As ALL ACCESS was first to report (NET NEWS 12/5), NORM PATTIZ, the founder of the original WESTWOOD ONE, one of the founding fathers of radio syndication, and creator/founder of PODCASTONE and a NATIONAL RADIO HALL OF FAME honoree, died SUNDAY evening (12/5) at 79.One of the media’s most colorful and savvy executives, PATTIZ was a salesman at independent KCOP-TV/LOS ANGELES before launching WESTWOOD ONE in 1976 to syndicate a MOTOWN series; adding "THE DR. DEMENTO SHOW" and .
ALL ACCESS has learned that NORM PATTIZ, the founder of the original WESTWOOD ONE and PODCASTONE and a NATIONAL RADIO HALL OF FAME honoree, died SUNDAY evening (12/5) at 79.PATTIZ was a salesman at independent KCOP-TV/LOS ANGELES before launching WESTWOOD ONE in 1976 to syndicate a MOTOWN series; adding "THE DR. DEMENTO SHOW" and "OFF THE RECORD WITH MARY TURNER" (the latter hosted by PATTIZ s wife), the company became a leading radio syndicator as satellite distribution .
He was the heir to Larry King's late-night talk program, with 300 radio stations carrying the syndicated show. But, on October 14, his final program aired; health reasons were cited as this host's decision to retire. Indeed, Jim Bohannon was not well. On Saturday, it became known that Bohannon had passed away at the age of 78.
In case you missed the shocker from late YESTERDAY (6/30), in a day with a number of cuts already in play, it was also announced that WESTWOOD ONE would no longer be distributing LON HELTON’s “Country Countdown USA” after the weekend of JULY 30th and 31st.HELTON told ALL ACCESS, “We have had a great run of 30 years and my deepest thanks to all of the stations and artists who have contributed to our success. Our longtime writer/producer GEORGE ACHAVES is out as well, .