Murray the K facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murray the K
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1961 album cover
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| Born |
Murray Kaufman
February 14, 1922 New York City, United States
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| Died | February 21, 1982 (aged 60) Los Angeles, United States
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| Occupation | Disc jockey |
| Years active | 1958–1981 |
Murray Kaufman (born February 14, 1922 – died February 21, 1982) was a famous disc jockey (DJ) in New York City. He was known as Murray the K. He was very important in rock and roll music from the 1950s to the 1970s. When The Beatles first became popular, he often called himself the "Fifth Beatle".
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Murray Kaufman grew up in a family that loved show business. His mom, Jean, played the piano and wrote music. His aunt was an actress in plays and movies. When he was a kid in the 1930s, he was an extra in some Hollywood films.
He went to a military boarding school called Peekskill Military Academy. Later, he joined the United States Army. There, he helped arrange fun shows for the soldiers. After the war, he put together shows in the Catskill Mountains. He also warmed up the crowd before the main performers came on stage.
Starting in Radio
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Murray worked in public relations. He also helped promote songs, like "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" by Bob Merrill.
From there, he started working in radio. He was a producer and co-host at stations like WMCA. He worked with famous people like Laraine Day. He also promoted baseball players such as Mickey Mantle. His connection to the New York Giants baseball team helped him get his own late-night radio show.
Becoming a Famous DJ
The Swingin' Soiree!
Murray Kaufman got his big chance in 1958. He moved to radio station WINS and started an all-night show. He called it The Swingin' Soiree. Soon after he joined, another famous DJ, Alan Freed, left the station. Murray then took over the 7–11 pm time slot. He stayed there for seven years.
He always started his show with music by Frank Sinatra. Murray made radio history with his new ideas. He used cool transitions between songs, catchy jingles, and fun sound effects. He was known for his energetic and creative shows. People called him "the original hysterical disk jockey."
The "Fifth Beatle"
Murray the K was most popular in the mid-1960s. He was the top radio host in New York City. He became a big supporter and friend of The Beatles. When The Beatles first came to New York on February 7, 1964, Murray was the first DJ they welcomed. They had heard about him from American groups like The Ronettes.
Murray convinced his radio station, WINS, to let him broadcast his show from The Beatles' hotel suite. He traveled with them to their first U.S. concert in Washington, D.C. He was also backstage at their first The Ed Sullivan Show performance. He even shared a room with George Harrison in Miami. He broadcast his radio shows from there too.
He became known as the "Fifth Beatle". He said George Harrison or Ringo Starr gave him this nickname. His radio station, WINS, used the name in their promotions. Murray was even invited to the set of The Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night in England. He made several trips to England in 1964. This gave WINS listeners special news about The Beatles.
Moving to FM Radio
By the end of 1964, Murray learned that WINS would change to an all-news format. He announced his resignation on the air in December 1964. His last show was on February 27, 1965.
A year later, in 1966, a rule changed for radio stations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said AM and FM stations could not play the exact same content. This opened the door for Murray. He became a program director and DJ at WOR-FM. This was one of the first FM rock stations.
On FM, Murray played longer versions of songs from albums. He often played many songs by one artist, or songs that fit a theme. He did this without many commercials. He also interviewed artists live in the studio. He played all kinds of popular music in a "free-form" style. He played artists like Bob Dylan and Janis Ian. These longer songs became known as "FM cuts."
Supporting Bob Dylan
During this time, Murray often supported Bob Dylan. Dylan was sometimes criticized for playing electric music instead of folk. In August 1965, Murray introduced Dylan at a big concert. He told the crowd, "It's not rock, it's not folk, it's a new thing called Dylan."
Later Radio Years
WOR-FM later changed its format, so Murray left New York radio in 1967. He hosted shows in Toronto and Maryland. He returned to New York in 1972 for a weekend show on WNBC radio. He was joined there by another famous DJ, Wolfman Jack. Murray's WNBC show still had his unique style. He told stories with songs and connected music in creative ways.
In 1975, he had a brief time at WLIR and then WKTU. After that, he moved to Los Angeles because he was not well.
Brooklyn Fox Shows
Throughout his radio career, Murray produced big rock 'n' roll shows. These shows happened three or four times a year at the Brooklyn Fox Theater. They usually took place during school breaks, like Easter or Christmas.
These shows featured the biggest stars of the time. They also introduced new artists. Some of the famous performers included Dionne Warwick, The Shirelles, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Ronettes, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. In 1967, the show moved to Manhattan and featured bands like Cream and The Who.
Records, TV, and More
Murray the K also released many record albums. These albums often had songs by the artists who played at his Brooklyn Fox shows. Some album names were Murray the K's Blasts from the Past.
He also had a fun "language game" called "Meusurray" on his radio show. A girl group called The Delicates even made a song about it. They also wrote his radio show's theme song, "Submarine Race Watcher."
In the mid-1960s, Murray produced and hosted TV shows with rock performers. One famous show was It's What's Happening, Baby in 1965. It featured many popular artists like Mary Wells, the Dave Clark Five, The Supremes, Ray Charles, and The Ronettes. This show also had early music video-style parts, long before MTV existed.
In 1966, Murray helped create a huge multimedia event called The World. It was in an old airplane hangar and was like the first discotheque. Live music played while slides and films were shown on the crowd. Bands like The Young Rascals and The Hollies performed. The World was even on the cover of Life magazine.
In 1967, he produced "Murray the K in New York." This show featured more music video-style segments. It had stars like The Doors, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin.
In the 1970s, Murray was a special helper for the stage show Beatlemania. He traveled around the country to promote it. Later, in Los Angeles, he hosted a radio show called Soundtrack of the '60s.
Film Appearances
Murray Kaufman was made fun of in the movie The Rutles – All You Need Is Cash. An actor played a character named "Bill Murray the K." Murray Kaufman also appeared as himself in the film I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978).
Family and Passing
Murray was married six times and had three sons: Peter, Jeff, and Keith.
He passed away from cancer on February 21, 1982, a week after his 60th birthday.
Legacy and Influence
Murray the K helped write the famous song "Splish Splash" with Bobby Darin.
His rock 'n' roll shows at the Brooklyn Fox theater were very important. They brought together performers and audiences of different backgrounds. These shows continued even during times of social change in the 1960s. His last show at the Brooklyn Fox featured The Who and Cream in their first American performances.
Murray also wrote a book in 1966 called Murray the K Tells It Like It Is, Baby.
As a program director at WOR-FM, he changed how people listened to rock music. He played full album versions of songs like Like A Rolling Stone. These songs were often played in shorter versions or not at all on other radio stations.
He is mentioned in songs like "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" by Ramones and "Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion.
In 1997, Murray the K was honored and put into the National Radio Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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1961 album cover
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Murray the K and The Ronettes.
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Murray the K Fan Club promo, c. 1960
