Bill Parker (1) (1925–2018)

[excerpted from Your Classical online memorial]
In the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) classical music department of the 1970s and '80s, Bill (never William) Parker was something of a savant — a ready and voluble source for an incredible amount of musical and cultural information. He had a wicked wit, a broad perspective on the history of art and music, a particular love of opera, and "a warm and friendly delivery when at that omnipresent microphone." He also created an early "product" that was quite popular in the broader scheme of MPR marketing and catalog sales: The International Guide to Building a Classical Library, a useful tool in the days before online reviews and sales. The success of this book, in its several editions, contributed to the MPR account in significant ways. (The last edition alone sold more than 30,000 copies.)

Bill Parker came to work at MPR in the late 1970s, following a stint at a small commercial classical station in Syracuse, N.Y. He was a multifaceted host, appearing mornings or late evenings (Music Through the Night), basically pretty much any part of the day — although many might remember him as host of the midweek evening "opera slot" that MPR once maintained.

His record store retail and managerial experience included stints at Discount Records, Great American Music, Grand Music, and Best Buy stores in Minnesota and other states.