Ken Calvert dead at age 72: ‘Legendary’ Detroit DJ & announcer of ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons dies weeks after returning to studio

RADIO host Ken Calvert, who was the legendary voice of the Detroit Pistons during their Bad Boys championship era of the late 1980s and early ’90s, has died.

Calvert died at age 72 just a few weeks after returning to the DJ booth for a special appearance in November.

Ken Calvert, a well-known radio personality who also voiced the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s and ’90s, has diedCredit: WDIV 4

Calvert (right) had recently returned to the radio booth for a special segmentCredit: Facebook

Calvert’s wife confirmed his death to local ABC affiliate WXYZ.

A cause of death for the Detroit native has not been given.

Calvert was well-known in Detroit as a radio personality who worked at multiple stations during his career.

He was famously the public address announcer for the Detriot Pistons for 16 years, including the 1989 and 1990 championship teams led by Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas.

In addition, he hosted a podcast called The Ken Calvert Show.

He retired from classic rock station WCSX exactly 10 years ago, on December 20, 2013.

But Calvert recently returned to another station, WOMC, where he opened up to an industry colleague, Jim, ahead of his retirement.

The two were seen in a video listening to Tom Petty’s song The Last DJ.

He appeared to get emotional as he listened to the lyrics and said: “Woof I’m tearing up.”

“I gotta tell you something and it’s sad,” Calvert said during the radio segment.

“I’m not going to talk too much real quickly, but I love you like a brother,” he said as his voice cracked on the last few words.

“Thank you for having me. It means the world to me.”

He then paid tribute to his days announcing for the Pistons and offered his signature introduction that was heard throughout the Pistons’ Palace arena, which was demolished in 2020.

‘LEGEND GONE’

Calvert amassed quite a devoted following of colleagues and fans alike, many of whom have paid tribute on social media.

Big Jim from radio station WCSX posted several throwback photos of Ken and wrote: “We lost Ken Calvert today. I hope all of you know how much he loved being on the air in Detroit and cherished the time he talked with you and met you at King Chili cookoffs, golf outings and all over Detroit.

“I’ll be in tomorrow morning to celebrate his life with you. I miss my friend.”

A fan took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a video of the 1989 Detroit Pistons Championship Rally Introductions that featured Calvert with the caption: “Rest in Peace Ken Calvert.”

And a former colleague wrote on Facebook that Calvert was “so much fun to work with.”

“He would make me laugh by dancing and playing air guitar to ZZ Top in the studio,” they said.

“I was practically still a kid in 2010 – but Ken treated me and spoke to me like I was a human being.

“Ken – I hope you’re up there still doing all your funny impressions. RIP.”

Someone commented on that post: “Great broadcaster and a wonderful guy.”

Yet another fan wrote: “Despite his fame, Ken Calvert was the most down-to-earth, easy-going guy I ever met.

“Everybody loved him. His fans, his co-workers, sports stars, local politicians, business owners big and small…he treated everyone with love, affection and a great sense of humor.”

Another tribute read: “Really sad day in Detroit Radio….a legend is gone.”

Even more tributes rolled in on X.

“So very sad to hear we’ve lost the great Ken Calvert,” one person wrote.

“A consummate pro on the radio, he was also hilarious. We were on the golf course once and he told me he was going to write a book called ‘Making the Most of Your Fourth Putt.’ Just beautiful.”

And an NBA fan said: “Rest in peace, Ken Calvert. The voice that introduced us to the Bad Boys.”