Signing Off: John Cody Retiring From WBBM Newsradio After 48 Years
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's the end of an era at WBBM Newsradio. A Newsradio original, John Cody, is retiring after 48 years behind the microphone.
Cody is an award-winning feature and investigative reporter who has uncovered fraud and corruption in both the public and private sectors. He has won numerous best reporter awards, and two years ago received a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago Headline Club, at the annual Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism.
Since 1967, except for a couple years while serving in the Vietnam War, Cody has been telling stories of the powerful and everyday people in Chicago, and the world around him.
Cody joined WBBM as a writer/producer in 1967. From 1968 to 1970, he reported for Pacific Stars and Stripes while in Vietnam. He returned to WBBM, moving up to general assignment reporter in 1973.
Before joining WBBM, he began his career in journalism with the venerated City News Bureau, where he worked as a reporter, rewrite man and radio editor.
John Cody Retiring From WBBM
He started at WBBM a year before it started a format that was in its infancy – all news.
"It was very interesting, because we were figuring it out as we went along," he said. "This was, of course, pre-computer. Actually, it was pre-electric typewriter, I hate to say."
Back then, the clickety clack of wire service teletype machines filled the newsroom. Now it's the clickety clack of computer keyboards.
Cody said other differences over the years has been the length of reports – or wraps, as they're known. They're much shorter now.
"There used to be memos saying try to keep your wraps under a minute 40 seconds; try," he said. Now, most wraps are no longer than about 50 seconds.
Headed into retirement, Cody is not so keen talking about himself. He said it's "hugely" uncomfortable being on the other end of the microphone.
"It's just terrible," he said. "I don't know how people do it."
'It's Been Kind Of Like A Magic Carpet'
Asked why he's retiring at the age of 71, when he's still at the top of his game, Cody quoted Barbara Walters.
"Better they should ask me why I retired than why I didn't," he said.
What will he miss most about reporting?
"People; it's been kind of like a magic carpet; able to go wherever you want, and talk to whoever you want. That's been very nice," he said.
