Wink Martindale
Useless at 91
Printed
Wink Martindale is excessive rolling with God now … the enduring TV sport present host died Tuesday following a most cancers battle.
Wink’s publicists say the host of “High Rollers,” “Tic-Tac-Dough” and “Gambit” handed away within the SoCal desert metropolis of Rancho Mirage, and was surrounded by household … together with his spouse Sandra Martindale.
He’d been battling lymphoma for a few 12 months, and was doing effectively, in line with his rep Brian Mayes … however about 2 weeks in the past, Wink took a flip for the worst, and was in a hospital getting remedy when he died.
Wink, whose start identify was Winston Conrad, acquired his begin down South as a radio DJ within the early ’50s in Memphis.
He was really working at WHBQ when the station grew to become the primary to play Elvis Presley‘s debut hit, “That’s All Right” in 1954 — and he reportedly invited Elvis right down to the station for his very first interview.
He and the King grew to become lifelong mates, and after Elvis’ 1977 dying … Wink hosted a nationally broadcast radio tribute present. He really met his spouse by means of Elvis, who she’d beforehand dated.
Within the ’60s, Wink made the leap to L.A. radio stations, after which TV stations … the place his first sport present internet hosting gig was “What’s This Song?” in 1964.
“Tic-Tac-Dough” was positively his breakout present, although, which he hosted from 1978 to 1985. Along with “High Rollers” … he additionally hosted “Headline Chasers,” “Trivial Pursuit,” “The Last Word” and “The Great Getaway Game.”
Wink acquired a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in 2006, and the town the place he acquired his begin, Memphis … gave him an analogous honor on Beale Road.
2009
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He was additionally entrance and middle when singer Crystal Gayle acquired her star, which was positioned proper subsequent to his.
Wink is survived by 3 daughters, a number of grandchildren and Sandra, to whom he was married for 49 years.
He was 91.
RIP
