WLS-AM/Chicago Host Jake Hartford Dies at 63

Veteran Chicago radio personality Jake Hartford, who only recently took over late mornings at News Talk WLS-AM, has died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was also well known by his real name, Jim Edwards, as an award-winning TV investigative producer. "Jake Hartford was the radio name of Jim Edwards," writes Chicagoland Radio and Media. "A multiple Emmy Award-winning and 16-year producer for WBBM-TV/CBS 2, Edwards began doing small, comedic travel segments on WLS-AM's afternoon show with Roe Conn in September 1989. Since WBBM-TV did not want to hear the name of one of their top employees on the air of their competitor's radio stations, and WLS-TV certainly did not want the name of a respected CBS 2 employee on the air of their radio radio station, Jim Edwards changed his name for his radio work." Hartford went on to become a veteran weekend radio personality. And just about a month ago was named to host 9-11am, after filling in on that show since last September.

He'd filled in for Bruce Wolf and Dan Proft who were covering the wake-up show for Don Wade and his wife Roma. When the Wades announced they weren't returning, Wolf and Proft were named the new morning hosts, and Hartford was officially given the 9-11am where he'd been filling in, along with John Kass. He also continued his solo weekend show. Edwards/Hartford died Saturday night. Sunday, the WLS-AM website posted a note from the host's family: "We're currently mourning the loss of Jake Hartford, a husband, father, and friend. This is devastating news for everyone in our family, and we greatly appreciate all of the kind words that have been offered to us during our struggle. It's truly incredible how many people he has affected positively through pursuing the work that he loved so dearly." During his many years on Chicago radio, he was with WLS-AM for all but two years when he was at WCPT-AM after being let go at WLS-AM, only to return two years later. WLS-AM Operations Director Drew Hayes posted on the station's website, "89 WLS lost a colleague and friend last night, as Jake Hartford passed away. He worked at WLS beginning right when we became a talk station in 1989/90, hosting weekends while working as a news producer at Channel 2. He filled in on every shift, and held down his Saturday morning show ‘Awake with Jake’ (except for a brief, forgettable period when he was down the dial), and recently teamed with John Kass to host the excellent 9a-11a show. He will be missed by his wife Marsha and sons Jameson and Graham, by all of us, by his industry colleagues, and by his legion of fans."