Category : Industry Passings
Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
Steve Harvey Show Criticized for Treadmill Tribute
Steve Harvey Morning Show faces backlash for conducting a tribute to late radio icon Doug Banks while on a treadmill, sparking debate about professionalism in...
Doug Banks Memorial Services
Radio legend Doug Banks' memorial service will be held April 16th at 10 am at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, TX following his recent...
Doug Banks, R&B Icon, Dies from Diabetes Complications at 63
Radio icon Doug Banks died at 63 from diabetes complications. The disease disproportionately affects the Black community through poor diet and lifestyle factors....
Industry Vet Doug Banks Dies
Veteran radio personality and syndicated host Doug Banks has died after battling diabetes for many years. The beloved Chicago radio legend worked at stations like...
RIP Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, ATCQ Co-Founder
A Tribe Called Quest co-founder Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor has died at age 45 after battling diabetes and kidney issues. The legendary rapper formed the...
Denise Vanity Mathews Dies After Battling Kidney Failure
Denise 'Vanity' Mathews, former Prince prot�g� and Vanity 6 member, died after battling kidney failure. She struggled to raise funds for medical costs....
Denise “Vanity” Mathews has Died, Who was She?
Denise 'Vanity' Matthews, Prince prot�g� and 80s entertainer, died Feb. 15, 2016 at age 57 from kidney-related health problems. She later became an ordained minister....
Steve Harvey: “All Of Our Children Were Murdered”
Steve Harvey hosts emotional town hall on Chicago gun violence featuring mothers who lost children. Raw, powerful conversation addresses the city's ongoing crisis....
Industry Veteran Reflects on Growth and Networking Success
Music industry veteran shares insights on career longevity after 30 years, emphasizing networking and continuous growth for sustained success....
Former 92Q Radio DJ “Reggie Reg” Dies
Former 92Q radio DJ Reggie Calhoun, known as 'Reggie Reg,' died of congestive heart failure in Baltimore. The beloved radio personality was remembered for his...
Legendary DJ Big Kap Found Dead – RIP
Legendary hip hop DJ Big Kap (Keith Carter) was found dead at age 45 in New York. Known for working with Notorious BIG, he performed...
Kris Kelley Funeral Information
Funeral arrangements announced for Kris Kelley (Lavonne Battle) on Friday Jan 29th at 11am at Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia....
Industry Friends Support Colonel Abrams Tribute in NY
Industry friends unite for Colonel Abrams tribute concert in NY featuring performances by Joyce Sims, First Choice, and more. The benefit supported the legendary artist...
Iced-o-lation: The Darker Side of Working in Urban Radio
Urban radio veteran Kris Kelley was found dead in her apartment, marking the third WGCI employee to die alone. The tragedy highlights isolation issues plaguing...
David Bowie, Iconic Music Legend, Passes Away at Age 69
Iconic musician David Bowie has passed away at age 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer. The revolutionary artist, known for hits like 'Fame' and...
Music Producer Deon Evans, Key to Tupac, Dies
Deon "Big D" Evans, the legendary producer behind Tupac's biggest hits including "Changes" and "Brenda's Got a Baby," has died at 45 in Los Angeles....
PBS Arts Fall Festival: Latin Michael Jackson Tribute
PBS Arts Fall Festival launches with Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, hosted by Sheila E. The concert features classic MJ hits reimagined by...
Sax Man Wilton Felder Passes
Crusaders saxophonist Wilton Felder died September 27, 2015. The founding member helped pioneer jazz-rock fusion and played bass on Jackson 5's hit....
Industry Vet Larry Doc Elliott in Hospice Care
Industry veteran Larry 'Doc' Elliott, beloved radio DJ known for his 40-year career spanning stations from KBLX to WHUR, passed away in hospice care on...
Radio Personality Jim Lynam Suffers Unexpected Death
Radio host Jim Lynam of WFXF-FM/103.9 The Fox and former Q101 Morning Fix personality died Tuesday at age 42 from sudden aortic dissection during emergency...
Aunt Believes Nick Gordon Involved in Bobbi Kristina’s Death
Bobbi Kristina Brown's aunt Leolah publicly accused Nick Gordon and family member Pat of involvement in her niece's death after walking out of funeral services....
90s Rapper MC Supreme Killed on PCH
90s rapper MC Supreme was killed at age 47 on Malibu's PCH when a drunk driver hit his parked car. The artist was known for...
DGA Honors Director Tim Story at Special Tribute Event
The DGA's African American Steering Committee honored director Tim Story at a special tribute event. Story has directed six #1 box office films grossing over...
Teddy Riley Tribute to Johnny Kemp at Tom Joyner Cruise
Teddy Riley delivers heartfelt tribute to Johnny Kemp at Tom Joyner Fantastic Cruise where the late R&B singer was scheduled to perform....
Man Accused of Killing Radio Employee Claims Innocence
Antwon Banks, 31, goes on trial for the 2014 murder of radio station employee Daniel Flores in Wichita. Banks maintains his innocence in a letter...