To know Ian McCain was to love him.
McCain, a Milwaukee transplant who quickly rooted himself in Milwaukee music, culture and friendships, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12 following a brief illness.
Since 2011, Ian – whose birth name was Justin Cooper – served as Assistant Program Director and PM Drive On-Air Host of WLUM-FM, as well as Digital Program Director for the entire cluster, including WLDB-FM and WZTI-FM.
Michelle Rutkowski, Milwaukee Radio Alliance Vice President of Programming and Operations, says it best.
“His spirit, his love of music, his sheer volume and his wickedly funny wit have left an indelible mark on the MRA, our partners and our listeners. It’s been our absolute privilege to have called him our co-worker and, more importantly, our friend for the last 13 years," says Rutkowski.
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, McCain previously worked in WKQX and AOL Music (Chicago), KJMY/KSOY and KJQN (Salt Lake City), KKNB-KSLI (Lincoln, Nebraska), KMYZ (Tulsa Oklahoma), Saga Communications (Des Moines, Iowa), KNRX (Kansas City) and KJDE (Omaha).
A spokesperson for the family said, "We want to thank all of the people who knew and cared for Justin. Milwaukee welcomed him in with open arms, and he returned that embrace with all of his heart. We so appreciate all of the love and support the city has always given him, and now to us in this heartbreaking time."
More information about celebrations of life are forthcoming, but for now, put New Order and The Smiths on repeat, toast a legend and hug someone with the warmth and strength of a hug from Ian McCain.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
