R.I.P.: DC Radio Legend Bobby Bennett Passes

Bobby Bennett

Bobby Bennett, a D.C. radio legend better known as “The Mighty Burner”, has passed away at the age of 72.

Sources close to his family say that while the cause of death is not official, it's believed that Bennett died from complications from a stroke that he suffered several weeks ago.

Bennett's nickname came from his days at D.C. Soul music AM station WOL 1450 AM.

In 1967, Bennett worked as a news reporter for Pittsburgh's WAMO-AM and WZUM radio stations. One year later, in 1968, he moved to WOL-AM in Washington, D.C., where he became known to radio fans as “The Mighty Burner” and hosted a show until 1980. Bennett then hosted a sports talk show on WTOP in the early 1980s, and served as program director for WHUR-FM from 1987 to 1992. After his time at WHUR, Bennett was hired as a morning talk show host at WXTR; and, in 1997, he became the host of an R&B radio show on WPFW-FM. In 2000, Bennett created the “Soul Street” channel for XM Satellite Radio, and served as its program director until 2010. During his career, he also was employed as a record executive and as a voice over narrator.

Bennett is the co-author of The Ultimate Soul Music Trivia Book: 501 Questions and Answers About Motown, Rhythym & Blues, and More, which was published in 1997.