Honoring Radio Legend Steve Smith
July 12, 2022
Steve Smith, founding partner here at Smith Richards Collective and legendary radio programmer unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep on July 7, 2022. Steve’s highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has permanently changed the landscape of American radio for the better.
Steve Smith was born on January 23, 1960. Steve is survived by his fiancé Mina Farahmandi, son and daughter-in-law Josh & Emily Smith, and thousands of friends and family who will never forget him. In the words of Steve: music, my fiancé, my son, and my dogs are my life. Those words never rang more true.
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at 11 am PST at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home located at 2100 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297. There will be a reception to follow until 3 pm. For those unable to attend in person, a live streaming option is in the works. Flowers are welcome at the service. If you choose, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s name to the Musicians On Call. There will also be an industry memorial honoring the life, career, and friendships of Steve at future date.
Steve Smith (middle) in his signature black t-shirt, sunglasses and Levis.
Along with Steve’s family and friends, the outpouring of love and support for Steve has been second to none. Here at the Smith Richards Collective, we are going to continue to honor his legacy and continue to find ways to honor him every chance we get. We would be remised if we didn’t spotlight some of the great things people are saying. Just like the impact he has made on the industry that we all breathe, Steve’s impact on his friends and colleagues prove what kind of man he was. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
“Steve was (that’s so hard to type) an incredible man. He was a radio innovator and one of the kindest and most creative programmers I’ve ever learned from. Most of all, he was a great person. I’m so blessed to have known him and the world will definitely be a different place without his presence.”
Tim RichardsSRC Founding Partner
“It still seems unreal. Steve’s energy and passion was second to none and I’m so grateful to call Steve a business partner and friend. We’ve spent a lot of time together this year building the foundation of SRC. He always pushed the limits of what’s possible and has always been a visionary. My heart hurts. Sending love and prayers to his family.”
Heidi McIvor-AllenSRC Founding Partner
“I love you, Steve Smith. And yes...as you said so romantically to me the evening before you left me “What we have cannot be topped and I want you to never forget it!” He was lovingly razzing me at the time, but those words now are so serious to my heart in that you never know when someone’s life can be cut short.”
Mina FarahmandiSteve's Fiancé
“If you really wanna know why I am a bad MF on the radio, it started with me and Smith 30 years ago. Let’s make sure we clear this up right now. If it wasn’t for Power 92, there would be no Power 98. Facts. Summer Jams, concerts that still go down in history in this town was created by this guy. Ask anybody who knows anything, the baddest MF in the game. Steve Smith. Case closed.”
SupersnakeBest Friend & Colleague
“One way or another, you may be more surprised to know that Steve had an influence on getting that magic, that music in the radio out of a studio from the air, into your car and a part of your life. The magic that Steve gave us was not just the influence he had in his industry but on the emotions that the music gives us day to day, empowering our lives. His incredible gut intuition would predict, influence, and have cosmic effects in the radio industry and frankly, the broadcasting and recording industry in general. To say this man was a legend... it's not even a big enough adjective to describe how big of a person Steve was. Steve Smith was larger than life itself.”
Emily SmithSteve's Daughter-In-Law
“Steve treated me like a little sister ever since we met at KKFR in 1992. He hated me at first, because he didn’t think I could pull off a TLC interview backstage. It happened, and basically, I had to set him straight. We became tight from that moment on. He was such an iconic human being, and a true mentor to so many of us. He took such amazing pride in everything he touched. We want to honor our dear friend, the one and only Steve Smith.”
Felicia Swerling-SuslowFriend & Colleague
“People say it’s luck and talent that creates success, but it’s also having a boss like Steve who believed in me and gave me the platform to shine,”
Lisa GFriend & Colleague
“Because of you, so many artists got their chance to be heard! We are forever grateful for the difference you have made in our lives and in our world,”
Tolga KatasFriend & Colleague
“You encouraged me to follow what I loved and for that I will always be grateful,”
Sean Schafer HennessySteve's Nephew
“His kindness, and genuine love, caring, and desire to look out for his family and friends was always evident. He once referred to himself as ‘the secret sauce’ when it came to working with on-air talent. I’ve seen others post about him being the ‘talent whisperer’. He really did have that gift with people. Steve was usually the smartest person in the room, but he never made anyone feel that.”
Dena YasnerFriend & Colleague
“You literally changed my career with the amazing things you did at HOT 97 In fact you changed radio & culture. “Where hip hop lives” became the catch phrase of 90s youth. You’re a Radio icon but more importantly, you had a heart of gold.”
Baltazar IbenezFriend & Colleague
“Steve, thank you for being a pioneer and always willing to elevate others around you! You will be missed!”
Joe HazeFriend & Colleague
“The only person to so easily take what was in his head and get it to come out of the speakers. How very lucky that some of us were able to benefit so greatly from his genius, warmth, and hilariousness.”
Hildi BrooksFriend & Colleague
“I loved being his colleague and friend! His passion and skills for developing radio content and talent are unmatched. Steve made such a positive impact on the Radio industry and many within it. Even better, Steve was an incredible human being. His influence will live on!”
Rob BabinFriend & Colleague
“I will never forget your guidance, laughter, awesome radio stories and wisdom.”
Stella Prado KuipersFriend & Colleague
“Whenever I had a question, doubt, or just a simple thought I wanted to share, he took my calls and would give me the most Steve Smith responses which were usually lots of high-level ideas that I’d be able to decipher and put into action. And they’d always work.”
Estee SantoniFriend & Colleague
“Most people in the radio/records industry have “friends” - by that I mean, transactional relationships. Sure, some real connections might be made along the way but not many. Steve, on the other hand had an entire industry that loves him, values him, admires him and would lay down in traffic for him. Count me among those many saints.”
JD GarfieldFriend & Colleague
“For those who don’t know, Steve was arguably the most influential, groundbreaking Radio Executive of all time. He shared many stories about the events he created (Summer Jam) and artists/entertainers he helped develop (Ryan Seacrest, DJ Funkmaster Flex, Alice Cooper). Steve’s passing is a reminder to press send, not to wait until “another day”, have those moments, spend time with friends, family, and those you care about. You never know what could happen.”
Zak GardezyFriend & Colleague
“I loved working with Steve, and he was a true friend. Steve’s “bootcamps” with talent, ability to convey a vision for what should come out of the “speakers” and a real understanding of our audiences was unmatched. He was a unique personality that will be incredibly missed.”
Susan LarkinFriend & Colleague
“The kindest soul. One of radio’s best and brightest. Teacher and friend.”
Helen LittleFriend & Colleague
“Steve taught, encouraged and empowered all that he managed to be their best, to become THE best.”
Liz Pokora-SadowskyFriend & Colleague
“No one loved the radio industry more than Steve Smith. He was our biggest mentor and cheerleader. He was always the smartest and most creative person but most importantly he cared, and he loved. I will miss you friend and thank you for all you taught me about radio and even more about life.”
Steve StewartFriend & Colleague
“You couldn’t help but be swept up and inspired by his energy. You will be missed Steve.”
Chris LloydFriend & Colleague
“No one did more to help me personally or professionally than Steve Smith. From listening to music at his house in Colorado to talking radio for hours, he was always the most uplifting and positive conversation.”
John E. KageFriend & Colleague
“Steve had an extraordinary gift working with talent, and I remember being in the studio one night at Mega 92.3 in Los Angeles with Steve and the iconic Smokey Robinson. Steve was coaching Smokey through his nightly radio show in the most gentle, kind, and effective way. It was beautiful to watch the two of them make magic.”
Ken BensonFriend & Colleague
“Steve not only touched the lives of his family and many friends, and fellow broadcasters, he literally touched the lives of millions of people who never heard of him or knew his name but heard the magic that he helped create come out of the other side of their radios for years and years and years. He was a giant.”
Tom CunninghamFriend & Colleague
“I will forever be grateful to the G.O.A.T. Steve Smith. You did it your way and continued to inspire everyone who came in contact with you.”
Robin FloresFriend & Colleague
“Our radio industry lost an absolute one-of-a-kind, special human being this week. Steve Smith was one of my biggest supporters - ALL of our biggest supporters.”
Ashley MorrisonFriend & Colleague
“Steve won everywhere he went; he was laser focused + super smart!”
Jeremy RiceFriend & Colleague
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The article has a compilation of quotes from Steve’s friends and family through social media.