Larry Lujack: Legendary DJ Dies At Age 73

Legendary DJ Larry Lujack has died at the age of 73, The “Superjock” entertained Chicago listeners for nearly three decades with his sarcasm, dry wit, and strong personality. His unique style paved the way for today’s shock jocks.

Larry Lee Blankenburg’s radio career began in the 1960s in Idaho. While attending college, he began working as a radio announcer for a local station. He eventually changed his name to honor Notre Dame quarterback Johnny Lujack.

With his unique style and personality, the announcer soon became a well-known and respected radio DJ. He worked at numerous stations throughout the country before landing in Chicago in 1967.

Although he worked for six different Chicago stations, ABC News reports that he spent the majority of his career with WLS. Senior vice president corporate/programming, Jan Jeffries, said “The passing of Larry is a loss not to countless friends across Chicagoland, but to hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners who affectionately referred to him as ‘Uncle Lar.'”

Larry Lujack became a legend with segments including “Animal Stories” and “Cheap, Trashy Showbiz Reports.” In 2004, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Despite his success as a radio personality, wife Judith “Jude” Lujack said her husband “wasn’t defined by being a Hall of Famer or a superjock, he was defined by being the man that he was, and he was an amazing human being.”

Following his retirement in 1987, Lujack and his wife moved to New Mexico. Jude said her husband enjoyed his retirement, spending a majority of his time with his grandchildren. He also spent a lot of time getting to know his neighbors and volunteering with charity organizations.

As reported by Chicago Tribune, the former DJ was eventually diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He spent his last days with members of his family, who were assisted by hospice care. Jude said that her husband’s body will be donated to the New Mexico Medical Center per his request.

Larry Lujack was most well-known as a radio personality. However, his friends and family remember him as a “humanitarian with a heart of gold.”