Despite TV Notoriety and Success, Lange Liked Radio Most
for Laid Back Style that was Him
Jim Lange was the only one of the three known on a national level, from TV's Dating game, but Lange was also a popular disc jockey in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lived, most recently at easy listening KABL before he retired in 2005. He was a key figure at popular KSFO in the early 1960s.
"As much as he's known for his television work, his real love was radio," his wife said. "He loved doing local radio, especially before it was computerized."
Lange himself once told the Bay Area Radio Digest that his favorite aspect of the medium was that "you don't have to worry about lighting directors and cameramen or script writers and all that."
"Good radio is still the most fun," he said, "It always will be. Plus, you don't have to wear makeup and you don't have to shave."
But Lange was hugely popular as host of The Dating Game, which ran from 1965 into the late 1970s and featured both regular folks as well as celebrities such as Farah Fawcett and Andy Kaufman, in a contrived appearance (above).
Here's video tribute /interview with Lange from fellow game show host,DJ and friend, WINK MARTINDALE. Both Lange and Martindale had parallel careers, thought from different locales, first as DJs and then as game show hosts.Lange also appeared on other game shows such as Charade and the popular show for oldies fans, 'Name That Tune.'
And, here's a episode of Name That Tune featuring none other than Shirley and Lee - but not THAT shirley and lee for Oldies fans... What a fun show guessing the names of songs played ( though not usually the original artists due to publishing laws).
Four years before Lange found national fame on the Dating Game, Lange was a popular host on the 'World's Greatest Radio Station,' KSFO. Along with THE voice of San Francisco , Don 'World's Greatest Disc Jockey' Sherwood, the two 'competed' in this famous 1961 promo, 'The Great Race.' Note some of the old KSFO jingles playing in the background. Famous San Francisco Giants broadcaster Russ Hodges was the race announcer. Lange won the race, which was attended by a estimated 50,000, indicating the popularity of the two and KSFO at the time. While Sherwood was known for his quick, funny but acerbic personality, Lange was always the 'good guy,' known to his legions as 'Gentleman Jim,' who emplored his listeners to 'always say 'please' and 'thank you.'
Hear JIM LANGE's first love, radio, as a DJ the 'second time around' on KSFO in 1971 (Scroll down to the link near bottom of page- Link may be bad but at least the further radio bio may be of interest)
More obituary - new york times
CHRIS EDWARDS didn't come to KYA in San Francisco until the late 1960s but he stayed, off and on, a long time most comfortable playing the oldies on 'Golden Gate Greats'weekends. Edwards had the classic style of early DJS with the fast patter , and sure to announce the artists and songs. Check out the great KYA broadcast tower
PORKY CHEDWICK was self-proclaimed 'Daddio of the Radio'with 'Radio' rhyming with Daddio in Pittsburg , Pennsylvania. Chedwick was the oldest living DJ before passing away last week at 96 on his way to the hospital after suffering chest pains. His wife says they were living on social security - and he was still djing cruises and sock hops well into his 90s!
He was the first to play black music for a young white audience on the East Coast in 1948.
Here he celebrates his 93rd birthday with an interview from Florida where he was living.
Hear 'Pork the torque' as we was on radio, this
from a 1973 aircheck
More remembrances of Porky chedwick
