Ray Taliaferro facts for kids

Raphael Vincent "Ray" Taliaferro (born February 7, 1939 – died November or December 2018) was a well-known American radio host and political commentator. He was famous for sharing his opinions on the radio. Ray joined KGO News Talk AM 810 in San Francisco in 1977. His popular talk show, which aired late at night, ran from 1986 until December 2, 2011.

Ray Taliaferro's Early Life

Ray Taliaferro was born in Queens, New York City, on February 7, 1939. He grew up in the Hunters Point area of San Francisco.

When he was in high school, Ray and his brother Robert attended Monterey Bay Academy in Watsonville, California. This was a private Christian high school. Ray and Robert were part of a singing group called the "Cosmopolitans." Ray was also a talented musician. He led a singing group called the "Ray Tal Chorale" and was the music director for the Third Baptist Church.

Ray's Broadcasting Career

Ray Taliaferro became a very important voice on KGO NEWSTALK AM 810. He hosted a radio talk show called the "Early Show" from Monday to Friday. This show aired from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. On his show, Ray led lively discussions about current events, politics, and culture in America. He often participated in charity events and helped promote causes he believed in.

Ray worked in broadcasting for over 40 years. He started in talk radio in 1967 at KNEW (AM) in Oakland/San Francisco. Soon after, he also worked in television, hosting a show in Burbank, California, and later becoming a news anchor in San Francisco. Ray joined KGO Radio in 1977.

Ray Taliaferro is believed to be the first African American talk show host on a major radio station in the country, starting in 1967. He helped create the National Association of Black Journalists in 1975. In 1994, he received an award from the San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce for being a pioneer in broadcasting. In 2011, Ray was added to the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame. An award for "journalistic entrepreneurship" was even named in his honor: the "Ray Taliaferro NABJ Entrepreneurial Spirit Award."

Ray also conducted the last interview with famous news anchor Walter Cronkite. This 58-minute interview aired on Ray's show on July 27, 2009, after Cronkite's death.

Ray's Radio Style

Ray Taliaferro's late-night talk show mainly focused on political issues in the United States and California. He was known for his progressive views and was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. He was one of the most well-known left-wing talk show hosts in the country. Ray was known for speaking his mind, often criticizing politicians like George W. Bush and other conservative leaders.

Ray's show rarely featured guest interviews. Instead, he would often talk directly with callers. Sometimes, he would have special shows about poetry or music.

Ray was a lifelong Democrat and supported Barack Obama for president in 2008. He was also the president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP from 1968 to 1971.

Community Service

Even though Ray Taliaferro was famous for his radio work, he was also recognized for his strong involvement in the arts and community service. Ray spent a lot of time helping his hometown of San Francisco.

Among his many achievements, Ray served as president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP. He also led the Frederick Douglass Symposium. Ray worked hard to raise money for leukemia research and was the board president of the Northern California Chapter of the Leukemia Society of America from 1995 to 2000. He was a commissioner for the War Memorial Trustee Board from 1992 to 2000 and led the San Francisco Art Commission for 16 years. He also hosted events and was on the Board of Governors for The Commonwealth Club of California.

Ray Taliaferro also directed music with his Ray Tal Chorale for Dr. Martin Luther King's service on June 30, 1964, in San Francisco. Ray was known for challenging callers on his show, asking them to "Name one thing (the president) has done." His dedication to informing his listeners continues to inspire people even today.

Personal Life and Passing

Ray Taliaferro was first married to Carolyn Theodosia McAdoo, and they had three sons. He later married Charlotte Crawford in June 2018.

Ray was reported missing by his wife on November 10, 2018, while they were visiting Massac County, Illinois. He was seen later that day in Paducah, Kentucky. Sadly, he was found dead on December 2, about a mile from Paducah. An autopsy showed that Ray died from heart disease, likely made worse by cold weather. Ray's son, Raphael Jr., is looking into his father's death with a private investigator.

The Commonwealth Club held a memorial for Ray Taliaferro in San Francisco on January 14, 2019.

Trivia

A recording of Ray Taliaferro's voice from KGO was used by musicians Brian Eno and David Byrne. It was sampled in their song "America Is Waiting," which is the first track on their album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. This album was recorded near the KGO radio studios in San Francisco.

See also

• KGO (AM)