Milt Grant in 1964

It is with great sadness we report the passing of one of Washington's broadcast pioneers, Milt Grant who died of cancer on Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 83.

Milt will forever be remembered for his teen dance show on Channel 5, which ran every night from 1956 - 1961 and was produced live in front of a studio audience in the Raleigh Hotel at 12th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW. He also co-authored the song, 'Rumble' with Link Wray who fronted the house band on the show. See a short clip of LaVern Baker performing, 'Jim Dandy Got Married' on 'Milt Grant's Record Hop' on WTTG-TV from Monday, May 27th, 1957. Also see a sales pitch he did for the show to sponsors that same day.

When his TV show came to an end, he organized the first 'network' of stations in the DC area for a syndicated radio program that ran Saturday & Sundays from 1-4PM on WPGC, WINX, WEEL and WAVA. By June 6th, 1964 the network had dissolved to only WAVA. He had previously been heard in 1959 on WWDC.

His ventures into TV ownership covered a period of over 30 years, beginning with Channel 20 in Washington in 1966 coinciding with the advent of UHF television frequencies. During the '80's the Grant Broadcasting System operated television stations throughout the country, including Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami and a host of smaller markets.

A service was held on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Star of David Cemetery and Chapel, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, Fl. 33068. More information on the life and times of Milt can be found at the following sources:

The Washington Post, (05/02/07) 'Before Dick Clark, Washington Had Boogied on Milt Grant's Show'

The Washington Post, (05/03/07) 'Milt Grant; Dance Host, TV Station Entrepreneur'

International Movie Database

Wikipedia

I don't recall the exact circumstances and dates, but when Milt first started on WPGC he was basically out of work and looking to stay alive. Quite honestly, I didn't want him, but Bob Howard did the old arm twisting and pulling rank. However, he was only on WPGC when I was there. I know after I left he did his local syndication deal and I have a sneaky feeling that Bob Howard might have been financially involved in that....but I don't know that for a fact. Keep in mind all this was more than 40 years ago.

Harv Moore writes:

When I first started at 'PGC, I recorded the Milt Grant show every Thursday night. His producer was a guy named Danny (can't come up with a last name). He was a character. We had a lotta laughs. Milt was a funny guy; serious, but funny. It ran Sunday afternoons. I still have one of the tape boxes labeled "The Milt Grant Show 2:00-2:25". (Not the show, just the box). Bob Howard gave me an extra $20 a week to record the show - lotta cash in 1963 - bought a lot of cigs! I was still smoking at that time (like everyone else) - $2.50 a carton!

'Barefoot' Larry Justice recalls:

Wow, another ICON. I remember being in awe of Milt. I remember his taping on Thursdays. However, there were times when he did the show LIVE on Saturday at 'PGC. I was on Saturdays, 10AM - 2PM followed by Milt. When he walked into the studio it was electric. It's not fun seeing all the guys I worked with leaving us. I was the kid, 22 yrs old at 'PGC.

 

Print Materials

Articles

Special thanks to Jack Maier for the above.

Print Ads

Thanks to Jack Maier for the above.

Sound Files

Airchecks

	Apr. '61	First Milt Grant Teen Network Show Open	2:14
	Apr. '61	WAVA & WPGC Both Joining The Show	1:09
	10/24/62	Milt Grant Show Big Bomb Of The Week Stager	:21

Special thanks to Lee Whitney for the audio above.

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