Steve King (radio)
Encyclopedia
Steve King is a radio
personality who has been heard on several different stations, almost all in the Chicago
area. For more than 25 years, King and his wife, Johnnie Putman, have hosted on "The Steve and Johnnie Show" overnights on WGN.
King's career started in 1966 at WJOB
in Hammond, Indiana
. After a stint at WLTH
in nearby Gary
, King spent two years in Indianapolis at WIBC and WNAP-FM, his only foray outside the Chicago market. He returned to the Windy City to work afternoon drive time
at WBBM-FM
, then moved to WLS
in 1973, where he spent five years working the late evening slot. He left that job for the new format of talk radio
at WIND-AM in 1978, where he stayed until 1984 (with a brief detour to WDAI
). It was at WIND that he met Putman, a fellow show host.
In 1984, King moved to WGN, and Putman soon followed. They were paired together for the overnight show when she arrived, and their show was (and still is) the top-rated overnight show in the market. Because of WGN's clear channel signal, their show is heard throughout most of the United States
and Canada
, and their show (along with all of WGN's programming, except for Chicago Cubs
games) is also webcast
. They did their 5,000th show together with wife/co-host Johnnie Putman on August 17-August 18, 2006
King has been diagnosed with celiac sprue, an intolerance to gluten
. Since his diagnosis, King has become involved in local and national organizations which fight the disease.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
personality who has been heard on several different stations, almost all in the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area. For more than 25 years, King and his wife, Johnnie Putman, have hosted on "The Steve and Johnnie Show" overnights on WGN.
King's career started in 1966 at WJOB
WJOB
WJOB is a news/talk formatted radio station in Hammond, Indiana. The present tower of the station is 124 Meters tall and the station is a 24 hour operation broadcasting with 1000 Watts of power.-The Beginning:...
in Hammond, Indiana
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
. After a stint at WLTH
WLTH
WLTH is an AM Station broadcasting on 1370 kHz in Gary, Indiana east of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is owned by Pluria Marshall Jr. The station's current format is African-American Talk Radio...
in nearby Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
, King spent two years in Indianapolis at WIBC and WNAP-FM, his only foray outside the Chicago market. He returned to the Windy City to work afternoon drive time
Drive time
Drive time is the daypart analog to prime time for radio broadcasting. It consists of the morning hours when listeners wake up, get ready, and/or head to work or school, and the afternoon hours when they are heading home and before their evening meal. These are the periods where the number of...
at WBBM-FM
WBBM-FM
WBBM-FM, known on air as "B96", is a Rhythmic Contemporary outlet in Chicago, Illinois with a Rhythmic based playlist. The station is owned by CBS Radio and broadcasts at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 4.2 kW. WBBM's main competition is WKSC-FM "103.5 Kiss FM", as well as urban rivals WGCI-FM &...
, then moved to WLS
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
in 1973, where he spent five years working the late evening slot. He left that job for the new format of talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
at WIND-AM in 1978, where he stayed until 1984 (with a brief detour to WDAI
WZZN
WLS-FM 94.7 FM is a Chicago oldies radio station playing the hits of the late '50s, through the early '80s. The station was founded by ABC, and was sold by Disney to Citadel Broadcasting in 2007; it is now owned by Cumulus Media, following its 2011 merger with Citadel...
). It was at WIND that he met Putman, a fellow show host.
In 1984, King moved to WGN, and Putman soon followed. They were paired together for the overnight show when she arrived, and their show was (and still is) the top-rated overnight show in the market. Because of WGN's clear channel signal, their show is heard throughout most of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and their show (along with all of WGN's programming, except for Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
games) is also webcast
Webcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
. They did their 5,000th show together with wife/co-host Johnnie Putman on August 17-August 18, 2006
King has been diagnosed with celiac sprue, an intolerance to gluten
Gluten
Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye...
. Since his diagnosis, King has become involved in local and national organizations which fight the disease.