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 (566)
Always enjoyed listening to "Imus in the Morning" - the most entertaining show on the air in recent years and a favorite of mine. I particularly liked the telecasts from the Imus Ranch and seeing Wyatt's increasing skills in ridin' and ropin' -- dad's pride in his son really came across on the tube. Sincere condolences to Deidre, Wyatt, and the family.
I am so saddened by the passing of the I-Man. I have listened to him for decades and still play his tapes at night while I sleep.IMan's show was always humorous, insightful, funny and timely. His musical tastes shaped my own.
My deepest condolences to Deirdre and Wyatt as they grieve his absence. My prayers are with you and the cast.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Steve
The I-Man had a rare combination of humor, intellect & common sense. Rest in peace cowboy, you left a helluva legacy! My sympathies and condolences to his family.
wish he was not gone. A very good time for me to be amazed at his enriching radio experience. One of a kind. Still a fan but it has to be just diedre and Wyatt now
Fan since 1996. The I-man had a big impact on my life along with many many great memories of laughs along the way. More importantly just yesterday I brought my son to see a specialist at the Don Imus Children's Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Cant even begin to express my gratitude.....
Wyatt, Deidre and Zach, God Bless the I-man!!!
To my sorrow, I discovered IMUS late in life. Once discovered, however, I followed him like a fiend. Whether on RFD, Fox, or prior, I taped his program and feasted on it every day...usually for all three hours. Through me, my wife became an IMUS fan. His interactions with Fred, Rob, Charles, Connell, Lou, Bernie, Dierdre, Wyatt and so many others were like crack cocaine to us. Over the years, I learned a lot, was shocked a lot, was saddened a bit and mostly laughed a lot.
Radio (and TV) will never be the same.... or as good.
Our condolences to the IMUS family and his many friends.
Dan and Darlene
Laughlin NV
To the entire Imus family — I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. It was so evident from the way he spoke about all of you on the show just how much he loved you. He will be so greatly missed. I treasure all the laughs I had from listening to Imus in the Morning. Thank you for taking care of, supporting, but most especially sharing the I-man with all of us. He was and always will be the greatest broadcaster of all time. A true pioneer and a legend. I know how challenging and demanding the hours of the show were for the I-man and you as well. He and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. He is missed as he was loved, greatly.
A significant loss for me. Started listening to him when I was 9 as my mom used to drive us to school. I continued in high school, college and up until his last broadcast. I cannot begin to say how many authors he turned me on to and how much he taught me about music and expanding my musical world. One thing that I never hear anyone mention is how great of a DJ he actually was. I will have his comedy, insights, crankiness and lunacy with me forever. Rob brought me many great cheers when I needed it, Charles' steadiness taught me to chill and the iMan taught me to be a leader. Thanks for everything.
So sorry for your loss Deirdre, Wyatt and Zach. The I Man was a huge part of my daily commute for so many years as well as the charities and merchandise !!!!! I was so happy to meet the. I Man and Fred and have them sign my copy of their book:; may the I Mans memory be a blessing for us all.
The Berman family.
Imus, you were a big part of my life for 30+ years.
On my way to work then, on the job site. You were always there. Making us laugh or making us think.
You were a superb interviewer, getting real answers to questions only you could ask.
There will never be another like you.
Rest In Peace iMan.
Say hi to Fred.
Imus was the best...and he always said " I talk, you listen" and so many of us did for nearly 50 years. Rest In Peace.
To the Imus family, I am sorry for your loss and extend my sincere condolences. Mr. Imus was a good man
I started watching Don when I was 12 years old, in 2007. I would set my alarm clock for 5:45am so I could be up in time to watch Don and Charles at 6, until I had to go to school at 7:20. He had just signed on with RFD and it was a channel I watched with interest because of it's farm and tractor programming. I grew up watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza, How The West Was Won, etc... with my (great) grandparents and I developed a fascination of cowboys. Being from western Massachusetts there isn't a lot of roping and rodeo around here. Needless to say, when I saw Don wearing a cowboy hat on air and in the studio I was hooked. And I just had to find out more about him and what he did. Throughout the years following, watching him every single morning (didn't miss a day!), I became a huge fan and follower of politics. Still to this day I am so interested in keeping up with politics and following as much as I can. It's all because of Don. I got my first pair of cowboy boots in 2007, because of Don. I discovered so much great music, because of Don. His style, his personality, his honesty and willingness to openly have the "no BS" attitude (especially on air!) made such a huge impression on me. I got in a lot of trouble at school repeating to teachers and friends of mine things I had heard on the Imus program! Ha! But it didn't matter, I kept watching and learning. I feel that who I am today, at 24 years old, in many aspects is because of Don. From my love for politics, to my fascination of cowboys and wearing cowboy boots, denim jackets and cowboy hats - with pride! I enrolled into a film, production class in High School which led me to a lot of public speaking and MC'ing activities for me. I wanted so much to be like Don and use as much of his style as I could (still, without getting into too much trouble!) I was even planning to go into college and try to get a career in broadcasting, all stemmed from my following of Don and his program. When he announced he would no longer be on the Fox Business Network I was crushed, because I knew I wasn't going to be able to get a satellite signal or a syndicated channel to hear his show on anymore. When he announced his retirement I was heartbroken that day. And now, 2 days after Christmas in 2019 while taking my mother out to supper for her birthday, I checked my twitter news and saw the news about Don's passing. I shed tears, I remembered my childhood, I remembered Don. I have been so sad since I heard of his passing. My thoughts, my prayers are with Deirdre, Wyatt, all of his family, all who knew Don, all of Don's fans, and listeners. Who I am today and what I do is all done with inspiration from and admiration of Don. I would love nothing more than to one day meet Deirdre and Wyatt, come out to the ranch just to see with my own eyes what Don had there for all of those kids. I hope Deirdre gets this message (sorry it was long) and takes great comfort in knowing how much her husband played a role in my life. I will miss him so, so greatly.
I first heard Imus in the Morning in early 1972. I was a senior in high school on Christmas break. I got called in to work a morning shift at a local supermarket in Newark, NJ. As soon as I clocked into work. My boss said “You have to listen to this new guy Imus.” Suddenly, Plastic Jesus started playing on the radio. I had never heard the song before. Then I heard “Friends, this is the right reverend Dr. Billie Sol Hargus coming to you live from the Discount House of Worship in Del Rio, Texas...”
I was instantly hooked and became a life long Imus fan. The WNNNBC cadre of characters was priceless. Hargus, Crazy Bob, Moby Worm and all the rest. Richard Nixon, General Patton and especially Scottso, Scott Muni. I loved them all. the running gag over Charles’ Thanksgiving non invitation always made me laugh, as did Wilfred Brimley‘s take on stuffing the bird.
Imus was transformative. He was the right person at the right time as AM top 40 gave way to FM Radio. If ever any radio DJ had a finger on the pulse of an audience, it was Imus. When he finally retired in March of 2018, he said all that needed to be said in his broadcasting sign off to his fans. Drop the mic he did! No one was ever better, warts and all. My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Imus family. Rest In Peace Cowboy. You earned it.
What struck me most about Don was not his obvious talent, but his love for his family and their love for him. They took care of each other and it was very inspiring. Rest in Peace.
Imus was a great part of my life growing up listening to him and his show made me laugh and also learn. The political segments and book discussions were incredible. I was sad when he retired and even more do now. My deepest condolences!!! NaNaNaNa and god speed.
Imus has a complicated legacy, which is just fine. No one's life is a straight line. He was smart and had great instincts for engagement. He wasn't so much funny as he was a ring leader for funny, interesting, engaging. He had the best conversations with guests like McCain, Hatch, Kerry and many more. I have had the great memory of being on the show around a half dozen times or so, talking about everything from Super Bowl ads to the Chevy Volt. The last time I was on, I got the last word on him, which, looking back was a hard thing to do.
His intellect and charity were a great combination. He didn't know where the fence line was in terms of humor, and that's what cut his career a bit short. Those awful years on the RFD channel. RIP to a man who was an original, and a good egg despite a a handful of time he fell over the fence.
One last thing. His anti vaxxer position was stupid, but I have had my stupid positions too.
First I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Deirdre and Wyatt. From what I know, they were his life. And I am sure he was theirs.
There was no one like Don Imus. I was lucky enough to know him personally. I am proud to say he was one of my Dad's greatest friends. And what a friend he was.
Don made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of families that were part of Tomorrows Children's Fund by the countless hours he and Deirdre spent raising money for them and devoting their lives to helping children with cancer.
He made an even bigger impact on the lives of my family. I am forever grateful to Deirdre and Don.
All my love,
Suzy
Thank you, Don and Deirdre, for working to improve the health and lives of children - particularly those unfairly struggling with chronic or terminal illnesses. Don was one of the brave few to publicly investigate evidence that vaccines are paradoxically causing an epidemic of neuroimmune disorders among children and adults. Years ago he read part of my letter about vaccine-induced autism on the air, which I appreciate greatly. Again, my thanks and also my condolences to his wife and children.
Don Imus
I heard he passed away a few days ago, and it got me thinking.
I dug through some old books and magazines I have stashed away and found a catalog from the Auto Body Express, which his brother Fred Imus owned.
In the late 80’s, when I bought my business and was out riding in the wee hours and early morning hours of the day, I could pick up WFAN out of New York.
I was introduced to this “shock jock” that wasn’t just that, no, he did political and topical humor that made you think. Don Imus had an interview style that made you feel like you were a part of the conversation, like you were there at the table with him as he got these people to show sides of themselves we rarely saw.
His intro/outro music was even cool. I was introduced to a wide variety of artists through the Imus show.
I listened right up to the point some goofy AM station from some little town close by signed on and killed my signal.
For a couple years, a station in Beckley carried his show, and I was in hog heaven.
His firing from WFAN in 2007 kinda ended his run as I knew it. I had moved on, listening to Opie & Anthony on XM radio, but they were friends and fans of his, having him on their show a few times.
Anyway, I listened to old clips of his show until 2am this morning. I listened to his final show’s closing segment. I shed a tear or two, not ashamed to admit.
So many memories...
A 22 year old, entering the world of entrepreneurship and responsibilities, riding up and down Interstate 77, laughing like a fool, or thinking about topics I normally wouldn’t be (especially at 6am). It seems like yesterday in many ways.
I wish I still had one of the shirts I ordered from Auto Body Express, I would wear it today.
RIP I-man
My deepest sympathies to the Imus family. I’ve listened to Imus for over 30 years, there will never be another one like him. Part of his legacy will be all the people who are working in radio that have him to thank for their careers. Rest easy I-man, you’ve earned the rest.
It feels like my cantankerous uncle (who was my favorite relative) has passed away. For longer than I can remember, Imus has been a big part of my life. He made me laugh, he made me think, he made me mad, but most of all, he taught me courage especially when it was easier to run away. As I drink from my "Imus Brothers" coffee mug, I will forever be grateful for him. God bless you all and God rest your soul, I-Man. You are loved.
I was so sad to hear of the Iman’s passing. I was a huge fan though I didn’t always agree with him. I visited Fred’s store in Santa Fe, bought salsa and quoted him daily. No one could conduct an interview as well as he could. Our politics aligned sometimes and quite often they did not, but I never got my feelings hurt when he would disparage my beliefs—I knew he was a man of integrity and would like me if we met.
I was fortunate enough to be able to listen to Imus on a long commute to work over the years and like alot of people have an Imus Ranch Hat and Mug as I followed his life on radio. He was the most transparent celebrity I ever saw, So sorry to hear of his death. My condolences to everyone who ever appreciated the IMAN.
My thoughts are with the I-family... I started listening to the I-dude as a 2nd grader in 1987 as my dad drove me to school everyday.... I was hooked by the sound of the 'quack quack'.... I got to meet you in '94 and when you became syndicated on MSNBC I was away at college and never missed a morning since.... the airwaves will never been the same since you signed off.... rest easy cowboy....