Game Show Legend Wink Martindale Dies at 91 in Rancho Mirage

RANCHO MIRAGE (CNS) - Wink Martindale, who became one of the most well-
known and recognized television game show hosts of his generation by
helming programs such as ``Tic-Tac-Dough,'' ``High Rollers'' and ``Trivial
Pursuit,'' died today at age 91.
   According to a statement from his family, Martindale died in Rancho
Mirage ``surrounded by his family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra
Martindale.''
   No cause of death was given.
   Born Winston Conrad Martindale in Tennessee in 1933, Martindale
started working as a disc jockey in Jackson, Tennessee, at age 17, then moved
on to WHBQ in Memphis. He he made some rock n' roll history by helping to
arrange for Elvis Presley to visit the station and give his first-ever radio
interview after it played the singer's debut record ``That's All Right'' in
1954.
   Martindale moved to Los Angeles in 1959, working at KHJ radio, then
taking over the morning show at KRLA and eventually KFWB radio. He also had
stints at stations including KGIL, KKGO, KMPC, KABC and KJQI.
   He made his first foray into television while still in Memphis,
leading the children's show ``Mars Patrol'' and later ``Teenage Dance Party,''
on which Presley also appeared in 1956.
   But he scored his first major gig by hosting NBC's ``What's This
Song?'' in 1964. That led to more than 20 other hosting gigs, including shows
such as ``Words and Music,'' ``Gambit,'' ``The Last Word,'' ``Instant Recall''
and, most notably, ``Tic-Tac-Dough,'' which he hosted for about a decade,
ending in 1985.
   After leaving that program, he helped create and produce the game show
``Headline Chasers'' in association with Merv Griffin, although the show
was short-lived.
   He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006, and flowers
will be placed on the star Tuesday evening in his memory.
   Martindale is survived by his wife Sandra, sister Geraldine, daughters
Lisa, Lyn and Laura, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.