Thursday
Jan022020
In Memorium: Don Imus 1940-2019
Thursday, January 2, 2020 
Imus broadcast his first program from New York City back in 1971. His life journey has by some accounts been arduous, by other accounts a freak parade, and by still others as a matter for a RICO investigation. It began out in the great American West, California and Arizona, and eventually would make its way on across the country to Ohio and New York.
Imus was born in Riverside, California. Ranching was the family business and he was actually raised on a big cattle spread called the Willows near Kingman, Arizona. Don recalls that period of his childhood fondly and his familiar cowboy persona is completely legitimate. His irascibility appears to be equally legitimate, influenced by more than a few hard knocks along the way. If he revels in the agony of others, as he jokes, it may just be because he’s had a little of that himself. His parents divorced when Don was fifteen, he changed schools frequently, got arrested after a school yard fight, won election in secondary school as class president and was impeached, and, at seventeen, was pushed by his mother to join the marine corps as the best strategy to keep him out of jail. While it all added up to what Imus himself has described as a fairly horrible adolescence, it also disproves a theory that he actually had no parents and instead spawned spontaneously in dust clots behind the Laundromat dryers where one day he would seek shelter. When did all of these events unfold? It doesn’t really matter. And why annoy Don by asking?
Despite the occasional rough patch, Imus did spend a full twelve years in public school and emerged with no formal education…a product of automatic social promotion not even casually tied to merit. He graduated with no honors and no skills, a rare stroke of luck because a broadcasting career required neither. Difficulty continued to dog Imus after his school days: his undistinguished, infraction blotched stretch in the marines, onerous labor in a Superior, Arizona copper mine and a Grand Canyon uranium mine where an accident left him with both legs broken. There was work as a freight brakeman on the Southern Pacific railroad and a back injury suffered in an engine derailment and at one point the indignities of homelessness, hitching, being flat broke. Better, and worse days were to come. This quintessential American and often challenging personal passage materially defined Imus, instilling him with humility, a deep respect for our country and its workers, and a disturbing need to get even. He emerged from the experience with attributes that contributed enormously to the broadcasting distinction he would realize: an intrinsic, conspicuous authenticity, and a unique ability to connect with real people who work hard, serve their country, and care passionately about what really matters in the world.
Once Imus began broadcasting, fame and acclaim came quickly. He was showered with the laurels of radio celebrity including inductions into both the National Association of Broadcasters and radio halls of fame. He was the recipient of four Marconi awards, broadcasting’s equivalent of Hollywood’s Oscars. It got to the point that he would throw this or that slab of walnut with crystal crap glued to it against the wall of his office as a convenient means of intimidating horrified underlings. He was featured on television programs from NBC’s “Today” show to CBS’ “60 Minutes.” He was a guest of Charlie Rose, David Letterman, and of special note, Larry King, in shameless, mutual ass-kissing marathons that challenged the audience's gag reflex.
Don and Deirdre continue to run the Imus Ranch Foundation donating to other worthy causes helping children with cancer, autism and all the environmental health problems with our children. Don has raised hundred of millions of dollars for the Tomorrows Children’s Fund, CJ foundation for SIDS, Hackensack University Medical Center and America’s Veterans.
Reader Comments (558)
What a loss! He will be missed by hundreds of thousands of people! My condolences to the Imus family.
Thanks for all the laughs AND knowledge you sent my way over the years. I cannot imagine all those morning commutes without you and your cast of associates. My condolences to your family.
R.I.P. Don, thanks for the years sir. GODS Blessing to the family.
My sincerest condolences to the family of Don Imus. We loved listening and watching Imus in the Morning all the way from Texas
His varied knowledge of all things, from music to sports to politics kept us listening! His legacy, however, will be his philanthropy
For he has helped so many thought out his life. May he RIP.
I pray for peace in your lives. He is now with Fred!
To the Imus family- there will ever be a trailblazer/legend or philanthropist the likes of Mr. Imus. He was a remarkable human being with shoes far too big for anyone to ever fill. Mrs. Imus, Wyatt, and Zach - the Iman’s love for you is well documented. I wish you peace and comfort now and integration upcoming years. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and void you feel. I sure miss Mr. Imus!
Once in a great while, someone comes into your life and has an impact on you. How you think, how you love, how you're changed. Obvious choices would be a spouse, your children, and friends. But for me, Imus was one of those once in a lifetime individuals who made me laugh out loud, would infuriate me, and sometimes make me scratch my head. Simply put, he was a gift from God that rolled so many emotions into listening to him. There will never be another like him. Thank you cowboy for all the wonderful years of entertainment. And to Deirdre, Wyatt and family, my heartfelt condolences.
My husband and I never missed a minute of the I-man whether on TV, radio or streaming. What a tremendous loss and we missed him dearly the minute he signed off the air for good. If you don't get a tear in your eye listening to him say goodbye, then you are soul-less.
What a man, there will never be another like him and he surrounded himself with very talented folks as well.
Rest easy now I-man, you have earned it. Prayers going out to the family during this time of grief.
Susan and Oren Wood, South Carolina
I have listened to "Imus in the morning since 1970"
I share the Imus family values. I am heartbroken as is his family.
Time will help.
JNP
My condolences to the entire Imus family. I as many others listened to him for decades and will sorely miss just the thought of him being around. He really made me think about lots of things he said. R.I.P.
I was a listener from 2000 on through WFAN. No one could switch gears from one topic to another better then Imus. His ability to go from interviewing a major politician to something completely irreverent will never be matched. His career spanned the golden age of radio and there will never be another like Don Imus.
Don Imus ... You were my DJ of choice no matter what station you were on. Intelligent, poignant and not influenced... There isn't a person on the air who can hold a candle to your words. You will be, and are missed. RIP Mr. Imus
A diagnosis of cancer is what soon lead me to become a part of the Imus Family. Don, Deirdre, Fred, I’m eternally grateful for your brilliant minds and vision in establishing the Imus Ranch. The ranch lead me to fall in love with Donnie & then give birth to our Daughter, Madeline. Thank you Don for all of the laughs during these last nineteen years. May Deirdre, Wyatt, Zach, find comfort and peace in the difficult days ahead. Much Love Always.
The sad news of Don's passing reached the UK (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/10629135/don-imus-dead-radio-host-imus-in-the-morning-dies-hospital/), such was his reach. I worked in radio here in the UK, and have family in NY, so Imus was a must listen whenever I visited the Big Apple. We never had anyone quite like Imus in the UK (perhaps the late Kenny Everett was the closest), so he was quite a cult among us radio folks in the know about our radio brethren across the pond. I'm now enjoying some amazing Imus memories on Youtube. With much love to all the Imus family from those that knew of Don in England. xoxox
I-man I listened to you on the radio since I was 15 years old.
I live in VT.
I bought your salsa, cleaning products, and merchandise.
You made me laugh, and you could talk about anything.
I followed you on Twitter till the day you passed.
I miss your show every day, and my laughter will never be the same again.
God speed
Brian
Sorry for your loss. I was sad to hear that he had died. He had a great run and great life. Hope you enjoyed him while you had him with you.
I-man, thanks for the laughter, the blues, Delbert, country music, politics, and most recently Leif Babin and Jocko Willink. R.I.P. man, truly one of a kind and one for the ages...God Bless you and condolences to you family 🙏
Martin
Rest In Peace Mr. Imus. Thank you for the many years of laughs.
Never met you Don, but you were my friend. Always there in the morning to make me laugh, or think, introduce me to new music, or piss me off. Loved every minute and love you. Godspeed dear friend. Im richer for knowing you.
RIP Iman. I will always miss starting my day with you. Lots of info, no BS, and fun with guests from all persuasions. Blessings to the family.
The I man was one of the all-time greats for sure! He will be missed. Sorry for your loss!
I have so many fond memories of the Iman on the radio. By far, the best to have ever sat behind the microphone. Talk radio is officially gone. Godspeed Iman. You are truly missed.
My mornings haven’t been the same. You’re missed. RIP.
RIP I-Man , Thank you for all the laughs , your stories and everything you did for so many people.
You will be greatly missed
My condolences to the entire Imus Family
So desperately sorry for your heartbreaking loss. We knew Imus only from radio and eventually Fox Business, and his kindness and unbridled generosity, his rascally humor and sweetness were evident to us. What a blessing for us to have had him in our lives. And we mourn with you for your terrible loss. We are so very sorry. We are daily praying for you all.
Iman will be missed by many thousands of people. I for one have listened to IMus for close to 30 years. After moving to Arizona I would do whatever it took to make sure I either watched or was able to listen. When he retired I felt a loss. I was delighted when I found his Twitter account. My thoughts are with Deidre, Wyatt and Zach. RIP Iman!!!❤️