“Rest in Peace”: Isiah Thomas Mourns Veteran Pistons Member With Rare Glimpse of Iconic Legacy

The Detroit Pistons just lost their voice. Ken Calvert, who spent almost two decades of his illustrious career as the PA announcer for the Pistons, has passed away. He was 72. Calvert’s tenure with the team ran parallel to Isiah Thomas’, including his championships, All-Star appearances, and Finals MVPs. He’s been the embellishment of Zeke’s career while also forming a close friendship with the Pistons legend.

Following his passing, Isiah Thomas celebrated his achievements with a heartfelt post on X. He also shared his ‘voice’ that followed the team at the 1989 Pistons Championship Rally. “Rest in Peace Ken Calvert. 1989 Detroit Pistons Championship Rally Introductions,” Zeke wrote accompanied with the video.

Ken Calvert is so iconic in his ’80s signature mullet and mustache, that he had a different person to introduce him. The crowd was screaming for him before he even spoke. And then he says smoothly in that announcer voice we know and love, “Ladies and gentlemen…” watch him grin to the Pacers fans chanting and cheering when he says in that guttural rumbling, “Let’s welcome the trainer, Mike Abdenour,” riling up The Palace.

When it came to the ‘Bad Boys’ themselves, from Dennis Rodman to John Salley, his voice was what made the crowd excited. The highlight was the introduction of “Your captain, Number 11, he promised us a ring, please welcome Isiah Thomas.” That voice accompanying the clip of Thomas backing Michael Jordan into a corner still remains a thrill for Motor City fans.

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His wife confirmed his passing to Detroit publications. She also expressed gratitude for the heartwarming love everyone has sent for Calvert and his family.

Ken Calvert’s “Bad Boy” Legacy

These days John Mason is the PA after succeeding Calvert who lived the ‘Bad Boys Pistons’ era. Detroit-born and raised, Calvert studied in Motor City where he began his announcer career in 1974 in location stations. He was even the producer of Bruce Springsteen’s Live From The Agora 1978 event when he was a promotion manager at CBS Records.

He was with the Pistons from 1986 to 2002, parallel to his announcer gigs at radio stations. He claimed to think of himself as one of Bad Boys too and was “hated around the league for my Joe Duuuuuummars!” An exaggeration. His wife revealed she was endeared by people telling her how much they loved it.

Since putting his Bad Boy era behind, Calvert was a radio announcer at Greater Media while hosting The Ken Calvert Show Podcast since 1973. His wife has not said what happens to his five-decade-old show and plans for his memorial. It’s clear though, that Detroit lost an icon.

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