ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — Cliff Lash, the man behind the music for the popular Ruth Lyons 50-50 Club and its successor, the Bob Braun Show, died Monday at Arbors at Milford. He was a resident of the New England Club in Anderson Township and had been ill for the past few weeks.

        Mr. Lash was part of the dwindling WLWT (Channel 5) family. Mr. Braun died in January.

        Mr. Lash served as the station's music director and orchestra leader from 1949 until 1978. After his retirement, he traveled around the world performing with vocalist Ruby Wright, and accompanied Marian Spelman and Bob Braun on riverboat and ocean cruise shows.

        The 88-year-old continued to perform at holiday concerts and other public appearances until a few years ago when, as he told his friend Michael Jaggers of Milford, he was “too old to get a gig.”

        “He was a really talented guy, a wonderful pianist,” said Dick Murgatroyd, former producer of the Bob Braun Show and current Kenton County judge-executive.

        The Cliff Lash Orchestra accompanied the show to the Ohio State Fair and hundreds of county fairs and festivals, said Mr. Murgatroyd. “He played the piano off the back of the truck, in a hayfield or wherever he went.”

        Mrs. Lyons praised Mr. Lash in her 1969 biography, Remember With Me,writing, “Our band was a great one, and Cliff Lash, the bandleader, was a tremendous accompanist.”

        Mr. Lash, who hailed from Michigan, studied at Hillsdale College and received bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

        Survivors include a sister, Esther Barron of Dallas, a nephew and nieces.

        There will be a memorial service at a later date.

        Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, 2624 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45221.

Ohio in hot water over air quality
Issues beginning to surface in contest
Candidates grilled in broadcast
Burbs show little interest in race-relations forums
Cliff Lash made the music for WLWT
Move bruises some feelings
Request to move trial is refused
Fire chief's job target of inquiry
Former 5/3 teller sues bank after robberies
Tristate A.M. Report
Photography class gets the picture
United Way goal: $2.2M
Van owner charged with dragging cop
Whither goeth class? To Puritan 'funeral'
Byrd presses final appeal
Circus coming to Richwood Flea Market
Florence loses former mayor
Judge suspended for delays
Kentucky News Briefs
Man's ability in trial questioned
Medicaid's cost spirals
Schools subject to disclosures