The WBLS/Hot 97/WLIB family mourns the passing of Bob Slade. Bob passed peacefully Sunday after being hospitalized for illness relating to long-term kidney disease. Bob Slade who’s real name was Robert McCants served the Greater NYC Radio community for over 40 years. He mentored journalists and on-air talent, embraced the artist community all while championing those in our area without a voice.Harlem native Bob Slade’s original dream was to become an actor. He attended Queens College where he studied acting, and he was a member of the Negro Ensemble and the Harlem YMCA Theater Group. While partaking in his dream to act, he discovered an interest in radio while he was performing in various off-Broadway shows.He began doing news radio in 1971 at a Long Island radio station, and then he proceeded to a radio station in Upstate New York. It was in 1980 that Bob joined the WRKS-FM family and became the News Director.Bob’s ability to answer almost any question regarding entertainment, sports, music, past events, and current affairs has made him the office historian. His diverse knowledge on Black History and the Women’s movement is simply impressive; he is a man who definitely knows his stuff.Bob has won two Achievement In Radio Awards; one for the Best NightTime Show, and the other in 1997 for Soul Beginnings. He also received the 1998 Award for Public Affairs for “Open Line.” Bob was also the recipient of the Peabody Award for “The Rise and Fall of the Vee-Jay,” and two Armstrong Awards from Colombia University (one of them was for his documentary on the history of Black music). Other awards he received were CEBA, United Press International, and International Radio Festival of New York. Bob has accompli
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RIP, Bob Slade! You will be missed.
I worked with a young BOB SLADE (as Bob McCants) at WBLI in 1971; later at WTRY Trpy NY. He always loved KIEVE BERMAN of WXLO (& KQV), that was his idol. A real nice guy with a self deprecating sense of humor. Worked WNYC, WBLI, WTRY, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS. RIP my friend.
So, so sad to hear of Bob Slade’s passing. Your article leaves out that Bob worked at WXLO FM in the late 70’s before they turned to WRKS radio. This is where I met and worked with Bob.
What a great guy to work with. What a great guy to be friends with. We hung out after work hours, shared Mets season tickets together. What a great guy!!! What a great radio mentor.
He had a great sense of humor and wouldn’t let his renal issues ever get him down. He would go to dialysis straight from work calling it “his second job.
RIP Bob!
He will be greatly missed by my wife Sue and me.
RIP Brother.
Thank you for your excellent work and dedication,we love you,Brother and will deeply miss you!
Condolences to your wife,family ,friends and co-workers
Big Brother Bob will be Surely Missed………I fortunate and blessed to meet him during my business visits to WRKS in NYC.
Big Bro was the most intelligent broadcaster I ever met through my forty years in the entertainment world.
His research and factual diagnosis of any subject matter was beyond award winning and memorable
He was not only an News and information Guru on the air, but he was also a well known music fan enthusiast.
When you visited the Radio Station with new product or with an artist, it was imperative that along with seeing the Program Director, Music Director,…you also allotted time for “The Magnificent Professor Of Life”……Bob Slade.
Lamont Boles