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 (562)
Now we know where our Imus is at. Godspeed Mr. Imus and thanks for all the laughs over the decades. You are irreplaceable. ♡
I remember listening one morning and Don said we try to give people hope and information daily to make the road of life easier.how many times when your having bad day did you listen or watch and FEEL better after doing so.Thats his biggest gift and legacy.
I have a lotta time invested with you, Iman. I go way back to the times you were in a closet-sized studio with MSNBC and you’d get pissed with MSNBC and begin taping sheets of paper in front of the remote cameras to block the TV coverage. I was one of a very few who had his letter read by you on air about anti-gun laws. I was elated! RIP, Iman. I’ll hear you on your next 50,000 watt AM flamethrower in the sky........❤️
I love the Iman I am so sorry Wyatt and family
Don Imus was one of he driving forces behind my decision to get into broadcasting more than 45 years ago. I too grew up on a farm/ranch and so I could relate to that part of his life as well over the years, and I used to get a kick out of hearing little stories from his youth on the ranch. I met him once in NY years ago. I have always told everyone since then that he was in many ways, in person exactly like he was on the air... "what you see is what you get" and there was nothing fake about the man... yet in other ways, he was a total 180 from that person. He had the talent to both separate and blend the two beautifully. Don's philanthropic work is (as far as I know) unrivaled by anyone else in radio... period! He made the transformation from one of the best music radio jocks to one of the best talk radio/interviewers and he made it look easy. I have gone over the years from music to talk, and believe me... it ain't as easy as Don Imus made it appear!! Radio today is not anything like it once way, and with the loss of Don Imus, it will never be possible to exist as it was again. My deepest condolences to the Imus family as you feel the pain of your loss. Radio... and broadcasting in general... has also suffered a tremendous loss. If heaven has a radio station, it just added a very talented personality to the lineup!
I am heartbroken over the passing of the I-Man. This may sound silly but I feel like I know him as I listened to him for over 30 years on my commute to work. For some of those years it was an hour commute and it went by like it was 10 minutes. His wit, humor, intelligence and ability to call out BS are just a few of the traits I admired in him. And he would call out BS no matter who he was talking to!! He was a good man who did a lot of good in this world. I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Mr. Imus. Hopefully you and Fred are having a grand ole time now.
You were The GOAT. No One...Nobody could ever come close. You started it all. Imus helped us start so many days, when the last thing we wanted to do was get up and go to work...you made the drudgery of the working stiff easier. RIP, JD. Say hi to Fred. I miss you like hell!
I spent 20 years listening to Imus on my daily commute in CT. Every Monday, I would get into my car, anxious to turn on the radio, to hear that familiar voice. Yes, Imus was a bit of a curmudgeon at times, but it only made him more human. I learned so much from him. He was intelligent, honest, kind, and compassionate. I loved to listen to the banter between Deirdre and him. She always won... There is so much to say, but I will leave it at this. I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is with Jesus, and Jesus’ first words when he arrived were “Well done, my son. Well done.” My most heartfelt sympathies go to Deirdre, Wyatt, and Zack.
Sincerest condolences. Imus got me to work for many years. Mornings have not been the same since he retired. May he Rest In Peace.
A great entertainer with great music tastes as well. RIP Don
I remember listening to the I Man on “WNBC” as a young boy when driving to school with my dad. I found him again about 20 yea later on WFAN.
He was funny, sarcastic, smart, and a great interviewer! I never found him offensive because EVERYBODY was fair game including himself!
I always got him and his humor! One of a kind and will be missed greatly!!!
My condolences to the entire Imus family. I've been a daily listener since the 80's and fondly but sadly remember his mic drop signoff a few years ago. The I-Man made my mornings. I will always remember him. May God bless you all. He and Fred are reunited.
My sincere condolences to the Imus family! Was a big fan ,loved his show and career! Watched you grow up from a far Wyatt, you are close to my children’s age. God bless and peace to your family!
My condolences to the entire Imus family. I grew up in and have lived in NJ for most of my life and the only times I didn’t have my morning radio tuned to Imus was when he wasn’t on the air where I lived. He was funny, smart, and adapted with the times to change his show to make it a must-listen when other morning shows were just doing the same old thing. His love for family and friends came through every day and I’ve missed him on the air during my commute since he went off the air. Thank you I-Man
He was a man of my age and I shared several years of my life with he and the radio family. Recently I remembered when he asked John Kerry to have the campaign train stop at the crossing near the ranch, and of course that two faced snake never did. I hope he’s still cursing him in heaven. Bless all of the family.
I-man you were a trailblazer in every sense of the word and will be missed immensely. God bless you and the loved ones you’ve left behind.
Thank you for entertaining, inspiring, and educating. I listened from the beginning. Missed you in exhile. Rejoiced upon your return. I was a music radio DJ but started my days listening to you. Met you at NBC briefly, I worked there after college in the music department . I always respected and admired your intelligence and talent. Never at a loss for words. Condolences to your beatiful family. Thank you I-Man.
You will be missed Iman. Love and hugs for Wyatt,Zach& Deirdre. A piece of my heart has left me.
He was simply the best at what he did—the G.O.A.T. in talk radio.
I was close friend of Fred Imus for several years, and met Don & Deirdre on a few occasions. On every phone call, the brothers ended with saying "I Love You" to each other. My deepest sympathies to those who loved Don...and those that he loved...on the loss of husband, father, uncle and friend.
My condolences to the Imus family. I had a lousy commute for 7 years in the 90's and Imus, Bernie, Charles and Mike Breen made it not only bearable, but a lot of fun. Thanks Imus and God Bless.
Imus was simply the best....from the morning I was working out and found him on MSNBC till the last broadcast from his home, he made my day. Loved his wit and humor, and the desire to ask any politician any question. Life has not been the same since he left the airways.
His and your family’s drive to help kids with cancer as well as the many other causes was an inspiration to countless others.
What a great radio show has to be going on up in Heaven since last Friday. My thoughts and prayers are with the Imus family
He will be missed...
I have been an avid Imus fan from that fateful day in 1971 when, at 11 yrs old, I first heard him on NY radio. When I heard of his passing, I cried...part of my life passed with him.
John Donald Imus, rest in peace - say Hi to brother Fred for me and please, never stop looking down upon us and reminding us that it's all absurd and we should poke at it and laugh at it because - and this is important - life is far too short not to.
A Fan every since you came to the NY area . Radio was never the same after you left. We miss you every day. Our loss began the day you left the airwaves. Now our loss is final . The IMUS "family" is grieving but at least we have such fond memories of how he touched our lives . Now he has joined , Fred , riding side by side again.. All the best to Diedre and Wyatt.