Thursday, December 13, 2012

R.I.P.: L.A. Pioneer Talk Radio Host Ray Briem

LA Times photo
Ray Briem, a pioneer in Los Angeles talk radio, most notably overnights on KABC/790 AM, has died at age 82, his daughter Debbie announced Wednesday, according to Gary Lycan at ocregister.com.

Briem was on KABC from 1967-1994 following seven years at KLAC/570 AM. He was considered a conservative, but enjoyed meaningful debate with liberals.

Briem received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was honored by Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters in 2008.  After retiring from KABC, he did a brief afternoon talk show on KIEV-AM.

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Briem, who had a brief stint as a nationally syndicated host, retired in 1994 after 27 years on the graveyard shift at KABC-AM, according to the LA Times.

Briem consistently drew the highest ratings of any overnight talk show in Southern California, routinely attracting about 15% of the available audience. He was a self-described protege of Joe Pryne, the legendary in-your-face host of a radio talk show.