Steve Dahl & Garry Meier

One of Chicago’s most legendary broadcast duos, Steve Dahl and Garry Meier first worked together in 1979 at WLUP-FM, where Meier was an overnight disc jockey and Dahl was establishing himself as a brash, blunt, provocative comedic personality.

The two established an instant rapport and a talent for controversy, most notably in July 1979, when they hosted the chaotic “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Park. In 1981, Dahl was fired for “continued assaults on community standards.” Rather than stay behind at WLUP, Meier joined Dahl at WLS-FM for a five- year run marked with controversy, most notably when they conveyed their dissatisfaction with station management.

The duo moved to WLUP-AM where their penchant for outrageous behavior (including a live broadcast of Dahl undergoing a vasectomy) and conversations that stretched the boundaries of the medium led to their biggest ratings ever. The duo moved back to WLUP-FM in 1992 and split up one year later after a personal disagreement. Dahl worked at WCKG and WJMK before starting a daily podcast via The Steve Dahl Network. Meier worked at WLS-AM from 1995-2004, and later moved to WCKG before becoming the afternoon host at WGN in 2009.

Steve Dahl and Garry Meier were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2013.

WLS-FM 94.7 95 Chicago, Steve Dahl & Garry Meier, June 30, 1981 (45:05). [ LISTEN ]

Steve Dahl and Garry Meier partnered up on Chicago’s WLUP 97.9 FM (1979-‘81, 1992-'93), WLS 94.7 FM (1981-'84), WLS 890 AM (1984-'86), and WLUP 1000 AM (1986-'92).

News coverage of Disco Demolition Night.