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BIO
Wednesday 03-11-2009 1:40pm ET
After a stint at WGAR radio in Cleveland, Ohio, Imus moved to New York City and WNBC radio in December 1971. Imus then returned to work in Cleveland at WHK and regeared for what continues to be an unprecedented 30 year run in New York, the most competitive radio market in the world. In 1978, Imus commuted between Cleveland and New York to tape a TV talk show, Imus Plus at WNEW-TV.
Imus returned in September 1979 as WNBC's morning drive time host. From 1982 to 1985, the station also employed talk-radio host Howard Stern, and WNBC heavily promoted the pair in print and television ads, which often featured the slogan "If We Weren't So Bad, We Wouldn't Be That Good." Although Stern's show aired later in the day, Imus and Stern often made brief appearances on each other's shows, giving the audience an occasional glimpse of an on-and-off-air rivalry that continued for many years.
During this period, Imus was best known for character Billy Sol Hargus, a radio evangelist whose name was a cross between infamous real-life radio and television preacher Billy James Hargis and real-life Texas fertilizer swindler Billie Sol Estes. As Billy Sol Hargus, Imus touted on-air the merits of the "First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship". Imus published the 1981 best selling novel God's Other Son that further depicted Hargus's adventures. The novel was republished in 1994 by popular demand and spent seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
Imus was also the utility announcer for Geraldo Rivera's monthly TV series Good Night, America, which aired as a recurring segment of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment program. Imus was also one of the inaugural video jockeys for the launch of the VH-1 cable network in 1985.
The radio show became nationally syndicated in 1993, and began simulcasting on MSNBC in 1996. He wore his signature cowboy hat during his broadcasts.
Imus was instrumental in raising over $60 million toward Center for the Intrepid, a Texas rehabilitation facility for soldiers wounded in the Iraq War. Considered to be the largest technological center of its kind in the country, it is designed to help treat disabled veterans and help them with their transition back into the community.
More recently, Imus took on the cause of the living conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Imus visits wounded vets at the hospital and is a morale booster for these heroes. Imus' reporting preceded Army resignations, including that of Lieutenant General Kevin Kiley, then Army Surgeon General. Imus had earlier criticized Kiley's personal fitness for military duty and dedication to wounded soldiers.
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