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Gary Burbank, the longtime 700 WLW-AM personality and renowned nationally syndicated radio jockey, has died. He was 84.
Fox 19 has reported that his friend, Bill Cunningham, confirmed his demise in a post on X on August 28. He was known for crafting various characters on air, including Earl Pitts American, Gilbert Gnarley, Deuteronomy Skaggs, a Right Rev., and Howlin’ Blind Muddy Slim, a blues musician.
Gary Burbank stepped into retirement in December 2007, having begun his work on WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 15, 1981. He reportedly began his career in radio as "Bill Williams" at KLPL in Lake Providence, Louisiana.
However, he soon shifted to KUZN in West Monroe, where he adapted the moniker "Johnny Apollo." He had a few stints at WWUN and WAKY, though it was only at the latter did he became known as Burbank, despite his legal name being Billy Purser.
Gary Burbank's life and legacy explored:
In his statement on X, Bill Cunningham wrote of his late friend:
"I received word tonight that the Most talented Radio Host of all time… Gary Burbank.. needs your special prayers as he confronts serious health issues..Remember Gary.. his wife Carol and family in your prayers.. His life and career has been long and consequential…"
The Radio Hall of Fame has reported that Purser adopted the name Gary Burbank in honor of radio veteran and Laugh-In announcer Gary Owens. It marked his shift from music into humor and politics as he used various characters and voices. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fox 19 has reported that Burbank nabbed the Billboard magazine and Marconi awards twice for large-market radio personality of the year. Apart from his stints in radio, he served as a host and DJ in Tennessee and Windsor, Ontario.
He also launched several of his own restaurants, including Burbank’s Real Bar-B-Q and Ribs in Sharonville. However, this closed down two years after he retired, in 2009.
In the wake of his demise, tributes have come pouring in on X. Terry Meiners, fellow radio jockey, took to X to mark Burbank's passing. Coupled with a photo of the two grinning for the camera, he wrote:
"The man who made us all laugh has passed. God rest the soul of my radio big brother Gary Burbank. There was no greater thrill than having America’s greatest ever radio personality sit down for a chat. He’s making Saint Peter chuckle right now."
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