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{{Short description|American radio personality (born 1954)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Steve Dahl
| image = Steve Dahl (cropped).jpg
| image_upright =
| caption = Dahl in 2008
| birth_name = Steven Robert Dahl
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1954|11|20}}
| birth_place = [[Pasadena, California]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = Janet (m. 1978)
| children = 3
| website = {{Official website}}
}}
'''Steven Robert Dahl''' (born November 20, 1954)<ref name="CST032496">{{cite news|last=Herguth|first=Bob|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4322619.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328200849/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4322619.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-28|title=Steve Dahl, Unplugged|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=8|date=March 24, 1996|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access=}}</ref><ref name="CST121089">{{cite news|last=Hoekstra|first=Dave|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3974644.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328200850/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3974644.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-28|title=Steve & Garry's Radio Timeline|pages=Show, 5|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=December 10, 1989|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access=subscription}}</ref> is an American [[radio personality]]. He is the owner and operator of the Steve Dahl Network, a [[Subscription business model|subscription-based]] [[podcast]]ing network. Dahl gained a measure of national attention after organizing and hosting [[Disco Demolition Night]] at [[Comiskey Park]].<ref name="jaehakim">{{cite news|first=Jae-Ha|last=Kim|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4280228.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329103903/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4280228.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-29|title=Disco's Mood Rings True: '90s Dance Fans Show Signs of Nostalgia Fever|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=April 21, 1995|url-access= |access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref><ref name="greene">{{cite news|first=Leonard|last=Greene|url=https://nypost.com/2007/07/13/n-y-gets-dance-fever/|title=N.Y. Gets Dance Fever|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|date=July 13, 2007|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref>
Originally, Dahl broadcast with Detroit stations [[WYCD|WABX]] and [[WLLZ (FM)|WWWW]] and later with Chicago [[radio station|stations]] [[WCFS-FM|WCKG]], [[WLS-FM|WDAI]], [[WCKL (FM)|WLUP]], [[WMVP]] and [[WLS (AM)|WLS]]. He served as a columnist for the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' in their ''Live'' section as the resident "vice advisor" until November 2010.<ref name="st004">{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-stevedahl,0,3820982,bio.columnist|title=Chicago Sun-Times Steve Dahl biography|access-date=2014-10-24|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090949/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-stevedahl,0,3820982,bio.columnist|archive-date=2014-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is also known in Chicago for his longstanding former role as one half of the ''Steve & Garry'' team (with [[Garry Meier]]),<ref name="cbs199">{{cite news|author=CBS News|title=Chicago Radio Legends Steve Dahl and Garry Meier Reunite|work=[[CBS 2 Chicago]]|date=August 19, 2006}}</ref> and the two are members of the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]]. Dahl is considered an influential [[shock jock]] in [[talk radio]].<ref name="st001">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3924055.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329103904/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3924055.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-29|title=Like it or not, folks, Steve Dahl did drop|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=January 16, 1989|url-access=|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref><ref name="rm001">{{cite news|title=Radio Currents Online: Apr 3 - Apr 9, 2006|url=http://radiomagonline.com/currents/weekly/radio_currents_040306/index.html|work=Radio Magazine Online|date=April 4, 2006|access-date=2008-05-21|quote = Steve Dahl, the talent from WCKG/Chicago, who brought his brand of shock and awe to radio decades ago and redefined the medium for his generation}}</ref><ref name="col001">{{cite book|last=Colford|first=Paul|title=Howard Stern, King of All Media: The Unauthorized Biography|year=1996|publisher=Diane Publishing Company|isbn=0-7881-6336-1}}</ref>
In addition to his radio career, Dahl is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His band, Teenage Radiation, recorded and performed a number of song parodies (which he often played on his show throughout the 1980s) and since 1990 he has performed and recorded as Steve Dahl and the Dahlfins. Dahl is also an occasional actor, and has appeared in films such as ''[[Grandview, U.S.A.]]'', ''[[Outing Riley]]'' and ''[[I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With]]''.
== Early life ==
Dahl grew up in [[La Cañada Flintridge, California|La Cañada, California]]. He is the son of Roger and Carol Dahl, an electronics parts manufacturer's representative and a homemaker.<ref name="CT110694" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2020}}
==
=== Early radio career ===
In the [[9th grade]], Dahl began hanging around a local [[Underground music|underground]] radio station, [[KPPC (defunct)|KPPC]],<ref name="CST121089-2">{{cite news|last=Hoekstra|first=Dave|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3974542.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329103901/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3974542.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-29|title=Steve & Garry 10 Years of Radio Mayhem|pages=Show, 1|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=December 10, 1989|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access=}}</ref> in his home state of California. At the age of sixteen, after he started working at the radio station full-time, he unofficially dropped out of high school.<ref name="CT110694">{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Steve|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/11/06/shocked-jock-2/|title=Shocked Jock - His Partner Dumped Him. His Station Demoted Him. His Listeners Deserted Him. Will Steve Dahl Survive?|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 6, 1994|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref><ref name="steveblog">{{cite web|url=http://www.dahl.com/weblog/3_5_07.asp|title=Steve's Web Log|access-date=2014-10-24|date=March 5, 2007|work=Steve Dahl Official Blog|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213165750/http://www.dahl.com/weblog/3_5_07.asp |archive-date = 2008-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dahl later explained, "I convinced my parents and the school that I would do an independent work-study thing. I never got around to it."<ref name="CT110694" /> At the age of eighteen, he obtained his [[General Educational Development|GED]] and briefly married a woman he met after she called him on-air to request "[[Suzanne (Leonard Cohen song)|Suzanne]]", a song by [[Leonard Cohen]] which told a tale of a troubled relationship. Dahl later explained his short-lived marriage by commenting, "I should have paid more attention to that song."<ref name="CT110694" />
Dahl was told by radio executives that he'd never make it in radio because his voice was too high. At one point, Dahl was so discouraged that he quit for about six months and attempted to pursue a career as a recording engineer. However, this never amounted to anything more than making [[mix tape]]s of popular songs for play on airplanes. Throughout this time period, he was making efforts to reconcile with his ex-wife, who by then was dating the program director at the Los Angeles radio station where she worked. He later admitted to stalking her by sleeping in his Subaru outside her house.<ref name="CT110694" />
In 1976, Dahl's ex-wife told him about an opening for a morning show in [[Detroit, Michigan]] on [[WYCD|WABX]]. He managed to secure the job, despite the fact that he did not think he was good enough for it<ref name="CT110694" /> (he later learned that the station was owned by the same company his ex-wife worked for). At WABX, Dahl learned as much as he could about what constituted "good radio" and also began experimenting with his content. His popularity increased to the point that he achieved a [[Media market|7.2 market share]].<ref name="CT110694" />
During his time at WABX, Dahl was introduced to Janet Joliat, a [[junior high school]] English and drama teacher in a Detroit suburb, who was casually dating a friend of his and was also a listener of his show. The two hit it off after Dahl invited her to a "[[hump day]]" broadcast he was doing from the camel area of the [[Detroit Zoo]].<ref name="CT110694" />
WDAI executives in Chicago, attracted by Dahl's 7.1 share, approached him and offered to double his salary to $50,000 a year.<ref name="CT110694" />{{failed verification|date=November 2019}} However, Janet did not want to leave her family in Detroit and he did not want to leave her. This prompted Dahl to ask his bosses for $35,000 a year to stay in Detroit, which they refused.<ref name="CT110694" />{{failed verification|date=November 2019}} In 1978, after Janet accepted his marriage proposal, Dahl left Detroit for WDAI in Chicago.<ref name="CT110694" />{{failed verification|date=November 2019}}
=== ''Rude Awakening'' ===
Dahl began at WDAI Chicago on February 23, 1978, with his solo ''Steve Dahl's Rude Awakening'' show,<ref name="CST121089" /> but it never achieved solid ratings despite media attention. Ten months later, on Christmas Eve, 1978, WDAI changed formats from rock to disco and fired Dahl.<ref name="CT110694" />
=== {{anchor|Steve and Garry}}''Steve & Garry'' ===
<!-- The articles [[Garry Meier]], [[Kevin Matthews (radio personality)]] and [[Christina Filiaggi]] all link to this section; Please do not change section name before discussing on [[Talk:Steve Dahl]]-->
In March 1979, after a few months without a job, Dahl was hired to do a morning show at WLUP where he met overnight DJ [[Garry Meier]] (who was then broadcasting under the [[pseudonym]] of "Matthew Meier"). Shortly thereafter, the two began a cross talk that eventually led to Meier being teamed up with Dahl as both [[sidekick]] and newsman.<ref name="CST121089" /><ref name="CT110694" /> Dahl effectively forced Meier to use his actual name by calling him "Garry" on-air accidentally. After openly discussing the subject, again, on-air, Meier officially dropped his pseudonym.
==== Disco Demolition Night ====
{{Main|Disco Demolition Night}}
In response to Dahl's firing from WDAI, Dahl and Meier mocked and heaped scorn on disco records and WDAI (calling it "Disco-D.I.E." mocking the station's slogan, "Disco-D.A.I.") on the air. Dahl pronounced the word disco with 'a contemptuous lisp',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-disco-demolition-bee-gees-showtime-1219-20201218-2s3uhxsjsbduvl4kqswnvpswny-story.html | title=How Disco Demolition Night demonstrates racist reaction to disco, Bee Gees | website=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=18 December 2020 }}</ref> in mockery of its homosexual associations. Dahl even recorded and started playing a parody of [[Rod Stewart]]'s "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]]", which he called "Do You Think I'm Disco?". The song managed to crack the national charts to peak at No. 58 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard charts|Hot 100]] and received airplay across the country.<ref name="CT110694" />
During this same time period, Dahl and Meier, along with [[Mike Veeck]] (son of then [[Chicago White Sox]] owner [[Bill Veeck]]), Jeff Schwartz of WLUP Sales and Dave Logan, the WLUP Promotions Director, came up with a radio promotion and tie-in to the White Sox called Disco Demolition Night which took place on Thursday, July 12, 1979. The concept was to create an event to "end disco once and for all" in the [[Baseball field#outfield|center field]] of [[Comiskey Park]] that night by allowing people to get tickets at the box office if they brought $0.98 (for WLUP's frequency) and at least one disco record.<ref name="sw010">{{cite news|first=Macaulay|last=Campbell|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/16/business/media-shock-waves.html|title=Media; Shock Waves|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 16, 2002|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref> More than 50,000 fans showed up, many loosely interpreting "disco record" to mean any disc with music by black artists.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/19/disco-demolition-the-night-they-tried-to-crush-black-music | title=Disco Demolition: The night they tried to crush black music | newspaper=The Guardian | date=July 19, 2019 | last1=Petridis | first1=Alexis }}</ref> The records were collected, piled up on the field and blown up. As the second game of the [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] was about to begin, the raucous crowd [[Pitch invasion|stormed onto the field]], refused to leave, and proceeded by setting [[Bonfire|fires]], tearing out seats and pieces of turf, and other damage. [[American League]] President [[Lee MacPhail]] later declared the second game of the doubleheader a [[forfeit (baseball)|forfeit]] victory for the visiting [[Detroit Tigers]]. Six people reported minor injuries, and thirty-nine were arrested for [[disorderly conduct]].<ref name="1979xxx">{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E03E6D9113AE23BA15750C1A9619C946890D6CF|title=Anti-Disco Rally Halts White Sox|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|page=A16|date=July 13, 1979|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
==== Height of collaboration ====
As a result of Disco Demolition Night, Dahl attained national recognition and his popularity increased significantly. He established a [[Syndicate#Media syndicates|syndicate]] and the ''Steve & Garry'' show began airing in Detroit and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]], where it performed well. However, in February 1981, WLUP fired Dahl, citing "continued assaults on community standards". "It was going on in [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]] and Los Angeles, like, on Monday, and on Friday they fired me," Dahl later said.<ref name="CT110694" /> Meier was offered the opportunity to continue the show by himself, but he refused.<ref name="CST121089" />{{rquote|right|I always used to get ticked off when I would get lumped in with Howard Stern as being a [[shock jock]]. I guess I did shock people, but I did it unintentionally. It comes out of who I am.|Steve Dahl<ref name="CT110694" />}}
During the [[Iran hostage crisis|Iranian Hostage Crisis]], Dahl, along with his backing band Teenage Radiation, recorded and released a parody of [[The Knack]]'s song "[[My Sharona]]", called "[[Ayatollah (song)#Parodies|Ayatollah]]". Released as a single, it reached No. 12 on the weekly Musicradio survey of Chicago superstation [[WLS (AM)|WLS]]-AM on February 9, 1980.<ref>{{cite web|website=oldiesloon.com|url=http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls020980.htm|title=WLS Musicradio Survey|date=February 9, 1980}}</ref> He also made on-the-air [[Prank call|prank phone calls]] to the "Islamic Fried Chicken" (a play on [[KFC|Kentucky Fried Chicken]]), ordering buckets of chicken for the hostages in the US [[embassy]], for which the [[United States Department of State|State Department]] later reprimanded him.<ref name="CT070403">{{cite news|first=Maureen|last=Ryan|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/07/04/you-call-that-service/|title=You call that service?|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 4, 2003|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref> Dahl also parodied the [[John Wayne Gacy]] murders with his song "Another Kid in the Crawl" (to the tune of [[Pink Floyd]]'s "[[Another Brick in the Wall]]"). The playing of the song was stopped after parents of the murdered children called to complain.<ref name="DahlLeaves" />
Dahl and Meier won a [[Emmy Award#Regional Emmys|local Emmy award]]<ref name="CST121089-2" /> for a television special they did in 1981 called, ''Greetings from [[Graceland]]'', which was a comedy spoof on the tourist shrine<ref name="WSJ052595">{{cite news|title=Roach Clips|work=[[Wisconsin State Journal]]|page=Rhythm, 3|date=May 25, 1995}}</ref> and featured [[Elvis Presley|Elvis Presley's]] "Uncle Vester" selling Elvis cookbooks from the guardhouse.<ref name="CST121089" /> They briefly had a morning television show, called ''It's Too Early'' on local Chicago station, [[WGBO-TV|WFBN-TV]], which nationally syndicated columnist [[Bob Greene]] called "the best program on television", "amazing", and "hypnotic" in his June 20, 1983 column. The show was canceled after four weeks on the air because it was deemed "unsuitable for general viewing... in particular for young children"<ref name="WSJ052595" /><ref name="CT062083">{{cite news|last=Greene|first=Bob|title=Dahl's TV attempt was just 'Too Early'|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 20, 1983}}</ref> after Dahl was shown fully clothed sitting on a toilet seat reading a newspaper.<ref name="WSJ052595" /><!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:ItsTooEarly.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''It's Too Early''{{ffdc|1=ItsTooEarly.JPG|log=2016 March 3|date=March 2016}}]] -->
In 1982, he stated on the air that motorists could allegedly substitute [[Necco Wafers]] for coins in automatic toll booths on Chicago's [[Toll road|tollways]]. The [[Illinois Tollway System]] later said that approximately a dozen toll machines broke down due to people trying to use the candy to pay tolls.<ref name="CST121089" /><ref name="CT070403" />
Dahl decided to get a [[vasectomy]] in March 1989, which was performed live on the air at a [[urologist]]'s office in Indiana.<ref name="CST121089" /><ref name="CT110694" /><ref name="CT070403" /><ref name="bearseyeview">{{cite news|last=Dahl|first=Steve|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-01-11/entertainment/0701110016_1_gummi-bears-soldier-field-bears-eye|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015175807/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-01-11/entertainment/0701110016_1_gummi-bears-soldier-field-bears-eye|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2014|title=What's the best Bears-eye view? - Premium seats have it all-food, great view, even cute waitresses|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|page=9B|date=January 11, 2007|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref> According to [[Arbitron ratings]] for that survey period, Dahl and Meier's ratings jumped from a tie for seventh place in afternoons to a tie for third place.<ref name="CST121089"/>
According to Paul D. Colford, a former writer for ''[[Newsday]]'', [[Howard Stern]] listened to tapes of Steve and Garry sent from Chicago by a friend of the chief engineer at WCCC Hartford. Colford claims Stern eventually developed his on-air style as a result of these tapes. Later, Stern was hired at WWWW Detroit (which Dahl had left when he moved to Chicago).<ref name="col001" />
==== End of collaboration ====
''Steve & Garry'' moved to WLS, but ultimately returned to WLUP where they stayed until their split in 1993. The alleged reason for the break-up was Dahl's on-the-air comments about Meier's new wife, commercial real-estate broker Cynthia Fircak, while the new couple were on their [[honeymoon]].<ref name="CT110694"/> Meier also blamed Dahl's [[alcoholism]] and unpredictable behavior. Dahl, for his part, blamed Fircak for the split, once saying on air "When I met her, I knew the rules had just changed."
In 2003, [[Robert Feder]], a [[columnist]] for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', said, "It's the divorce that just keeps on giving: A decade after Steve Dahl and Garry Meier severed their legendary radio partnership, their breakup remains a source of bitterness and anger for them — and continuing fascination for their fans."<ref name="st002">{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1485752.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307170651/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1485752.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-07|title=Meier blasts 'delusional' Dahl over radio breakup.|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=June 3, 2003|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access=}}</ref>
After the team broke up, Dahl went to [[Sports radio|Sports Talk]] WMVP AM and teamed with Chicago [[sportscaster]] [[Bruce Wolf]].<ref name="CT110694" />
=== WCKG years ===
Dahl ended up on WCKG, broadcasting an afternoon show on that station.<ref name="knopper010">{{cite magazine|first=Steve|last=Knopper|title='Subtler' Steve Dahl still rocks Chicago|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=68|date=March 7, 1998}}</ref> He eventually teamed up with Buzz Kilman, who was Dahl's newsman starting in 1980 on WLUP, and the show was available as a [[podcast]] at Dahl's [[website]] and streamed live on WCKG's website. Dahl's afternoon show was rated fifth (4.1) among men 25–54 in the winter 2006-2007 ratings report.<ref name="kampert">{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Kampert|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/05/01/hispanic-stations-in-3-slots-of-chicago-radios-top-10/|title=Hispanic stations in 3 slots of Chicago radio's Top 10|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref> In 2007, Dahl was named one of the '100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts' by ''[[Talkers Magazine]]''.<ref name="tm001">{{cite journal|title=Talkers Magazine Heavy Hundred: The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts In America|url=http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=44|journal=Talkers Magazine Online|year=2008|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116142514/http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=44|archive-date=2008-01-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Steve & Buzz.jpg|thumb|right|Dahl and Buzz Kilman during a live [[remote broadcast]] of ''The Steve Dahl Show'' at [[Navy Pier]] in March 2008]]
On Friday, August 18, 2006, Dahl was doing a remote broadcast of his show at Oak Street Beachstro, a restaurant on Chicago's [[Oak Street Beach (Chicago, IL)|Oak Street Beach]]. Coincidentally, Garry Meier was eating lunch there with friends. After Dahl learned of Meier's presence there, he invited Meier to appear on the air with him, which Meier accepted. Meier wound up staying for the remainder of the show. This event was covered widely throughout the Chicago [[Mass media|media]] that evening.<ref name="holdyourbreath">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1633704.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116105650/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1633704.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-11-16|title=Don't hold your breath for more Steve & Garry|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=August 22, 2006|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access= }}</ref><ref name="beachawash">{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|author-link=Phil Rosenthal|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/08/19/beach-awash-in-strange-radio-waves/|title=Beach awash in strange radio waves: A funny thing happened on the way to the air and water show: Steve and Garry reunited|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 19, 2006|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref>
On April 2, 2007, Meier returned to Chicago radio, doing the 8 AM-11 AM show on WCKG. He appeared briefly on Dahl's show that same day. They occasionally contributed to each other's shows, and Meier spent the first hour and a half in studio during Dahl's show on the 28th anniversary of Disco Demolition Night, recounting the events of that night.<ref name="cbs199" />
=== Jack FM ===
Dahl announced on October 29, 2007, that he would move to mornings at WJMK on November 5, 2007, as WCKG changed [[radio format|formats]]. He was the only live personality at the [[Jack FM]] outlet as the rest of the station was pre-programmed and run by computer. Dahl's son Matt was part of the regular WCKG lineup and hosted the show immediately following his father's. However, the WCKG format change, from an FM talk station to an [[adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]] station<ref name="freshstuff">{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|author-link=Phil Rosenthal|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/11/06/fresh-sound-unveiled-at-wckg/|title=Fresh sound unveiled at WCKG|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 6, 2007|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref> meant the end of Matt's show on WCKG.
Criminal suspect [[Drew Peterson]] and his lawyer, Joel Brodsky, called in to Dahl's show on January 23, 2008. Dahl had been lampooning Peterson since the start of the former police officer's notoriety. Brodsky suggested that Dahl host an on-air "dating game" with Peterson the following day, but WJMK managers and Dahl later decided not to go through with it."<ref name="chitrib090">{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|author-link=Phil Rosenthal|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/01/24/dahl-draws-line-on-date-for-drew/|title=Dahl draws a line on date for Drew|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref>
On December 5, 2008, Dahl announced the end of his show on Jack FM due to low ratings.<ref name="SteveOut">{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|author-link=Phil Rosenthal|title=Steve Dahl out at CBS' WJMK-FM|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=December 5, 2008|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2008/12/steve-dahl-out.html|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref><ref name="SteveLeaves">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No-byline-->|title=Steve Dahl Leaves JACK-FM Radio|date=December 5, 2008|url=http://cbs2chicago.com/local/steve.dahl.leaves.2.880599.html|publisher=[[CBS 2 Chicago]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208072209/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/steve.dahl.leaves.2.880599.html|archive-date=2008-12-08|access-date=2014-10-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>
"They were saying, 'Well, do a couple of weeks, a farewell.'" Dahl said. "I said, 'It's not a farewell. You guys are taking me off the air. I'm not retiring.' ... "I still have two and a half years left on my deal so, quite frankly, I'm not letting them out of it." Dahl also said he was prepared to stay off the air for the remainder of his contract, which was to end in mid-2011 and was said to be worth more than $1 million annually.<ref name="SteveOut"/>
After the end of Dahl's final broadcast, [[Howard Cogan]], the normally sarcastic signature voice, Jack, heard on many Jack FM stations, delivered a sincere sendoff to Dahl followed by "[[Life's Been Good]]" by [[Joe Walsh]], a long-time friend of Dahl.<ref name="DahlLeaves">{{cite news|first=Ted|last=Cox|url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=256021|title=Dahl leaves Jack-FM, but doesn't call it quits|date=December 5, 2008|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]|publisher=Paddock Publications|___location=Arlington Heights, Illinois|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref><ref name="SteveOut"/>
=== Back to WLS ===
On October 7, 2014, media blogger [[Robert Feder]] reported that Dahl would be returning to terrestrial radio on [[WLS (AM)|WLS AM 890]]. Feder wrote: "Dahl, 59, will join the Cumulus Media news/talk station as afternoon personality, from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday though Friday. If all goes as planned, Dahl would start in early November. Sources familiar with the deal said Dahl will continue his subscription podcast venture, with Cumulus Media becoming a partner in the Steve Dahl Network. Under the agreement, Cumulus would provide financial, technical and marketing support, while Dahl would continue to host a separate, 90-minute daily podcast for his paid subscribers."<ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2014/10/07/surprise-wls-to-hire-steve-dahl-for-afternoons/|title=Surprise: WLS to hire Steve Dahl for afternoons|date=October 7, 2014|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url-access=subscription|access-date=2014-10-09}}</ref> Dahl confirmed Feder's report on October 8 saying "he's eager to get back on the air to become 'part of the daily conversation in Chicago'".<ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=http://www.robertfeder.com/2014/10/08/steve-dahl-on-joining-wls-radios-not-dead-yet/|title=Joining WLS, Steve Dahl declares: 'Radio's not dead yet'|date= 2014-10-08|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url-access=subscription |access-date=2014-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Mike|url=http://entertainment.suntimes.com/celebrity/steve-dahl-returning-wls-roe-roeper-slot/|title=Steve Dahl Returning to WLS-AM in Roe and Roeper Slot|date=October 8, 2014|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=2014-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011113127/http://entertainment.suntimes.com/celebrity/steve-dahl-returning-wls-roe-roeper-slot/|archive-date=2014-10-11}}</ref><ref name="RO">{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n29857|title=Steve Dahl to Return to WLS-AM/Chicago in November|date=2014-10-08|publisher=Radio Online|access-date=2014-10-09}}</ref>
Dahl's first day back on WLS was November 3, 2014. His show included an appearance by [[Ron Magers]] and a phone interview with [[Bob Odenkirk]]. Prior to the show, Dahl said in an email, "My plan for the show is to be funny and get good ratings."<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Steve|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-steve-dahl-wls-review-20141103-column.html|title=Steve Dahl returns to Chicago radio|date=November 3, 2014|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2014-11-04}}</ref> Dahl also said that he sees his return as not only a good opportunity to try and re-energize radio, but also as a way to turn people onto his podcast.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/steve-dahl-returns-to-chicago-radio-on-wls-am/379020/|title=Steve Dahl Returns to Chicago Radio on WLS-AM|date=November 3, 2014|work=[[WLS-TV]]|access-date=2014-11-04}}</ref>
In October 2018, Dahl confirmed to Feder by email that he was leaving WLS after four years in December 2018, in advance of the major weekday lineup shakeup the station announced would take place in early 2019. Dahl also stated that he intended to continue to produce his daily podcasts in partnership with WLS's owner [[Cumulus Media]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181024/feder-steve-dahl-leaving-wls-afternoon-show-dec-21|title=Feder: Steve Dahl leaving WLS afternoon show Dec. 21|date=October 24, 2018|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]|access-date=2018-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2018/10/24/robservations-steve-dahl-leaving-wls-afternoon-show-dec-21/|title=Robservations: Steve Dahl leaving WLS afternoon show Dec. 21|date=October 21, 2018|newspaper=Daily Herald|access-date=2018-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Swartz|first=Tracy|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-steve-dahl-radio-show-20181024-story.html|title=Steve Dahl's final WLS-AM afternoon show to air in December|date=October 24, 2018|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2018-12-24}}</ref> His last day on WLS was December 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2018/12/21/happy-ending-stellar-career-steve-dahl-leaves-wls-today/|title='Happy ending' to stellar career as Steve Dahl leaves WLS today|date=December 21, 2018|newspaper=Daily Herald|access-date=2018-12-24}}</ref>
== Other work ==
=== Podcasts ===
On September 8, 2009, Dahl began doing daily podcasts from a studio in the basement of his home. At the time, Dahl was still under contract with [[CBS]], who had agreed in July 2009 to partner with him to produce a daily, hour long podcast complete with a few commercials. On August 1, 2011, Dahl, no longer under contract with CBS, began the Steve Dahl Network<ref name="RO"/> to continue podcasting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dahl.com/about/|title=About SDN|access-date=2014-06-24|publisher=The Steve Dahl Network|archive-date=2014-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720010007/http://www.dahl.com/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2019, the podcast's affiliation with CBS and Cumulus Media ended, with Dahl stating, "I think it was a good partnership and it benefitted both parties when we were still on the air there", and "Now that we are off the air, it really didn't make a lot of sense for either of us to continue the relationship."<ref>{{cite web|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2019/02/27/robservations-cumulus-cancels-steve-dahl-podcast-deal/|title=Cumulus cancels Steve Dahl podcast deal|date=February 19, 2019|website=Robert Feder|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref>
In addition to podcasting, Dahl maintained a presence with his fans through [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[blogs]], occasional newspaper articles (he wrote a regular column for the [[Chicago Tribune]] up until 2011), and various television and radio appearances.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-tue-phil-dahl-0908sep08,0,2210058.column|title=Steve Dahl embarks on digital journey with new perspective|last=Rosenthal|first=Phil|author-link=Phil Rosenthal|date=September 8, 2009|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Channick|first=Robert|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0805-dahl-blogging-20120805,0,542656.story | newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|title=Steve Dahl's pay podcast marks 1st anniversary | date=August 5, 2012|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref>
=== Music ===
In addition to recording [[parody songs]] for his radio show with his early band Teenage Radiation, Dahl began recording and playing live performance with a new band in 1990, called Steve Dahl and the Dahlfins. This band has recorded and released several albums, including 1992's ''Tropical Tides''<ref name="dahlfin001">{{cite web|url=http://store.dahl.com/store/product_detail.asp?prod=17|title=Tropical Tides|access-date=2014-10-24|website=Dahl.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219235238/http://store.dahl.com/store/product_detail.asp?prod=17|archive-date=2009-02-19}}</ref> and 1997's ''Mai Tai Roa Ae''.<ref name="dahlfin002">{{cite web|url=http://store.dahl.com/store/product_detail.asp?prod=2|title=Mai Tai Roa Ae|access-date=2014-10-24|website=Dahl.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219235328/http://store.dahl.com/store/product_detail.asp?prod=2|archive-date=2009-02-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dahl frequently collaborated with Chicago-based producer [[Joe Thomas (producer)|Joe Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chadbourne|first1=Eugene|title=Joe Thomas|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/joe-thomas-mn0001848367/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> In the 1990s, they worked with [[The Beach Boys|Beach Boy]] [[Brian Wilson]] in co-writing the song "[[Your Imagination]]" which appeared as a single and on Wilson's 1998 album ''[[Imagination (Brian Wilson album)|Imagination]]''. Dahl provided backup vocals on the song as well.<ref name="CMT">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/dahl_steve/bio.jhtml|title=About Steve Dahl and the Dahlfins|access-date=2014-10-24|website=[[MTV.com]]|publisher=[[Viacom International]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020184434/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/dahl_steve/bio.jhtml}}</ref><ref name="derogatis">{{cite news|first=Jim|last=DeRogatis|author-link=Jim DeRogatis|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4444208.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194416/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4444208.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-09-24|title=Brian Wilson, 'Imagination'|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 24, 1998|access-date=October 24, 2014|url-access= }}</ref> In 2007, backed by [[Des Moines, Iowa]] band [[The Nadas]], Dahl embarked on a tour of Chicago-area concert venues.<ref name="WCKGtour">{{cite web|url=http://www.wckg.com/pages/405876.php|title=Steve Dahl and the Dahlfins Summer Tour, 2007|access-date=2014-10-24|date=September 11, 2007|publisher=[[WCKG]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026125029/http://www.wckg.com/pages/405876.php|archive-date=2007-10-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Acting ===
Dahl had minor roles in the films ''[[Grandview, U.S.A.]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last=Craft|first=Dan|url=https://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/years-after-putting-pontiac-on-silver-screen-where-are-they/article_7e04c97c-828e-11de-868d-001cc4c03286.html|title=25 years after putting Pontiac on silver screen, where are they now?|date=August 6, 2009|newspaper=[[The Pantagraph]]|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> ''[[Outing Riley]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Nesselson|first=Lisa|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/outing-riley-1200529617/|title=Outing Riley|date=November 10, 2004|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> and ''[[I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pirnia|first=Garin|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a26791/most-overlooked-chicago-movie/|title=The Most Overlooked Chicago Movie: Jeff Garlin's 'I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With'|date=January 7, 2014|magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-want-someone-to-eat-cheese-with-2007|title=I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With|date=October 4, 2007|website=RogerEbert.com|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>
== Honors ==
On November 9, 2013, Dahl and former partner Meier were both inducted into the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]] in recognition of their work together on the "Steve and Garry Show".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/06/27/steve-dahl-and-garry-meier-head-2013-radio-hall-of-fame-inductees/|title=Steve Dahl and Garry Meier head 2013 Radio Hall of Fame inductees|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/news.htm|title=2013 RHOF Induction Ceremony|date=November 9, 2013|access-date=2013-12-25|archive-date=2014-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102201404/http://radiohof.org/news.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Currently, Dahl resides in the western suburbs of [[Chicago]] with his wife Janet, a non-practicing lawyer, whom he married in 1978.<ref name="CST081187">{{cite news|first=Herguth|last=Bob|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3839781.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321174232/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3839781.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-21|title=Chicago Profile: Janet Joliat Dahl|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=8|date=August 11, 1987|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access= }}</ref> Before law school, she taught junior high for seven years in [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan]].<ref name="CST081187" /> The couple have three sons.<ref name="Dahl.comBio">{{cite web|title=Steve Dahl - Radio Legend|work=Dahl.com|url=http://www.dahl.com/about/people/steve_dahl.asp|access-date=2008-05-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080501070833/http://www.dahl.com/about/people/steve_dahl.asp |archive-date = 2008-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dahl has served on the board of trustees at [[Columbia College Chicago]].<ref name="college">{{cite web|url=http://www.colum.edu/Administrative_offices/Presidents_Office/Board_Liaison/Trustee_Bios/Dahl.php|title=Columbia College Board of Trustees biography for Steve Dahl|access-date=2008-05-21|publisher=[[Columbia College Chicago]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516054030/http://www.colum.edu/Administrative_offices/Presidents_Office/Board_Liaison/Trustee_Bios/Dahl.php |archive-date = 2008-05-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Dahl has battled alcoholism throughout his adult life, which he has alluded to a number of times.<ref name="memories">{{cite web|title=Steve Dahl Memories|work=Dahl.com|url=http://www.dahl.com/memories/index.asp|access-date=2008-05-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080621133320/http://www.dahl.com/memories/index.asp |archive-date = 2008-06-21|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="bloggxx">{{cite web|title=Steve's Web Log, December 8, 2006|work=Steve Dahl Official Blog|url=http://dahl.com/weblog/12_8_06.asp|access-date=2006-12-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070205004000/http://dahl.com/weblog/12_8_06.asp |archive-date = 2007-02-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has been [[sobriety|sober]] since 1995, the day after a drinking bout at the [[White Sox]] home opener, achieving it [[cold turkey]].<ref name="CT123195">{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Johnson |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-12-31/features/9512310392_1_radio-morning-steve-dahl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113162357/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-12-31/features/9512310392_1_radio-morning-steve-dahl |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 13, 2014 |title=Dahl's Fall - Steve Dahl Reformed? Turning 40 Will do That to a Guy |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=December 31, 1995|access-date=2014-10-24}}</ref>
{{blockquote|It was sort of prompted by the fact that I realized that Patrick (eldest of his three sons) was 14 and I was rapidly approaching a 'Do as I say, not as I do' situation. I didn't think I had a right to comment on [my sons'] behavior based on my behavior. Plus, once I turned 40 (in November 1994) some [[metabolism|metabolic]] thing happened to me and I guess I just got old.|Steve Dahl<ref name="CT123195" />}}
In 1999, his wife filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against [[Mancow Muller]] over lewd comments Muller made about her on his show. In 2001, the case was [[legal settlement|settled]]. Although the terms of the deal were not disclosed, it was reportedly seven figures.<ref name="CST123189">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3977561.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415231513/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3977561.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-04-15|title=Dreck, lies and videotape: On the air in '89|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=December 31, 1989|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access= }}</ref> Also in 1999, Steve Dahl admitted secretly recording conversations among staffers at WCKG because he suspected they were talking about him behind his back. In snippets Dahl has played on his afternoon show, two station employees can be heard mocking him as "Steve Dull" and ridiculing his show. Dahl said, "I did it within my organization to confirm my suspicions. This was in a studio filled with microphones and cameras. Legally, I don't feel they had any expectation of privacy in that case."<ref name="st003">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4518560.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308211002/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4518560.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-08|title=For Steve Dahl, it was the tale of the tapes|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=October 21, 1999|access-date=2014-10-24|url-access= }}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0196974|name=Steve Dahl}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024052719/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/columnists/chi-stevedahl,0,7636068.columnist Steve Dahl's articles in The Chicago Tribune] Archived from [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-stevedahl,0,465877.columnist the original] on 2012-10-24
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051208010638/http://www.discodemolition.com/steve.htm Biography from Disco Demolition 25th Anniversary: The Real Story documentary site]
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