Posted on 08/29/2025 4:48:40 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps
The news was confirmed by longtime WLW host Bill Cunningham as well as Burbank's nonprofit Play It Forward. Burbank passed away in Louisville after a long illness.
For decades, Burbank's charismatic personality entertained listeners over the airwaves at WLW radio. His comedy and unforgettable characters entertained listeners across the Ohio Valley.
Burbank had a storied career, launching his radio career under names such as "Bill Williams" and later "Johnny Apollo" at stations across Louisiana and Mississippi in the 1960s.
He gained almost instant popularity at Louisville's WAKY, where he adopted the name Gary Burbank.
In 1981, Burbank landed his role in Cincinnati at 700-WLW where he became a household name.
It was there he developed countless radio characters like Gilbert Gnarley and Earl Pitts.
After a 25-year career at WLW, he retired in 2007.
Even after retirement, his name and iconic personas lived on for years, winning him several awards and recognitions, including his induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
Outside of his radio career, he also developed a nonprofit, Play It Forward, a comprehensive resource for the working, independent musicians of the Tri-State.
Longtime Burbank fan. He made afternoons in my car fun with "All My Bengals", "The Hunt for Reds October", "Dynasty III: The Clampetts", "Earl Pitts, Uhmerican" and more.
Particularly a fan of "Sports or Consequences".
Found a "Sports or Consequences" on Youtube from 1991...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC-aYfRKHSw
He was 84.
I remember one joke he told -- Q: What do you get when you cross a Jew with a black man? A: Someone Marge Schott really hates.
Gilbert Gnarley. G N A R L E Y
He called the White House trying to sell aluminum siding.
An also called and offered to help Ronald Reagan move out, because he liked Reagan so much!
That’s sad. He used to be my sister’s neighbor. She had a rat terrier puppy that got loose, and it bit him when he was helping her capture it. He was a great guy; my sister was mortified, but he laughed it off and was a good sport about it.
One of the funniest, most creative radio personalities ever!!
Earl Pitts : “Doesn’t France owe us for two butt-savins”
Did he make occasional appearances on Laugh In?
No, not that I know of
Another one was when he called the company to complain when bought a two-pack of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. When he took the lids off he thought the shape of the margarine in the containers resembled "the emblems of motherhood." When the person on the phone blew him off he mumbled, "You should have called it I Can't Believe It's Not Titties."
The Rules for Sports or Consequences:
No first time callers
No questions from before 1927 (unless you “go to the mountain”)
The only legitimate source for sports trivia information is what your grandfather told you in a bar.
If you ask the question as “Can you” (ie: Can you tell me who won the America League Batting Tittle in 1967?) The answer will be always be: “Yes, we Can! We don’t, we don’t we don’t mess around!”
Burbank was one of my favorite radio personalities back in the day. Sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers out to his family and friends.
He used to crack me up every Christmas season when his character Gilbert Gnarly “of the St. Pia Zadora Golden Buckeye Retirement Home” would call various toy stores asking if they had the strangest gifts that he said his grandchildren had on their list. Absolutely hilarious stuff!
Godspeed Gary!
Fillin’ up at the Gas Station | Earl Pitts. American
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA1XiObEDu8
Earl Pitts - Vegetable Rights (From “Greatest Bits”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iM0JF8UYyc
Sorry to hear the news. Used to listen to “Earl Pitts” on a station in Alabama. Made my day.
Hilarious DJ.
My favorite was when he called a Pay-per-view company and told them he is watching many, many of their movies. They thanked him profusely for watching them and then he said, “But I haven’t received a check yet for all of this watching”.
Gary Owens always joked about Burbank. Hence, Gary Burbank!
Don’t put no YO play YO gurt in YO gut.
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