Good morning Obots!
Remembering Mr. Ed Bradley.
Born Edward R. Bradley on January 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Bradley is best known as one of anchors of the award-winning news program 60 Minutes. At first, he worked as teacher in the early 1960s after earning a degree in education from Cheyney State College. Bradley began his career in media on the radio as a DJ and news reporter in Philadelphia.
Moving to New York City in 1967, Bradley went to work for WCBS Radio. He was among the first black journalists to make a name for himself on national television when his battlefield reporting from the Vietnam War – in which he was wounded in 1973 – pushed him onto the national stage. He never forgot his roots, and spent many hours of his scarce free time talking to young minority journalists.
His career gradually built with reporting stints on Capitol Hill, then as White House reporter and then as the principle reporter for the renowned documentary series “CBS Reports.” Bradley became one of the most recognized journalists in America soon after joining 60 Minutes. He was listed high on the list of “most trusted TV news personalities” in a 1995 poll published by TV Guide. In the same poll, he was rated second – right behind Walter Cronkite – in competence.
Mr. Bradley spent 26 years as a member of the 60 Minutes team. He joined the news magazine in 1981 and had an 
impressive record of covering important stories and landing important interviews. He tackled such subjects as the Emmett Till murder case and AIDS in Africa. As an interviewer, Bradley had an almost uncanny ability to put his subjects at ease. He seemed to find a way to connect with his subject whether it was legendary musician Bob Dylan or convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Bradley’s award-winning stories for 60 Minutes earned him a total of 20 Emmys and recognition from all of journalism’s most prestigious awards.
Jazz music was at the center of many things Bradley did – it was always playing in his office and it was the theme of what he considered his best work. The interview with Lena Horne was what Bradley would answer when asked what his best interview was. Of the interview in which Horne poured out her soul to Bradley, he said, “When I get to the pearly gates and St. Peter asks what have I done to gain entry, I’ll say, ‘Have you seen my Lena Horne interview?'” (CBS News)