Leland Ray Briem

Leland Ray Briem
1930 ~ 2012
'The Golden Voice of Radio'
is Silent
Leland Ray Briem signed off the earthly network on December 12, 2012. He was born January 19, 1930, the firstborn of Leland Jesse and Edith Gidney Briem in Ogden, Utah. Ray attended public schools, graduated from Ogden High School in 1947, and studied at the University of Utah. As a youngster he knew the career path he would pursue and by age 16, he had his own show on KLO Radio in Ogden.
New York City was his first assignment after enlisting in the Armed Forces Radio Service in 1949. There he emceed programs from posh Manhattan nightspots featuring the legends of the Big Band Era. Later he was transferred to Kyushu, Japan where he originated the "Hometown Mailbag" - a radio program that transmitted messages from home to soldiers in Korea - which averaged 3,000 letters per week. He also participated in two combat missions over the Chosin Reservoir in a C119 flying boxcar.
After his discharge from the Army he worked at KUTA/KLUB, Salt Lake City and KGIL, Los Angeles. In 1958 Ray moved to Seattle, Washington where he hosted "Seattle Bandstand" at KING Radio and Television. That same year he married Elsie Child. They later divorced.
He returned to the LA area in 1960 to work at KLAC and in 1967 he transferred to KABC. Here he transitioned from announcer/disk jockey to a talk-show host. Eventually, his program was transmitted nationally and he was heralded as the 'King of All-Night Radio'. For several years after retirement he broadcast on KIEV from his home in Malibu, California.
Two of his memorable life events were being honored with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and being invited to the White House by President Ronald Reagan. He appeared in two motion pictures - "The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case" and "Blind Ambition". As a ham operator, he communicated with friends and associates around the world.
Ray was an excellent pilot and he and his son, Bryan, toured the United States, coast to coast, in his Piper Commanche. His passion for flying is shared by both his sons who are pilots.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a board member of Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, a member of the American Legion, Santa Monica Rotary Club, Quiet Birdmen and the Society of Singers.
Ray is survived by two sons, Kevin (Monique) Briem, San Diego, California and Bryan (Debbie) Briem, Malibu, California; grandchildren Leila, Jordan, Robert, Nicholas, Sadie and Stern, and siblings Marilyn B. Blakeley and Rand (Vera) Briem, Ogden, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Glen Max Briem.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Brigham City Cemetery, Brigham City, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah.
Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com