Bob Edwards was the original host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” who went on to host “The Bob Edwards Show” on SiriusXM.
- Died: February 10, 2024 (Who else died on February 10?)
- Details of death: Died at a rehabilitation center in Arlington, Virginia of metastatic bladder cancer and a heart ailment at the age of 76.
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Bob Edwards’s legacy
Edwards joined NPR in 1974, after getting his start in local radio in Indiana. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and went on to a CBS affiliate radio station after his service. He first made a splash at NPR as a host of the popular afternoon show “All Things Considered.” When NPR developed a morning show following a similar format, the result was “Morning Edition,” with Edwards as host.
Edwards began hosting “Morning Edition” from its debut episode in November 1979. He became known for his in-depth interviews with a wide range of people, as well as for his regular check-ins with sportscaster Red Barber (1908–1992) and cowboy poet Baxter Black (1945–2022). Over nearly 25 years, Edwards became a trusted voice for millions of listeners who started their days with “Morning Edition” and looked forward to hearing his warm tones. In 1999, Edwards was honored with a Peabody Award.
It came as a shock to listeners – and to Edwards himself – when the longtime host was abruptly told in 2004 that he was being replaced by the new “Morning Edition” team of Steve Inskeep and Renée Montagne. NPR planned for Edwards to continue as a senior correspondent, filing occasional stories rather than anchoring the program. However, Edwards was uninterested in that role, and he left NPR. A huge public outcry followed, with NPR receiving tens of thousands of letters from angry listeners. Despite his disappointment with NPR’s decision, Edwards continued to be a vocal supporter of public radio.
Only a few months after his departure from NPR, Edwards launched a new show on XM Satellite Radio (now SiriusXM), “The Bob Edwards Show.” He continued his award-winning interview-heavy format, receiving such honors as an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. Edwards continued hosting his SiriusXM show until his retirement in 2014. Later, he published his memoir, “A Voice in the Box,” and co-hosted the podcast “Take on Today.”
Notable quote
“Radio will continue to survive because it never loses its magic of intimacy. The listener believes the voice on the radio is talking directly to him or her. On TV, there’s no illusion that Jay Leno is talking only to you.” —from an interview for Kentucky Press
Tributes to Bob Edwards
Full obituary: The Washington Post
