Bob's Bio

Morning drive host, Bob Collins, is one of the key forces behind WGN Radio's continued success. Since his arrival at the station in 1974, Collins has dominated the Windy City's Arbitron ratings. Initially hired by WGN Radio to fill the 2:00 to 4:00pm weekday and 6:30 to 9:30pm Saturday time slots, Collins has established himself as an integral part of WGN Radio.

Tennessee-born Collins began his radio career at age thirteen in Lakeland, Florida. He worked at a local station every day after school, helping out wherever he could. By the time he was fourteen, he had his own regular afternoon program. Collins worked throughout Florida at other small stations, working his way through school as a rock and roll disc jockey. After graduating from college with a degree in Journalism, he moved into programming similar formats and in 1967 moved to Milwaukee to work at WOKY. After two years he left WOKY for KFI in Los Angeles and a year later began at KCBQ in San Diego. A year after that, Collins returned to Milwaukee to work at WRIT. His former management at WOKY lured him back to the Sunshine State, where he worked at WMYQ in Miami for nine months. He was then brought back to Milwaukee when soon after, he was contacted by WGN Radio in 1974.

Bob Collins' success is due not only to his number one ranking in both afternoon and morning drive at WGN Radio. In 1984, he received the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Award for his on-the-spot news coverage of the Chicago El Crash. That same year, Billboard Magazine named him "Personality of the Year,” and in 1987, a Sun Times Reader's Poll chose him as Chicago's "Favorite Morning Radio Personality."

Bob's talents are not limited to just radio, however. His work in television has included a special focusing on the Concorde Airliner, as well as a program on the history of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

Bob is also very active in Chicago. His concern for the citizens of the city can be seen through his work with the Salvation Army. Bob spends a considerable amount of time raising funds for this worthwhile cause both on and off the air. Twice he has been named "Man of the Year" by the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

Collins' hobbies include flying and collecting motorcycles. He owned his first motorcycle at age twelve. He and his wife, Christine, enjoy spending time traveling.

(This bio remains as it existed on February 8, 2000, the day Bob was killed when his airplane was involved in a mid-air collision.)