Bobby OJay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans

ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. 2 2 O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA.

ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station.

The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.

O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA.

When he would usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music.

A cause of death has not been released by authorities.

“We’re doing as well as can be expected,” O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG.

Read More News

“We just listened to him this morning, you know, and he sounded like the picture of health. It’s a process.”

Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life.

One fan tweeted: "Local legendary DJ - Bobby O’Jay has passed - prayers up for a Memphis legend…it was sudden- he was on the radio this morning."

Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby O’Jay. God bless his family, friends and coworkers."

Most read in The US Sun

Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter.

“I’m very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby O’Jay.  I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say," he wrote. 

"I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.“

O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021.

He was known as a pioneer of Black radio.

Read More on The US Sun

Tennessee State Rep Antonio Parkinson said: "This is not only a loss for us as a city in Memphis, but a loss to all of us in the black community nationally, those of us in black music and radio and those of us who saw him as a mentor.

"Bobby O’Jay is Black Radio history and  has forged many spaces that others hadn’t while creating  opportunities for many of the success that we’ve seen in both radio and black music. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.“

We pay for your stories!

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57zZ6urGdlZ4J3gZZrZpunkpfGbrvJmrBmnJWWsW7Dw6KYZqCfqMFuucSmp6Gho2K%2ForDIqGY%3D

 Share!