The legendary West Michigan radio host Aris Hampers has passed away, know his cause of death and obituary
At 73, he was an elderly man.
John Sinkevics of Local Spins, a friend and fellow local music hero, announced the DJ’s death on Sunday night.
In the West Michigan rock radio scene, Aris Hampers was a major player for many years. He had stints at WLAV, WCUZ, WFFX, WKLQ, WBFX, WVIC, and WMAX, among other local stations.
DJ Aris Hampers cause of death, cancer type, obituary, age and songs
Before moving into radio, Hampers had a little hit with his band Phlegethon with the song “Last Voyage Home.” For decades, he was a vital part of the success of thousands of small-scale musical acts and a trusted voice to his listeners.
Today, a legend in Grand Rapids Radio history has passed away, we have gotten reports that a long-time staple in the West Michigan radio and music scene has died, Aris Peter Hampers. He has been a mentor to many and his list of accomplishments is long, RIP pic.twitter.com/pVaHxcfwL3
— BREAKING NOW !! (@GRapidsnews) February 6, 2023
Following his education at Ottawa Hills High School and Western Michigan University, Hampers entered the broadcasting industry. He spent the better part of 40 years in the industry, working at a number of different stations before being most recognised for his contributions to WLAV’s rise to prominence as a rock radio mainstay in the 1970s.
It was discovered in 2019 that Hampers had lost his voice due to a malignant growth in his windpipe that had to be surgically removed.
Aris Hampers speaks up about his cancer surgeries
“It was a 14-day stay in the hospital requiring two surgeries equal to the cost of a mid-sized home on the West Side,” Hampers said in a detailed social media post. “I remember my first thought when I awoke from the first surgery unable to speak — it was simply ‘It is what it is.’”
Both operations went well. Surgeons confirmed that all traces of the tumour had been removed, and that Hampers’ cancer was “non-invasive,” meaning it was not likely to spread to other organs. However, the cancer has reappeared at some time within the past three years. Long a smoker, Hampers referred to himself as the “latest poster child.”
Aris Hampers fought hard with cancer
Reports indicate that he confided in Sinkevics that the “only positive aspect” of his cancer fight was that “seven people have told me that my admission of my health difficulties three years ago eventually motivated them to quit smoking.”
ARIS HAMPERS
"He will truly be missed by all his brothers and sisters in sound. He made the world a better place. West Michigan’s radio and live music scene is better because of him. Rest well and Godspeed Aris. I’m sure Asia has a Stoli waiting for you."
Brian Downes Wesche— BREAKING NOW !! (@GRapidsnews) February 6, 2023
As of Monday morning, there was no word on funeral arrangements. In the West Michigan rock radio scene, Aris Hampers was a major player for many years. People’s life and musical preferences were influenced by him, therefore tributes to the late DJ have started to roll in.
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