After 50 years of being on the radio, today will be Don Imus’ last show. Imus, who’s been on the air since 1971, now syndicated on 84 stations, will broadcast his final few hours from Cumulus’ WABC in New York. If you grew up in New York in the 70’s and 80’s, you grew up listening to Imus and Howard Stern.
The I-Man, who battled decades of alcoholism and cocaine addiction emerged to become one of radio’s most successful shock-jocks. His show grew into national syndication and eventually added a TV simulcast. He was even asked to host The a big media/political dinner in 1996 where he insulted everyone in attendance, including President Clinton. It was classic Imus.
Imus’ evolution had him turning more and more toward political talk, but he always retained that crusty edge. One comment about the Rutgers women’s basketball team landed him in hot water in 2007 probably altered his legacy (a comment he apologized for and regrets). It cost him his job on the radio and simulcast on MSNBC. He returned to radio later that year and continued on until today when he will call it a day and retired to his ranch with his wife and son.
Here’s a link to WABC if you’d like to listen to the final show.
Best wishes. Long time follower. Miss his morning TV show. Best thing on!
JMM
Love Imus. Miss his morning show on TV. Long time follower. Best wishes!
Love him or hate him he is an original. I first met Imus @ WGAR Cleveland when we both worked for Nationwide Communications. He went on to fame and glory, I just went on. He is an ICON of the industry for sure.
Fyi…