Chicago Radio: Steve Downes Stepping-Away From Daily Radio

WDRV 97.1 FM /The Drive's morning show host Steve Downes announced Friday that it is time to step away from daily radio after 44 years in the industry.

Steve Downes

The 64-year-old will continue to host his weekend show "The Classics" and will still do voice-over work, but Downes is looking to exit full-time radio work as soon as his morning replacement has been named, according to Chicagoland Radio&Media.

Downes has been hosting mornings on WDRV-FM since its launch in the spring of 2001. For four years prior to that, he was heard on then-Bonneville-owned sister-station WLUP-FM/The Loop. Along with his 18 years in Chicago, he has been heard on the radio in various markets since 1971, starting in Dayton, OH while he was still a student at the University of Dayton, before moving on to becoming a major voice in Los Angeles, CA rock radio.

Other markets he has worked include Santa Barbara, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Fort Myers, FL; and Tampa, FL.

In addition to his radio work, Downes is internationally famous for his voice-over work and vocal acting. He has always been the voice of Master Chief John-117, the main character from the mega-selling video game series "Halo."

Downes says he will continue to do his voice acting work.

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Regarding the loss of his morning star, Greg Solk, Hubbard Chicago Senior Vice President of Programming, said:

"Waking up and hearing anybody else on The Drive is going to be an adjustment, for sure. Steve has been such a perfect morning man, collaborator and friend to all of us. He has helped The Drive achieve wild success and is always going to be a part of our DNA. Steve has generously agreed to allow us to use his pipes in station promos and will continue to host the United Stations syndicated weekend show 'The Classics' that is broadcast out of The Drive."

A search is now underway for Downes' replacement.