Bob Bauer Signs Off
Longtime Detroit radio personality and humanitarian Bob Bauer, whose voice once graced the airwaves of such iconic Motor City stations as WLLZ, WABX, WCSX and others, died last Friday, July 21 at his home in Pinckney, MI. He was 63. As reported by The Detroit Free Press, Bauer’s death was confirmed on Friday by the Livingston County Medical Examiner’s Office. “I lost a very special friend last night,” said consultant Jack Ashton, who said he talked to Bauer every day. I had worked with him since 2012 and knew him before that at WLLZ and WABX.” Ashton says the last time he saw Bauer was in May as they broadcast from the Detroit Music Awards. “Bob was very special to me… I’ll miss him so much,” Ashton said. “It’s a hard day for me today. God bless you, Bob. Thank you for your friendship. It was an honor to know you and work with you. Rest in peace, my brother.”
During the last decade, Bauer had transitioned into Internet radio, hosting a pair of online shows from the UDetroit studio. More recently he was doing a local music show on DetroitMusicStation.com. Fellow Motor City radio vet Michael Isabella shared some of his favorite Bob Bauer memories on Facebook, saying, “Things were usually right in Bob’s world when he had a Kool cigarette in one hand and a cup of very strong black coffee in the other or a Mickey’s malt liquor in the specially priced big green bottle. I know these things because I did more events, promotions, stunts, and community givebacks with Mr. Bob Bauer than anyone else. He was always my willing co-conspirator.” Isabella added, “Like all air personalities, Bob was laser-focused on the appearance fee, free food, open bar aspects… and when he was getting his appearance fee. But he also did things for me that no one else would do — ‘Bob, we’re going to do a Toga Party at the Silverdome and you’re hosting it.’ ‘Sure,’ says Bob.”
Detroit radio icon Doug Podell, currently doing afternoons on Beasley Classic Rock WCSX, was the PD of WLLZ (“Wheels”) in 1984 when he hired Bauer to do afternoons. It was there when Bauer became known for hosting an annual station promotion then known as “Wheels for Meals.” During the holidays Bauer would set up base at a prominent Detroit street corner, living in a rented house trailer for several weeks while collecting food items from listeners and others. “He donated his time energy and effort to do that, and it turned out to be a lifetime thing for him,” said Podell.
• Memorial services for Bauer will be held on Saturday, July 29 from 2-5pm at the Harold W. Vick Funeral Home, 140 South Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. [Photo courtesy of M. Rickard]
