Mike Clark: April 21, 1955 - Oct. 15, 2018
(Facebook photo)
Detroit radio personality Mike Clark of the popular "The Drew and Mike Show" died in his sleep Monday night at 63.
Longtime co-host and friend Drew Lane confirms his death, Melody Baetens of The Detroit News reports. "He had some medical issues the past couple years but I'm still very surprised because we were texting yesterday and he was in typically good humor," Lane says.
Clark and Lane's "Drew and Mike" show on Detroit rock station WRIF (101.1-FM) was the top talk-radio program in the market for many years. When it ended five years ago, the jokes and observations about pop culture, sports and music soon returned in the form of an independent podcast hosted by Lane and sometimes featured Clark.
"I can't believe I'm not going to hear his laugh anymore," Lane said. "He had an incredible, incredible laugh. And he was very self-depreciating. The biggest laugh was always when he shared something from his own life like when he drove out of his garage with the garage door down."
Clark was born in Pontiuac on April 21, 1955, and grew up mainly in Royal Oak, according to Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press. He later graduated from Adams High School in Rochester Hills and took computer science courses for two years at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn.
No cause of death is available yet. Tributes flow on social media:
Mike Clark could make me laugh reading out of a phone book. I'm so sad to hear we've lost him. He was just 63. #RIPMikeCLark @101wrif
— Devin Scillian (@DevinScillian) October 16, 2018
- Charlie LeDuff: So long, Mike. Thanks for the laughs, brother.
- Detroit Sports Nation: Our heart goes out to the family and friends and many fans of Mike Clark of Drew and Mike fame. Mike passed away today at age 63. He will always have a special place in the hearts of many that grew up listening and loving the Drew and Mike show on 101.1 the WRIF. RIP.
- Mike Sinelli: I had the pleasure of working with Mike Clark for many years at WRIF. My favorite times were at the Silverdome during the tailgate parties. Mike was a wonderful person. Here I am with Drew Mike and Trudi. Mike will be missed!
- Mary Kay: Omg, no! Mike Clark you brought so much joy to so many people for so many years. Rest well in heaven, my friend
- Scott Randall: From the person who had the pleasure of waking Mike Clark up for work for years. Deep sadness has set in. His kindness , his laugh , his overall joy to fly. He always invited me up anytime just sad I never took him up on the offer. Worked many years with him and he and the crew were kings of mornings. Mike was the first to welcome me when I got the job at WRIF. I Made 2 morning wake up cds full of trying to get his ass up. ... My dearest thoughts and prayers to the family to his crew and to all his fans for this is a very very sad day. I can picture Mike at Heaven's Gate and they are wide open and Mike shaking his head and sayin' "Wow, ain't that a bitch."
- Christopher Slapnik: I still can’t get over why WRIF replaced them. I was always hopeful they’d come back on FM radio. I guess that’s not an option now. So sad.
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