Died On This Date (March 15, 2004) Chuck Niles / Popular Jazz Radio DJ
themusicsover Chuck Niles (Born Charles Neidel)
June 24, 1927 – March 15, 2004
Chuck Niles was a popular and extremely knowledgeable jazz radio disc jockey who entertained and educated Los Angeles, California music fans for the better part of 50 years. Known by such nicknames as “Mr. Jazz,” Niles could be heard throughout much of Southern California on influential jazz and blues station KKJZ for the last fourteen years of his life. After moving to Los Angeles as a young man, Niles dabbled in acting, even landing a bit part in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Throughout his long and fruitful years on the air in L.A., he worked at such stations as KHJ, KBCO (later KKGO), and eventually KLON which became KKJZ, one of the most famous jazz and blues stations in the United States. Over the years, Niles was memorialized in songs like Horace Silvers’ “The Hippest Cat In Hollywood,” Bob Florence’s “Bebop Charlie,” and Louie Bellson’s “Niles Blues.” He was also awarded a star on Hollywood’s prestigious Walk of Fame – the only jazz disc jockey to ever be bestowed that honor. Chuck Niles was 76 when passed away on March 15, 2004. He never regained consciousness from a stroke he suffered a few weeks earlier.
Thanks to Micaela Pierce for the assist.
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