Fred Imus, 69, songwriter, caller on brother’s show

August 10, 2011|By Daniel E. Slotnik, New York Times

FRED IMUS (DON IMUS )

NEW YORK - Fred Imus, a country songwriter and radio personality who appeared frequently on his older brother Don’s radio show, was found dead in his trailer in Tucson Saturday.

He was 69.

He died in his sleep, said Matthew Hiltzik, a spokesman for Don Imus.

Mr. Imus appeared on country radio shows, most recently cohosting “Fred’s Trailer Park Bash’’ on Sirius XM Radio, with a politically incorrect style like his brother’s.

He produced Don’s show for a time and called in for decades, becoming “a regular guest who wouldn’t leave,’’ Imus said through Hiltzik.

Although the two often argued on the air, they ended every call with “I love you.’’

Before the Imus brothers ventured into radio, they recorded a song called “I’m a Hot Rodder (And All That Jazz)’’ in 1963, billed as Jay Jay Imus and Freddy Ford.

Mr. Imus peaked musically in 1976 when he wrote “I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You’’ with Phil Sweet, who worked with him on the railroad. The song was recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius and reached number one on the country charts.

Fredric Moore Imus was born in Los Angeles. He attended Kent State University in Ohio and served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

He married and divorced twice.

Besides his brother, he leaves three sons and several grandchildren.

Mr. Imus also co-wrote two books, “The Fred Book,’’ with the Daily News columnist Mike Lupica, and “Two Guys, Four Corners: Great Photographs, Great Times, and a Million Laughs,’’ with his brother.