(USA Today) -- Longtime Chicago radio personality Doug Banks, commonly described as a radio legend, has died suddenly, one of his stations announced Monday. He was 57.
Banks worked at Chicago's V103 and WGCI, had a nationally syndicated show, appeared on ABC7's 190 North, and once made a guest appearance on Damon Wayans' sitcom My Wife and Kids.
The cause of death was not officially announced but he had long suffered from diabetes and ABC7 reported he died of complications from diabetes.
The news was announced by V103 on Facebook and Twitter.
It is with a heavy heart we share the news Doug Banks has passed away. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this time.
— V103 Chicago (@V103) April 11, 2016
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel paid tribute on Twitter, saying his infectious personality, coupled with passion and perspective, "brought joy to countless Chicagoans and left an indelible impact on our city."
“With the passing of Doug Banks, Chicago has lost one of our most iconic radio voices." pic.twitter.com/omz0gE13st
— ChicagosMayor (@ChicagosMayor) April 11, 2016
Calvin Douglas Banks, Jr was born in Philadelphia and raised in Detroit, according to his bio on his website and his station website. He started his radio career at his high school radio station and later worked at stations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oakland and eventually Chicago.
#DougBanks, a talented brother,longtime friend & community servant. The voice of hope, joy & info has left us. #RIP pic.twitter.com/VW7brEWrfA
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) April 11, 2016
For 16 years, until 1997, he hosted a nationally syndicated radio show, appealing especially to a urban, black audience. Along with sidekick DeDe McGuire, his show became one of the top-rated syndicated urban programs in the country, with his signature Adult Conversations and Dear Doug letters from listeners.
His show and musical menu have been compared to Tom Joyner's and Steve Harvey's shows.
Doug Banks wasn't just my Turntable Brother, he was my other brother! We did this back when… https://t.co/sLcjf8fqF8
— Tom Joyner (@TJMShow) April 11, 2016
In 2008, he launched a new afternoon show on V103, and in 2010, moved the show to American Urban Networks and renamed it The Doug Banks Show.
He also made a guest appearance on the sitcom My Wife and Kids
His admirers took to Twitter to mourn.
