singer and actor dies at 87 Legacy.com
Adam Wade was a singer and actor, as well as the first Black game show host in U.S. TV history.
Multifaceted talent
Before Wade began his career as an entertainer, he worked as a lab assistant for Dr. Jonas Salk as he developed the polio vaccine. Later in the 1950s, Wade began to pursue a recording career, and he had hits first hit with the 1960 song “Ruby.” He followed its success with early ‘60s singles including “Take Good Care of Her,” “The Writing on the Wall,” and “As If I Didn’t Know.” Wade began acting in the mid-‘60s, making appearances on TV shows including “Tarzan,” “The F.B.I.,” and “Adam-12.” In 1975, he made TV history when he hosted the short-lived “Musical Chairs,” becoming the first Black host of a U.S. TV game show. Wade continued his acting career with a role in “Shaft” as well as several other movie roles and TV appearances including “Sanford and Son,” “Kojak,” “Good Times,” “Hill Street Blues,” and “Law & Order.” He also provided voices for the cartoon “The Super Globetrotters.”
Tributes to Adam Wade
I’m so sorry to hear the passing of actor/singer/game show host, Adam Wade.
Among his many accomplishments, he will always be the first Black American man to ever host a TV game show, “Musical Chairs.”
My condolences to all whose lives he touched.https://t.co/d1v5B5hZit
— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) July 8, 2022
Sad to hear that singer/actor Adam Wade has passed. I saw him in “The Color Purple” in L.A. & at an after-show panel, I asked if were the same Adam Wade who had a #Billboard hit with “Take Good Care Of Her.” He was very surprised that anyone would know that.
— Fred Bronson (@FredBronson) July 10, 2022
RIP Adam Wade. (Our profile pic)
Wade was the first African-American TV game show host with “Musical Chairs” for CBS in 1975. He was an actor and singer who played/performed on several TV shows. Plus also a lab assistant w/ Dr. Jonas Salk for polio research. Wade was 87. pic.twitter.com/7Uq1ljua3o
— The Game Show Gospel (@gameshowgospel) July 8, 2022
Adam Wade RIP. Here’s a 1962 show poster of his appearance at the Tivoli at 63rd & Cottage Grove #woodlawn, sharing the bill with Della Reese, with whom he’d work several more times in later years. pic.twitter.com/GOfTgdQXiS
— McKie’s Disc Jockey Show Lounge (@mckiesdjlounge) July 10, 2022
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
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