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Doug Banks Dead: Longtime Radio Host Dies at Age 57 From Diabetes Complications

Doug Banks
Doug Banks in 2005

A legend lost. Longtime radio and TV personality Doug Banks has passed away at the age of 57. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago-based DJ died on Monday, April 11, at his home in Florida due to complications from diabetes and kidney failure.

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“He was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known,” Marv Dyson, a longtime friend and former president and general manager of WGCI FM 107.5 and WVAZ FM 102.7, told the paper. WVAZ was the flagship station of the Ride With Doug and DeDe Show, which later became the Doug Banks Radio Show. “The money and the fame never changed him one iota. And he had that special gift of making every listener feel like he was only taking to them. On the air and off the air, he was always just a normal guy.”

The radio host began his career in Detroit at age 16 before moving to Chicago, where he started out working for station WBMX. The V103.5 personality became known as the “Dan Ryan Head,” which, according to Ebony, was “a nod to the eight-lane expressway that juts through the Windy City’s South Side.”

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DeDe McGuire, his cohost for 17 years, paid tribute to Banks on Instagram on Monday.

“Today I lost a brother, a friend, a mentor, my teacher, a life changer, a RADIO LEGEND…Doug Banks! He passed away today from complications of Diabetes. I worked, traveled, spent holidays with Doug for SEVENTEEN years! I owe much of my success to him! He was THE best, most humble, easy working person I have ever come in contact within Radio. As I mourn the loss of my friend and reminisce about our good times, I can only keep thinking of his two beautiful girls. Kennede and Kelly.. My prayers are with you, your Mom and your entire family.🙏 RIP Doug Banks, it was a PRIVILEDGE to work with you! I love you!😘,” she shared alongside a photo of them together.

Stars including Gabrielle Union also mourned the loss of the nationally syndicated radio personality.

“So sad to hear of the passing of #DougBanks He was such a sweet, considerate man & always very supportive. Truly will be missed. RIP,” the actress wrote on Twitter.

Banks made his last public appearance in Chicago on Friday, April 8, at the Black Women’s Expo. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, three daughters and son. 

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