Dan Fabian, Radio Executive Whose Ideas Made WGN a Power, Dies at 81
Dan Fabian was full of ideas. They would pour out of him at such a rate that he would walk around the offices of WGN Radio with a yellow legal pad and pen to jot them all down.
A Career Spanning 30 Years
Mr. Fabian’s innovations shaped the station’s sound in a career that spanned 30 years, working his way up at the station to eventually become vice president and general manager.
A Legacy Remembered by Colleagues
Now, colleagues like Dave Eanet, sports director at WGN Radio, are among the scores of WGN colleagues reflecting on Mr. Fabian’s legacy at the station.
“I hope that people remember and think about the huge contributions that he made to the radio station,” Eanet said.
Starting from the Bottom
Mr. Fabian’s career at WGN began in 1965, and he worked there until his retirement in 1996. He started as a college intern and held positions in every department, including sales, promotions, marketing, and as program director, WGN said.
The Man Behind the Ideas
“He would be walking in the hallways and you could walk past him and say, “Good morning, Dan,” and he wouldn’t respond, not because he was being rude but because he was coming up with ideas, said Dave Eanet, sports director at WGN Radio.
Innovative Ideas
Mr. Fabian was known for taking chances on people and programming to push the station forward. One of his most important moves was commissioning folksinger and songwriter Steve Goodman to create a Chicago Cubs jingle in 1984. The result was “Go Cubs Go,” an anthem that is still played after victories.
A Legendary Career
In 1985, Mr. Fabian wanted to change the way the station covered Bears games. He shifted from a two-man to a three-man broadcast booth, something that hadn’t been done in Chicago before, Eanet said. Mr. Fabian brought in former Bears linebacker Dick Butkus to join Jim Hart and Wayne Larrivee in the booth.
WGN’s Success
WGN also credits Mr. Fabian with spearheading “the most successful and memorable marketing campaign in Chicago radio history” with the creation of a cartoon bird who called himself “Chicago” in the 1980s.
Legacy Lives On
Mr. Fabian was inducted into the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in 2016.
“He was this deep-thinking, awesome guy,” said Chicago sports media mogul David Kaplan, who worked for more than 20 years at WGN starting in the ‘90s. “You could come in and think you had this tremendously difficult question, and he could boil it down. He was very measured.”
Conclusion
Dan Fabian, a radio executive whose ideas and innovations made WGN a power, has passed away at the age of 81. His legacy will be remembered by colleagues and fans alike as a testament to his dedication to his work and his commitment to excellence.
FAQs
* What was Dan Fabian’s role at WGN Radio?
+ He was the vice president and general manager of WGN Radio.
* What was one of Dan Fabian’s most important moves at WGN Radio?
+ He commissioned folksinger and songwriter Steve Goodman to create a Chicago Cubs jingle in 1984.
* What was Dan Fabian inducted into in 2016?
+ The WGN Radio Walk of Fame.
