Chuck Niles

[BeBop]

Obituaries in the News

3/16/04 11:35AM

By The Associated Press

Chuck Niles

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Chuck "Be-Bop Charlie" Niles, whose velvety baritone voice and music knowledge earned him the only Hollywood Walk of Fame star awarded to a jazz radio host, died Monday. He was 76.

Niles died at Santa Monica Hospital from complications of a stroke he suffered Feb. 26, said longtime friend Judy Jankowski.

"We would call him 'The Great Chuck Niles,'" said Jankowski, who also is the president and general manager of KKJZ-FM in Long Beach, where Niles served as the afternoon drive host since 1990.

Born Charles Neidel in Springfield, Mass., in 1928, Niles began playing clarinet at age 7 and was playing professional jobs on the saxophone by age 14. He broke into professional radio at WEAT-FM in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He later headed to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Niles, described as tall and lanky, had small roles in films, including "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

He eventually ended up as the afternoon movie host at a local Los Angeles television station and a long-lasting friendship with jazz legend Sleepy Stein led to him joining KNOB-AM in Los Angeles, where Niles launched his career in jazz radio.

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[BeBop]

I probably first heard Chuck Niles on the radio in the mid-70s. I've never forgotten the voice or presentation - and neither seemed to change much over the last 30-or-so years. Clearly, the man knew (and cared) quite a bit about jazz and provided a fine intro to many neophytes who dropped in on his broadcasts. We had different tastes in jazz - no apologies necessary on either side, IMO - but I still learned a little something from every broadcast I heard. If nothing else, Niles had direct contact with many greats and many stories to share.

Hopefully, some of the West Coasters will have something to say when they wake up this morn.

[Noj]

KKJZ is the only jazz radio station I listen to. Chuck was someone all the other on-air personalities looked up to, and I enjoyed his show though I can't claim to be a regular listener. The impression I get is that Chuck was the heart and soul of that radio station, and his loss is similar in magnitude to the Lakers losing Chick Hearn.

RIP Chuck Niles

[garthsj]

I am deeply saddened by the death of Chuck Niles. I have been a regular listener, through the miracle of the internet, to Chuck for the last five years, and during the times I have spent in L.A. I loved the soothing timbre of his voice, his wry humor, and most of all, his choice of music. I remember with fondness the fact that he and I both shared a very deep admiration for the work of Buddy DeFranco; Chuck would always go out of his way to mention how DeFranco "frightened" other clarinet players (obviously we both had that experience as young clarinetists ...). His afternoon show will be sadly missed. God! They keep chipping away at portions of my life!!

Garth.

[SEK]

I recall hearing Chuck Niles during the late '60s through the mid-'70s on KBCA. The music that he usually featured on his show did not especially appeal to me, but I shall always remember his distinctive voice, chummy delivery, and enthusiasm for the music that he obviously loved. He also announced at a few jazz concerts (one could attend for free) that took place at an open-air theatre in Cahuenga Pass and at other venues. I think that those concerts were sponsored by the Parks Dept.

KBCA had another announcer at the time (I can't remember his name) who really hipped me to Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, and other musicians (Jackie McLean, Gary Bartz, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Trane, Alice Coltrane, ...) who were more central to my developing musical sensibility.

Rick Holmes was also on KBCA during that time. He was a stone trip ("incense, peppermints, ...", astrological musings, and soul jazz)!

[Guest ariceffron]

he was on the craig kilbourn show just a few weeks before that stroke- but i missed it

[Indestructible!]

Hi All,

As someone who volunteers from time to time at KKJZ, I can't tell you how saddened I am to have heard about Chuck's passing. He was a great guy, and all my interactions with him were enlightening and positive.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories, Chuck! You will be greatly missed!

Shane

[Tim McG]

Straight Ahead.

See also: http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...=0entry135369

Rest in Peace, Chuck.

Edited March 17, 2004 by GoodSpeak

[Cali]

KBCA had another announcer at the time (I can't remember his name) who really hipped me to Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, and other musicians (Jackie McLean, Gary Bartz, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Trane, Alice Coltrane, ...) who were more central to my developing musical sensibility.

Would that have been "Steve-O", the greatest jazz DJ this town has ever known? I was a big fan of his. KBCA was such a hip station with great DJ's, which included Chuck, Tommy Vee, Rick Holmes, Jay Rich, and Sam Fields, who, incidentally, is on KKJZ these days.

I, also, was not a big fan of Chuck in those days. I liked the music selection of the others better. Also, I didn't care for Chuck's humor in those days.

Then one Sunday afternoon, in the mid-80's, there was a memorial for Monk Montgomery at the Musician's Union in L.A. Chuck was the MC and there were dozens of great musicians performing. Finally, Horace Silver and his group performed. His set was SMOKIN'! I was so excited that I got as close to the stage as possible to take pictures of Horace. When the set ended, Chuck singled me out to the audience and said I had such a big smile on my face, I had to be "as big a fan of Horace" as he. Well, that sealed the deal. Anybody that loved Horace that much was "My Man". I've been his fan ever since.

RIP Chuck

[SEK]

"Steve-O" doesn't ring a bell, but it's been a long time...