-founder of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Jeff Lindberg and vocalist Paul Marinaro to discuss and highlight the history of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra; from its humble beginnings at the University of Illinois to their first regular gig at Gaspars (now known as Schubas) and their first big break […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier is joined by music legend and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Mathis to reminisce on his life and career; from growing up in a full house, to record breaking track and field feats, night clubs, and more.

Photographer and author Nick Freeman joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to highlight his book ‘Good Old Neon: Signs You’re in Chicago’ and explore Chicago’s history with neon signs which began in the 1920’s and really picked up in the 1960’s. The book highlights various restaurants, motels, laundries, theatres and more that still utilize the power […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Chicago radio legend Kevin Matthews about his new book ‘Mary’s Roadie’ and his journey in radio. Jim Shorts also takes over ‘The Dave Plier Show’ via satellite to tell listeners that Dave has been fired (not true) and also talks about the upcoming Chicago Bears season, his ‘casino’ and […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Neal Schon from Journey, who is in town to play Wrigley Field on Monday, July 15, 2024, along with The Steve Miller Band and Def Leppard. Dave and Neal talk about the band’s five decades in rock, the mega-hit ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, Neal’s guitar collection, and […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Craig Klatzco of Novelty Golf in Lincolnwood about his iconic miniature golf course and The Bunny Hutch, celebrating 75 years and the weekend-long event on July 20 and 21, 2024 with LIVE music, photo booths, their classic arcade, discounts and fun for all ages! Noveltygolf.com.

WGN Radio’s ‘The Dave Plier Show’ presents ‘The Women of Rock’ featuring conversations with music legends Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Pat Benatar and Suzi Quatro. Included are bonus interviews with Melissa Etheridge, Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and original MTV veejay Nina Blackwood.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier shares his conversation with rock legend Kevin Cronin on his summer tour, the band’s rise to fame, the meaning behind ‘REO Speedwagon,’ and more!

As iconic TV anthology series ‘The Twilight Zone’ celebrates its 65th Anniversary, WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to the daughter of TV legend Rod Serling, writer Anne Serling, on her father’s legacy, ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘Night Gallery’.

Children’s television historian Jim Engel talks to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about WGN-TV’s Ray Rayner, celebrating the 1964 launch of his own self-titled show ’Ray Rayner & His Friends’ which premiered 60 years ago along with Cuddly Dudley, ‘Ark in the Park’ with Dr. Lester Fisher and Chelveston the Duck, his years on ‘Bozo’s Circus’ […]

Comedy legend Robert Smigel joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier! Smigel is the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, he’s co-written films with Adam Sandler, wrote sketches on 425 episodes of SNL, and he has won countless Writer’s Guild and Primetime Emmy Awards throughout the years. His contemporaries at Saturday Night Live were Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Al Franken, Chris […]

WGN-TV’s Mike Lowe talks about his exemplary reporting and today’s press conference on infrastructure investments. Mike then talks about his recent cancer diagnosis, the importance of early detection and seeing your doctor, new statistics on cancer rising in people under 50, and beating this! You’ve got this, Mike!

WGN’s Dave Plier and Wally Podrazik, television historian and author of ‘Watching TV’, break down top TV dads by decade including Howard Cunningham (‘Happy Days’), Andy Taylor (‘The Andy Griffith Show’), Jim Anderson (‘Father Knows Best’), Mike Brady (‘The Brady Bunch’), Archie Bunker (‘Archie Bunker’s Place’), Cliff Huxtable (‘The Cosby Show’) Phil Dunphy (‘Modern Family’), Andre […]

Scott Dehn from the McHenry Outdoor Theatre and drive-in documentarian April Wright talk to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about the revival of the drive-in theater, a true piece of Americana, discovering the retro magic, and watching cinema under the stars.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Chicago music icon Billy Corgan about the CW’s ‘Adventures in Carnyland’, the National Wrestling Alliance, the Smashing Pumpkins summer tour, Bozo, and more.

Barely living comedy legend John Cleese is heading to Chicago for a truly memorable evening of comedy and conversation at the Vic Theatre on Wednesday, June 12th and Thursday, June 13th. John talks to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about his journey in comedy, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and how political correctness is killing comedy.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks about this week’s news that Dr Pepper is now the second-most popular soda brand in America, outselling Pepsi and behind Coca-Cola. Dave also shares the history of sodas that were created in Chicago and the retro soda brands we still love.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Chicago’s own Joe Mantegna on Memorial Day to honor our fallen, the importance of the National Memorial Day concert streaming now at pbs.org, his ‘Bleacher Bums’ and throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley this Friday.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to actor John Stamos about touring with The Beach Boys, their 2024 concerts in Elk Grove Village, Ravinia and being the voice of Graceland.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes the Honorable Tanya Bradsher, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to salute our fallen on Memorial Day, combatting homelessness and the mental health services available for veterans.