Wink, whose real name was Winston Conrad, began his career as a radio DJ in Memphis in the early 1950s.
In fact, he was employed at WHBQ in 1954 when the station played Elvis Presley’s first song, “That’s All Right”—and he allegedly invited Elvis to the station for his first interview.
He and the King became longtime friends, and Wink staged a nationally televised tribute event to Elvis following his death in 1977. His wife had dated Elvis before he did, so he actually met her through him.
Wink transitioned to L.A. radio stations in the 1960s, followed by TV stations. In 1964, he hosted his first game program, “What’s This Song?”
