Entertainment

L.A. Disc Jockey, ‘Star Search’ Producer Was 83 – The Hollywood Reporter

Sam Riddle, the favored Los Angeles “Boss Radio” deejay of the Nineteen Sixties who went on to provide the Ed McMahon-hosted TV expertise present Star Search, has died. He was 83.

Riddle died Monday at his residence in Palm Desert after a battle with Lewy physique dementia, a publicist introduced.

In an period when radio disc jockeys exerted big affect on gross sales and popular culture, the Texas native began out in L.A. radio on KRLA and jumped to KFWB earlier than touchdown at KHJ-93, the place he grew to become one of many founding jocks behind the “Boss Radio” format.

By advantage of his affect in charting hits, he appeared as a race announcer within the Elvis Presley starrer Clambake (1967).

On tv, Riddle hosted ninth Road West and Hollywood a Go Go, which showcased such acts as The Rolling Stones, James Brown and Sonny & Cher. The current HBO documentary Tina confirmed him introducing Ike & Tina Turner earlier than their first large TV look.

On the syndicated Star Search, which ran from 1983-95, Riddle gave profession breaks to such future stars as Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Dave Chappelle and Christina Aguilera.

Riddle was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Fort Price, Texas. After his mother and father, Robert and Juanita, divorced, his stepfather, Sam Hand, who owned a dairy farm and marketed in native radio, helped get Riddle his first job on the radio at age 16.

He served within the Air Drive Reserves through the Vietnam Battle and labored as a deejay for stations in Arizona and San Diego earlier than coming to Los Angeles.

Riddle’s producing résumé included the exhibits Boss Metropolis, Aloha a Go Go, Get It Collectively (with Mama Cass), Nearly Something Goes, The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, Supermodel of the World, Out of the Blue, It’s Showtime on the Apollo, Livin’ Massive and The Final Poker Problem.

He additionally oversaw the early creation and manufacturing of specials and collection for Telemundo and Univision and managed acts for such labels as Sony/BMG and EMI Latin.

Survivors embody his spouse of 54 years, Adrienne; kids Scott and Courtney; and grandchildren Miracle and Garin.

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