[December 30, 2019] Many across the nation were saddened to hear about the death last week of Don Imus; radio shock-jock, family man, comedian, and philanthropist. He was controversial, and when the next dictionary update is published, his photo might be part of the definition of “provocateur.” Ending the year 2019 on this profile is an honor for me. I was one of his dedicated fans.
Don Imus was an abrasive radio personality that never shied away from acidic humor and telling us what he thought. He was known to his fans as the “I-man” who prided himself on speaking his mind on politics, pop culture, and other hot topics.1 People either hated him or loved him. I listened to him on WOR 710 Radio out of New York.
Interestingly, Don Imus had been fired from several jobs before his long-run radio career and after. His sense of humor rarely aligned with the political correctness of America, causing him trouble. The I-man was a take-no-prisoners interviewer on his radio show. If Don Imus interviewed you and you tried to be funny, he could see it a mile away and make you suffer the consequences.
Here are a few of Don Imus’ leadership traits:
- Honest, open, and creative
- Tough, rugged, and with a laser-focused mind
- Funny, in a controversial way
- Passionate about his family and charity for children with cancer
- Highly Intelligent
- Outrageous and witty
Facing a barrage of criticism for referring to the Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team as being “nappy-headed hos,” he apologized. I heard the comment, and it was nothing different in his remarks than on any other day.2 The university, the basketball team, and the media overreacted.
“I wasn’t trying to be outrageous. It’s just the way I thought. My feeling was then, and is now, that if they didn’t like what I did, get somebody else to do it.” – Don Imus on his style as a radio personality
Imus was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Radio Hall of Fame in 1989. He earned four Marconi awards during his long career.
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- https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/don-imus-dead-79-radio-broadcaster-iman-1203452721/
- The difference was that the team was made up of mostly black women who had no sense of humor. Colleges have morally weak leaders, and the results are predictable.
Thank-you Gen. Satterfield for giving us a profile of Don Imus (my personal hero and favorite radio host). It is hard to describe him. For those that listened to Don Imus regularly, he was the kind of real person we all want to be; hard life, success, and fighting the good fight. Thank you Don Imus for your contribution to comedy, entertainment, and to a positive philosophy of life.
You got that right, Otto. I too enjoyed Don Imus’ radio program. He was one of the greats.
They say that Don Imus was popular with men over the age of 25. I agree but he also had a fabulous following by younger women too.
Excellent content on the profile. I would add”brash” on the second line.
brash, ADJECTIVE
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way.
“he could be brash, cocky, and arrogant”
General Satterfield, another great article in your series on Profiles of Leaders. You might want to put this into one of your electronic books at some point in the future when you’ve got enough of them. And then draw parallels for us. Thanks.
Thank you Valkerie. Excellent suggestion for Gen. Satterfield. There are many mini-series that he has put together over the years this leadership website has been in existence. The suggestion should be acted upon. We can all give advice, of course.
Don Imus was a great man. His life was tough and tragic but he made the most of it and I respect him for that. I never listened to his radio show but I’m sure it was great fun.
People often missed the point when Don Imus made fun of you or insulted you, he was actually showing he had great respect for you. Otherwise, you were a nobody. He only talked about people who were worthy. Too bad everyone appears to have a chip on their shoulder today. That is an outgrowth of allowing kids in college and now in HS to be snowflakes. ?
Excellent point that people miss much too often.
Don Imus kicked some serious butt yet you had to be worthy of it first.
old warrior, you are just too funny. But you are right when you said you had to be worthy. I’ll add that you had to be worthy of being insulted, demeaned, and put down. That is how he gave you respect. We have forgotten about that technique.
Don Imus gets four thumbs up from me. ????
I remember him getting fired stupidly over his funny comments about the Rutgers basketball team. The fact that they were mentioned on his show should have been a source of pride. But, given they were black females (who always seem to have a chip on their shoulders), they complained just to show people not to mess with them. They got Don Imus fired. But he bounced back and was better than ever. The “girls” on the team (immature is why I say girls) actually did him a favor. They are losers today, Don Imus is famous.
Eva, you just wrote what I was thinking. The Rutgers Basketball Team is not that good any more and the “girls” on it are probably no bodies now. Some are in jail. Some are drug addicts who did nothing else in their pitiful lives. Don Imus was the man.
So true.
Eva and you guys got it right. The basketball team showed their lack of class and understanding. College administrators let them get away with it. All are failures in my book. Only Don Imus came out ahead.
Don Imus’ radio show was definitely New York City centric but since it was clear that he “told the story like he wanted to”, it made listening to him a pleasure. No one today could get away with that sort of truthful humor. That is why I was one who appreciated his show even though I’m no New York City fan.
Yeah and he was like just about everywhere, even in NYC where you had to be the best or you were GONE.
I’m also no NYC fan and I would never want to go there (too trashy and the people are rude) but Don Imus was a bright star that made the city look civilized in a funny sort of way.
Correct, Kenny and these bright stars are rare indeed. I loved listening to the Don Imus radio program every weekday morning. Sometimes we would talk about what he said while we were working and enjoyed the banter about Imus’ ranch where he helped kids with cancer.
As a New Yorker, I agree that Don Imus (the I-Man) was the best.
You got that right. He was a REAL man, not some phony like we see with politicians who are trying to be someone they are not.
Right to point out our politicians. Liz Warren and the rest of the Democratic nutjobs that are running for US Pres. On the other hand, Bernie Sanders is real; just a dangerous real.
Yep, “THE I-MAN” was great. Used to listen to him on my car radio while going to work.
Yep, one of the very best. I miss his radio show.