Posted on 09/12/2008 7:44:42 AM PDT by Cousin Eddie
Doug McIntyre just reported that George Putnam passed away at 94. He was one of the pioneers of talk radio.
I'm sure Doug From Upland (DFU) can give a lot more of the particulars, but here's some:
A lifelong Democrat, but the the Ronald Reagan variety -- the party left him. Loved Ronnie, couldn't stand the Democratic party of the last few decades.
At one point he was the highest paid anchor in the country. He told a funny story about Cronkite wanting to talk with about how he negotiated such an attractive package.
Started doing a "talk-back" segment with viewers that morphed into a talk radio show about 40 years ago.
He interviewed every president from FDR at least until Bush 41. Kept doing his show from his hospital bed.
Drudge arguably got his big boost from Putnam. When Drudge started his website out of his apartment in Hollywood, Putnam was one of the first that noticed him and put him on the air -- long before anyone heard of Drudge. IIRC, Putnam gave Drudge his Walter Winchell hat.
Wow. I can’t believe that old guy was still around.
RIP George 94 was a good run.
So long Mr. Putnam.
He was one high point of my time in Los Angeles.
I always loved his follow-up to callers foolish enough to express
support/love for illegal immigrants:
“Sir/Madam, your address please. So I can send all the illegals to
live with you!”
The great George Putnam — sad news.
Say Hi to the Gipper for us, George,
In the 1970's, he broadcast a talk show over KIEV, at 870 kilocycles on the AM band, which now calls itself KRLA. One could see him broadcasting live through a window into his studio, located in a shopping mall beneath the ARCO Towers in downtown Los Angeles. His show began with Harry Nilsson singing "Everybody's Talkin'", and then George would break in, saying,
Yes, everybody's talking at you, now it's your turn to talk back. You at home, and you here at our studios in the ARCO Plaza, it's your turn to talk back. We're going to bring you the news, bring you newsmakers and celebrities, but most of all, we want to talk with you.
I remember him growing up in socal. He was a great one...
From the TV days - Here’s to a better, stronger America; see you at ten, see you then
During the Clinton years, I was a regular caller, including limericks. George had me in studio with him three times.
For many years, he joined an equestrian team to ride in the Rose Parade. I don’t believe, however, that he was ever named grand marshal. Politics?
More than any other broadcaster in the nation, he sounded the clarion call about illegal immigration for decades. He interviewed all the presidents of his broadcast lifetime until.................Bill Clinton.
“The great George Putnam — sad news.”
Indeed.
I have listened to him on talk radio for years while waiting for my kids to get out of band practice.
Paul Harvey is still going strong.
Wow, I grew up in Los Angeles. My rock ribbed conservative parents and grand parents loved George. I remember he rode a horse each year in the Rose Parade. Course during the 60’s I went off into left wing la la land. But came back. He was truly a pioneer both on TV news and talk radio. RIP George Putnam!
I used to watch him as a news commentator back in the 1970s when I was a kid. I liked him better than all the other news people, but didn’t know why at the time.
I’m 66 years old, and George Putnam is the first news person that I ever remember hearing. KTLA
George Putnam even interviewed George Washington Carver it was one of his first interviews.
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