Merv Griffin

about

Griffin was born into a middle class Irish American family on July 6, 1925 in San Mateo, California to Mervyn Griffin Sr., a stock broker and Rita Griffin (née Robinson), a homemaker. Raised as a Roman Catholic, Griffin started singing in his church choir as a boy, and by his teens was earning extra money as a church organist. He attended San Mateo High School, class of 1942, and continued to aid in financing the school. During World War II, Merv was declared after failing several military physical exams due to increased weight and having a slight heart murmur. Drafted for service during the Korean War, he was slimmed down and passed the physical, but was deemed too old as the draft limit was 26 and he had just turned 27. Career Griffin started as a singer on radio at age 19, appearing on San Francisco Sketchbook, a nationally syndicated program based at KFRC. Griffin was slightly overweight as a teenager, which disappointed his radio fans.[citation needed] Embarrassed by their reaction, Griffin resolved to lose weight and change his image, losing 80 pounds in four months. Freddy Martin heard him on the radio show and asked Griffin to tour with his orchestra, which he did for four years. Within a year, Griffin earned enough to form his own record label, Panda Records, which produced Songs by Merv Griffin, the first American album ever recorded on magnetic tape. He became increasingly popular with nightclub audiences, and his fame soared among the general public with his 1

top songs

albums

House of Horrors

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Merv Griffin's Dance Party

It's Like a Dream

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Young and Wild: More Rare 50s and 60s Greats, Vol. 2

Appearing Nightly

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Gems From The Mercury Vaults

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More Vintage Children's Favourites

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Mercury 1962

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Best Of The Early Years

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Trick Or Treat, Vol. 7

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Driving Down Memory Lane

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Jeopardy - Main Theme from the TV Series (feat. Dominik Hauser) - Single

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