Honoring Radio Legend, Steve Smith

“Steve was (that’s so hard to type) an incredible man. He was a radio innovator and one of the kindest and most creative programmers I’ve ever learned from. Most of all, he was a great person. I’m so blessed to have known him and the world will definitely be a different place without his presence.”

“It still seems unreal. Steve’s energy and passion was second to none and I’m so grateful to call Steve a business partner and friend. We’ve spent a lot of time together this year building the foundation of SRC. He always pushed the limits of what’s possible and has always been a visionary. My heart hurts. Sending love and prayers to his family.”

“I love you, Steve Smith. And yes...as you said so romantically to me the evening before you left me “What we have cannot be topped and I want you to never forget it!” He was lovingly razzing me at the time, but those words now are so serious to my heart in that you never know when someone’s life can be cut short.”

“If you really wanna know why I am a bad MF on the radio, it started with me and Smith 30 years ago. Let’s make sure we clear this up right now. If it wasn’t for Power 92, there would be no Power 98. Facts. Summer Jams, concerts that still go down in history in this town was created by this guy. Ask anybody who knows anything, the baddest MF in the game. Steve Smith. Case closed.”

“One way or another, you may be more surprised to know that Steve had an influence on getting that magic, that music in the radio out of a studio from the air, into your car and a part of your life. The magic that Steve gave us was not just the influence he had in his industry but on the emotions that the music gives us day to day, empowering our lives. His incredible gut intuition would predict, influence, and have cosmic effects in the radio industry and frankly, the broadcasting and recording industry in general. To say this man was a legend... it's not even a big enough adjective to describe how big of a person Steve was. Steve Smith was larger than life itself.”

“Steve treated me like a little sister ever since we met at KKFR in 1992. He hated me at first, because he didn’t think I could pull off a TLC interview backstage. It happened, and basically, I had to set him straight. We became tight from that moment on. He was such an iconic human being, and a true mentor to so many of us. He took such amazing pride in everything he touched. We want to honor our dear friend, the one and only Steve Smith.”

“People say it’s luck and talent that creates success, but it’s also having a boss like Steve who believed in me and gave me the platform to shine,”

“Because of you, so many artists got their chance to be heard! We are forever grateful for the difference you have made in our lives and in our world,”

“You encouraged me to follow what I loved and for that I will always be grateful,”

“His kindness, and genuine love, caring, and desire to look out for his family and friends was always evident. He once referred to himself as ‘the secret sauce’ when it came to working with on-air talent. I’ve seen others post about him being the ‘talent whisperer’. He really did have that gift with people. Steve was usually the smartest person in the room, but he never made anyone feel that.”

“You literally changed my career with the amazing things you did at HOT 97 In fact you changed radio & culture. “Where hip hop lives” became the catch phrase of 90s youth. You’re a Radio icon but more importantly, you had a heart of gold.”

“Steve, thank you for being a pioneer and always willing to elevate others around you! You will be missed!”

“The only person to so easily take what was in his head and get it to come out of the speakers. How very lucky that some of us were able to benefit so greatly from his genius, warmth, and hilariousness.”

“I loved being his colleague and friend! His passion and skills for developing radio content and talent are unmatched. Steve made such a positive impact on the Radio industry and many within it. Even better, Steve was an incredible human being. His influence will live on!”

“I will never forget your guidance, laughter, awesome radio stories and wisdom.”

“Whenever I had a question, doubt, or just a simple thought I wanted to share, he took my calls and would give me the most Steve Smith responses which were usually lots of high-level ideas that I’d be able to decipher and put into action. And they’d always work.”

“Most people in the radio/records industry have “friends” - by that I mean, transactional relationships. Sure, some real connections might be made along the way but not many. Steve, on the other hand had an entire industry that loves him, values him, admires him and would lay down in traffic for him. Count me among those many saints.”

“For those who don’t know, Steve was arguably the most influential, groundbreaking Radio Executive of all time. He shared many stories about the events he created (Summer Jam) and artists/entertainers he helped develop (Ryan Seacrest, DJ Funkmaster Flex, Alice Cooper). Steve’s passing is a reminder to press send, not to wait until “another day”, have those moments, spend time with friends, family, and those you care about. You never know what could happen.”

“I loved working with Steve, and he was a true friend. Steve’s “bootcamps” with talent, ability to convey a vision for what should come out of the “speakers” and a real understanding of our audiences was unmatched. He was a unique personality that will be incredibly missed.”

“The kindest soul. One of radio’s best and brightest. Teacher and friend.”

“Steve taught, encouraged and empowered all that he managed to be their best, to become THE best.”

“No one loved the radio industry more than Steve Smith. He was our biggest mentor and cheerleader. He was always the smartest and most creative person but most importantly he cared, and he loved. I will miss you friend and thank you for all you taught me about radio and even more about life.”

“You couldn’t help but be swept up and inspired by his energy. You will be missed Steve.”

“No one did more to help me personally or professionally than Steve Smith. From listening to music at his house in Colorado to talking radio for hours, he was always the most uplifting and positive conversation.”

“Steve had an extraordinary gift working with talent, and I remember being in the studio one night at Mega 92.3 in Los Angeles with Steve and the iconic Smokey Robinson. Steve was coaching Smokey through his nightly radio show in the most gentle, kind, and effective way. It was beautiful to watch the two of them make magic.”

“Steve not only touched the lives of his family and many friends, and fellow broadcasters, he literally touched the lives of millions of people who never heard of him or knew his name but heard the magic that he helped create come out of the other side of their radios for years and years and years. He was a giant.”

“I will forever be grateful to the G.O.A.T. Steve Smith. You did it your way and continued to inspire everyone who came in contact with you.”

“Our radio industry lost an absolute one-of-a-kind, special human being this week. Steve Smith was one of my biggest supporters - ALL of our biggest supporters.”

“Steve won everywhere he went; he was laser focused + super smart!”