It’s estimated that King, a 25-year veteran of CNN, conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews during career. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.
Watch 10 of King’s most memorable sit-downs with musicians below.
Frank Sinatra (1988)
Sinatra gave a rare interview to King in 1988, marking the iconic singer’s last major TV appearance before his death 10 years later. During the chat, Sinatra revealed that he never got over his stage fright (“I tremble every time…”) and called writers of kiss-and-tell books “pimps and whores.”
Barbra Streisand (1995)
Streisand appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live several times dating back to the early 1990s. In this mid-’90s appearance, the legendary singer and actress discussed her fear of public speaking, the political climate at the time, her career in film, and much more.
Tina Turner (1997)
Turner sat down with King in 1997 to discuss her decision to relocate from America to Europe and she reflected on rebuilding her life after Ike Turner. The iconic performer also touched on being a feminist hero. “I see it as a gift because of the life I lived, it had a meaning,” Turner said. “If I had not given the story to the world, maybe my life would not be as it is.”
Prince (1999)
The artist formerly known as Prince spoke with King in 1999 to promote his new album at the time, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. During the interview, the artist discussed the decision to change his stage name and touched on his ongoing struggles with Warner Bros Records. “It sort of divorced me from the past and all the hangups that go along with it,” Prince said of changing his name.
Madonna (1999)
A year after the release of her Grammy-winning album, Ray of Light, Madonna gave a wide-ranging interview on Larry King Live, touching on her rise to stardom, the struggles of fame, motherhood, and her interest in politics.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr (2007)
In 2007, King brought together surviving Fab Four members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to promote the launch The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. During the interview, which also included Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, King mistakenly referred to Ringo as “George.”
Beyonce (2009)
A year into her marriage with Jay-Z, Beyonce appeared on Larry King Live to promote her 2009 film Obsessed with Idris Elba. The episode found Queen Bey discussing everything from portraying Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records to her feelings on the Barack Obama presidency. Bey also revealed her desire to become a mother. “I only pray that my relationship with my daughter is like the relationship I have with my mother,” she said.
Lady Gaga (2010)
Lady Gaga’s interview with King in 2010 proved very interesting. In addition to revealing that she was set to open for Michael Jackson at London’s O2 Arena before his death, the pop superstar also discussed her “borderline positive” lupus diagnosis. Gaga also addressed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law, telling King, “There’s so many archaic things floating around in the government right now that are so misinformed and so wrong. It’s very confusing for young people.”
Snoop Dogg (2010)
Snoop Dogg and King crossed paths on many occasions over the years. Perhaps their most memorable onscreen encounter came in 2010 when the legendary rapper let King hit the switches in his custom 1967 Pontiac Parisienne. “I can’t reach the gears,” King says at one point.
Mac Miller (2015)
About three years before his death, Mac Miller appeared on Larry King Now for a revealing interview about his battles with depression, his feud with Donald Trump and details about his third album, GO:OD AM. “I can’t believe I’m getting interviewed by you right now,” an excited Miller tells King. “It’s so awesome.”
