Longtime, popular radio personality Gary Burbank passes away

One of Cincinnati's most beloved radio personalities has died. Gary Burbank left listeners laughing for more than 25 years on WLW before he retired in 2007. Born in 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, Gary Burbank began his radio career as "Bill Williams" and then "Johnny Apollo" at stations in Louisiana in the 1960s. But Burbank became an overnight star at Louisville's "Wacky" WAKY in 1968, and after a few years of travel around the country and even Canada, Burbank made his Cincinnati debut in 1981. It was on the BIG ONE -- 700 WLW that his became a household name -- partly due to WLW's huge footprint across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. But it was mostly due to the incredible amount of original comedy he created five days a week. He described his show as "Theater of the Mind." Burbank's mind seemed to be in constant metamorphosis voicing crazy characters for his afternoon drive show, from the full-blooded redneck Earl Pitts Uhmerikun to the hilarious crank calling Gilbert Gnarley and Howlin' Blind Muddy Slim and many more. Callers to the Burbank show turned the tables on his crew with listeners asking the questions on the Sports or Consequences trivia segments. He signed off for the last time when he retired on December 21, 2007. Burbank was also an accomplished musician, performing with Memphis based "The Marquis." He would later create the non-profit Play It Forward in Cincinnati, playing music with artists like Sonny Moorman and Tim Goshorn and raising money to cover medical costs for musicians who didn't have insurance. Burbank won numerous awards, including prestigious Marconi Awards for Large Market Personality of the Year. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. In an interview shortly before he signed off at WLW in 2007, he said a lot of his personalities were based on real people. Earl Pitts was his dad, who started every morning by saying "you know what makes me sick?" Earl Pitts continued to air in nationally syndicated commentaries until 2021. Burbank collaborated on his biography with late former TV sportscaster Greg Hoard. It was a chance to again thank everyone who listened over the years and his words, I "especially want to thank you for getting it. I couldn't ask for more." Gary Burbank was 84 and passed away in Louisville after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Tracy, son Shawn, and some grandchildren. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WKRC on Facebook:   / wkrctv   WKRC on Twitter:   / local12   WKRC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local12wkrc... WKRC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@local12wkrc?l... Subscribe to WKRC on YouTube:    / @local12wkrc   For more information, visit https://www.local12.com/ Download the WKRC News app: https://local12.com/station/news-app Download the WKRC Weather app: https://local12.com/weather/weather-app Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 513.421.6872 WKRC is an OH based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WKRC #LOCAL12 #cincinnati #news #cincinnatinews This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at [email protected]