Radio, Television Personality. He began his radio career in New Orleans and later became the popular host of San Francisco's KGO, the signal of which reached the entire West Coast. Sometimes controversial, his late-night "Crane at the Hungry I" included interviews with newcomers Barbra Streisand and comic Professor Irwin Corey. In 1964, he moved to television as host of ABC's "The Les Crane Show" (later "ABC's Nightlife"), where some of his exclusive guests included the Rolling Stones on their first American TV appearance, Bob Dylan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Robert F. Kennedy. He was also the first television host to interview an openly gay person, Randy Wicker. He was awarded the Grammy for spoken word in 1971, with his reading of "Desiderata," which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard charts. He was also married to actress Tina Louise, is credited with naming the singing group "The Mamas and Papas" and acted in the 1966 film, "An American Dream".
Radio, Television Personality. He began his radio career in New Orleans and later became the popular host of San Francisco's KGO, the signal of which reached the entire West Coast. Sometimes controversial, his late-night "Crane at the Hungry I" included interviews with newcomers Barbra Streisand and comic Professor Irwin Corey. In 1964, he moved to television as host of ABC's "The Les Crane Show" (later "ABC's Nightlife"), where some of his exclusive guests included the Rolling Stones on their first American TV appearance, Bob Dylan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Robert F. Kennedy. He was also the first television host to interview an openly gay person, Randy Wicker. He was awarded the Grammy for spoken word in 1971, with his reading of "Desiderata," which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard charts. He was also married to actress Tina Louise, is credited with naming the singing group "The Mamas and Papas" and acted in the 1966 film, "An American Dream".
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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