Sam Riddle obit

Sam Riddle, Famed L.A. Disc Jockey and ‘Star Search’ Producer, Dies at 83

He also hosted such music-centric TV shows as '9th Street West' and 'Hollywood a Go Go,' and showed up on Elvis' 'Clambake.' 

He was not on the list.

Sam Riddle, the popular Los Angeles “Boss Radio” deejay of the 1960s who went on to produce the Ed McMahon-hosted TV talent show Star Search, has died. He was 83.

Riddle died Monday at his home in Palm Desert after a battle with Lewy body dementia, a publicist announced.

In an era when radio disc jockeys exerted huge influence on sales and pop culture, the Texas native started out in L.A. radio on KRLA and jumped to KFWB before landing at KHJ-93, where he became one of the founding jocks behind the “Boss Radio” format.

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

On television, Riddle hosted 9th Street West and Hollywood a Go Go, which showcased such acts as The Rolling Stones, James Brown and Sonny & Cher. The recent HBO documentary Tina showed him introducing Ike & Tina Turner before their first big TV appearance.

On the syndicated Star Search, which ran from 1983-95, Riddle gave career 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 Worth, Texas. After his parents, Robert and Juanita, divorced, his stepfather, Sam Hand, who owned a dairy farm and advertised in local radio, helped get Riddle his first job on the radio at age 16.

He served in the Air Force Reserves during the Vietnam War and worked as a deejay for stations in Arizona and San Diego before coming to Los Angeles.

Riddle’s producing résumé included the shows Boss City, Aloha a Go Go, Get It Together (with Mama Cass), Almost Anything Goes, The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, Supermodel of the World, Out of the Blue, It’s Showtime at the Apollo, Livin’ Large and The Ultimate Poker Challenge.

He also oversaw the early creation and production of specials and series for Telemundo and Univision and managed acts for such labels as Sony/BMG and EMI Latin.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Adrienne; children Scott and Courtney; and grandchildren Miracle and Garin.

 

Producer

Triple Threat

supervising producer

TV Series

1 episode

 

The Ultimate Poker Challenge

7.6

TV Series

executive producer

2006

 

Ultimate Poker Babes (2005)

Ultimate Poker Babes

6.2

Video

producer

2005

 

House of Pop

TV Series

executive producer

2000

 

Destination Stardom

6.4

TV Series

supervising producer

1999

 

Sueños de fama

TV Series

executive producer

1999

 

Out of the Blue (1995)

Out of the Blue

7.3

TV Series

executive producer

producer

1995–1996

2 episodes

 

The Songwriter's Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary... The Magic of Music

TV Special

producer

1989

 

1987 Power Hits: New Year's Eve Countdown (1987)

1987 Power Hits: New Year's Eve Countdown

TV Special

executive producer

1987

 

Star Search (1983)

Star Search

5.5

TV Series

producer

1983–1986

3 episodes

 

Battle of the Las Vegas Show Girls

TV Special

producer

1981

 

Hollywood Teen

TV Series

producer

1978–1979

 

Almost Anything Goes

8.6

TV Series

producer

1975–1976

4 episodes

 

The Hoyt Axton Country Western Boogie Woogie Gospel Rock and Roll Show

TV Special

executive producer

1975

 

Writer

Out of the Blue (1995)

Out of the Blue

7.3

TV Series

created by (creator)

1995–1996

7 episodes

 

1987 Power Hits: New Year's Eve Countdown (1987)

1987 Power Hits: New Year's Eve Countdown

TV Special

written by

1987

 

Star Search (1983)

Star Search

5.5

TV Series

writer

1983–1986

3 episodes

 

Actor

Gene Barry and Peter Barton in Burke's Law (1994)

Burke's Law

6.5

TV Series

Announcer

1995

1 episode

 

Tunnel Vision (1976)

Tunnel Vision

5.0

Warren Welt

1976

 

Elvis Presley in Clambake (1967)

Clambake

5.6

Announcer

1967

 

Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, and Arnold the Piggy in Green Acres (1965)

Green Acres

7.3

TV Series

Radio Announcer (uncredited)

1967

1 episode