Former Station Owner And Promoter Larry Aiken Dies

EVANSVILLE, IN (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Radio station owner and former Top 40 on-air personality Larry Aiken, died Saturday night after a long illness at the age of 69, according to the Evansville Courier and Press. Aiken started in radio at WGBF-A/Evansville in 1955; he later bought WGBF-A-F in 1987 and owned the stations until 1996. Aiken was an Evansville native who made a name for himself in concert Promotion.

Aiken also worked on-air at WEOA-A/Evansville and moved on to WAKY-A/Louisville KQV-A/Pittsburgh, returning to Evansville to open the Aiken Agency (later Aiken Entertainment) promotions firm. Aiken began his career as a radio DJ known as "Lonesome Larry." He started his concert promotion company in 1962- and later became the chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic party.

Aiken's concert promotion company brought more than 1700 shows to Evansville- including Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra and Elton John. And, his company became the second largest presenter of touring Broadway shows in the United States. "He was able to open up the entertainment world to Evansville-the number of entertainers and performers the number of Broadway plays that he brought here would not have happened without Larry Aiken," said Mark Owen, chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic party. Aiken is also remembered for his work as a philanthropist– he donated more than a million dollars through the years. He leaves behind his wife Suzanne and the couple's two children. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers