iHeartMedia's Tony Banks Dead at 53 After COVID Battle

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | 8:05pm CT

Tony Banks

Sad to report the death of 38-year radio veteran and iHeartMedia Director of Talent Development Tony Banks (aka Anthony Mario Napoleoni, Jr.), on Sunday, September 5 -- following a battle with COVID-19. He was only 53. Previously, he served as Regional Programming Manager for St. Louis, Wichita and Springfield before holding similar duties in Fresno, Riverside-San Bernardino, Bakersfield, Monterey-Salinas, Modesto and Stockton as well as Las Vegas and Tucson.

Banks, who began his career at the young age of 15 working part-time for WKRI-AM/West Warwick, RI, also held on-air and programming roles at Y100 and Mega 103.5 in Miami, WPLJ in New York and 92 Pro-FM in Providence.

In a statemnet, his family said, "Tony really enjoyed radio, voiceover work, collecting and playing vinyl records, jamming on the drums, biking, walks on the beach and his dog Uno. He adored his family and the home they built together. He was talented, funny and liked by everyone who met him."

Banks is survived by his wife of 26 years, Erica Marie Napoleoni (Quattrucci), and sons Nicolas Anthony Napoleoni and Nathan William Napoleoni.