John Werner Kluge's Death at 95

[Porky Hooton]

One of the greatest radio and television icons of all time has died at the age of 95. John Kluge started with a FritoLay franchise in Baltimore and purchased WGAY as his first radio station in Silver Spring, MD. MetroMedia along with NBC, CBS, and ABC was the "best of the best" back in the day. Many people got their start with Mr. Kluge, including Melvin Alan Karmazin, who joined WNEW-FM in sales when he was only 17. Mel later went on to head Infintiy, CBS, and Sirius. John Kluge also took very sierious his baptismal covenant. He convenrted from Lutheranism to Roman Catholicism and gave away boat loads of money. He gave Columbia University close to one half billion dollars. Like Walter Annenberg (Peddie School and Univeristy of Pennsylvania) he had an understanding of the saying, "to whom much is given, much is expected". He was billionaire many times over, and next to Sam Walton, the second wealthiest American ever. Hear these welcome words, well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.