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| George "GK" Klein (October 8, 1935 – February 5, 2019) |
The 83-year-old died Tuesday night from complications of dementia, according to The Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
Klein declined in health in recent years, forcing him to step away from his radio and TV obligations. He was honored during ceremonies in November, where he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, but did not appear in person.
Known as the "The Geeker in your Speaker" (a nickname inspired by his initials, "G.K."), Klein’s career as a broadcaster cut across 60-plus years of rock 'n' roll history, which included a close to 30-year friendship with Elvis Presley.
Klein would remain a confidante to Elvis over the years, serving as the singer’s best man during his 1967 marriage to Priscilla Presley in Las Vegas. Elvis would return the favor when Klein got married in 1970.
Born in Memphis in 1935, Klein began his broadcasting career as a protege of pioneering rock 'n' roll disc jockey Dewey Phillips. Klein started work as a disc jockey in Arkansas, before earning a slot with Memphis powerhouse station WMC.
An aggressive DJ, Klein had his ear to ground, seeking the latest sounds during the early years of rock 'n' roll.
Famously, Klein lost his gig at WMC because the station’s management figured rock 'n' roll would be a passing fad. His old pal Elvis hired him for a time, and Klein would travel with the singer and appeared in “Jailhouse Rock” (as well as several other Elvis films) before returning to broadcasting.
Klein would ultimately spend 16 years as a DJ, television host, program director and public relations head for Memphis’ WHBQ Radio and TV. He became an important figure in the Memphis garage band era, hosting WHBQ's popular teen music program "Talent Party," which aired from 1964 to 1973.
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