A music industry veteran who hosts a weekend Frank Sinatra show for KJazz (88.1 FM) radio was attacked by a man with a machete and held for three hours at his home in Woodland Hills yesterday, according to police and reports.

Jerry Sharell, said to be a music business mover-and-shaker who helped make some big careers, was with the suspect's ex-wife when the machete-wielding man allegedly approached with a bouquet of flowers:

That's what CBS Los Angeles reported last night: Neighbors told the station a suspect rolled up on an American motorcycle, seen parked outside, with flowers.

It all started about 8 a.m. at the home in the 4700 block of Nomad Drive in Woodland Hills, according to police and ABC Eyewitness News.

Sharell's weekly KJazz show was supposed to start at 10 a.m. and run until noon. It's called “Sundays with Sinatra.”


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The suspect attacked Sherell, who suffered stab wounds to his neck and head, police told ABC7. He was hospitalized in critical-but-stable condition.

The woman, whom Sharell had reportedly been dating after losing his own wife to cancer a few months ago, suffered minor injuries, police said.

The suspect tried to kill himself and was critically injured, according to our reading of what the LAPD has said.

KJazz's website says Sharell worked for David Geffen's label, once produced the “Billboard Awards” television show and helped to “establish the careers of: The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Harry Chapin, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, The Cars, Queen, Motley Crue, Grover Washington Jr. … “

With reporting from City News Service. Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow LA Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.

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