Fred Robbins (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
Fred Robbins was a popular American
radio personality who went on to become a television host and celebrity interviewer.
and the University of Baltimore Law School.
Fred Robbins, an American disc jockey and T.V. show host, was born Fred Rubin. Robbins attended Baltimore City College and then graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1938. While at University of Baltimore, Robbins was the Features and Radio Editor of The Baloo (the Official Campus News Weekly) and he was also a member of the Tennis Team and Dramatic Club. 1
, WABC
and WNEW
in New York, and the host of television variety and quiz shows there. He was briefly the host of Cavalcade of Bands
for the DuMont
TV network. From 1953 through 1956, he was the announcer/host, and Coca-Cola
's spokesman, on Coke Time with Eddie Fisher
.
Robbins did interview programs for many radio networks and filmed nearly 100 behind-the-scenes features on movie making (through his "Robbins Nest" production unit), which were broadcast for nearly a decade on CBS Movie Nights. Robbins starred or played himself in more than two dozen television shows or movies from the 1940s through the 1980s. He was also a feature interviewer for CNN
's Showbiz Tonight
and wrote profiles of celebrities for many magazines.
Robbins started his career at Baltimore radio stations before moving to New York City where his career flourished. In 1948, New York Times writer Carter Harman wrote about jazz and “bop” music and credited Robbins for doing “much for bop.” 2 Robbins career continued to expand and he eventually began interviewing celebrities. On October 29, 1966, Robbins interviewed Beatles member John Lennon
on the set of the movie How I Won the War
in Carboneras, Spain. 3
He was immortalised by two jazz compositions, one by Billy Strayhorn called "Snibor",his name spelt backwards. This was recorded by the Duke Ellington Orchestra firstly in 1947 and subsequently in 1967. The other composition was called "Robbins Nest" by Sir Charles Thompson & recorded by many artists'.It became a jazz standard.
Robbins died of lymphoma
on June 23, 1992 at the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan
. He was 73 years old.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio personality who went on to become a television host and celebrity interviewer.
Background
Robbins was born in Baltimore, Maryland and was a graduate of the Baltimore City CollegeBaltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
and the University of Baltimore Law School.
Fred Robbins, an American disc jockey and T.V. show host, was born Fred Rubin. Robbins attended Baltimore City College and then graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1938. While at University of Baltimore, Robbins was the Features and Radio Editor of The Baloo (the Official Campus News Weekly) and he was also a member of the Tennis Team and Dramatic Club. 1
Career
He began a career in broadcasting, at a Baltimore station. Robbins later became the disc jockey of the Robbins Nest radio show on WINSWINS (AM)
WINS , known on-air as "Ten-Ten Wins", is a radio station in New York City, owned by CBS Radio. WINS's studios are in the combined CBS Radio facility at 345 Hudson Street in the TriBeCa section of Manhattan, and transmitting towers in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.WINS is one of the nation's oldest...
, WABC
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
and WNEW
WBBR
WBBR is a radio station broadcasting at 1130 AM in New York City. It airs Bloomberg Radio, a service of Bloomberg L.P. WBBR's format is general and financial news, offering local, national and international news reports along with financial market updates and interviews with corporate executives,...
in New York, and the host of television variety and quiz shows there. He was briefly the host of Cavalcade of Bands
Cavalcade of Bands (TV series)
Cavalcade of Bands was an early American television series which aired on the now defunct DuMont Television Network.-Broadcast history:Produced by Drug Store Television Productions and DuMont, Cavalcade of Bands featured performances by popular and obscure Big Band orchestras, and first aired on...
for the DuMont
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
TV network. From 1953 through 1956, he was the announcer/host, and Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
's spokesman, on Coke Time with Eddie Fisher
Coke Time with Eddie Fisher
Coke Time with Eddie Fisher is an American musical variety television series starring singer Eddie Fisher which was broadcast by NBC on Wednesday nights in early prime time from 1953 to 1957. The program was aired from 7:30 to 7:45 p.m...
.
Robbins did interview programs for many radio networks and filmed nearly 100 behind-the-scenes features on movie making (through his "Robbins Nest" production unit), which were broadcast for nearly a decade on CBS Movie Nights. Robbins starred or played himself in more than two dozen television shows or movies from the 1940s through the 1980s. He was also a feature interviewer for CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's Showbiz Tonight
Showbiz Tonight
Showbiz Tonight is an American entertainment news program on HLN .Showbiz Tonight is hosted by A.J. Hammer at CNN New York. The show reports and debates celebrity entertainment news stories and controversies, along with social networking segments involving viewer interaction via social networks and...
and wrote profiles of celebrities for many magazines.
Robbins started his career at Baltimore radio stations before moving to New York City where his career flourished. In 1948, New York Times writer Carter Harman wrote about jazz and “bop” music and credited Robbins for doing “much for bop.” 2 Robbins career continued to expand and he eventually began interviewing celebrities. On October 29, 1966, Robbins interviewed Beatles member John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
on the set of the movie How I Won the War
How I Won the War
How I Won the War is a black comedy film directed by Richard Lester, released in 1967. The film stars Michael Crawford as bungling British Army Officer Lieutenant Earnest Goodbody, with John Lennon , Jack MacGowran , Roy Kinnear and Lee Montague as soldiers under his command...
in Carboneras, Spain. 3
He was immortalised by two jazz compositions, one by Billy Strayhorn called "Snibor",his name spelt backwards. This was recorded by the Duke Ellington Orchestra firstly in 1947 and subsequently in 1967. The other composition was called "Robbins Nest" by Sir Charles Thompson & recorded by many artists'.It became a jazz standard.
Robbins died of lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
on June 23, 1992 at the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. He was 73 years old.