According to family representatives, Imus died while undergoing treatment at White Medical Center in College Station, Texas, where he had been hospitalized since Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The cause of death was not released, but Imus had battled prostate cancer for years following his diagnosis in 2009, according to published reports.
Deirdre, his wife of 25 years, and his 21-year-old son Wyatt were at his side. The family’s statement also mentioned that his adopted son Zachary Don Cates, who overcame leukemia and was an early participant of the Imus Ranch Program for Kids, which offers outdoor opportunities for children with cancer, “was returning from military service overseas.”
The sharp-witted broadcaster, whose last broadcast was in March 2018, was known for his “Imus in the Morning” program, a three-hour daily mix of satire, observational humor, political jabs and other entertainment.
Imus’ brash style gained him a wide following, especially among men 25 and older, but it also landed him in hot water. In 2007, his offhanded but demeaning comments about the looks of the Rutgers women’s basketball team prompted his firing from CBS Radio and MSNBC.
Imus made a comeback two years later under contract with the Fox Business Network, which slotted his show from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays, during which the furrowed, silver-haired broadcast legend would interact with Fox News anchors, covering an array of topics.
According to his biography, John Donald Imus Jr. was born in Riverside on July 23, 1940. His family soon departed California for mile-high country in Prescott, Arizona, where Imus spent his childhood.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after dropping out of high school and ended up playing an instrument for the USMC Band.
After his stint in the Marines, Imus changed hats multiple times, working in a uranium mine, staging mannequins in storefront windows and working as a railroad crewman, during which he suffered a neck injury on the job and received a sizable legal settlement.
He broke into broadcasting in 1971 at a radio station in Palmdale, then months later went to another one in Stockton and a third in Sacramento, all the while honing his skills as an entertainer, often relying on what in the future would become known as “shock jock” shtick.
During his disc jockey run on KXOA in Sacramento, the station hit No. 1 for that market. “Imus in the Morning” debuted on WNBC in New York City in 1971.
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New to Planet Earth says
What’s this “radio”?
phs alumni says
I thought Imus was at KUTY around 68’ish. Just sayin.
Alexis says
Charles McCord’s tirade directed at Imus for bring up his prostrate cancer continually, is golden.
Alexis says
Bringing.
Gowchong says
Started at KUTY, 1470 on your radio dial. That’s back when KUTY played the top 40 rock and roll and more. He was a “Boss Jock” back then.
Amir says
Imagine the fun he would have with Rex and his clowns if he were on today? Same with Herb Nero. It’s too bad there isn’t a real talk radio station that asks hard questions and demands accountability of the shenanigans.
Alexis says
No, I am sure he would rebuke the voters of Lancaster for not getting off their seats to vote him out of office. four terms in office was because of very low voter turnout. LEAPS, hit mailers, cronyism, bird sounds, blaming the vulnerable for being a sniper, and the loooong list goes on, still wasn’t enough to get the lazy voters to the polls. It’s not Rex’s fault, he’s just being the same old Rex; it’s voters are to blame. 11.2% voter turnout?
Payola says
Rex would have bought him out like he’s done with all other media, judges, DA, sheriff’s, etc.
Alexis says
No, it’s the voters fault for allowing him to do what he does. It’s much easier to place blame on Rex instead of the lazy voters. Shame on the voters for all their excuses instead of going to the polls to VOTE.
Payola says
It’s not the voters who make huge contributions to judges, political candidates, and the DA. Nor are they buying ads or stacking the deck of boards with yes men. That would be Rex. The voters of Lancaster are just stupid. The ones who don’t vote are lazy.
Payola says
Voters in Lancaster are not the brightest candles in the menorah. They are the ones who keep electing Rex and validating his actions, which include controlling judges, DA, boards, yada yada.
But you are right that the majority of residents in Lancaster are lazy about voting. Either that or they are happy to be led by this bizarre man.
Radio says
“…often relying on what in the future would become known as “shock jock” shtick.”
A horrible radio genre…