Gordon McLendon

Gordon McLendon
Born
Gordon Barton McLendon

(1921-06-08)June 8, 1921
Paris, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 14, 1986(1986-09-14) (aged 65)
Lake Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupations
Political party
Spouses
  • Gay Noe
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1943; div. 1958)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1973; div. 1975)​

Gordon Barton McLendon (June 8, 1921 – September 14, 1986[1]) was an American radio broadcaster. Nicknamed "the Maverick of Radio", McLendon is widely credited for perfecting, during the 1950s and 1960s, the commercially successful Top 40 radio format created by Todd Storz.[2] He also developed offshore pirate radio broadcasting to both Scandinavia and the British Isles. In addition, he was active in circles of conservative business-political power in the 1960s until the time of his death.

  1. ^ Texas State Historical Association, McClendon, Gordon Barton
  2. ^ Jones, Jack (September 16, 1986). "Radio Pioneer McLendon, 65, Dies in Texas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 3, 2015.