Martin Block

Martin Block (1901-1967) was the first radio disc jockey to become a star in his own right. He was born in Los Angeles, California.

American commentator Walter Winchell coined the term disc jockey (the combination of disc , referring to the disc records, and jockey , which is an operator of a machine) as a description of Block. While his audience was awaiting developments in the Lindbergh kidnapping, Block played records and created the illusion that he was broadcasting from a ballroom, with the nations top dance bands performing live. The show, which he called Make Believe Ballroom , was an instant hit.

Block left Make Believe Ballroom in 1954 to host The Martin Block Show for ABC Radio. Towards the end of his career, he was heard on WOR/New York.

Martin Block was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.