Don Imus Dies — Top Shock Jock Passes Away at 79

Don Imus Dies — Top Shock Jock Passes Away at 79

Don Imus, one of the biggest names in radio for decades, has died at 79.

“[Imus] tested the limits of shock radio with his irreverent attacks on celebrities, politicians, racial and ethnic groups, women, gay people and practically anyone whose head stuck up out of the foxhole, died on Friday in College Station, Texas,” reports the New York Times.

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One of his regular guests was former Providence Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci.

“Among those championing Cianci’s innocence was New York City radio talk-show host Don Imus, who often invites the mayor to appear on his nationally syndicated show. “To suggest that Buddy Cianci is a thug greatly offends me,” Imus said. “It’s another example of ethnic profiling,” reported the Los Angles Times during Cianci’s indictment in 2004

A publicist, Matthew Hiltzik, confirmed his death, at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. The cause was not specified. On his “Imus in the Morning” show on March 16, 2009, Mr. Imus disclosed that he had prostate cancer.

"He was advised to have radiation treatments, but said he had chosen to treat the disease holistically,” according to the New York Times

"The outpouring of sympathy after his disclosure about his prostate cancer reflected not only his wide following as a radio personality but also admiration for his private charity work, raising millions for the rehabilitation of wounded veterans of the Iraq war and for children with cancer and siblings of victims of sudden infant death syndrome, who had spent summers since 1999 on his ranch near Ribera, N.M.," reported the Times.