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  In Memory of Dion Payton (1950 – 2021)

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  On March 12, legendary Chicago blues musician Dion Payton passed away. In an obituary for the Chicago Sun Times, Zac Clingenpeel writes that Payton’s “style, talent and personality inspired many musicians.” With his signature Gibson Les Paul 25/50 Anniversary Edition, Payton entertained Chicago crowds with crisp and climbing blues riffs for over three decades.  With his 43rd Street Blues Band, Payton played regular gigs at Kingston Mines as well as the Checkerboard Lounge. Skeptical of the big business of music and dubious … Continue reading →

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  In Memory of Roger Mudd (1928 – 2021)

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  For three decades, Roger Mudd epitomized network TV news. It is difficult now, in an age saturated with media personalities, to imagine just how influential anchors like Mudd were in their time. Serving as a primary face of news networks from CBS to PBS, Mudd played a crucial role in shaping the political consciousness of the US from the 1960s to the 1980s. Working alongside such noteworthy anchormen as Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Tom Brokaw, Mudd addressed viewers with … Continue reading →

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  Rennie Davis (1941 – 2021)

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  Longtime political activist Rennie Davis died on Tuesday, February 2nd at his home in Colorado. He was best known for his role in as one of the “Chicago 7” co-conspirators charged with crossing state lines to incite a riot after the anti-war protests at the Democratic National Convention in 1968. All seven were acquitted from all charges by the Appellate Court. The cause of death was lymphoma, a condition that had been diagnosed only a few weeks before his death. In this … Continue reading →

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  In memory of Larry King (1933 – 2021)

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  As we all reflect on the loss of Larry King, Media Burn offers a highlight of behind-the-scenes King, in conversation with Bill Clinton. Continue reading →

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  A 1992 conversation with Joe Biden

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  As Joe Biden is set to be inaugurated on January 20th, Media Burn is highlighting a 1992 interview with the former Senator. Continue reading →

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  Dying of Red Tape: AIDS and the Fight for Lives Worth Saving

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  Last November, we shared a slice of media history with you: The AIDS Connection, an all-night special broadcast intended to address misinformation surrounding the AIDS virus in 1987. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was a featured panelist. Now, we’re sharing another historic example of the fight against AIDS – venturing outside the experts on television to protestors in the streets. ACT UP and other activist groups called on Dr. Fauci to provide equal access … Continue reading →

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  Hot Video with Chicago Conspiracy

  Blog, Chicago

  Aaron Sorkin’s recent film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, has revived interest in the historical events which took place in Chicago between 1968 and 1970.  During the entire trial between September 1969 and February 1970, seven of the eight defendants (Bobby Seale had been removed from the trial and left Chicago) gathered as a complete group only twice. The following video is a documentation of one of those two occurrences. R.G. Davis, founder of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, … Continue reading →

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  “Fast Eddie” heads to jail a second time

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  For decades, “Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak has been a controversial Chicago political powerhouse. Known for being a key figure in the Council Wars as one of the “three Eddies” who led a coalition of white aldermen intent on blocking Mayor Harold Washington’s initiatives, he already went to prison in 2008 for bribery. Now, Vrdolyak, 83, is once again heading to prison on charges of tax evasion stemming from fraudulent legal fees charged to the City of Chicago in the 1990s. In … Continue reading →