On this, the 69th anniversary of the passing of a great radio humorist, we present the NBC program Biography in Sound,  This episode was broadcast two days prior to what would have been his 62nd birthday, May 29, 1956.  Ironically that was just 10 days following my birth.  And yes, I chose this picture because of another irony.  Until I graduated college, I played the tuba.  Here's a partial list of those apart of Fred that you will hear in this 55 minute program.

Kenny Delmar, Tallulah Bankhead, Doc Rockwell, Jack Benny, Herman Wouk, Jim Harkins, Francis Spellman, Donald Voorhees, Peter Donald, Bill Mullen, James Mason, Jimmy Durante, Goodman Ace, Henry Tugan, Joe DeGray, Mike Jakes, Minerva Pious, Jack Haley, Ed Herlihy, Edgar Bergen, Herb Shriner, Benny Droan, Clifton Webb, George Jessel, John Royal, Roger White, Pat Weaver, Harry Von Zell, John Crosby, Stanley Trablinsky, Morton Green, George Foster, Su Chan, Max Asgur, Alan Reed, and Parker Fennelly.  Each paying tribute with remembrances of Fred Allen.

And yes, writer Earl Hamner wrote much of the continuity of this program.  The same Earl Hamner who created The Waltons and Falcon Crest.  

One more amazing talent who influenced so many more.  May he rest in peace and know that even today, he is remembered for all the laughs he gave all of us.