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Gary Burbank: 1941-2025

Art Vuolo, Jr. has shared news of the passing of one-time CKLW air talent Gary Burbank  Burbank died early Thursday (8/28) at the age of 84.  Born Billy Purser in west Tennessee, he worked at numerous radio stations which included: WMPS (Memphis), WNOE (New Orleans), WAKY and WHAS (Louisville) and CKLW in Windsor/Detroit.  He is best known for his years at “The Big One” WLW-AM in Cincinnati. 

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Saginaw Radio Personality Terry Lenz Passes at 74

Your MAB is sad to pass word that longtime Saginaw radio personality Terry Lenz passed away August 6 at the age of 74.  Lenz joined WSGW in 1978 and was the on-air personality for the “Four for the Morning” and “Terry and Dave in the Morning” shows, partnering with Dave Maurer. He also hosted “QuizLine” and “TradeLine”.

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Retired WKAR Public Media Trailblazer Ilene “Beany” Tomber Passes at 97

Retired WKAR Public Media Education Coordinator Ilene “Beany” Tomber passed away July 16 at her Arizona home at the age of 97. During her time at the Michigan State University-based public broadcasting station, Tomber created and led the corporate development division and launched and led numerous education and community engagement programs that continue to impact Michigan’s capital region community today. She retired from WKAR in 2017.

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Detroit Radio Icon Buzz VanHouten Passes Away at Age 81

VanHouten had a successful decades-long radio career in sales and management at Detroit radio stations, including WABX, WJR, WRIF, WLLZ and 97.1 the Ticket.  Following his radio days, he became a digital consultant in the advertising and marketing industry.  He most recently was a consultant to Blarney Stone Broadcasting in Graying.

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WWJ Reporter/Anchor Mike Campbell Dies at Age 65

“We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike Campbell’s passing. Mike was more than a colleague at WWJ Newsradio 950; he was a friend to us all and a trusted voice for our listeners, bringing the stories of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to life. We are truly heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” said WWJ news director Rob Davidek in a statement.

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Former WOOD Radio Anchor/Reporter John Smith Passes at 64

Your MAB is sad to pass along word that former WOOD Radio (Grand Rapids) news anchor/reporter John Christopher “Smitty” Smith passed away May 11 at age 64, just three days before his 65th birthday. Smith started his broadcasting career while a student at Michigan State University at WILS-AM (Lansing). 

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Bob Kelly – 50 Years in Toledo Radio Gone at 84

Radio’s Best Friend and Michigan’s very own Art Vuolo, Jr. shares news of the passing of Bob Kelly.  Born Norman Plumer in Akron on May 15, 1941, Bob Kelly died on his 84th birthday after an impressive five decade career on Toledo radio, with a five year insert at WWJ in Detroit. 

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Legendary Detroit Reporter Al Allen Dies

2021 Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Inductee Al Allen, who retired from WJBK-TV in 2012.

Al Allen, a Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame honoree who worked in broadcast news in Detroit for over 50 years, passed away this past Tuesday (2/4) at the age of 79.  Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, his family moved to Detroit and he started reporting at Mumford High School for the student in-house broadcast, “Spotlight on Mumford.”

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