 |
| Gary Burbank (1941-2025) |
Gary Burbank, born Billy Purser in July 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, at the age of 84 in Louisville, Kentucky, after a long illness.
His death was confirmed by longtime WLW host Bill Cunningham and Burbank’s nonprofit, Play It Forward. Burbank was a beloved radio personality who entertained listeners for over 25 years on Cincinnati’s 700 WLW, from June 15, 1981, until his retirement on December 21, 2007.
Known for his comedic genius and iconic characters like Earl Pitts, Gilbert Gnarley, and Deuteronomy Skaggs, he created a unique "Theater of the Mind" that captivated audiences across the Ohio Valley. His Earl Pitts commentaries, syndicated nationally on about 200 stations, continued until January 1, 2021, when he retired the character due to age and health issues, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosed before 2007.
Burbank’s career began in the 1960s under names like Bill Williams and Johnny Apollo, but he gained fame at Louisville’s WAKY in 1968, where he adopted the name Gary Burbank, inspired by Gary Owens of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.
His WLW show, often broadcast from his Florida home in later years, featured memorable segments like Sports or Consequences, where callers quizzed the hosts, and was regionally syndicated to stations like WTVN in Columbus and WAKR in Akron.
The Gary Burbank Tribute on Vimeo https://t.co/mWM2wF2JH4
— Bill Cunningham (@Willie700WLW) August 28, 2025
Burbank won back-to-back Marconi Awards for Large Market Personality of the Year in 1990 and 1991 and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
Beyond radio, Burbank was an accomplished musician, performing with Memphis-based band The Marquis and later founding Play It Forward in Cincinnati to support independent musicians with medical costs.
He collaborated with artists like Sonny Moorman and Tim Goshorn and even owned Burbank’s BBQ restaurants in Cincinnati. Survived by his wife Carol, daughter Tracy, son Shawn, and five granddaughters, Burbank’s legacy lives on through his innovative comedy and contributions to radio and music. Social media posts from fans and colleagues, including Cunningham’s tribute calling him “the most talented radio host of all time,” reflect the profound impact he had.