John Callaway, Legendary Chicago Journalist, Dies At 72

John Callaway, Legendary Chicago Journalist, Dies At 72

John Callaway, the iconic Chicago newsman who was a fixture on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" since its inception, died of a heart attack Tuesday in Racine, Wis., the Chicago Tribune reports.

Callaway felt faint in a store and died around 6:30 p.m., his wife, Sandra Callaway, told the paper. He was 72.

From New Martinsville, W.Va., Callaway, a college dropout, began his career with the late, legendary City News Bureau. He moved to CBS in 1957, where he distinguished himself as a radio and TV reporter and helped pioneer the all-news radio format as a CBS executive, according to a 1999 Tribune interview.

Callaway joined WTTW in 1974 and was the debut host of its first nightly news program, "Chicago Tonight."

Watch the first episode of "Chicago Tonight," from 1984, with Callaway interviewing Harold Washington:

Read the entire Tribune obituary here. Read Callaway's 1999 interview with the Tribune's Steve Johnson here. Read a Current article on Callaway and the 10th anniversary of "Chicago Tonight" here. Read the Sun-Times obituary here. Listen to Callaway talk about his career on Chicago Public Radio's 848 in 2001 here.

Watch Callaway's recent interview with Cubs legend Billy Williams:

Watch a who's who of local and national politicians talking (mostly) to Callaway:

Watch more clips here.

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