FRED WINSTON

Fred Winston celebrated a long and successful career in broadcast radio, enjoying his greatest achievements in the Chicago radio market.  After an industry start in Denver, his career path took him to radio stations in Dayton, Cleveland and Pittsburgh before being hired in Chicago for the first time in 1971 and until 2013.  

Fred Winston’s 40+ years in Chicago radio included WLS AM, WMAQ AM, WCFL AM, WFYR FM, WPNT FM, WJMK FM and WLS FM. While his presence on each of those stations were memorable, Fred is best known for his years on AM890 WLS. Few radio personalities have been employed by seven radio stations in a single market, denoting the loyal following of listeners in the nation’s #3 market. His baritone voice was instantly recognizable and reassuring.   His comedic wit and sense of humor were continually on full display no matter the music format he presented. He’s known as a storyteller, an on-air collaborator with cohosts and continual presence on radio. Radio industry peers took note of his expert timing with song introductions and his comedic timing that kept listeners tuned in for what’s next.

Fred Winston’s early days on the radio were in the form of newscasts, but the overwhelming majority of his radio career was a disc jockey and personality. Fred’s baritone voice and near-constant smile in his voice delivery created forever relationships with Chicago area listeners.

In 2026, Fred Winston was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.