R.I.P.: Super Snake, Popular Phoenix Radio Personality

Super Snake, the popular Phoenix radio personality, has died at age 61. His family confirmed his death Saturday morning, AZCentral.com reports.

“We are devastated by this unexpected loss,” his family said in a statement. “Snake had the ability to make you feel like he was everyone’s best friend because he was larger than life. We will continue to honor Snake’s legacy and ask for privacy at this time. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support.”

Snake, who refused to reveal his real name, worked in San Diego radio after attending Pepperdine University. From there, he went to Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

He arrived at the old Power 92 station in the Valley in time for the Phoenix Suns’ magical run to the NBA Finals in 1993. Local media went all in covering the team and its star, Charles Barkley, and Snake was near-ubiquitous, covering the team and its players everywhere they went, and his popularity soared.

He had a signature laugh and an outgoing personality that showed in his many appearances with Suns team members, as well as other sports figures. As a child growing up in Phoenix, he was a Phoenix Suns ball boy.

Eventually, he left for New York but returned to the Valley, where he worked for HOT 97.5 and 103.9 as a DJ. He was scheduled to host a New Year’s Eve party in Scottsdale, which has been canceled.

He insisted on taking live calls, eschewing the prerecorded tracks that have become popular between songs.