On the morning of March 10, 1948, a 17-year-old Clark Weber made his debut on Milwaukee’s WFOX as a guest DJ. When he walked into the radio station he never felt so comfortable in his life, he recalled in his 2008 memoir, Clark Weber’s Rock and Roll Radio: The Fun Years, 1955-1975. As he left the station, he had an epiphany and knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. It was as simple as that: he wanted a career in radio.
With Ron Rileyat WLS
The man who called himself "Mother Weber's Oldest Son" got his first real radio job in 1954 at WAUX in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Then stops at WBKV West Bend, Wisconsin, and WRIT Milwaukee, led to a life-changing call from WLS in 1961 where he joined their staff during the golden era of the “Silver Dollar Survey,” offering the teenage listeners a fun time with new station jingles, great rock and roll music and a variety of contests.
When the Beatles' tour made a stop in Chicago on August 20, 1965, it was Clark Weber that introduced them on stage at Comiskey Park.
Clark's show that aired on September 2, 1966.
[ LISTEN ] (46:36).
Sam Holman, the program director responsible for starting up the top-40 format at WLS, had worked with Weber in Milwaukee and he hired Weber as the all night guy. Eighteen months later he was the afternoon guy. And eight months after that, Mort Crowley took ill and had to resign for health reasons, and suddenly Weber was the morning guy. Then in 1966, they threw an extra $150 a week his way, and he also took over as PD.[ LISTEN ] (46:36).
LEFT: A sponsored film made for Chicago radio station WLS as a promotional tool to sell airtime to advertisers. Includes scenes inside the studio with DJ Clark Weber, footage of the WLS programmer John Rook as he rides the train into to the city from the suburbs, and shots of potential radio listeners amongst picturesque views of Chicago. Takes plce during Weber’s last few months at WLS before leaving for WCFL. Courtesy of the Chicago Film Archives.
He jumped to rival Top 40 WCFL in 1969, and then to WMAQ in 1971. Feeling he was too old to keep spinning records at 43, Weber segued to talk radio at WIND 560-AM in 1973 and quickly mastered that format as well. After 13 years there he spent a decade at WJJD and five more years at WAIT.
Here is a classic example of Clark's work while at WLS in Chicago. The date is January 3, 1969, (and it's C-O-L-D in the windy city!) [ LISTEN ] (46:38)
As a canny businessman, he formed Clark Weber Associates, a north suburban-based advertising consulting firm targeting what he called the underserved market of senior citizens. He also hosted “A Senior Moment,” a daily commentary feature on growing older that aired on 34 stations and online.
Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano with Clark, discussing his career and retirement June 2, 2015. [ LISTEN ]On March 7, 2020 Clark passed away after a long illness. He was 89 years old. His wife of 63 years, Joan, died in 2018. He is survived by four daughters, Ann Lesar, Peggy Barthold, Jeanne Wakenight and Janet Bryan; 12 grandchilden and two great grandchildren.
“Clark was quick-witted, warm and smooth — a pro’s pro, whether it was rock and roll or news talk,” said Bob Sirott, a former longtime colleague. “He set the bar high on the air and more importantly, off the air as a mentor, counselor, friend and cheerleader for those lucky enough to get to know him. Mother Weber certainly raised a gentleman.”
WHERE DID CLARK WORK? Here is the list: WLS 1961-69, WCFL 1969-1971, WMAQ 1971-1973, WIND 1973-1986, WJJD 1986-1996, and WAIT 1996-2001.
Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Rock Radio Scrapbook, Robert Feder.
