M.G. Kelly
Encyclopedia
Michael Gary Kelly known professionally as M. G. Kelly and Machine Gun Kelly, is an actor, disc jockey and radio personality. In addition to hosting several radio programs over the years, Kelly has held several acting roles as a disc jockey; also, he has served as an offstage announcer on two game show
s.
His stage name is a reference to George "Machine Gun" Kelly
, a notorious criminal.
, KTNQ
, KOST
and KODJ
-FM.
Programs produced by Kelly include:
Kelly rose to fame at 93KHJ
radio in Los Angeles in the 1970s and worked in several other stations in the area.
role as DJ "Bebe Jesus" in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born
and the role of Father John Voss in the movie The Enforcer
, as well as many television roles, including two CHiPs
episodes from 1978 and the classic WKRP in Cincinnati
"Fish Story" episode in 1979. He also provided the voice of the archvillian The Lightning Bug in the 1979 serial spoof J-Men Forever
.
In addition to acting, Kelly served a short stint as announcer on the game show The Pop 'N Rocker Game
, hosted by Jon Bauman
. In late 1988 and early 1989, he filled in as announcer on Wheel of Fortune
following the death of former announcer Jack Clark in mid-1988. Kelly announced both the daytime network version of the show and the nighttime, syndicated version hosted by Pat Sajak
. He announced from September 1988 to March 1989, except for a two-week stint in November 1988 when the show taped at Radio City Music Hall
and Don Pardo
announced. Kelly was succeeded by Charlie O'Donnell
, the original announcer of the daytime version.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
s.
His stage name is a reference to George "Machine Gun" Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly
George Kelley Barnes , better known as "Machine Gun Kelly", was an American gangster during the prohibition era. His nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thompson submachine gun. His most famous crime was the kidnapping of oil tycoon & businessman Charles Urschel in July 1933 for which he,...
, a notorious criminal.
Radio career
Kelly has hosted and produced several radio programs. Several are still airing on stations across the United States and Canada; production and distribution of his current shows went on a brief hiatus in the late 2000s but has since resumed. During the 1970s and '80s, Kelly enjoyed much success as the afternoon disc jockey on Los Angeles radio stations KHJ (AM)KHJ (AM)
KHJ Radio in Los Angeles, California broadcasts Spanish-language entertainment programming as La Ranchera. It was also one of America's most formidable Top 40 radio stations in the 1960s and 1970s as 93 KHJ before changing its format in 1980....
, KTNQ
KTNQ
KTNQ is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, with a Spanish News/Talk format. It is owned by Univision. on June 13, 1925 until 1955 it was called . From August 1, 1955 until 1960 it was called KPOP. From June 29, 1960 until 1976, it was called KGBS...
, KOST
KOST
KOST is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, with an adult contemporary musical format. It is one of three adult contemporary formatted radio station in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, the others being sister station KBIG and CBS-owned KTWV...
and KODJ
KODJ
KODJ is a radio station broadcasting an classic hits format. Licensed to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, the station serves the Salt Lake City area.-History:...
-FM.
Programs produced by Kelly include:
- Live from the 60s (1986-93, reruns from 1993-96), hosted by "The Real Don SteeleDon SteeleDon Steele, born Donald Steele Revert , was one of the most popular disc jockeys in the United States, from the middle of the 1960s until his retirement in May 1997...
," a retrospective on the 1960s featuring 1960s music, distributed by Premiere Radio NetworksPremiere Radio NetworksPremiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming... - American Hit List (1998-present) similar to Live from the 60s except hosted by Kelly himself. This series featured a broader playlist stretching the 1950s to the 1970s, with a focus on 1964-73.
- Back to the 70s (1998-2007, 2011-present). First 52 episodes hosted by Charlie TunaCharlie TunaCharlie Tuna is the stage name of Art Ferguson , a radio personality based in Los Angeles, California currently working at KRTH-FM....
, airing in reruns through 2007; subsequent revival (ca. 2011) hosted by Kelly himself. - The Amazing 80s (1998-present) hosted by Kelly, marketed as a direct competitor to Backtrax USABacktrax USABacktrax USA is a two hour radio program hosted by former WHTZ DJ Kid Kelly that premiered in 1993.The show originally highlighted hit music from the 1980s. Since 2003, however, Backtrax USA has offered a 1990s version of the show featuring hit music from this decade alongside that of the '80s...
. - Top 30 USA (1980s), AC Radio top 30 countdown (or as the show implies a CountUP show) hosted by Kelly and distributed by CBS RadioCBS RadioCBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
- Your Good Time Oldies Magazine (1992-95), co-hosted by Kelly and Charlie TunaCharlie TunaCharlie Tuna is the stage name of Art Ferguson , a radio personality based in Los Angeles, California currently working at KRTH-FM....
Kelly rose to fame at 93KHJ
KHJ (AM)
KHJ Radio in Los Angeles, California broadcasts Spanish-language entertainment programming as La Ranchera. It was also one of America's most formidable Top 40 radio stations in the 1960s and 1970s as 93 KHJ before changing its format in 1980....
radio in Los Angeles in the 1970s and worked in several other stations in the area.
Acting career
M.G. Kelly's acting career includes a typecastTypecasting (acting)
In TV, film, and theatre, typecasting is the process by which a particular actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character; one or more particular roles; or, characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ethnic groups...
role as DJ "Bebe Jesus" in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born (1976 film)
A Star Is Born is a 1976 American rock music musical film telling the story of a young woman, played by Barbra Streisand who enters show business, and meets and falls in love with an established male star, played by Kris Kristofferson, only to find her career ascending while his goes into decline...
and the role of Father John Voss in the movie The Enforcer
The Enforcer (1976 film)
The Enforcer is a 1976 American film, and the third in the Dirty Harry film series. Directed by James Fargo, it stars Clint Eastwood as Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan, Tyne Daly as Inspector Kate Moore and DeVeren Bookwalter as terrorist leader/main antagonist Bobby Maxwell.-Plot:In Marin County,...
, as well as many television roles, including two CHiPs
CHiPs
CHiPs is an American television drama series produced by MGM Studios that originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to July 17, 1983. CHiPs followed the lives of two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol...
episodes from 1978 and the classic WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati is an American situation comedy that featured the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising sales at Top 40 radio station WQXI in Atlanta...
"Fish Story" episode in 1979. He also provided the voice of the archvillian The Lightning Bug in the 1979 serial spoof J-Men Forever
J-Men Forever
J-Men Forever is a 1979 comedy film by Philip Proctor and PeterBergman of the Firesign Theatre. The film is a pastiche using film clips from Republic serials, re-dubbed with comic dialog to tell a tale of world conquest by sex, drugs and rock and roll....
.
In addition to acting, Kelly served a short stint as announcer on the game show The Pop 'N Rocker Game
The Pop 'N Rocker Game
The Pop 'N Rocker Game is a syndicated weekly game show from Ron Greenberg Productions and Alan Landsburg Productions, premiering on September 17, 1983, and running for a full year. It combined musical trivia with in-studio performances; two bands were featured on each episode.Jon Bauman, better...
, hosted by Jon Bauman
Jon Bauman
Jon "Bowzer" Bauman is an American musician, best known as a member of the band Sha Na Na, and game show host. Bauman's popular Sha Na Na character, "Bowzer" Jon "Bowzer" Bauman (born September 14, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American musician, best known as a member of the band Sha Na Na,...
. In late 1988 and early 1989, he filled in as announcer on Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
following the death of former announcer Jack Clark in mid-1988. Kelly announced both the daytime network version of the show and the nighttime, syndicated version hosted by Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
. He announced from September 1988 to March 1989, except for a two-week stint in November 1988 when the show taped at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
and Don Pardo
Don Pardo
Dominick George "Don" Pardo is an American radio and television announcer. He is best known as the voice of the long-running late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live....
announced. Kelly was succeeded by Charlie O'Donnell
Charlie O'Donnell
Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows...
, the original announcer of the daytime version.