Longtime Power 99 radio host Brian Carter died early Sunday morning of a heart attack, the radio station announced Sunday afternoon.
He was 54.
Carter and Dave Sanborn were paired on Power 99 from 1987 to 1999 and broadcast together on WDAS 105.3 FM in 2006.More recently, Carter was heard on New York's WBLS and on XM Satellite Radio.
Sanborn, whose real name is Bill Simpson, said in a Power 99 statement that he is "Devastated beyond words at the loss of Brian Carter, the best radio partner on the planet and most importantly one of my dearest friends. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

"Carter and Sanborn are the reason Power 99 is the station it is today," said Ken Johnson, director of urban programming for Clear Channel Media+Entertainment Philadelphia, in a station release. "They inspired me to recapture the presence in the community Power had when they were on the air. Brian was also an inspiration to me personally. He will be missed.”

Loraine Ballard Morrill,  director of news and community affairs for Clear Channel and news anchor for the Carter and Sanborn show said “Brian Carter was a icon in radio with a love for the business and giving back to the community.  This is not only a loss for his family and friends – it’s a loss for broadcasting.” 
Tributes to Carter will air Monday morning on Power 99's morning show and on Patty Jackson's show on WDAS.
Daily News obituary writer John F. Morrison is working on a more detailed report on Carter's career.
NOTE: This item has been updated. An earlier version said Carter was 56.