kids encyclopedia robot

Melvin Lindsey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Melvin Lindsey
MelvinLindsey2 OggiOgburn.jpg
Lindsey In 1988
Born (1955-07-08)July 8, 1955
Died March 26, 1992(1992-03-26) (aged 36)
Nationality American
Occupation radio and television personality
Known for "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format

Melvin Lindsey (July 8, 1955 – March 26, 1992) was an American radio and television personality in the Washington, D.C. area. He is widely known for originating the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format.

Lindsey began his broadcast career as an intern at Howard University radio station WHUR-FM. In 1976, he brought the "Quiet Storm" to the station's late-night lineup, titled after a romantic hit single by tenor crooner Smokey Robinson. The show's soulfully melodic and moody musical fare made it a phenomenal success, and the 'love song'-heavy format was quickly replicated at stations across the country that served an urban, African-American adult demographic. Lindsey's show also gave rise to a category of music of the same name.

After a nine-year run on WHUR, Lindsey took his format to another local radio station, WKYS-FM, for five more years, and later he hosted Screen Scene for Black Entertainment Television (BET). He also worked for Washington, D.C. television stations WTTG-TV and WFTY-TV and for WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lindsey died at the age of 36 from complications of AIDS in 1992, but the Quiet Storm format he originated gained widespread popularity. It remained popular over 4 decades after its inception across the nation, especially in evening and late-night radio programs. Artists continue to compose songs target the audiences of Quiet Storm stations and shows.

See also

kids search engine
Melvin Lindsey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.