Remembering ‘Boss Jock’ and ‘Star Search’ producer Sam Riddle
It was more than 56 years ago when Boss Radio launched in 1965 on KHJ (930 AM). I was just 2 when the format debuted in town with a young but experienced on-air staff, but I've had a connection to the station and the format long enough to understand its significance. KHJ changed Los Angeles Top 40 radio forever.
So while perhaps it should not be surprising to lose another, it is still sad when an original “Boss Jock” passes away.
It happened this past week as news came out that Sam Riddle died at age 85 on Sept. 27. Riddle's passing leaves only two original Boss Jocks still living, Gary Mack and Johnny Williams.
KHJ was not Riddle's first local station. He came to Los Angeles from the former KDEO (now KECR 910 AM) in San Diego to work at the original KRLA (now KRDC 1110 AM) in 1960 and take on former Top 40 leader KFWB (980 AM). Riddle stayed at KRLA a few years, leaving in 1963 for a spot on KFWB, and then in 1965 for KHJ, where he stayed until 1970.
It was during those Boss Radio years that Riddle's broadcasting career truly took off. In addition to his work on-air at KHJ, he became a television star via the programs “9th Street West” and “Boss City,” both airing on KHJ's sister television station, KHJ-TV Channel 9. Other television shows included “Hollywood A Go Go,” “Sounds of Now” and perhaps his most famous work, the syndicated “Star Search,” which he produced throughout its run. (He's even listed as providing voice work on an episode of “Gilligan's Island” titled “Don't Bug the Mosquitoes.”)
But radio was his first love, and he stayed with it for quite some time. After leaving KHJ in 1970, he found himself up the dial at KDAY (now KBLA 1580 AM), the Top 40 version of KROQ (1500 AM, no longer on the air), in 1972, and once more on KHJ in 1974. His famous opening line to his shows was, “Hello, music lovers,” which he used for many years.
Friends of Riddle were posting remembrances of him on Facebook recently, with one in particular from Beach Rogers (KNX 1070 AM Newsradio fame) that described Riddle succinctly: “Got to know Sam during his two years at KFWB, and it was one of the best of times. Such a good guy to be around and not surprising he went on to be a success at whatever he tried. A Good Man now lost.”
I was supposed to do a career-spanning interview with Riddle on the podcast series I do with Mike Stark, but due to the pandemic and Riddle's health issues, it never happened.
That is a shame, but Riddle will be remembered as one of radio (and television's) best. Alas, another good one gone.
He is survived by his wife, Adrienne; children, Scott and Courtney; and grandchildren, Miracle and Garin.
Morning shows
The emails started arriving almost immediately after the column hit the street: Who do you like in the morning and why? Please keep the emails and letters coming. Here are a few of the initial responses …
• “I am very old school and still enjoy radio. I grew up in New York City listening to lots of AM stations. I even got to see the Beatles live in concert twice! In the morning, I listen to KOST 103.5 the Ellen K Morning Show. I enjoy the banter and the contests. However, I don't agree with Christmas music starting in November. In fact, the station loses me as a listener until right before Christmas.”
Don't get me started on that Christmas music. Apparently, you and I are the only ones who feel that way, since KOST dominates the ratings when it does it. But Ellen is fabulous as the morning host on KOST, exhibiting a great talent that solidified when she got out on her own after playing second fiddle on the KIIS-FM (102.7) morning show for many years.
• “My favorite morning show is Poorman's Morning Rush on KOCI (101.5 FM) out of Newport Beach. You probably remember him from the '80s KROQ. He does what you have been preaching … he has no playlist. He has a musical theme every day (for example “fun”) and the listeners call in with their song requests that contain the theme in the name of the song, in the lyrics or in the artist. He plays any era, any genre of music. He fields as many calls on air as possible. He also has segments from local businesses. It's so much fun; you get to know the regular fans and you feel like part of a family in no time.”
— Cindy Curti (Cee Cee)
I will check this out. Thanks for the tip.