By — Anna Sillers Anna Sillers Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/austin-city-limits-founder-bill-arhos-dies-age-80 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter ‘Austin City Limits’ founder Bill Arhos dies at age 80 Arts Apr 13, 2015 5:13 PM EDT Austin City Limits Hall of Fame 2014: Bill Arhos from Austin City Limits on Vimeo. Bill Arhos, founder of “Austin City Limits,” the longest-running music show in American television history, died on Saturday at the age of 80. Arhos began his career as a producer for KLRU, an Austin public television station, in 1961 and eventually became the station’s president and general manager. In 1974, he launched “Austin City Limits,” a public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas, featuring Willie Nelson as the show’s first performer. Arhos stayed on as the show’s executive producer until his retirement in 1999, and was inducted along with Willie Nelson into the inaugural Austin City Limits Hall of Fame last year. “I’ve never met anyone like Bill Arhos,” Terry Lickona, ACL executive producer and longtime colleague, said in a KLRU press release. “He was a real character, known and loved not just in Austin but throughout the PBS system. The idea for Austin City Limits was not just his alone, but he brought it to life, and he kept the show going and growing through some difficult times. Whether they know it or not, millions of music fans, artists and PBS viewers owe a debt to him for his enormous contribution to what’s become a cultural institution.” Arhos was born in Bryan, Texas in 1934 and graduated from Rice University in 1957. He served on the boards of PBS and the Country Music Association. “Bill Arhos was a legend in public media, respected for his creativity, energy, and persistence. From day one, he dedicated himself to building a station that was a national leader in production, and he set a standard that others seek to achieve,” said Bill Stotesbery, general manager of KLRU. “He will be missed greatly.” By — Anna Sillers Anna Sillers
Austin City Limits Hall of Fame 2014: Bill Arhos from Austin City Limits on Vimeo. Bill Arhos, founder of “Austin City Limits,” the longest-running music show in American television history, died on Saturday at the age of 80. Arhos began his career as a producer for KLRU, an Austin public television station, in 1961 and eventually became the station’s president and general manager. In 1974, he launched “Austin City Limits,” a public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas, featuring Willie Nelson as the show’s first performer. Arhos stayed on as the show’s executive producer until his retirement in 1999, and was inducted along with Willie Nelson into the inaugural Austin City Limits Hall of Fame last year. “I’ve never met anyone like Bill Arhos,” Terry Lickona, ACL executive producer and longtime colleague, said in a KLRU press release. “He was a real character, known and loved not just in Austin but throughout the PBS system. The idea for Austin City Limits was not just his alone, but he brought it to life, and he kept the show going and growing through some difficult times. Whether they know it or not, millions of music fans, artists and PBS viewers owe a debt to him for his enormous contribution to what’s become a cultural institution.” Arhos was born in Bryan, Texas in 1934 and graduated from Rice University in 1957. He served on the boards of PBS and the Country Music Association. “Bill Arhos was a legend in public media, respected for his creativity, energy, and persistence. From day one, he dedicated himself to building a station that was a national leader in production, and he set a standard that others seek to achieve,” said Bill Stotesbery, general manager of KLRU. “He will be missed greatly.”