According to multiple reports, highly acclaimed radio host Doug Banks has passed away. He was 57. 

“Today we lost one of the greatest urban radio personalities to grace the airwaves,” V101.7 FM’s Terrence B. broke the news on Facebook today (April 11). “R.I.P. Doug Banks. Banks suffered for many years with diabetes. We will keep you posted on more details services.”

The Philadelphia-born radio host got his start early on and he began broadcasting on his high school’s radio station. As a result, he caught the attention of Detroit’s WDRQ and the station would offer him his first job as a late-night weekend DJ for a country music station.

From there, he went on to secure positions with KDAY in Los Angeles, with his career later taking him to hosting programs on KFI, KLAV, KDIA, WBMX and other top radio stations in the country.

His nationally syndicated program, “The Doug Banks Radio Show,” has garnered millions of daily listeners from across the country, and was a major milestone throughout his nearly 40-year career as a radio host and DJ. 

“I think the favorite day in the studio for me was when we talked about me being afraid of Y2K,” DeDe McGuire, his co-host for 17 years, said fondly. “I came in with a gas mask and stuff. I even have a picture. He was hiding around the studio. We had so much fun. He was like my brother…”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and supporters. 

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(Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)