Chuck Leonard; AP Obit
Hyfler/Rosner
DATELINE: NEW YORK
Chuck Leonard, a disk jockey at WABC Musicradio whose deep
voice resonated across the airwaves for 14 years, has died.
He was 67.
Leonard died Thursday in Manhattan from lung cancer, said
his wife, Pamela Horrell Leonard.
Leonard was hired by WABC in 1965 when the station was
putting together a team of top-40 DJ's known as the "All
Americans."
"Sneak Preview," Leonard's late-night show, introduced new
songs to millions of listeners, not just in New York, but
across the country over WABC's 50,000-watt signal that
reached 38 states. He ended each show with his trademark
signoff: "Chuck Leonard, sneeeekin' it to ya!"
Leonard was the first black DJ to be hired at the station.
Dan Ingram, another WABC personality, discovered Leonard
while listening to a rhythm and blues station.
In a statement, Ingram recalled Leonard being wary when he
was invited to join WABC.
"Chuck said 'I don't want to be anybody's experiment,"'
Ingram recalled. "Some experiment, he was there for 14
years!"
On Friday, WABC workers remembered Leonard for his warmth
and energy.
"Every time he entered the studio for his show, he would put
his personal chair with the four-foot high seat behind the
microphone, sit with perfect posture, put on a big smile
that lit up the room, signal his engineer to open his mike,
and open every show with the vitality and excitement of the
Manhattan night life he so loved," the workers said in a
statement issued by former WABC program director Glenn
Morgan.
Leonard began his broadcasting career while attending the
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, where he served
as program director of the college radio station. He
graduated with a degree in journalism, and went to work at
WEBB radio in Baltimore.
After leaving WABC in 1979, Leonard worked at a series of FM
stations in New York including WRKS and WJUX Jukebox Radio.
Most recently, he joined Satellite Radio on both the Swing
Street and Soul Review channels.
Leonard, whom colleagues remembered as a "docile" man, also
was a golden gloves boxing champion in his youth. Leonard
also served in the Army on a desk job in Vietnam.
Leonard is survived by his wife and daughters Diana Leonard
and Kyra Johnson.
A memorial service was scheduled for Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at
St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan. The family
requested that donations be made to the American Cancer
Society or the March of Dimes.