Don Wade dies

Don Wade, one half of the Don & Roma Morning Show passed away Friday at the age of 72, nearly one year after battling brain cancer.

Wade began his Chicago radio career at WUSN-FM in 1982 before joining WLS-AM in 1985, when the station still had a contemporary-hit music format. A year later, he was joined by his wife Roma. When WLS-AM went all-talk in 1989, the Romas gained the morning drive slot where they called home until December 2012, when Wade retired due to health issues (the Wades’ contract was up at the end of 2012.)

The morning slot is now occupied by Bruce Wolf and Dan Proft. Since the Wades’ departure, ratings for WLS-AM have declined significantly, finishing 22nd overall in Arbitron’s August PPM survey.

Another former WLS-AM host (Jake Hartford a.k.a. Jim Edwards), passed away in January.

Don Wade is survived by his wife Roma and his two children; three brothers; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.