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 (562)
My father never truly understood what happened to my son until Don Imus had Mark F. Blaxill and Dan Olmsted on his radio program discussing vaccine injuries. Thirty minutes of Don's excellent radio conveyed all the theories and information that I had been telling Dad for fifteen years. I will forever be indebted to Don Imus for this. He helped my dad understand his grandson. That meant the world to me.
My thoughts and love go to Deirdre, Wyatt, and Zachary. I am also thinking of Elizabeth as well, who I have crossed paths with a few times over the years.
Thank you for sharing Don with us. He will be missed everyday.
Followed Imus since 1980, and he has a great heart will miss his frankness, comedy, outlook and humor. Really made my mornings. Wishing his family the best in these times of mourning and celebration of a life well lived.
I-Man. Thank you for the memories.
Iman is one of a kind. Loved his irreverent humor, talent, and his work ethic. Sounds like he was tough man to work for. I wish the family strength to get through the grieving process. It’s never over. You just get through it. Question is: whose pissing the Iman off in heaven? God rest his soul.
My deepest condolences to the Imus Family. Listened for 20 years and always felt like Iman was talking directly to me. The education and entertainment of a lifetime. I’m grateful for every minute of it!
I have listened or watched Imus in the morning for more than 25 years. I will miss him. My condolences to the Imus family.
Genius in many ways my vocabulary is excellent cause of him, I drive for a living and would listen every day for at least 20 years
I watched Imus on tv and listened to him on the radio for many years. He was very entertaining and he certainly will be missed. His show was the best.
15 years ago I moved from Boston to Houston. I was a faithful listener everyday to Imus in the morning.
It was a part of my day from 6 to 10 every working day. When I got to Houston, I was disappointed to learn that the
show was not on Houston radio. About a month after I got here, I met the Kinkster, Kinky Friedman who was running for Governor
of Texas at the time. I asked him how come the I man isn't on the radio here. He smiled and said sir, “ I have a better chance of getting elected
Governor than that happening.” He then stuck a fat cigar in his mouth, shook my hand and walked off muttering Imus on Houston radio, thats funny!
It was Houstons loss.
I remember the time when Don talked about John Lennon’s death and how sad he was and he felt he needed to talk about it on the radio.
I guess tonight we all feel like he did almost 40 years ago. I never met John and the same for Don Imus but I feel
the same way tonight.
Excuse your fans tonight Don for being panty sniffing wusses. You meant the world to alot of people
like me who never knew or met you.
Mrs Imus and Wyatt, we share in your loss and we send our love.
The I man and the Wolfman are making a hellva boss rock station in heaven.
Peace :)
God Bless the Imus family. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. There will be difficult days ahead with the loss of such a life force. Know this you were Blessed to have such a close knit family and such a loving father and all those memories.
I have spent many many years listening to the show and the crew. It feels like I have lost one of my own family. I cried when the show ended listening to the I-Man pour out his heart to us. He made us feel like part of the family-his stories, rants, and his standing up for the little guy. He shared so much of his life with us-stories about you Wyatt, your Mom and of course Fred. I have anxiously awaited the “One More Big Thing” he promised. But I guess God had other plans.
I am very sad at his passing and have shed many tears. My family is all gone except for my brother. Cherish your family and take care of each other.
Rest In Peace Imus.
To the Imus family: Please accept my sincere sympathy. I am sorry.
I can’t count the hours in a car very early morning in WA state that were made bearable by the voice of Don Imus and his gang. He made me laugh, cringe and choke and I felt as though I knew him , as though we were having a personal but weird conversation. I will not forget him. He was special. He was unique. His flaws were minor to me. They just made him human. Beneath it all I think he was a sweet soul. I hope he is with Fred.
Started listening to Don in the 70s on WNBC and stayed a loyal listener/watcher to the end. Can't believe he's no longer with us. My condolences to his family. We've lost a great man.
If I ever want to laugh all I have to do is go to YouTube and watch Don bait the shit out of Charles and make him go crazy. Thanks for all of those times. Safe journey.
WheremyImusat= Heaven
God speed brother, you will be greatly missed! Over all the years you remained current, edgy and absolutely hilarious. Somehow my mornings were always brightened by your bitching, cursing, complaining and straight up raising hell with your cast members! Loved it!!
My deepest condolences go out to all your family and friends.
God bless you all!
Tim
I remember listening to Imus in the Morning when you turned 3. He reported that he asked you what you wanted for your birthday dinner. You answered "soy balls and broccoli.
Hope to continue to hear from you, your mom and brother now and again.
I'm not sure of the exact year, but I began listening when he came back to NYC, replacing Brink and Belzer, Perhaps around 1980 when I was 13. I never stopped listening or laughing, starting in my childhood home in Westport, CT, then fortunately receiving the strong 660 AM signal in Providence, RI while in college and then back in NYC and Boston, where I met him once and managed to make him laugh. Definitely an event I won't forget.
It was such a gift to get my days going for almost 40 years with not only laughter but also becoming a little smarter by listening to great interviews with people like Tim Russert, Andy Rooney, Bob Dole, Anna Quindlen, Mary Matalin and countless others. The final gift he gave me was several months ago introducing me to the music of Hayes Carll, who has become one of my faves and who I am now enjoying thanks to an Imus tweet. Thank you so much for everything Mr. Imus.
Thanks so much for saying it real. My 30 year old son remembers you being on our tv every morning. You were and are the best in many ways. Praying for those that held you even closer. Looking forward to seeing you in eternity ❤️
he was a complicated man, he is the last link to my late Dad and Ias we listened and laughed together. He was a great man, a pioneer, a true radio guy. We love him and my family sends sincerest condolences to you and family.
We are so very sorry for your loss! We loved and admired the I-Man!! He was an entertainment genius and a true American hero in his efforts to help children and our military. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!!
I-Man your were and are loved by thousands and will be sorely missed. Hours upon hours of the greatest radio and simulcast ever, were heard by thousands of people who got up early to hear the I-Man. You were funny, provocative, interesting and informative, your interviews were the best. It was always a great way to start your day listening to "Imus in the Morning". Your passing was a shock because we all hoped for your return to the airwaves. I-Man you were the greatest. May God Bless you with "Imus in the Morning" in heaven and may God bless your family and we pray that they will be given the peace that defies all understanding at this most difficult time.
I liked when he wore his cowboy hat back in the day. He was cowboy before it was cool!!
Rip I-Man.
I was so sad to hear about The I-Man’s passing. Loved listening and watching for many years. I loved his wit, wisdom, moodiness and just the genius he was. A generous man who loved his family. Will never be another like Don Imus!
RIP
Mitzi Haverstroh
Alvarado, Texas
I never met the Iman personally but feel like I knew him. I think that's a statement anyone could make who listened to his show over the years. And that is because of the fact that he always appeared genuine to his audience. He was always willing to call out some talking head speaking nonsense regardless of party affiliation. It is impossible to find an interviewer in today's atmosphere willing to do that. He introduced me to authors that mattered, musicians that were great and never endorsed talent that wasn't the real thing. I learned and was exposed to much thanks to the Iman. On his final show, he said: " We did that". I believe he truly meant that. To Mrs. Imus and the boys, thanks for sharing his talent with us. There will never be another Iman.
He often said he was one of the two most important people in radio. Marconi for inventing it, and him for deciding to talk on it.
In 50 years he revolutionized an entire medium; and everything that came after him was a direct extension of his influence.
He was a living legend; who knew he was a living legend…and he made sure that everybody didn’t forget that.
He was a true original, took everything he learned from those who went before him: Robert W. Morgan, The Real Don Steel, Wolfman Jack…and created something unique: a larger than life persona that he lived out on and off the air, until the two became indistinguishable from one another. When people wanted to know what he was really like, they were advised to listen to his program. Although it was a relatively accurate picture, that wasn’t all of who he was. He was much much more.
He was an enigma, a complicated man who lived a complicated life, and shared it all with millions of people every morning. He spoke his mind, spoke truth to power, and sometimes… spoke words that he genuinely regretted. Despite evidence to the contrary, he felt deep remorse when he said something awful about someone who he realized didn’t deserve it.
One of the things he always said was ‘Everybody thinks it’s funny…until it’s about them.’ Which really didn’t apply to him, because when he was the butt of the joke, he would laugh harder than anybody. We used to joke about wishing him dead. And he’d be tickled by that, even though he suspected there may have been more than a little truth in the jest.
He was a rebel, an unapologetic decrier of bullshit, a harsh critic of human behavior and yet an unfailing champion of the underdog, especially sick children. He was both a hermit and humanitarian. Brilliant and maddening and someone you loved to hate and hated to love, but when you told him you did… he’d say you were a phony.
He was a walking contradiction. He could be unrelentingly cruel, and yet still possessed an incredible capacity for empathy. A bully who despised bullies…and could be a hero when he wanted to. When the Russians shot down a Korean Commercial Jet, he ran out to the Plaza in Rockefeller Center and took down the Russian Flag, then auctioned it off and sent the proceeds, along with his own donation to the families of the passengers who were killed.
He doesn’t nearly get enough credit for his charity work. He raised more than 100 million dollars for children’s charities. SIDS, Autism Awareness, Special Olympics, the Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund and Hackensack Community Medical Center, where he and his wife both have buildings with their names on them because of the amazing work they did for kids with Cancer. They built a ranch in New Mexico where kids suffering from Cancer and blood disorders got a true Cowboy experience…at no charge to them or their families. He spent every summer out there, despite the fact that the high elevation made it virtually impossible for him to breathe, doing more for their self-esteem than anybody had done for them before. He changed hundreds and hundreds of lives by convincing them that they were not defined by their disease.
He had detractors and enemies and those who sought to bolster their agenda at his expense. In part, I suppose they thought they were justified for their hatred, but they only knew part of the man, neglecting all he did for others, and not just financially. He promoted and supported those he deemed worthy. I was lucky enough to be one of them. There are some who, out of ego, or a skewed sense of reality, an inflated sense self-importance, or just plain stupidity, have badmouthed him. When the truth is, without his support and influence, they would still be Taxi Drivers or third rate personalities in minor markets, imitating the very person who made them who they are now
He was in his mid-fifties when he finally met the love of his life, even though it raised a few eyebrows as she was many years his Junior. They were soulmates; theirs was a real, true and unconditional love, and the son they had together was the light of both their lives. She took care of him every day of the 25 years of their marriage, and she is truly responsible for saving his life. She famously helped him beat prostate cancer with holistic medicine. She got him to quit smoking, got him on a Vegan Diet, and she certainly extended his lifetime,
In his last years, he struggled to breathe, requiring supplementary oxygen, but it didn’t seem to slow down his cranky, cantankerous demeanor. If anything, it only served to fuel his lifeblood, spitting venom with more enthusiastic vitriol than ever.
When he finally left the airwaves, it was an emotional farewell, a moment where he reflected on everything he felt about his life, his career, his audience, with genuine gratitude for it all. He was proud of his accomplishments, as he should have been. In retirement, he continued to comment on the ‘Freak Parade’ that amused and bemused him, through Tweets, or the odd Email or phone call.
I spoke to him the week before he passed. We were toying around with the idea of doing a podcast together, along with his son. We went back and forth with the plans, I laid out what I thought it would take, what sponsors I thought he could get. He asked me how much I’d want. When I told him, he sent me an email: ‘I will call you tomorrow…you greedy motherfucker.’ It was the last thing he ever said to me.
We played phone tag for a couple of days after that, And the last time…when he picked up and I said it was me... he was laughing as he hung up.
It was the perfect way for us to say goodbye.
It’s difficult to believe he’s gone. Partly because I really thought he was going to outlive us all, and partly because he was so much a part of my life that he leaves behind a void that I don’t yet know how to fill. I mean, who’s gonna call me a ‘Phony Fat Bastard’ now?
The influence he had on me, personally and professionally, is immeasurable. Every success I’ve ever enjoyed is a direct result of my association with him. And I will forever be grateful to him for that. I hope that wherever he is now, he finally knows that…and that it is, and always was, true.
He was my boss, my nemesis, my mentor, my harshest critic, my champion, my tormentor…and my friend.
And now, he’s finished his last roundup. He’s gone back to the barn to tie up his horse put away his saddle, his hat and his gun.
His work is finally done.
And he did a great job.
Rest easy, Cowboy. You’ve earned it.
Thanks for everything, I-Man.
I love you.
Been a listener since 2002, show made me laugh all the time, I-Man will be missed. Sorry for your loss.