Indianapolis Radio Vet Steve Cooper Passes At 71

Steve Cooper

As previously reported last week, INDIANAPOLIS radio vet STEVE COOPER, who spent 32 years in the market, has passed (NET NEWS 12/17).

Born JAMES R. CARR near FLINT, MI, COOPER's first radio job was at WNDE/INDIANAPOLIS in 1973, where JAMES K "BIG JIM' DAVIS gave him his radio name out of the DALLAS phone back while recording DJ jingles, dubbing him “SUPER COOPER,” an up-tempo high-energy rock jock. He later segued to legendary 13/WIFE and kept it alive for the final days of AM Top 40 and remained as a talk host when WIFE adopted a spoken word format in 1980. 

CARR, still known as STEVE COOPER, switched gears again in 1981 and headed to WFBQ as morning host with CAREY CARLSON. At Q95 it was the "CAREY & COOP" morning show until 1983 when they stepped aside for a pair of unknowns from WJML up in PETOSKEY, MI, by the names of BOB & TOM.

COOPER then slid into a new upstart AC station WTPI-FM (107.9). He was soon named morning host in 1984, and remained there until 2005 when the station was sold by MYSTAR COMMUNICATIONS to ENTERCOM and changed to WNTR (THE TRACK). The new owner had the audacity to ask this established brand and iconic morning talent to re-apply and audition for his own job.

That’s when COOPER morphed into his former self as JIM CARR, married to pro radio account executive, PAM CARR, enjoying a less stressful life on INDY’s north side. Over the past six years, multiple health issues restricted his mobility, and less than 10 days shy of his 72nd birthday he was rushed to ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL in INDIANAPOLIS, later passing away peacefully at home on DECEMBER 13th.

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