iHeartMedia Director of Talent Development Tony Banks, born Anthony Mario Napoleoni Jr., has passed away over the Labor Day Weekend (9/5) following complications from COVID-19. He was just 53 years old.
Banks is survived by his wife of 26 years, Erica Marie Napoleoni (Quattrucci), and sons Nicolas Anthonyand Nathan William. He also leaves behind his father, Anthony Mario Napoleoni, Sr., his mother, Beverly Ann Swanson (Simone) and her husband Donald Swanson, among many others.
“Tony really enjoyed radio, voiceover work, collecting and playing vinyl records, jamming on the drums, biking, walks on the beach and his dog UNO," read a family statement. "He adored his family and the home they built together. He was talented, funny and liked by everyone who met him.”
According to the family, “Banks’ career of 38 years in radio, most recently as the Dir./Talent Development for iHeatMedia, started at an early age. He had aspired to talk on the radio since he was a child. At 15, Anthony worked part-time for WKRI-A/West Warwick, RI, announcing Red Sox baseball games. After high school, he could be heard on-air at WXIN on the campus of Rhode Island College, where he earned a BS in Communications.
“As ‘TJ NAPP,’ he worked as a professional on-air talent [at] KIX 106 and 92 PRO-FM/Providence, RI. In 1995, Anthony progressed to larger market station 95.5 WPLJ/NYC and was given the name ‘Tony Banks’ by radio greats Tom Cuddy and Scott Shannon. In 1996, he was tapped for his first programming position and became the PD/air talent for 98.5 WKRZ/Wilkes-Barre. Anthony continued his radio programming journey working for Y-100/Miami, BOB 93.3/New Bern and 107.1 WA1A/Melbourne, FL.”
“He joined iHeartMedia (Clear Channel) in 2012 as the SVP/Midwest later adding on duties as iHeartMedia Regional Program Manager, and was named Dir./Talent Development by 2016. In that role, Banks recruited, coached and mentored on-air talent, enjoyed working closely with his mentor, Dennis Clark, and loved growing the iHeart brand until his untimely death,” added his wife.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where a memorial fund has been established in memory of Banks. To contribute, click here.
