radio

There are many ways to write a biography, but I think the most interesting format is to let those who knew the subject tell their stories unencumbered. If that seems to be a simple technique, trust me, it actually requires a very skilled interviewer to pose the kind of questions which elicit coherent answers. Author Quade knows exactly how to do that, judging by the stories in this book. She has wisely left their words intact, sparing them from the editorial Cusinart which often destroys interviews by "cleaning them up." These stories are collected from real people, and they sound like it.

The contributors range from old friends to business associates, politicians, other radio personalities and "ordinary" listeners who felt a special closeness to a man most had never met.

What emerges from these stories is a man seemingly untouched by the fame (and power) which attach themselves to people in his position. He seems to have remained his real self, a "smart-alecky guy with a penchant for rock and roll ..", "a hillbilly from Florida who was articulate and funny." And his listeners responded to this persona by expressing in their various ways how they knew he was "just one of the guys." Meaning, "like us."

They rewarded him (and WGN) with, according to Quade, a 10.4 audience share, "unheard of in the highly competitive [Chicago] market."

In fact, I believe DJ Dick Biondi had equally powerful numbers, but that was many years ago, long before radio audiences became fragmented into so many demigraphic slivers. So to equal or better his ratings in today's radio universe is indeed proof of just how well he connected with his audience.

The point here, demonstrated by Quade's interviews, is that Collins was seen by an extremely broad-based listenership as the man they wanted to listen to, four hours a day. While one would not expect to read negative comments in such a book, it is remarkable how many people really liked him, and the personal way they reacted to his untimely death. They lost a good friend, and "I Remember Bob Collins" demosntrates why they felt that way.

I heard about this book in a radio interview with the author. She told annecdotes from the book and talked about Bob Collins and his radio legacy. After reading the book, I was impressed by how many people contributed to it. Bob always phoned his parents on the show and both Candi and Jack Packett comment on him saying, "I'm going to miss his calls. His hearty laugh and all. He was always concerned about what we were doing, what the kids were up to. I'll miss that."

My favorite story is from a fan, Judith Perkinson. She speaks about her father who is blind and lives alone. After his wife died, her dad had a hard time adjusting to life. He knew it was morning when he heard Bob's voice and started each day with him. Bob Collins became his radio friend. The story was really touching. There are so many ways you can influence other people's lives with out even knowing it. Her dad never contacted Bob but this book highlights that he was not alone in calling Bob his friend.

The book reminded me just how much "Uncle Bobby" will be missed. The stories are all unique and reinforce what a great guy he really was, not just on the radio. It is hard to get to know someone, especially a celebrity, but reading the stories gave me more insight into the Bob I have listened to for years.

I was a fan of "Uncle Bobby" for years - and miss him dearly. I've been going to the WGN web site (wgnradio.com) to read the messages and listen to Uncle Bobby's favorite bits. I got more out of the web site than this book. It seems to be more of an attempt to gather stories from co-workers and people on the message boards - it is a light tribute with little depth in that respect. Like people sharing stories at a wake. I also read that the family does not support the book because of the way the author unsympathetically hounded them days after the accident. Not as good as the message boards and actually listening to that great laugh on the WGN web site. I'd pass on the purchase of this one and go to the web site.