George Klein had a long and successful career as a Memphis radio DJ and TV personality. He first hit the airwaves in 1957, and also hosted "Talent Party" on WHBQ-TV from 1964 to 1973. George was the first disc jockey to play a record on-air by then unknown Louisiana piano player Jerry Lee Lewis. When George famously lost his job at WHBQ, Elvis asked George to come along with him until his career started back up. He appeared in cameo roles in eight of Presley's movies including "Jailhouse Rock." Most recently Klein was a Disc Jockey on satellite radio's Elvis Channel for several years. Every Friday on SiriusXM George would call out his moniker "The Geeker in your Speaker" (pronounced Jeeker). Klein was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2018, he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Klein and Elvis became friends in the eighth grade at Humes High School. Elvis affectionately called him GK and was the one who started it. He also was a member of the famed Memphis Mafia, consisting of Elvis Presley's closest friends and associates. George was Elvis' best man at his 1967 wedding to Priscilla, and in 1970 when Klein married in Presley's Las Vegas hotel suite, Presley was his best man.
Klein was a pallbearer when the Rock and Roll king died. In 1986, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Elvis with George Klein giving the acceptance speech on behalf of the Presley family.
George wrote two books. The first was published in 2007 and coincided with the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing, "Elvis Presley: The Family Album." The second, "Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock 'n' Roll Nights" was published in 2011.
George Klein had a long and successful career as a Memphis radio DJ and TV personality. He first hit the airwaves in 1957, and also hosted "Talent Party" on WHBQ-TV from 1964 to 1973. George was the first disc jockey to play a record on-air by then unknown Louisiana piano player Jerry Lee Lewis. When George famously lost his job at WHBQ, Elvis asked George to come along with him until his career started back up. He appeared in cameo roles in eight of Presley's movies including "Jailhouse Rock." Most recently Klein was a Disc Jockey on satellite radio's Elvis Channel for several years. Every Friday on SiriusXM George would call out his moniker "The Geeker in your Speaker" (pronounced Jeeker). Klein was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2018, he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Klein and Elvis became friends in the eighth grade at Humes High School. Elvis affectionately called him GK and was the one who started it. He also was a member of the famed Memphis Mafia, consisting of Elvis Presley's closest friends and associates. George was Elvis' best man at his 1967 wedding to Priscilla, and in 1970 when Klein married in Presley's Las Vegas hotel suite, Presley was his best man.
Klein was a pallbearer when the Rock and Roll king died. In 1986, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Elvis with George Klein giving the acceptance speech on behalf of the Presley family.
George wrote two books. The first was published in 2007 and coincided with the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing, "Elvis Presley: The Family Album." The second, "Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock 'n' Roll Nights" was published in 2011.
Bio by: Shirley Stewart Milford
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Although The Song Has Ended The Melody Lingers On
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Joint marker with Dara Klein
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