_____________________
Russ Knight, also known as “The Weird Beard,” was a popular 1960s radio personality. He started at KLIF in Dallas, left for WXYZ in Detroit in June 1964, then returned back to Texas to KICT (1964) and KILT (1965), both in Houston. Knight briefly worked at ABC-owned WXYZ in Detroit (four months) before departing for KITC.
One of the least known, or forgotten, highlight of Knight’s radio career was when he was called to testify before the Warren Commission. In July 1964, while in Detroit, Russ Knight testified (under his real name Russell Lee Moore) before that investigative body in Chicago. He was summoned for questioning, under oath, about his interactions with Jack Ruby after JFK’s assassination. Knight recounted meeting Ruby at the Dallas Police Department, where Ruby appeared agitated and mentioned Ruby delivering sandwiches and soda for the KLIF radio staff, that evening. Knight’s testimony offered insight into Ruby’s behavior in the aftermath of the assassination. [USARM Note: You can read Knight’s complete Warren Commission testimony, here.]
Russ Knight’s illustrious radio broadcasting career covered these various stations outlets:
KLIF (Dallas) WXYZ (Detroit) KICT (Houston) KILT (Houston) WOWO (Cleveland) WAQY (Birmingham) WSGN (Birmingham) WYDE (Birmingham).
Russ Knight had an impactful career in Texas radio, and beyond, beginning after returning to KILT in Houston, in 1965. One of his acclaimed moments in his broadcasting career was when he introduced the Beatles onstage (two concerts) at the Sam Houston Coliseum, in Houston. The date was August 19, 1965.
Russ Knight passed away on October 12, 2012. He was 79. You can view his obituary, online, here.
____________________
AUDIO REMASTERED! This audio recording was digitally enhanced by USA Radio Museum.
