Perhaps the greatest announcer in all of United States television, Don Pardo, died yesterday at 96. He was most noted for his work on game shows and the introduction to Saturday Night Live (including introducing the Stones at the beginning of the show in 1978).

But my favorite Don Pardo moment was his appearance on SNL with Frank Zappa in 1976 where he read lyrics to I'm The Slime.





I saw him appear with Zappa a few weeks after this. He reprised his I'm the Slime routine and read the intro to The Illinois Enema Bandit. He came out in a white top hat and tails. It was classic!

One of the best. Will miss him but at least you can't say he didn't live a full life.

rest in peace DON PARDO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But his name lives on.....

He specialized on doing introductions to tv-shows and got famous for that?

Began his career in radio before any of the Rolling Stones were born .... except for Bill.

Thanks, Tatters. He is unheard of in Europe. No disrespect meant.

Fantastic guy. RIP Don.

BTW, for those outside the U.S. you've heard his voice if you ever watched Saturday Night Live (he also was the announcer for several older game shows). He started as a news broadcaster at a local NYC NBC affiliate.

I grew up watching SNL in the late 80s-90's. His voice fit the music so perfectly during the opening. It helped get you excited for the show.

RIP.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-08-21 00:48 by ryanpow.

After Farley died and Myers and the rest left...pffffffft.