The Rebellious Life of Howard Stern—Radio’s Infamous Shock-Jock

In 1995, shortly after the murder of beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, Howard Stern made callous remarks mocking her music and fanbase—calling her work “mediocre” and playing gunshot sound effects on air while discussing her death.

The comments outraged the Latino community nationwide. Protests erupted outside radio stations, and politicians, including Texas officials, called for his resignation. Stern later issued a half-hearted apology in Spanish, but the damage was done. It remains one of his most racially charged and culturally insensitive controversies.