John Drury, Retired ABC-7 Anchorman, Dies At 80

by Al Yellon on Nov 26, 2007 4:50 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

John Drury 1927-2007

On another slow morning, permit me a personal remembrance, if you will.

Longtime ABC-7 anchorman John Drury, who was a Chicago TV icon for forty years, died late last night from complications from ALS; he had been diagnosed with what we commonly call "Lou Gehrig's Disease" about a year after his retirement.

Drury worked at three stations in Chicago beginning in 1962 (channels 2, 7 and 9), with two separate stints at ABC-7, from 1970-79 and again from 1984 until his retirement in 2002; the 10 pm news that he anchored became the #1-rated 10 pm newscast beginning in 1986 and remains so today.

Before I was promoted to staff director in 1996, I worked with John as studio stage manager every day for more than a decade. Beyond being an authoritative TV voice and excellent investigative reporter, he was a kind man with a delightful sense of humor and always treated every member of the behind-the-scenes crew with respect. It was, and remains to me, a great honor to be able to say that I was his co-worker. He was a giant of the broadcasting industry, but even more importantly, he was one of the nicest human beings I have ever met.

He will be greatly missed.

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A true legend

A true great and a true legend. A sad day in Chicago.

Great post Al and condolences on the loss.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 26, 2007 6:52 AM CST reply actions

Link to video of WGN tribute

http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/?slug=chi-071125druryobit-wn

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 26, 2007 7:11 AM CST reply actions

A well respected man and journalist

I didn't realize he had ALS. My condolences to the family, friends and coworkers.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Nov 26, 2007 7:27 AM CST reply actions

He's An Icon Of My Youth

I remember him from WGN and then WLS. Being a kid, I had no idea at first of people being able to change stations, and when I saw him on Channel 7 as opposed to Channel 9 one day I thought either I didn't change the channel correctly or it was broken. I'll never forget that and then my Mom having to explain to me he switched jobs. She told me it was like Channel 7 had traded for him, just like the Cubs could trade for someone. I guess I was a slow 12 year old.

I'll also never forget that John Drury was the voice of all the Driver Ed films I saw. Every time I go through an intersection where the light has been green I always think of Drury's voice intoning "be aware of the stale green light."

On a related topic, John Coleman still does the weather for KUSI, an independent station in San Diego. Boy, was I surprised to see him one day. Gather up Bill Frink and Joel Daly and you've got yourself a newscast.

RIP, John Drury.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Nov 26, 2007 8:01 AM CST reply actions

WOW -

Amazingly similar posts, Beer (see below). We must be running in parallel universes...

"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"

by lostinthevines on Nov 26, 2007 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah....

... it's certainly a reminder of your own mortality, too. All the people you grew up watching pass on. Joel Daly must feel a bit lonelier today.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Nov 26, 2007 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Dang....

... I didn't remember Bill Frink passed away two years ago.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Nov 26, 2007 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

John's was one of those friendly faces

that I recall being enthralled by as a child; he offered equal parts confidence, wisdom and kindness with his delivery. It's sad when those who comprise and participate in your fondest memories begin to pass away; a sense of loneliness is inevitable - these were people that were always just plain "there".

Rest In Peace

"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"

by lostinthevines on Nov 26, 2007 8:03 AM CST reply actions

Thanks, Al

You were fortunate to have worked w/him.

He was a guest in my living room for many years. His humerous wraps at the end of newscasts would often crack up the entire set.

John Drury, Joel Daley, "Bulldog" John Drummond, Fahey Flynn, et. al. - what an era of broadcast journalism we were treated to in Chicago. Those days are gone forever.

Thanks, John, may you R.I.P.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 26, 2007 8:23 AM CST reply actions

Memories...

I remember Drury - he was from before the days of "happy talk" and did deliver the news in a straightforward, clear manner that remained very viewable through his career.

Also such others as Carl Greyson doing the late night news on 'GN (was that the one that came on to Brubeck doing "Take Five"?) and Fahey Flynn. Takes me back, it does...

And I lost a good college friend to ALS some 20+ years ago - it's a pretty awful way to go out.

by MN exile on Nov 26, 2007 9:08 AM CST reply actions

Take Five was the theme song to the

late movie on WGN. Carl Greyson hosted Night Beat which had a different theme and and an opening that featured a bunch of really dated shots of the city at night.

by TR on Nov 26, 2007 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

an Icon in Chicago TV

Is an understatement.

That signature voice that only a few are lucky to have.

definately a sad day in Chicago TV.

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on Nov 26, 2007 10:03 AM CST reply actions

I second all your emotions

Growing up in Chicago in the 1960's, John was that friendly voice that centered the way things were .. He will be sorely missed!

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Nov 26, 2007 11:31 AM CST reply actions

Cub fan Drury

would have liked: WOODY SIGNS - ESPN 1000, Levine 1/$4MM

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 26, 2007 11:44 AM CST reply actions

ya

and i heard matsui deal is almost done

by china423 on Nov 26, 2007 11:49 AM CST up reply actions

Sad day

Al, this must be an awfully sad day for you. It's nice to hear that this personality who SEEMED like such a nice guy, actually was.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Nov 26, 2007 12:28 PM CST reply actions

Al

I second NSB's sentiments. Good to hear that not only did Mr. Drury seem like a great guy, but he actually was. My condolences for your loss Al.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Nov 26, 2007 2:01 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks to both of you.

He was indeed a fine gentleman, and always kind to me and indeed, to everyone at channel 7.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 26, 2007 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

Go Cubs Go!

Good job bringing back Wood!
I like the Kaz Matsui deal too and then move derosa to right.

by Willgly on Nov 26, 2007 1:30 PM CST reply actions

What about Fukudome? (if it happens)

Start him in CF? Package Pie with Murton or Marshall or some other unlucky soul and grab a stud SP?

"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"

by lostinthevines on Nov 26, 2007 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

With DeRosa in RF?

No, I wouldn't like that.

I'm not opposed to the Matsui signing, IF AND ONLY IF:

it's not for Marquis-like money, and
it helps bring Fukudome here.

If those two conditions aren't met, it's pointless.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 26, 2007 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

Condolences to Al, Drury's Family

by Orval Overall on Nov 26, 2007 3:07 PM CST reply actions

kaz Matusi is a scrub

I believe it would be a huge mistake for the Cubs to sign Kaz. First, he isn't worth the money he's asking and I feel with Theriot getting his first full season in he will be even stronger next yr. and his second half stats will be much more consistent with his first half stats this coming yr. Second, Kaz in my opinion would not improve the team and we should use the money in areas we struggle...like another solid SP or getting a RF with some pop.

by Bpatterson83 on Nov 26, 2007 3:36 PM CST reply actions

Signing Matsui

is a means to an end, but only if Fukudome is that good.

I'll be honest - Pie in CF doesn't thrill me all that much. To me the Cub has one & 1/2 holes to fill in the OF - RF and a defensively solid CF that presents a solid OFFENSIVE threat, too. I don't see Pie as the everyday CF unless we're going to bank on Theriot as the evaryday SS and #2 hitter.

"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"

by lostinthevines on Nov 26, 2007 7:49 PM CST up reply actions

Lets leave the sports talk to the other diaries

This thread is specifically for Mr. Drury.

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on Nov 26, 2007 6:35 PM CST reply actions

RIP

I too have fond memories of Mr Drury growing up in the 60's in Chicago. It is always sad to see someone you remember so well passing. He sounds like he was a great person. Condolences go out to everyone who knew him.

by LT on Nov 26, 2007 9:17 PM CST reply actions