Tuesday, March 3, 2009
News / Clout City Legendary DJ Richard Pegue Died Tuesday
Posted by Ben Joravsky on Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Richard Pegue was a Chicago radio legend, spinning soul and R & B at WVON and other stations from the 60s on into the 00s. He also wrote dozens of commercial jingles, including some classics for Moo & Oink.
After I profiled him for the Reader, back in 1998, we'd meet from time to time just to shoot the breeze, and we were supposed to have breakfast on Saturday. We won't be getting together after all. Richard Pegue died yesterday at 64 after suffering pains in his chest. Announcements will be forthcoming on his Web site.
Pegue was the son of a beautician and a Chicago Park District police officer killed in the line of duty in 1946. He met his destiny when his grandmother gave him a reel-to-reel tape recorder for his 11th birthday. I'll miss Richard's dry wit and good companionship, not to mention his radio shows. The man knew how to mix dusties like no one else. As I said in that profile, it was as though he could "merge past and present, taking his dancers back to the days when they were young and south-side soul ruled the world."
Comments (42)
Showing 1-42 of 42
Rest in peace Richard. GOD is love. I know they are jamming to the dusties right about now in heaven. Thanks for touching my life. Love, pat westbrook
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Richard, thank you for my career in broadcasting. You took my dream seriously and gave me the chance of a lifetime. Thank you for your faith in me and for your friendship. God bless you, my friend, and truly rest in peace. Endlessly swept for you, Brenda Montgomery
'The Best Music of Your Life' will be truly missed. Richard is gone but his legacy will live on and on and on. FYI Richard's grandmother Mrs. Mary Pullins is alive and well at 107 years of age.
Richard was my alltime favorite DJ. I was lucky enough to meet & talk dusties. Whenever I called his show & requested the Skyliners, Chantels, or Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers he would always put me on the air because they were among his favorite groups. We will never see his like again he will surely be missed. A true iconic Chicago original
Richard, you were truly a dusties king. Everytime I fire up the turntable I will think of you, especially when I play The Radiants, One Day I'll Show You. Rest in peace, you will be missed by many.
Richard was one of the old WVON good guys. The good guys were giants in the radio community. I am going to play old soul dusties all week.
YOU TOOK CARE OF CHICAGO WELL.GOD SAID WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT..ITS TIME TO COME HOME NOW ...SIR RICHARD
RIP Mr Pegue, you still have a "funny name". I listened to the oldies and couldn't wait to hear the theme song and the little girl talking about his name. May God bless your family during this time of bereavement and give them comfort. You blessed many souls.
Thanks for the great music you brought into our lives and the work you performed thruout the black community
If you want a real history of Chicago radio in the Black community, two people you can count on to give it to you: Herb Kent and Richard Pegue. Well, one now.... RIP, Good Guy - generations of Black broadcasters raise their turntables in your honor.
One of 3 of the most legendary Chicago radio personalities "from back in the day" (Richard Pegue, Herb Kent, Richard Steele) and a fellow Hirsch Huskies alum. You will surely be missed, Richard. Rest in peace.
Man,I remember working late saturday nights in the late 80's when Richard show would come on at midnight on WVON. I would look forward to his "Sho-nuff-Sleasy-Slimey-Scandalous Report!'He would just report on whatever & whoever was going on at the time.He really did play 'The Best Music Of Your Life". I will miss his trademark closing his show with the song. "Stay awhile with me" R.I.P.Richard, You will be missed.
Richard thank you for the opportunity to work in radio even though I had zero experience or education in the field. Thank you for being my friend and for always being sincere. My condolences to Janice and Chris. I will forever miss and love you man, Cyndi Woods-Williams
Thank you Mr. Pegue for truly playing the "Best Music of My Life." It was a pleasure knowing you and may you forever rest in peace.
Stay awile with me, and you did. The first thing thing my bff from high school said" you stayed up all night to listen to him. I did his midnight to 5 am show.We had no disney channel. we were radio brats. God Blessed us with Richard and his gift.Chris you have big shoes to fill, I have haerd you on GCI, and you seem like a chip off the old block, time will tell. Thank you Richard, I will never forget that you stayed a while with us.
Glad Richard Pegue was able to "Stay Awhile With" us because he truly played the "Best Music of [My] Life."
Richard, May God Bless and Keep you. Our prayers are with you and your family. I met Richard when I was his guest DJ at WOPA. That was 30 years ago. We became friends and I feel blessed for the precious time we spent together as friends. I had lunch with him about 4 weeks ago. I asked him what does "Stay a While With Me" mean to you? Is it a few hours, a day, a week or a life-time. He said: "A life-time". Thank you for being a very special part of my life with your humor, friendship and music. We love you and we'll miss you.
Richard Pegue will surely be missed for his style, wit, musical knowledge, his love of Chicago and his outreach to the many he shared the opportunity to participate in broadcasting. Thank you, Richard, for giving us so much! Harold Lee Rush HAROLDLEERUSH.COM
Richard was as much a part of what it meant to visit or live in Chicago as driving down lakeshore drive and seeing the lake. He most certainly will be missed. The music he played will always prompt the sound of his voice. Thank you! Mr Pegue.
I remember when Richard Pegue worked at the Met Record Shop on 58th Street. I also remember the cover of the doo wop album that Richard recorded with his group on Chess Records. R.I.P.
TO THE FAMILY OF RICHARDPEGUE HEWILL.TRULYBE MISSEDHEGAVEUSJOY THROUGH HIS MUSIC HAPPINESS WITH THE OUT REACH TO THE COMMUNITY BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER WITH HIS DUSTY CONVENTIONS MAY GODBLESS YOU THROUGH THIS TIME THANK YOU FOR SHAREING HIM WITH US.
Richard you knew I had a crush on you since 1967. When you told me you wrote Settle Down, that sealed the deal! As years past you developed a relationship with my son. He tried to follow you everywhere from the time he was 12. You and your wife and family were so good to him, and you taught him so much. He's 28 now and you still called him "junior". Rest well Dear Richard until we all see each other again. Junior (Lawrence Jr.) and I will never forget you. We loved you so very much! My prayers will be wirh you Sevina (Outer Drive Annie). Thank you for allowing my son into your lives. *hugs* What a wonderful experience for him. And what a darling Richard was to me for the last 40 years!! GOD BLESS and provide His comfort!
Richard let me give you a list of people who will miss you dearly, Taste Entertainment, Lil's Something Kool, Chicago Department of Aging (79th Street), Chicago Department of Aging (West Ogden), Jackie Taylor (BET), Moo & Oink, Hyde Park Laundromat, Wallace Catfish Corner, Out of The Past Records, Original Pancake House (87th Street), Dusty Record Convention, Chicago Citizen and Streetwise Newspapers, Jane Addams Hull House, Chicago City Aldermen, Cincinnati (Dusty Radio), your New York voice over and your legion of fans from 1450, 1390, 95-AM, 89.3. RIP Richard, my dusty brother and radio godfather. Play "Heaven must be Like This" for us down here
I found out the sad news just today while here at work-It thought that it was appropriate that Richard passed just before this week-end because he would do a special Daylight Savings show when he'd play all songs that were time-related through title or topic. Every show he did was a lesson in musical knowledge and I fancied myself as one of his best students.Thank you Richard for what you taught the me and the world about "Dusty" records. We will miss you dearly and pray for your family-Please tell Pookie Hudson we said "Hello".
Thank you for those childhood memories of laying on the floor listening to the music we could not afford to buy. You were truly a "Legend" of Chicago music.
RICHARD PEGUE, MY FRIEND I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR ELEVEN YEARS AND I CAN REMEMBER MEETING YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE DUSTY RECORD CONVENTION IN 1998. YOU MADE ME FEEL SO SPECIAL AND ALSO MADE ME LAUGH AND FROM THEN ON UNTIL NOW I CAN SAY TO ANYONE THAT YOU ARE MY VERY SPECIAL FRIEND. MAY BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE IN HIS LOVING ARMS ALWAYS.........I WILL MISS YOU MY VERY SPECIAL FRIEND....LOVE YOU ALWAYS
FROM YOUR YOUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE STREET FROM LIL'S SOMETHING KOOL, WE LOVE YOU RICHARD PEGUE AND MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS.......WE WILL MISS YOU ON TUESDAY NIGHTS..........LOVE ALWAYS THE DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES
WHEN YOU MET MY MOM, I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD AND I AM STILL LISTENING TO DUSTIES AND MY FRIENDS WONDER WHY I LISTEN TO ALL THIS OLD MUSIC () BUT IN A WAY IT IS HISTORY TO ME AND LETS ME KNOW WHERE MY MOM IS COMING FROM SOMETIMES. THE OLDIES HAS MORE MEANING THAN SOME OF THE STUFF I LISTEN TO NOW. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU MR. PEGUE AND I AND MY MOM WILL MISS YOU......GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY ALSO.........LOVE IMANI WRICE
TO MR. RICHARD PEGUE AND FAMILY, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS......I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU AT THE TASTE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. I CAME FROM MICHICAN CITY, IN TO CELEBRATE MY SISTER AND MR. RICHARD STEELE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. AS A CHILD GROWING UP WITH SIX OLDER BROTHERS AND FIVE OLDER SISTERS, I COULD NOT HELP BUT TO HEAR YOU AND HERB KENT ALL OF THE TIME. WHEN I MET YOU AND YOU SHOWED ME SUCH HOSPITALITY AND I ALSO COULD NOT STOP DANCING TO THE DUSTIES...........YOU WERE AND ALWAYS WILL BE A GREAT LEGEND TO ME AND MY FAMILY........WE LOVE YOU RICHARD PEGUE. THANKS FOR STAYING AWHILE WITH US.
Richard you embrace the black community with your dusties and gave us a place to go and relax to get our steppin on every Friday nite at the taste and every Tuesday at Lil something cool and I thank you for that I will miss you always
When I was younger you were a positive role model for all of the young people in Park Way Gardens. I thought you were going to be a professioal photographer instead you became the best dusty d.j. from Chi Town. I am proud to have been a friend. I will miss you Richard and so will many others!
I miss you so much right now, Richard. Thank you so much for all you've done. Somehow, the music sounded better because you were playing it.
Richard RIP, You will be missed, now you can play some dusties in heaven.Richard you're up there with some of your fans, Steve came to believe, Patricia and Harry. Richard play stay awhile with me for them. God bless your wife and family. I pray That God will give all of us strenght until we meet all of you again. RIP all of you. Helen Adams (AKA) Niecy South Side.
All that I can say is Thank You. I still remember listening to your show while growing up. 'Stay awhile with me' is still one song that always will have a special place in my heart because of that time in my life. A lot of times even though I wanted to hear that record, it was sad because that meant that your show was over for the day. You really knew how to play some dusties and will be missed. You left your mark on Chicago and the nation. May God Bless your family.
Dear Richard You & P.J. Willis always knew how much I loved Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Curtis another great gone way too soon. Remember how much you loved Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" also remember I use to request that you play the Platter's "I Love You A Thousand Times", remember how you use to talk about eating your Haagen-Dazs Pineapple & coconut ice cream and drinking champagne, and how much you enjoyed going to Ihop for breakfast, and how you loved chocolate pound cake, remember when you use to broadcast from midnight to five in the morning, at midnight one Friday nite I requested Solomon Burke's "Midnight & You, which was appropriate for the hour. Remember the interview you did with the "Iceman" Jerry Butler and I called in and we discussed Jerry and his relationship with Curtis, at the time Curtis was ill but still alive, we all laughed when Jerry "said after he left the Impressions, how they got rich and became famous". Lastly I can't forget one of the songs you wrote "I'm not Ready to Settle Down", it's included in my "Remember When Tracks" collection so long old friend, and thank you for all the great music and all the enjoyment you gave us over the years, after your stroke, you were determined to make a comeback and so you did and I'm proud to be one of the people that inspired you to do so, you are one of the fire signs and you were always "FULL OF FIRE" with your stockpile of oldies, thank you Richard for the "BEST MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE.
I've just learned of your passing, Living in another city you don't hear about inportant things that going on back home. I goggled your name and this is what I got. The joy you've brought to my life over the years,I will never forget you, NEVER!
My Condoleneces to your Wife,Family and friend.
Brenda Raggs
I just learned of Richard Pegue's death. What a shock. His majesty at the DJ table was unparalleled. His talent will be missed tremendously by the baby-boomers he entertained for so long. But his humility, dry wit and general laid-back showmanship will be the major part of his Chicago legacy. Rest in Peace, Richard Pegue, and may your family forever feel the joy of having had you in their lives. Gwen Cameron
For some reason, Richard kept crossing my mind all through the month of May. I used to see him in my dreams when he first passed away but after a while he didn't come any longer so I figured he was finally resting. And then it came to me --- May was one of two Dusty Record Convention months. How many of you recall that very first record convention at Robert's Motel? I was there. It was the start of many, many years of me looking forward to dancing the night away. The day after a convention I could hardly stand up and walk but that night before we had us a good time doing all the old dances we did growing up. I miss you, Richard. So very, very much.
When Richard first passed away he would appear in my dreams. I could see him as clearly as I did when he was alive but he was never looking directly at me. He seemed in a hurry to get someplace. Three of the dreams I still recall very well and I think he was trying to tell me to let everyone who loved and cared about him know that he is still taking care of business in the next life so please don't feel sad. In all of the dreams I had he was dressed casual. One of them I remember him dressed in a black jacket, blue tee-shirt and beige pants. He held what appeared to be business papers rolled up in one hand and was hurrying to get somewhere. In another dream, he was in a large hall-like room looking it over as if he was thinking about renting it for a function. The third dream was the last one I have had. It was the night before Mother's Day and he gave me a huge red flower, smiled and said, "Goodbye." When I woke up I knew I wouldn't see him again. For some reason during the month of May Richard crossed my mind many times. I finally realized that May was one of two record convention months. How many of you recall the very first "Dusty Record Convention" at Robert's Motel on 63rd Street? I was there and it was magical to sit and watch the two Richards perform with their old group and enjoy the other entertainment. Most of us was dressed up back then but over the years it became less entertainment provided and more on the floor doing the old dances all night long. Ben-Gay and I could hardly walk the next day but I sure did have fun shaking it up and down the night before! Richard, I miss you so very, very much. I know you are doing okay because I saw you several times. Sevina, Chris and everyone else who cares about Richard, please don't feel sad anymore. He is okay and he knew he could go through me to get this message to you. He's been after me for a long while to tell you but I ignored him because I was afraid, just as I am right now while writing this, to admit that something keeps nagging at me to let you know about my dreams. As I write this my cat jumped up from sleeping and ran from the room. Something frightened it and I want to run, too, but I know Richard would never hurt anyone. He was always kind to me and I am happy to know that he is okay.
When Richard first passed away he would appear in my dreams. I could see him as clearly as I did when he was alive but he was never looking directly at me. He seemed in a hurry to get someplace. Three of the dreams I still recall very well and I think he was trying to tell me to let everyone who loved and cared about him know that he is still taking care of business in the next life so please don't feel sad. In all of the dreams I had he was dressed casually, one of them I remember him dressed in a black jacket, blue tee-shirt and beige pants. He held what appeared to be business papers rolled up in one hand and was hurrying to get somewhere. In another dream, he was in a large hall-like room looking it over as if he was thinking about renting it for a function. The third dream was the last one I have had. It was the night before Mother's Day and he gave me a huge red flower, smiled and said, "Goodbye." When I woke up I knew I wouldn't see him again. Richard, I know you are doing okay because of those dreams. Sevina, Chris and everyone else who cares about Richard, please don't feel sad anymore. He is okay and he knew he could go through me to get this message to you. He's been after me for a long while to tell you but I ignored him because I was afraid, just as I am right now while writing this, to admit that something keeps nagging at me to let you know about my dreams. As I write this my cat jumped up from sleeping and ran from the room. Something frightened it and I want to run, too, but I know Richard would never hurt anyone. He was always kind to me and I am happy to know that he is okay.
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