Ron O'Brien

Ron was part of an era of Chicago radio of all-star talent. Ron was an incredible jock who never failed to deliver. Great pipes and energy, tight, yet relaxed and comfortable - combined with great personality.

"Big" Ron O'Brien was born Richard Walls on October 24, 1951. O'Brien grew up in Des Moines, IA, and worked at the high school radio station. He started his professional career in 1969 at KUDL in Kansas City.

Ron & Larry Lujack.

99X studios, 1975.

WXLO

WOKY Milwaukee
March 26, 1976
[ LISTEN ] (17:44)

During the ensuing years,he worked for many stations, including KTLK in Denver, WCAR in Detroit, WQXI in Atlanta, WCFL in Chicago, WOKY in Milwaukee, WFIL in Philadelphia toward the end of its "Famous 56" halcyon days, KFI and KIIS in Los Angeles, KWK in St. Louis (where he stayed for nine years), KZDG in Denver, WYXR (which became WLCE during his tenure) in Philadelphia, WNBC and WXLO in New York, WPGC in Washington, D.C., and WRKO in Boston.

Big Ron is playing records at KBAB in beautiful downtown Indianola, Iowa approximately 1969-1970. [ LISTEN ] (7:28)

O'Brien playing records at WCFL on June 7, 1972. [ LISTEN ] (9:46)

This aircheck was recorded off air while Ron was the nighttime DJ on WCFL, and was one of O'Brien's first ever shifts on WCFL-AM. He joined the station in June 1972 and was heard there through the end of 1973, returning again for much of 1975 before moving on to other markets.

While at WOGL, also in Philadelphia he hosted the 3p.m.-to-7 p.m. weekday shift, and won several Achievement in Radio awards. WOGL was his employer for the final six years of his life.

"I never knew a guy who loved being on the air as much as he did," said Anne Gress, WOGL's program director. "There was such joy in his voice. He was put on this earth nothing other than to be on the air." Mr. O'Brien's first stint in Philadelphia was at the top-40 WFIL, a home of rapid-fire disk jockeys, from 1976 to 1979.

Big Ron hosted the syndicated radio program "On the Radio" from 1985 until 1992. O'Brien also enjoyed singing. He recorded cover versions of "Everybody Knows Matilda" (D. Baxter) and "Take Some Time Out" (T. Kemp and R. Gordy), both were released on 45. O'Brien was considered a true musicologist who not only knew his play list but was well-versed in contemporary music.

Here's Ron at WCFL Chicago, in 1973. [ PART ONE ] (14:48) and
[ PART TWO ] (13:05). Ron is back at it in October, 1973. [ LISTEN ] (23:19) Fresh off of his stint at WCFL, and at WXLO 99X, Winter of 1977. [ LISTEN ] (8:47).

Here's Big Ron, along with Willie B (Goode) & Tom Murphy at WRKO in Boston on November 30, 1978. [ LISTEN ] (45:11)

It opens with Big Ron, (who's having an issue with his tongue on the broadcast), then Willie B. and finally Tom Murphy on this tight Top 40 formatted day at WRKO.

Tribute to Ron, produced by Tom Kelly and Art Vuolo.

O'Brien passed away in April 2008 from pneumonia at the age of 56.

WHERE DID RON WORK? Here is the list: KTLK, WCAR, WQXI, WCFL, WOKY, KYNA-FM, WOGL, WFIL, KFI, KIIS, KWK, KZDG, WYXR, WLCE, KUDL, WNBC, WXLO, WPGC, KKBH, and WRKO.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Airchexx, VideoholicReturns.