Dave Plier

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier celebrates the ‘Fabulous Fifties’ with 91 year old music legend Pat Boone; author Todd Purdum on his book ‘Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television’; 50’s teen idol Frankie Avalon; the definitive story of the drive-in theater; Keith Thibodeaux ‘Little Ricky’, the last living cast member from ‘I Love Lucy’. Plus, […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Country Music Icon Wynonna Judd about her summer tour, her level of gratitude right now in her life, missing her mom Naomi Judd, and her peaceful life on the farm. Wynonna will be playing at The Hard Rock Casino on Thursday, July 26th. For more, visit wynonna.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier shares his conversation with author John Malahy about the movies that reflect the full range of how summer has been depicted on screen, including Jaws, National Lampoon’s Vacation, The Endless Summer, Caddyshack, and more.

WGN’s Dave Plier and Wally Podrazik, television historian and author of ‘Watching TV’, break down top TV dads by decade including Howard Cunningham (‘Happy Days’), Andy Taylor (‘The Andy Griffith Show’), Jim Anderson (‘Father Knows Best’), Mike Brady (‘The Brady Bunch’), Archie Bunker (‘Archie Bunker’s Place’), Cliff Huxtable (‘The Cosby Show’) Phil Dunphy (‘Modern Family’) and […]

WGN-TV’s Pat Tomasulo joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about his brand of comedy, what his father taught him, what he loves and doesn’t like about summer traditions, and his upcoming shows at Zanies in Rosemont from Thursday, June 19th – Saturday, June 21st. For tickets go to zanies.com.

Dag Juhlin and Jason Narducy join WGN Radio’s Dave Plier LIVE in studio to talk about their upcoming ‘Celebration of Pete Townshend’ event at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. The date of the show is Saturday, June 21st. The 7pm show has sold out, but tickets, including great table seats in this intimate viewing/listening room, […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier and retired WGN Radio newsman Roger Badesch talk about the history behind radio and television call letters including WGN ‘World’s Greatest Newspaper’, which made its first appearance in the Chicago Tribune nameplate on August 29, 1911, and dozens of other Chicago call signs that graced the airwaves over the past 100 years on both radio and television.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to actor, comedian and entertainer Frank Ferrante on the 40th anniversary playing Groucho Marx (1890-1977) on stage, whose irreverent legendary humor continues to influences audiences today. For tickets to see Frank as Groucho on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 7pm, visit https://zinzanni.com/chicago/clubzinzanni-groucho/.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier celebrates the 1960’s with Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Barbara Eden of “I Dream of Jeannie” (seen weekdays on Antenna TV), Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Bill Mumy of Lost in Space, George Schlatter of “Laugh In” and iconic singer Darlene Love.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier showcases stand-up comedians with Chicago’s Own Pat McGann, Roastmaster General Jeff Ross, Nikki Glaser, Harvey Illinois’ own Tom Dreesen, Tom Papa, Jake Johannsen. Dave also talks to author Michael Starr on his new book: ‘Nothing Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield and Kelly Carlin on the legacy of her late […]

Comedian Pat McGann joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about opening for Sebastian Maniscalco in Las Vegas and his upcoming show at the Raue Center for the Arts on Saturday July 12, 2025. For tickets, visit rauecenter.org or patmcganncomedy.com.

Author Michael Starr joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about his latest biography, Nothing Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield, the first-ever biography of the legendary comic and the most improbable rise to fame in the history of American comedy.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to All American Icon Christie Brinkley about her memoir ‘Uptown Girl’, being discovered in Paris, life with Billy Joel, the origins of the song ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Vacation’ movie with Chevy Chase, life lessons, and living with gratitude.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Chicago’s own Gary Sinise on Memorial Day to honor our fallen, recap the annual National Memorial Day concert, discuss The Gary Sinise Foundation, and explain the significance of how his non-profit honors the country’s fallen, first responders, and more.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Kevin Cronin joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about his journey this summer touring with The Kevin Cronin band and Styx in their Brotherhood of Rock tour and the wind down last December of the iconic band REO Speedwagon. Kevin will sing the songs of REO that you […]

Radio Hall of Famer Garry Meier joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the real meaning of Memorial Day. Garry celebrates his father, Frank Meier, and his combat experiences from serving in World War II. Visit garrymeier.com for more.

NYT best-selling author Robert M. Edsel, who also wrote ‘The Monuments Men’, speaks to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about his new book ‘Remember Us’, an ensemble piece that follows twelve main characters over a six-year span. It zeroes in on ordinary people from the small rural province of Limburg in the Netherlands, their gratitude for freedom […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier and Dave Schwan talk about the true meaning of Memorial Day, which originated as ‘Decoration Day’ after the Civil War and was officially signed into law in 1967. Plus, Dave shares President Ronald Reagan’s moving Memorial Day speech from 1984.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Weber’s Kevin Kolman about getting your grill into gear this summer, recipes for the perfect burger, desserts, and more!

Smashing Pumpkins’ own Billy Corgan joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about his new solo tour with newly formed band The Machines of God, upcoming concerts overseas, his upcoming collaboration this fall with The Lyric Opera of Chicago, expanding his family, and Billy’s world of wrestling.