“I’ll tell you how this works, I talk and you listen.” ......and so a Radio Hall of Famer of the brightest magnitude shone.
On a personal note, this is about the saddest news I’ve had this year. I first learned of John Donald while falling asleep to a NY Ranger game at age 14 in 1971. I was awakened the next morning by Moby Worm demolishing someone’s school on request. That followed by Right Reverend Billy Sol Hargas. I was hooked in 30 minutes to follow the rest of his career.
He was not controversial, he was brilliant. Charles McCord’s writing with Imus’ delivery and spontaneous razor sharp wit made the New Yorker’s New Yorker.
I had the good fortunate to talk to him on the air live a few times, recorded on tape. While 14 he asked if I wished to be 15, I said Yes. He told me to hang up. He sent me his baseball cards, I bought “1,200 hamburgers.....”
I had the blessing to hear him pre-simulcast and network. He was better earlier, his biting NY-centric barbs had to be curtailed for a national audience.
Something Imus is rarely credited is saving sports radio. WFAN was in the throes of financial ruin before his arrival. His return to 660 on the dial saved the station, the lone sports station in the country, and thus the format.
The manifestation of his genius was the move from pure satirical comedy to a balance of politics and intellectual humor. His show was the place to go if you were a politician of any note. Bill Clinton’s rebound in the ‘92 primary is often credited to his appearance on Imus.
I guess it is appropriate to conclude with Imus’ signature tongue in cheek close, “Keep those cards and letters.”
and as the Right Reverend would end, “Put your hands on your radio. Say Hallelujah, Say Amen.”
Topic: Don Imus, Legendary 'Imus in the Morning' Host, Dies at 79 (Read 2252 times)
