The Passing of Dan Kennedy

Note: Dan is still with us. See my update https://www.mrfire.com/marketing/dan-kennedy-update/

As I write this, marketing legend Dan Kennedy is in hospice. He has days to live. He may in fact be gone by the time I post this.

I am shaken. Dan has influenced me more than any other living marketer.

I have read his books, listened to his talks, devoured his newsletters, bought his courses, and more.

He has always been supportive of me.

He loved my book on P.T. Barnum, There’s A Customer Born Every Minute.He plugged it numerous times on stage, in his newsletters, and more.

He had me write about how I turned my Rolls Royce Phantom into a highly paid mastermind on wheels. He published it on the front page of his newsletter.

He interviewed me once with Jay Conrad Levinson and Jay Abraham, a humbling and joyous experience to be included with such icons.

He asked me to write the foreword to his book, No B.S. Marketing to the Affluent. I was so honored, I wrote and rewrote it until it was a masterpiece. He loved it. I was proud.

Years ago I interviewed him for my Hypnotic Gold series. It was on wealth attraction. It was one of the highlights of my career. You can listen to it here https://hypnotic-marketing-delivery.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/interviews/Dan+Kennedy.mp4

We talked about writing a book together. We kicked around ideas about events, joint ventures, hanging out, and more.

While he taught me copywriting and direct response marketing, and always reminded me to keep my eye on the bottom line, I find writing about him as he lay dying the most difficult writing of my life.

I don’t know how to process this let alone write about it.

Dan, I am forever grateful to you.

Godspeed on your next journey.

Ao Akua

Joe

PS – Read about Dan’s current state at https://dankennedytribute.com

Note: You can listen to my Hypnotic Gold interview with Dan Kennedy on wealth attraction here https://hypnotic-marketing-delivery.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/interviews/Dan+Kennedy.mp4

Note: See my update at https://www.mrfire.com/marketing/dan-kennedy-update/ 

32 Comments

  1. August 24, 2019 at 5:44 pm

    Sorry for your loss Joe. Condolences to his friends and family.

  2. August 24, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    I’m so sorry. What a great loss.

    • Carol Giam-Reply
      November 1, 2019 at 2:07 am

      He posted beginning of October 2019. He’s out of hospice. Dan
      Kennedytribute.com updates there.

      • Joe Vitale-Reply
        November 1, 2019 at 2:08 pm
        • May 18, 2022 at 7:20 pm

          He is a ive and kicking. Yes than you!
          God was not ready for the MAN probably was afraid that Mr. Kennedy ya have taken his post I tank him for that..
          God that is. We should all be like both
          of them. One self centered and the other
          Rogue, shrewd. We still need him around
          Felipe

  3. Avtar Disange-Reply
    August 24, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    Well a Hero is gone, Dan Kennedy did a lot, i only knew that he died from this site. Very hard, to take, as he knew a lot, he wrote many books, and gave many speeches, yes your right, life is brief, nothing new in that. RIP to Dan Kennedy, i am glad i know now, so well done in your bravery to let us know.

  4. Shawn-Reply
    August 24, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    WOW. Quite honestly, never considered him ‘old’ 10 yrs ago, when I learned from him – and magnetic marketing.

    Shaken, upon this note – as much as my distant life only ‘knowing’ him. I pray he is comforted by the life and influence he has had on others.

    Because, as I have been learning – that is what our one life is about. Prayers that God is blessing his soul. And thanks to him, for the life he embarked. No BS!

    And thank you Joe.

  5. August 24, 2019 at 6:20 pm

    Hey Joe, we will miss him. I remember that interview. It was one of the best.

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      thank yoiu

  6. August 24, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    I took one of Dan Kennedy’s courses and watched several webinars featuring Dan. My condolences to his family and friends.

  7. Al Lane-Reply
    August 25, 2019 at 3:23 am

    Hello Joe
    Thank you for your heartfelt outpouring for a friend and mentor, who is leaving us for now. During this existential interregnum, Dan sleeps the sleep of death, an acorn waiting to burst forth in wondrous vitality, which he certainly will.
    Joe, grieve for your friend as God wants you to grieve (simply ask for assistance to do it God’s way), for it is healing, and remind yourself often of all the good Dan generated, for that hangs around forever to nurture us all.
    Keep thriving and with my kindest regards.

  8. Sandra Dee Bonadonna-Reply
    August 25, 2019 at 6:23 am

    Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your friend.

  9. Ray Farmilo-Reply
    August 25, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    Ah Joe so sorry for the passing of your friend and mentor.
    The Light of God surrounds you both.
    The Love of God enfolds you both.
    The Power of God protects you both.
    The Presence of God waches over you both.
    Where ever you are God is.
    And All is well.

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      thank you, ray

  10. August 25, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    I was fortunate enough to come across Dan’s materials in the early-mid 1990s when I was a mid 20s wide-eyed, driven young guy that dropped out of college because I was making more money in insurance sales in a small East Texas town than any of my so-called educated buddies with degrees. Using Dan’s methods, I starter generating so may leads for myself and my father, that my father thought that type of direct response marketing must be illegal…lol. in fact, I got so good at writing advertorials, that Dan featured one of my newspaper ads in his NO BS newsletter. I thought I had died and gone to heaven after that recognition. A few years later, I had graduated to a renowned expert on getting Free PR and was generating $500,000 monthly revenue from one bedroom apartment with cubicles. Long story I won’t go into, but it involved a successful infomercial I helped produce using my sales/marketing/copywriting skills I learned from Dan. I was truly living the American Dream before the age of 30. Not long after that, Dan promoted my PR Mastermind in NO BS newsletter and it helped build an incredibly success consulting business and many amazing clients, some of who remain friends and clients to this day. The bottom line: Dan changed my life and helped me generate millions in revenue if the past 2.5 decades. I had always intended to write him a detailed testimony, but never did even though he was gracious enough to give me one back then. I have always sung his praises and recommended him to everyone in business that I associated with, but never ‘faxed’ him my personal testimony, so for that I am distraught. Fortunately, Dan’s materials will live on forever and continue to change people’s businesses and lives for the better.

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      Thank you for the warm comment. Dan has influenced thousands

  11. Beatrix-Reply
    August 26, 2019 at 12:19 am

    Losing a dear and loved one is hard and I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Cherish the wonderful memories. Only the body is gone, but the spirit lives on.Blessings.

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      i appreciate the kind reminder

  12. chai-Reply
    August 26, 2019 at 2:55 am

    I’m so sorry.

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      thank you

  13. August 28, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    Joe, I am so sorry, too. Dan Kennedy was truly a legend and taught me so much. I was deeply saddened with the news of his passing. I hope he enjoys whatever journey awaits him in this infinite Universe. Godspeed to him and comfort to his family and loved ones. Sincerely, Tom

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you, Thomas. As of this writing, he is hanging on.

  14. Jo-Reply
    August 30, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Personally speaking, it is apparent that you are trying to capitalize on the not yet death of the legendary Dan Kennedy, which doesn’t lend well to your credibility Joe Vitale!

    • Joe Vitale-Reply
      August 30, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      Apparently you’ve never read a Dan Kennedy book.

      • August 31, 2019 at 2:10 pm

        Dan would be happy that you posted this Joe . I’ve been a follower since 2000 and he lead me to your work so it’s right you are writing about him .

        • Joe Vitale-Reply
          September 1, 2019 at 3:10 pm

          Thank you, Rick. You are kind to take the time to post such a warm comment. Thank you.

  15. September 3, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    Shocked to hear about this from Pete Lillo. Dan is my hero. Learned more from him than anyone. Took my then 19 year old daughter to see him in Chicago and this inspired her to become an entrepreneur. He was SO generous with me allowing me to interview him on Price and then loving the result so much, he sent out my cd as his Gold CD of the month. Sending me an autographed manuscript of his manuscript months before the book came out.

    Really sad to hear this.
    Dan, I quote you daily.

    When I read a book, I often think, Dan would like this and I have even sent you books. You sent my book to Lee Milteer recommending she bring me in to speak. You sent a book to my daughter just to inspire her.

    I could go on for days about you…

    Hugs

    Tsufit

  16. Raymond Henri-Reply
    September 9, 2019 at 2:13 pm

    Joe Vitale:

    Thank you for expressing both respect and gratitude for an individual that has touched your life and so many. The ripple of talent, blessings and lessons continues to flow to others from special people like Dan Kennedy. We are reminded today that life is precious. Thank you Joe for making a difference. Thank you Dan Kennedy for making a difference, Godspeed.

  17. Vic-Reply
    September 10, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    Who in marketing hasn’t heard of him?

    There are times in a person’s life when certain incidents are always remembered as a sort of reference point and focal point of major impact making a person realize how important it is to have those chosen few to inspire the rest of us, no matter what the field of endeavour.

    The memories regarding these people and instances stay as fresh as the time that they happened because they have such an impact on us!

    This is one of them!

  18. September 11, 2019 at 12:27 am

    Hey Joe~
    It’s been a while! Luz Delia Gerber here! Mrs E-Myth!

    May we connect? Please emotionally important!
    760-855-7373
    [email protected]

  19. Carol Giam-Reply
    November 1, 2019 at 2:13 am

    He’s still alive as of October 2019. DanKennedytribute.com for updates. . Out of hospice!

    @joevitale may edit title?

Leave a Reply to Carol Giam Cancel reply