Banks was suffering from diabetes, however no official cause of death was announced. He was syndicated by American Urban Radio Networks. Banks’ good friend Tom Joyner said, “Doug Banks wasn’t just my turntable brother, he was my other brother! We did this back when urban radio made itself the best thing on the air — and we made each other better. Chicago, radio, and afternoons will never be the same. I miss him and what we shared together.”
AURN President Jerry Lopes issued the following statement, “We were all deeply saddened to hear the news of Doug’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family ….his wife Wendy and his daughter Kennede. Radio has lost a true legend.” Here Banks is pictured with Tom Joyner and Steve Harris in 1996 when all three worked at ABC Radio Networks.
Banks hosted shows in L.A., San Francisco, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Chicago before signing on to do a nationally syndicated show. He began his broadcasting career on his high school’s radio station in Detroit. ABC Radio Network first signed Banks into syndication. It was called the Doug Banks Morning Show.
In 2008, Banks re-launched his show in afternoon drive calling it The Ride with Doug and DeDe. In 2010, Doug’s show again found a new home with American Urban Radio Networks, changing it’s name back to The Doug Banks Show.
More coverage of Banks’ death at The Washington Post and USA Today
