Legendary radio host Joe Madison has sadly passed away after a yearslong battle with prostate cancer.
He was 74.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Joe Madison. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized,” the statement from Madison’s family reads.
I cannot even begin to express how deeply this impacts our community. Sending my deepest condolences to all of the lives Baba Joe Madison touched and empowered. May we all continue to answer the question: “what are you going to do about it?” Rest well, sir. Rest well. https://t.co/omP9HbFkAh
— Lurie Daniel Favors Esq. (@LurieFavors) February 2, 2024
“On air, he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family,” the statement continues.
This daily mantra that Madison challenged listeners to on SiriusXM Urban View. It wasn’t just a question but a directive to not just complain about the things that need fixing but to get up and do something about them.
Joe Madison aligned his platform with his purpose. Through his decades-long career in radio, he championed the fight for equity and justice. Our nation is better because of his voice.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) February 2, 2024
Doug and I send our prayers to his wife Sherry, their children, and all those who loved him. As…
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Madison earned his degree from Washington University. He made history in Madison at 24 by becoming the youngest Detroit NAACP chapter executive director. In 1986, he was elected to the NAACP’s Board of Directors. Madison remained on the board for 14 years.
Before arriving at Urban View, Madison graced the airwaves across several popular stations, including Detroit’s WXYZ-AM, Philadelphia’s WWDB, and Washington DC’s WWRC and WOL-AM.
.@rolandsmartin scrapped his entire planned show to dedicate ##RolandMartinUnfiltered to honoring Joe Madison. It was my honor to pay tribute to The Black Eagle. Watch the full 2 hour episode on the @BlkStarNetwork or any of Roland's platforms. pic.twitter.com/rn5lW6CA81
— Reecie @BlackWomenViews (@ReecieColbert) February 2, 2024
Madison, reverently referred to as “The Black Eagle,” joined SiriusXM’s Urban View channel in 2008 as the host of the “Joe Madison Show.”
In 2015, he broke the Guinness World Record for “longest marathon hosting a radio talk show,” going live for 52 hours—his effort raised over $250,000 for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He made history again in June 2015 when he became the first American radio host to broadcast live from Cuba in more than 50 years.
While Madison entertained listeners on the airwaves, his activism was at the core of his mission. Madison lived Urban View’s slogan, “Where Talk Empowers and Becomes Action,” by standing on his principles and working toward change. He was close friends with the late civil rights activist Dick Gregory, who participated in Madion’s radio marathon.
Madison received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Washington University in 2019 for his work as a trailblazing radio personality and human rights activist. Two years later, On Nov. 8, 2021, Madison made headlines nationwide after he went on a hunger strike for voting rights. He vowed to abstain from solid food until the Senate reformed the filibuster or passed the Freedom To Vote Act or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. He was 72 at the time and battling cancer.
The Hunger strike lasted 74 days.
“People will ask, ‘Was the 70+ days of my hunger strike worth the effort?’ The answer is, yes. Today an entire generation now knows more about the Senate filibuster. They now know more about how their vote or their votes are. They now know the major differences between Republicans and Democrats,” Madison said at the time. “They now know that our democracy is fragile,” he continued. “They also now know that just as how food is essential to maintaining life, the right to vote is essential to maintaining our democracy.”
In 2023, Madison celebrated his 15th anniversary with SiriusXM.
Joe Madison was the voice of a generation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024
Whether it was a hunger strike for voting rights or his advocacy for anti-lynching legislation that I was proud to sign in 2022, Joe fought hard against injustice.
Jill’s and my thoughts are with his wife, Sherry, and entire family.
The radio Hall of Famer’s passion and light will be missed.
“I cannot even begin to express how deeply this impacts our community. Sending my deepest condolences to all of the lives Baba Joe Madison touched and empowered. May we all continue to answer the question: “what are you going to do about it?” Rest well, sir. Rest well,” Lurie Daniel Favors, host of the “Lurie Daniel Favors” show wrote on X.
I cannot even begin to express how deeply this impacts our community. Sending my deepest condolences to all of the lives Baba Joe Madison touched and empowered. May we all continue to answer the question: “what are you going to do about it?” Rest well, sir. Rest well. https://t.co/omP9HbFkAh
— Lurie Daniel Favors Esq. (@LurieFavors) February 2, 2024
Rest in Power, Joe “The Black Eagle” Madison.
