R.I.P.: Aris Hampers, Longtime West Michigan Personality

Aris Hampers (1949-2023)

Longtime West Michigan radio personality Aris Hampers died Sunday, Feb. 5, according Mlive.com.

Hampers, 73, spent 37 years on the air as a rock radio host before retiring. He spent time at several West Michigan radio stations, including WLAV, WFFX, WCUZ, WKLQ, WBFX and WMAX.

“Aris was a very genuine, funny and kindhearted man who cherished the love of family and friends and the gift of music. Aris continued to give back to the music community his entire life,” the obituary said.

Hampers was a part of WLAV’s station launch, transforming it into a pivotal rock station in Grand Rapids.

“He was a radio titan in the city of Grand Rapids, being a major figure for WLAV for many years,” the radio station posted on its website Monday, Feb. 6, calling it “a sad day for LAV and our listeners.”

“His love for music extended beyond a mic on the radio,” WLAV stated. “Hampers was a band member for years as well as an owner of a disc shop in Grand Rapids.”

“His passion for music began as a small child while soulfully rocking to the record player and jukebox. Throughout his life, he was exceptionally gifted at playing the piano and organ and composing music,” according to his obituary.

Hampers cause of death was not released. In 2019, Hampers did announce he had a cancerous tumor on his windpipe that had to be removed, damaging his voice box and causing the radio DJ to lose his voice.

Phil Tower, station manager at WYCE radio in Grand Rapids, said it was an honor to work alongside Hampers at WLAV in the late 1980s.

“In the height of his career at WLAV, he was probably one of the most well-respected music directors in the country,” Tower said of Hampers. “He was very innovative; he was very creative. He had a gift for knowing what was going to be the ‘next big thing’ and also taking a chance on records that didn’t fit the classic rock mold.”