Houstonians are mourning the loss of a Houston radio legend. Robert “Bassman” Washington died Sunday morning at the age of 48-years-old.

For the past 24 years Bassman, as he was widely known, has been a staple of the Radio One Houston family. He was first associated as a radio personality with 97.9 FM the Box and then branched off to MAJIC 102.1 FM and Praise 92.1 FM. In his later years, he even used his voice on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Family and friends describe the Houston Ross Shaw Sterling High School grad as the very personable and the life of any party. “He was a man who never met a stranger and always had an encouraging word and a smile,” says Vice President and General Manager of Radio One Houston, Pam McKay.

Always with an encouraging word, he was an inspiration to many. Operations manager and program director Terri Thomas says, “He was light, he was laughter and he was love.”

Bassman is survived by his wife, Keisha, many family and friends, and, of course, a host of loyal listeners.

During most of his time on the radio, Bassman would end his segments with his catchphrase of “I love ya and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.” To that I say, “Bassman, Houston loves ya and there ain’t nothing you can do about.”