Murray Kaufman, better known professionally as Murray the K, was Jacklyn Zeman’s first spouse. They were married for close to two years, from 1979–81, despite being together for seven years prior to marriage.

Murray had six marriages and three kids, Peter (Altschuler), Jeff, and Keith.

Anna May, his first wife, died after childbirth.

He was married to his second wife, Toni, for three years; to his third wife, Beverly, for three months; to his fourth wife, Claire, for about nine years in the 1950s; to his fifth wife, Jackie Hayes (nicknamed “Jackie the K”), from January 1960 until September 1978; and to his sixth wife, actress Jackie Zeman, for close to two years, despite being together for seven years prior to marriage.

Who was Murray the K and what work did he do?

Murray was a pivotal New York City rock and roll promoter and disc jockey in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

He regularly referred to himself as the fifth Beatle during the early days of Beatlemania.

Murray, who was born on February 14, 1922, worked in public relations and as a song plugger during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

His big break came in 1958, when he transferred to WINS/1010 to host the all-night show The Swingin’ Soiree.

Alan Freed, WINS’s high-energy star disc jockey, was indicted for tax evasion shortly after his debut and thrown off the air.

Murray was quickly transferred to the 7-11 p.m. time slot, where he stayed for the next seven years, always starting his show with Sinatra and making radio history with his original segues, jingles, sound effects, shenanigans, and hectic, imaginative programming.

Murray published multiple LP record albums during his radio career, from the 1950s to the 1970s, frequently collections of songs by the bands who played on his famed Brooklyn Fox shows.

What caused Murray the K’s death?

Murray died of cancer on February 21, 1982, just a week after his 60th birthday.