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50-Year Renowned Radio Host Ray White Dead at 69


Ray White
Ray White

Ray White, a veteran radio host whose nearly 50-year career spanned musical genres from coast to coast, died Sunday of cancer. He was 69. White was most recently the afternoon host on CPR Classical from Colorado Public Radio.

"Ray was a music host and producer for CPR Classical since 2019 - part of a long and illustrious radio career," said Colorado Public Radio President and CEO Stewart Vanderwilt. "He brought all of his experiences together in a very personal way. His big smile came across on the radio whenever you heard him."

For more than four decades, White accompanied listeners around the world as a warm and engaging voice for rock, jazz, classical, R&B and news stations. He started in radio on the East Coast with stints at WHVY, WHCN, WAPP, WNEW, WQCD, and most notably the legendary WLIR. He then moved to San Francisco where he worked for KKSF, KFOG, KQED and Classical KDFC, before joining CPR Classical in 2019.

In addition to hosting music on these stations, he hosted a nightly jazz program called "The Jazz Groove," anchored the International Choir Competition for the BBC Radio, lent his voice to in-flight programming on Japan Airlines, and was heard in countless radio and TV voice overs.

White interviewed artists from all genres, including violinist Joshua Bell and classical guitarist John Williams, as well as rock, jazz and pop artists like Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Roger Waters, Dionne Warwick and Pat Metheny.

"Ray had a storied career, interviewing and hanging out with rock legends, but we also remember his conversations with jazz and classical musicians," said CPR Classical's Program Director Monika Vischer. "A culture and history omnivore, Ray was equally fluent in jazz and classical. As one listener put it, ‘Ray didn't fit the normal persona for classical hosts and was a refreshing sound in the afternoon.' We are grieving with all of Ray's fans right now."

CPR Classical will pay tribute to Ray White on-air Sunday at 1pm, as well as on the CPR News show "Colorado Matters" later this week. Those wishing to share a memory can do so on our Facebook page or via email at classical@cpr.org.

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