Dave Luczak, morning host at Saga Communications’ Classic Rock WKLH, is calling it a wrap after 40 years of Milwaukee mornings.
The Pittsburgh native landed his first radio job in 1976 at WVUD in Dayton, OH. From there, he teamed up with ESPN’s Dan Patrick, a college friend, for mornings at WTUE. A stop in Rochester, NY, created the team Luczak and Girard and the team that moved to Milwaukee at the WMGF.
In January 1986, WMGF became WKLH, one of the nation’s first Classic Hits stations, and the morning run began.
In a business where a 40-year run on one station is pretty much unheard of to what does Luczak attribute his longevity?
“I’ll tell you, it was, what do they say, it’s all about timing, really, I truly believe that it’s the right place, right time; I worked for the right company, the right guy, Ed Christian. Ed was one of the people who hired me back in 84, and at the time, we were owned by Josephson Communications.”
“I was working for the precursor, if you want to call it that, of this company when Ed bought it, so I had a great owner who cares about local, and the company still continues to do that and invests in local radio, and wants you to be a part of the community.”
“The other thing is that I’ve been blessed with being able to work with really talented people. The whole team concept is something that I’ve always clearly been a part of. I have worked with Dan (Patrick), Don Girard, Carol, and Doreen.
Of course, Luczak’s ability to adapt to the changing industry has been critical.
“I’ve had to adapt. Just from a technological standpoint, how things have changed over those decades, and not to mention that we’re now simply a platform among so many other platforms, whereas before, we were one of the few radio, TV, and newspapers. We were one of the few that had an audience.”
“Now everybody has an audience, podcasting is ubiquitous, and there are just so many choices for listeners and viewers everywhere. So, you have to fight hard to stand out and move the needle.”
Luczak and sister station WHQG 102.9 The Hog with Bob and Brian in the Morning Saga has a huge hold on Milwaukee mornings, and I wondered how two such big morning shows, both in a rock format, could coexist under one roof.
“It was really never a problem. The only issue was when Carol’s contract was not renewed in 2015 by corporate. It came to putting another teammate in, we kind of, I don’t want to say stole, but we plucked one of their morning show contributors, Doreen, whose husband is still a big part of their show. Doreen is my morning show co-host, and we’re in our 10th year of working together. I think that was the only thing that might have created a little bit of tension when we kind of stole one of their cast.
For Luczak, it was important to go out while there was “still gas in the tank.”
“I’d rather have gas in the tank than have people listen to me and say, man, when is that guy going to end it? That’s kind of what I subscribe to, and I talk about in my life, and I have for a long time, and I wanted actually to live that.
“Also, my wife and I have been married since 1980, so 44 years, coming up on 45 next year, with three kids, and they’re all married with their own families.”
“We’ll spend a lot of extra time with our grandkids and kids, and also looking forward to traveling. As you know, in radio, you get a week’s vacation, and you have to be back for the following week.
What else will he do with his newly found free time?
“I don’t know, and that’s the part I’m really looking forward to, is trying to figure that all out because realistically, and no exaggeration, I have been on the radio doing a show since before I was 17, and then I’ve been doing mornings since I was 18, and so that’s a long time to be waking up at 3:15 and thinking about a show. I don’t want to sound too overly philosophical, but I don’t even know who I am as a human being without a radio show to think about.”
WKLH has announced that midday host Dave Coombs will step into the morning role. (BMM 12/9) He will be familiar to the morning audience.
“We did an 8:05 hit every morning for five to ten minutes, and then the last couple of years, when we would do our annual “Cheeseheads in Paradise” trip, where people pay to come along, and we broadcast from, for example, the Dominican Republic we brought Dave along as one of the personalities to help us through the week. So, our listeners are very familiar with him. He’ll become the third member of the team after I leave, and they’ll debut that new version of the show on January 2nd, 2025,
So, how do you put a bow on a 40-year morning show?
“Well, it’s been great. I have to say that since I made the announcement, we’ve done a bunch of things. Yesterday, we had a meet and greet, and we ended up with a lot of our listeners being able to stop out.”
“Friday, we have my final live broadcast. We’re going to be at the Old Pabst Brewery. A lot of guests are coming out. They’re surprising me, so I’m not quite sure who is coming, but I’m looking forward to it. Next week will be my final five shows, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, we’re doing an open house by invite only.”
“Then next Friday, the 20th, will be my final show, and I’m going to have my friends and close family members here and then sign off and call it a career.
You can share your farewell messages for Dave via e-mail or the Open Mic on the WKLH app!
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Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
