Dan Ingram, Noted Top 40 DJ, Dies At 83

Dan Ingram, the famed New York DJ who helped shaped top 40 radio, died on Sunday in his Fort Lauderdale home, he was 83.

Over the past few years, Ingram was diagnosed with numerous neurological problems, including Parkinsonian syndrome. However is his son, Christopher, says that his death was unrelated to his syndrome, but rather died choking on a piece of steak. He assures that his father “did not suffer.”

The DJ got his career started by working at small stations around the country, before gaining fame at WABC-AM in 1961. He was known for his quick wit and irreverent introductions. He worked there for over 20 years and became a staple to the station.

WABC-AM then progressed over to talk radio, that’s when Ingram moved over to WKTU-FM in 1984. A few years later he moved to WCBC-FM New York before retiring in 2003.

In 2007, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007. “He combined humor, an irreverent style, and impeccable timing and established himself as the leading rock radio personality in North America,” the National Radio Hall of Fame said in a statement. “Ingram was the master of the ‘talk-up,’ speaking over the introduction and finishing his thoughts at the exact moment the lyrics started.”

Following his death, many radio DJs paid tribute to him via social media.