Larry King: How to talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

“I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening. I never learned anything while I was talking.” — Larry King

RIP, Larry King, you will always remain in memories of Quadragenarian and Quinquagenarian (people in their 40’s and 50's), who were intrigued by your suspenders and inspired by your sheer eloquence. If memory serves, in last five decades, there has been almost every local or world leader, legend or celebrity who finds solitude in talking to you. You were able to tame them with your magical words and raised their emotions in a way that they were ready to share the deepest darkest secrets with you.

Many, internationally and nationally believe, CNN got its prominence due to the infamous branded Larry King Live show with Microphone and CNN logo, this predates the coverage of the Gulf war of 1990, which catapulted CNN past the “Big three” American network. History was made, 25 years hosting the show on one network that made CNN analogous to Larry King.

Larry King in his life time hosted more than 30,000 interviews and asked more than a Billion questions. Americans and people around the world waited every day to watch Larry King, anxiety was high to see who will be interviewed and what viral headlines will come out as legends will pour their hearts out. Some of the infamous interviews which have registered in history and must watch, most of them can be found on YouTube.

Frank Sinatra — 1988, Frank Sinatra’s last major interview before his death.

Marlon Brando — 1994, Larry King interviewed the famously iconoclastic actor who was promoting his book, “Songs My Mother Taught Me.”

O. J. Simpson Saga— 1995, “If we had God booked and O.J. was available, we’d move God,” the infamous quote from Larry King.

Bill Clinton & Al Gore — 1999, apart from many individual interviews, they did a combined interview.

Monica Lewinsky — 2000, Monica Lewinsky talks about life after infamous scandal.

Putin — 2000, Russian leader speaks about submarine tragedy, U.S. presidential politics and religion.

Celine Dion — 2005, Celine Dion broke down during an appearance with King, this was post Katrina devastation.

Jerry Seinfeld — 2007, Jerry Seinfeld appeared on the show, where Larry King pressed Seinfeld on why he left the show when he has number one show.

The Beatles Reunion — 2007, Beatles reunite for Larry King when they appeared on the show to promote the new Cirque du Soleil show “Love.”

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad— 2010, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview.

Larry King has mentored a number of journalists, helped the youths who were eager to learn the art. He wrote a number of books and memoirs. In an interview with Time’s Gilbert Cruz, when asked sometimes he avoids “asking difficult questions.” He said, “I’m not there to pin someone to the wall. I try to ask perceptive questions, thoughtful questions that get at an arrival of what that person is, how they are and what they bring forth.” King further said. “If I were to begin an interview with Nancy Pelosi and say, ‘Why did you lie about the torture things you learned?’ …the last thing I will learn is the truth. Of course, what am I doing? I’m putting them on the defense, purposefully, to make me look good — nothing to do with them…At that point, they’re a prop. Well, to me, the guest is not a prop.”

Larry King, became part of every family room, every evening like a favorite uncle having a conversation. He has been an epitome of communication and opinion shaper. His breezy but mostly non-confrontational style brought his guests hearts and emotion out. His fame and headline generating interviews, brought legends of all spheres world to his show. His legacy like him has filled ceaseless curiosity in viewers, his words and quotes will echo for ages, as he once said in his memoir “There is nothing in your destiny, nothing in your future that you cannot accomplish.”