IT'S NOW BEEN NEARLY A MONTH since the disappearance of renowned KGO Radio talk host and SF journalist Ray Taliaferro.Taliaferro has generated much talk and speculation on his status. Like his disappearance, there are several mysterious aspects of both his personal and professional life.
I contacted people close to Taliaferro; some who worked for him during his radio career and some who were close confidants who told me about his life.
Among some of the most interesting and intriguing:
*Taliaferro was a "cash cow" for KGO even in the middle of the night and was one of KGO's top earners second only to Ronn Owens, whom he despised (more on that later)
*Ray turned down countless offers to join network radio gigs like "Talk Net" which both Owen Spann and Bernie Ward did on the NBC Radio networks on the weekend.
*He (Ray) loved San Francisco and had a day job as a port commissioner.
*He slept from 6PM until 10; max four hours; never more; never less; after doing his show from 1-5 AM in the morning he would repeat the schedule. His sleep pattern was so legendary he was asked by Stanford researchers to monitor him for many years.
*Taliaferro turned down many TV opportunities instead concentrating on his radio career. Working alone on the overnight in that studio was very, very difficult. Because of KGO's superior signal at night, Ray had a fan base from Seattle to LA; probably one of the biggest audiences for a local talk host.
*Publicly respected Owens but privately had no use for him; not surprised at all.
*Taliaferro almost never mentioned his personal life nor family on the air.
Good information here. Very helpful in understanding the man a little more. What about his present wife? I cannot even get a face pic of her. How old is she? How did they meet? I hear the wedding was out of the blue.
ReplyDeleteThere is a video showing Ray entering the doorway of a church, and speaking briefly to someone there. As Ray enters the doorway, it looks to me as though he was limping badly. Was Ray known to have trouble walking? Have his bank accounts been used during his absence? His wife may not publicize that kind of info. I would think the police are at the point of using police dogs to pick up a scent. It's a big country that we live in. Very big.
Even in the age of the internet, if someone wanted to disappear from outside contact, they could easily do so.
Doing that show"alone in that studio " was very difficult?? Seriously? It was a talk show host's dream. I filled for Ray many times. You had to run your own board, but in that studio, there was nothing difficult about it. With an audience that stretched, as you mention, from here to forever, and without the time constraints of shorter, daytime shows, you and your callers could ramble into infinity.You could also be lots more edgy in that time slot. I think management was always utterly reluctant to have Ray on in the daytime, for precisely that reason. This is also true of the best weekend overnight voice ever, Chris Clarke, who is still very much alive and just as edgy.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy the claim that Ray was a "cash cow" for the station. There were hardly any commercials on the overnight!
DeleteChristine: I worked with Chris Clarke at KGO: one of the most obnoxious and ignorant souls I have ever encountered. But for the intercession of his buddy, Dean Edel (another obnoxious loser), Clarke would never have been given a job at KGO. Total scumbag.
DeleteTo the anonymous person who thinks Ray wasn't a cash cow. You're right, there weren't that many ads during his time slot, but the ads that did run were gold, and my guess is KGO charged top dollar because of Ray's rep.
DeleteTo anon 4:35, You kinda gave yourself away*
DeleteWhile i just don't recall Chris Clarke, to say Dr. Dean Edell was anything less than fine is....Well, as i said above, you kind of give yourself away as having never really heard his shows and TV News reports (superb!), or as an individual who just likes to hear him/herself talk (or type, as the case may be). Not for nothin', this discussion is about RAY TALIAFERRO!!
He had the 1am-5am shift on KGO? I always thought that was George Takei of Star Trek fame!! OH MY!
ReplyDeleteI'm younger than the geriatric demographic that apparently tuned into his show for years. I listened to him maybe 5 to 10 times in my life. He always seemed to be yelling at and talking over callers. I got the impression his view was absolute and yours was wrong if you disagreed with him. I once heard him mocking the way people in the South talk and mocking their intelligence levels. Never listened again. He disappeared soon after. Can't say I've missed him.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I hope he is found and is safe. "Married for 6 months" at age 79. How many times has he been married?
I agree, couldn't stand him on the air. However, he was thought provoking and intelligent. I hope he is found safe and has a long life.
DeleteRest in peace Mr. Taliaferro. I am so sorry. While I didn't agree with you on some things (only knowing of you what I heard on the radio), you didn't deserve to pass in the way you did. You deserved many more years. You lived a full life and accomplished more than many of us ever will. God bless you and your family.
DeleteNo matter how this story ends, Ray will always be remembered as a broadcast legend who made life very interesting during the overnight. Part of the greatness of the old KGO.
ReplyDeleteI hope they find Ray sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteI hope Ray is found soon. Although I didn't always agree with him I was a nightly listener. Hello Christine it's good to hear from you even though the circumstances might be better. Your shows were always a highlight for me and a special treat when you were on.
ReplyDeleteRIP Ray, you were a 50,000 watt clear channel beacon of sanity, ethics, and fair play. Christine, it would be fine if you and Chris Clarke were able to coordinate a tribute show to honor Ray's work. Foul play has not been ruled out, and the FBI is finally investigating, albeit too little, too late in my humble opinion.
DeleteOne thing about his personal life, or at least ancestry, that Ray did mention on the air (assuming my recollection is correct and that he was explaining correctly) is that his Taliaferro surname came from his slave ancestors who worked on plantations in Taliaferro County, Georgia.
ReplyDeleteI didnt like Ray's show but the blues music selections he would play (which would get him in trouble with Jack)were excellent !
ReplyDeleteSomebody called in to Pat Thurston's show today, saying a body had been found close to where Ray disappeared. I just checked her facebook page, and she posted about 30 minutes ago, that unfortunately the body has been identified as Ray Taliaferro's. No other info at this time.
ReplyDeleteSunday night 10:57 pm. The announcement has been made.
ReplyDeleteRay Taliaferro, found dead in Kentucky. In a wooded area behind a stadium. One of his sons says they have been trying to get in touch with his widow, to no success. That's strange, but it doesn't change the announcement of fact. Goodbye my Liberal Brother in Christ.
RIP Ray T.
ReplyDeleteI listened occasionally. I didn't like his style but he did his show his way. Just because I didn't like him didn't mean he shouldn't have been on the air. I didn't know about his day job. I'm sorry he passed.
ReplyDeleteBefore the radio biz purged nearly all the overnight people, every station had someone on at those hours but most PDs were happy to have someone who would show up, so not the best of the bunch.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with Ray as well as KGO the first time I heard him. Not only did the station have an actual SHOW on the overnight, but filled it with someone who was clearly intelligent, interesting, entertaining and a definite first stringer. Amazing! I became a fan (talk and fine blues & jazz) and I was happy to see him (and a bit humbled) when our schedules crossed at KGO.
"He'll be missed" is a common cliche but Ray Taliaferro is someone who truly will be in my thoughts and memories.
RIP I missed you for a long time.
ReplyDelete"Oh Indeed" was one of his many sayings. Also famous for his sweet potato pie and the ladies that lined up to meet him.
ReplyDeleteHe was wonderful to listen to in my college years when I was up late. Very insightful, very bright and a true gentleman. He shall be missed. Rest in peace, and thanks for all the memories.
How sad. He died alone.
ReplyDeletethe wife did it
ReplyDeleteRay was ahead of his time. He got ripped for taking his callers to task when they were wrong - or he just disagreed where they were coming from - a lot like the Limbaughs, Savages and the like.
ReplyDelete