R.I.P.: Bill Shapiro, Longtime KCUR Kansas City Music Host

Bill Shapiro

Bill Shapiro, who delivered a weekly rock ‘n’ roll radio show for four decades at KCUR 89.3 FM , died Tuesday at the age of 82, the radio station has announced.

Shapiro created and hosted the Saturday night show, “Cyprus Avenue,” which recorded its final episode in 2018, ending its 40-year run.

The Kansasi City Star reports Shapiro's day job was as a tax and estate planner. He aired his first episode in October 1978 back when the show was just called “Music.” It was later named “Cyprus Avenue” after a song on Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” album, and went on to become one of KCUR’s most popular local shows.

According to KCUR’s website, Shapiro’s show has aired on more than 50 stations in the country.

Shapiro told The Star in 2003 at age 66 that he at one point looked into finding a national sponsor who could underwrite the cost of producing “Cyprus Avenue,” but the show, described as “one-hour seminars on rock history,” always remained local.