Jerry G. Bishop
| Jerry G. Bishop | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Jairus Samuel Ghan August 3, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Died | September 15, 2013 (aged 77) San Diego, California, USA |
| Years active | 1961-2006 |
| Spouse(s) | Liz (2 children) |
Jerry G. Bishop (August 3, 1936 – September 15, 2013) was a radio and television personality who is known for being Chicago's original "Svengoolie", and for his award-winning twelve-year stint on "Sun-Up San Diego."
Born Jairus Samuel Ghan in Chicago to Russian Jewish parents, he graduated from Wright Junior College, the University of Illinois and Columbia College Chicago.
In 1961, he got his start in radio at WNMP (now WCGO) in Evanston, hosting the morning-drive program. He also worked part-time on stations in Rockford and Springfield. In 1962, he was hired at WPGC-AM-FM in Washington, D.C., where he stayed for a year, before being hired on at Cleveland giant KYW as a night-time DJ. He had used his real name of Jerry Ghan at his previous jobs, but began using the name, 'Jerry G' at WPGC. KYW program director Ken Draper requested he that same name. "
During his three-year stint at KYW, Jerry G. toured with the Beatles as a reporter for Group W and NBC Radio stations on their 1964 and 1965 tours, hosted a weekly dance-party program, "Jerry G & Co.," on KYW's television outlet, and recorded a song, "She's Gone," backed by local group the Statesmen. Released as a single on the Clevetown label as by "Jerry G & Co.," it became a local hit in 1966.
When Ken Draper was program director at Chicago's WCFL from 1965 to 1968, he hired Bishop in 1967. Draper then asked him to pick a last name to go with the "Jerry G." name he had been using. He and his wife flipped through the Cleveland phone book, and together settled on the name "Bishop."
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