John Lanigan got his start in radio while still in high school in Ogallala, Nebraska. He bounced among early jobs in Denver, Albequerque, and Dallas before landing in Cleveland at WGAR-AM in 1971 as a replacement for Don Imus. His outspoken style and loud personality got him attention and ratings. In addition to his morning radio show, he also hosted the long-running Prize Movie on television in Cleveland. After leaving Cleveland for a brief stint in Tampa, Lanigan returned to Cleveland to stay, on WMJI-FM. He retired from morning drive time in 2014. He continues to appear on a daily midmorning talk show on WTAM-AM in Cleveland. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2013.