“Live By George” Ends; KING FM’s New Direction

   April 25, 2026

December 18, 2003
Seattle P-I/Bill Virgin

A longtime announcer and advocate of live classical music performances has left KING-FM, and listeners of the station are lamenting the loss and wondering what might be next to go in the station’s shake-up. George Shangrow had been with the station for 16 years and was the host of the “Live by George” show, which showcased local musical groups. But he departed after new program director Bob Goldfarb informed him he had no confidence in Shangrow to “reliably exercise good taste and judgment” in programming his show, and that a personal contract would not be renewed at the end of the year (although his employment would still be covered by the AFTRA contract), according to e-mails. Goldfarb and Jennifer Ridewood, KING’s general manager, have said they planned to change the presentation of live music, ending in-studio performances and instead taping groups for repeat use at other times of the day. But the changes, and Shangrow’s departure, have listeners questioning whether KING is losing the elements that made the station unique, turning it into what one critic termed “classical Muzak.”

Jason Remington

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4 thoughts on ““Live By George” Ends; KING FM’s New Direction”

    1. Check that date

      Jason S Remington • April 25, 2026

      George Shangrow was still performing as part of the Cohan-Shangrow Duo in 2008.

      Reply

      1. July 31, 2010

        Jason Remington • April 25, 2026

        July 31, 2010 — George Shangrow died in a car crash on Saturday, July 31, 2010. He was 59 years old.
        In 1969, when he was still a teenager, George founded the Seattle Chamber Singers. Ten years later, he formed the group that would become Orchestra Seattle. Over the past four decades, George touched the lives of thousands of musicians who worked with him in these and other ensembles, audience members across the region and around the world who experienced his unique brand of music-making, and countless others who knew him as the host of radio’s “Live By George.” (https://www.harmoniaseattle.org/shangrow/tributes/)

        Reply

        1. Jason Remington Seattle Times reports accident

          August 2, 2010 — By Kristi Heim
          George Shangrow, a longtime Seattle classical-music conductor, teacher and radio host, was killed Saturday evening in a head-on collision outside of Winthrop, Okanogan County.

          Shangrow, 59, was on his way to lecture at the annual Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival on Highway 20 when an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck Shangrow’s car. He died at the scene.

          Shangrow was founder and music director of Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers, which he began 40 years ago. He had also hosted the nightly radio program “Live, by George” on KING FM, which featured live classical performances by local musicians.

          Shangrow had a huge influence on the local classical-music community. He also toured and performed on piano and conducted operas in the U.S. and abroad.

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          “He was a wonderful man and he brought so much light to everything in music,” said Stephen Provine, co-concertmaster at Orchestra Seattle. “Music in Seattle was amazing because of this man.”

          Shangrow, who was on the faculty of the Seattle Conservatory of Music, also taught at Seattle University and Seattle Community College, and he directed music at University Christian Church.

          “He was a good friend of mine and one of my favorite people,” said Mark Salman, a Seattle-area concert pianist who’s known Shangrow for more than a dozen years.

          “George was a very fine musician, versatile, good at everything,” he said. “He was easily one of the most respected musicians all around the city.”

          A family member said Shangrow’s relatives learned of his death late Sunday afternoon and said they were too upset to talk.

          The driver of the other car in the accident, a 16-year-old boy from Twisp, suffered injuries to his collar bone and ankle, according to the Washington State Patrol. He was taken to a hospital. The teenager, driving westbound in a 2000 BMW, hit Shangrow’s 2005 Volvo, according to the patrol report. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and no drugs or alcohol were involved.

          It was raining and thundering when the accident occurred in north-central Washington, according to a volunteer at the festival where Shangrow was due.

          *** I kind of get the idea that Shangrow knew more about music and what the listener wanted to hear, than the KING FM management did.

          Reply

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