For generations of Chicago listeners, Fred Winston’s unmistakable baritone and quick wit made the radio feel like a conversation with an old friend. N
For generations of Chicago listeners, Fred Winston’s unmistakable baritone and quick wit made the radio feel like a conversation with an old friend. Now, his contributions have earned national recognition: Winston was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame on October 8, 2026, at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel, joining eight broadcasters in this year’s class.
Winston arrived in Chicago in 1971, following stops in Denver, Dayton, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Over more than four decades, he entertained audiences at seven Chicago stations, including WMAQ, WCFL, WJMK and, most famously, WLS. His humor, storytelling and precise timing helped him build a following that endured through changing formats and musical eras.
What made Winston memorable went beyond the records he played. He understood how a well-timed remark, a playful exchange or a smile in his voice could make a listener’s day. His induction celebrates that personal connection—and a career that helped define the sound and spirit of Chicago radio.
