Art Hellyer - Wake Up, Chicago! - 1 of 8 Videos

Art Hellyer has been a broadcast legend in Chicago for more than half a century. He knows the radio and television business inside out. Because he has been outspoken but always honest, Art has often been on the outside looking in. Put another way, Art has been fired from more jobs in Chicago radio and television than anyone else!

His legions of fans have always loved him -- and still do!

A father of five, Art simply had to work. He supplemented his income from broadcasting with sales jobs. He probably has more experience working as a door-to-door salesmen in Chicago than anyone else.

Art's wife of many decades, "The Lovely Elaine," died in 1997. The support of his five sons and daughters has sustained him since her passing. Art's love for Elaine and his children comes through beautifully in this book and video.

Art's son, Jeff Hellyer, helped him with his autobiography, "The Hellyer Say," and the companion DVD, "Wake Up, Chicago!... The Art Hellyer Story." Both offer a great look at Chicago broadcasting during the last half of the 20th Century, and at Art Hellyer and his family. Jeff divided the DVD into eight parts so we could upload them to YouTube. Here are the links:

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XOumv8hERo

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aAdk1_9RSA

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0udQbqx2M-w

Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6og5eWpEZLo

Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXkR2G42gQ

Part 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9nTJZ25pME

Part 7 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXdreCqXA64

Part 8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5F3-LEMBdM

We thank Art and Jeff for their support, kindness, cooperation, and permission to upload these videos to YouTube.

If you like, you can order the "Wake Up, Chicago!... The Art Hellyer Story" DVD, only paying $7.00 U.S. for shipping and processing. Send a check or money order to: Art Hellyer Productions, P.O. Box 6012, Naperville, IL 60567-6012. This video only available in the United States.

Although Art's story pertains to Chicago radio and television, anyone who has worked in broadcasting has encountered some of the numbskulls in executive positions that Art talks about in his book and on this video.

Art and I share a love of big band music -- and Glenn Miller's music in particular. You can read more about Art -- and view the entire video -- on this web page of mine:

http://www.tuxjunction.net/arthellyer.htm

Jeff's company is EDIT HOUSE Chicago. They specialize in the editing and creation of high-quality video, television, and DVD productions—including training videos, trade-show videos, documentaries, television programs, music videos, commercials, and feature films. Follow this link to learn more about it:

http://www.edithousechicago.com/

Art's great sense of humor always shines through these videos. Tell your family and friends about them. Enjoy!

George Spink - A life-long fan of Art Hellyer
Los Angeles (originally from Chicago)
Email: swingera@gmail.com

Tuxedo Junction - http://tuxjunction.net
The Palomar - http://thepalomar.blogspot.com

Moderator - Music in the Miller Mood Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millermood
Moderator - Swingera Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/swingera

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Art Hellyer
• Jeff Hellyer
• The Lovely Elaine
• The Hellyer Say
• Wake Up Chicago
• George Spink
• Chicago
• radio
• television
• broadcasting
• family
• humor
• big bands

[dewey44]

Boy, do I remember this guy! In my opinion he has Howard Miller, Tom Duggan, Jack Eigen and anyone else you want to compare him to beat by a mile. Art Hellyer literally invented contemporary radio. When, in the mid '50's, it looked like TV was going to kill radio, Art's incredible inventive genius revived the genre of personality broadcasting. Without Art, there never would be a Wally Phillips and everyone who followed. Bless you, Art.

[8249tom]

Art taught Wally everything he knew. Not only do I remember him on the radio, I told my mom about him, and she didn't remember him UNTIL I played his voice..."O that guy" he said. Art is often on Facebook and is one of the nicest people in the world. I'm proud he is a "friend."

[john44122]

I'm a native Chicagoan who remembers Art Hellyer very well. He played music from the Big Band Era (1936-1945). He was all over the AM dial from 1947 until his WJOL days sometime during the 1990's. He has a voice somewhat like Ken Nordine's. This is a great series of videos. He made it worthwhile to own and use a radio!. Guys like Art Hellyer, Mike Rapchak, Ken Alexander, and Chuck Shaden made Chicago radio fun to listen to. I'm glad that I've met or spoken to each of these great announcers!