Guess Who Is the Body Behind the Voice

Inspired by Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story, Kevin has crafted a captivating series of “guess who” articles, which he’s generously sharing with our readers!

He was the fastest-rising young singer in San Francisco, known as the “Romantic Voice of America.” From the bay to the hills, teenage girls adored him, willing to do anything just to catch a glimpse.

Yet not a single fan had ever seen his face.

No photographs, no public appearances—just a voice on the airwaves.

The reason behind this mystery? Well, that’s the real story.

As a child, music had been his world. From the age of four, he trained to become a concert pianist, dedicating hours to practice. But by his teenage years, reality set in—making a living in classical music wasn’t easy. The musicians thriving were the ones in popular music. Reluctantly, he adjusted his path and applied for a job as a staff musician at a San Francisco radio station.

The station manager recognized his skill at the piano but had no openings for a pianist. What they needed was a singer.

“Ever done any singing?” the manager asked.

He hesitated, mentioning his time as a boy soprano in a church choir.

“Let’s hear you,” the manager said.

So he sang.

His voice was smooth, rich—a tenor, pitch-perfect, and full of warmth. He got the job. Before long, fan mail poured in from devoted listeners, especially young women infatuated with his dreamy voice. The station embraced the excitement, promoting him as the “Romantic Voice of America.”

But he refused to send photos. He knew why. Public appearances? Out of the question.

The truth was, he didn’t fit the image his voice created.

One day, a particularly smitten fan decided to solve the mystery herself. She slipped into the radio station, hoping for a glimpse of her idol.

By sheer chance, she ran into him in the hallway and asked for directions—without realizing who he was. Blushing, he muttered a response, ready to slip away, when a secretary unknowingly called his name.

The girl froze. Then, after a stunned silence, she burst into laughter—loud, uncontrollable laughter.

Her reaction cut deep. Because standing before her wasn’t the dashing heartthrob she had imagined. He was just eighteen years old, five-foot-ten, and weighed over 260 pounds.

That moment changed everything. He decided he wouldn’t stay hidden forever. He put himself through months of grueling effort, losing weight until he finally emerged—not just with a golden voice, but with the confidence to match.

Audiences would later know him as a charming television host and a multitalented entertainer. But long before that, before the fame and the success, he was simply an overweight teenager with an incredible voice, too embarrassed to step into the spotlight—until one unexpected moment pushed him forward.

His name? Merv Griffin.