Wink Martindale
Lifeless at 91
Printed
Wink Martindale is excessive rolling with God now … the long-lasting TV sport present host died Tuesday following a most cancers battle.
Wink’s publicists say the host of “Excessive 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 keeping 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 therapy when he died.
Wink, whose beginning title was Winston Conrad, obtained his begin down South as a radio DJ within the early ’50s in Memphis.
He was truly working at WHBQ when the station grew to become the primary to play Elvis Presley‘s debut hit, “That is All Proper” 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 pals, and after Elvis’ 1977 demise … Wink hosted a nationally broadcast radio tribute present. He truly met his spouse via Elvis, who she’d beforehand dated.
Within the ’60s, Wink made the bounce to L.A. radio stations, after which TV stations … the place his first sport present internet hosting gig was “What’s This Track?” in 1964.
“Tic-Tac-Dough” was undoubtedly his breakout present, although, which he hosted from 1978 to 1985. Along with “Excessive Rollers” … he additionally hosted “Headline Chasers,” “Trivial Pursuit,” “The Final Phrase” and “The Nice Getaway Sport.”
Wink obtained a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in 2006, and town the place he obtained his begin, Memphis … gave him an identical honor on Beale Avenue.
2009
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He was additionally entrance and middle when singer Crystal Gayle obtained 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
