“June LeBell, a longtime host for WQXR and the first woman to announce for a major commercial classical radio station, died on Sunday, April 30. She was 73-years-old,” writes James Bennett II on Sunday at WQXR’s website. “From 1973 to 1990, LeBell graced WQXR with her friendly personality and deep knowledge of its musical subject matter. During her time with the station, she interviewed many notable musicians, composers and critics…. LeBell was born in New York City … [and] graduated from Hartt School of music. She built a career as a professional singer … performed recitals in Tanglewood and Aspen, and also toured Europe. In 1973, the 29-year-old LeBell joined WQXR as not only its first woman host, but that of any major commercial classical radio station. Every Wednesday evening, listeners were treated to the sound of her voice on ‘IBM’s Salute to the Arts,’ an award-winning musical documentary program. One of her shows, ‘Kitchen Classics,’ was a spirited focus on the intersection of two of LeBell’s great loves: music and food…. In her later home of Sarasota, Florida, LeBell hosted Music Mondays at the Sarasota Institute of Lifelong Learning.”
Posted May 1, 2017
