Los Angeles ( CNN ) -- Larry King might be only person whose surprise birthday party guest list would include Pat Boone and Larry Flynt . The talk show host turned 80 Tuesday , but the celebration started over the weekend when Boone , known for his conservative political views , serenaded King with `` Happy Birthday '' while Flynt , publisher of Hustler magazine , watched . The surprise party in the middle of Dodger Stadium , produced by wife Shawn King , also included Paul Anka delivering a custom rendition of his classic song `` My Way . '' King left his CNN throne almost three years ago , but he 's staying busy as he begins his ninth decade . He hosts `` Larry King Now '' on Ora TV and his show is also seen online through Hulu . He still does daily radio segments on Cumulus stations . `` I thought I could retire , but I could n't , '' he told CNN at his party . `` I love doing what I do . I love asking questions . I love being in the mix . '' What is King 's secret to interview success ? `` I leave my ego at the door ; the guest counts , '' King said . `` I see a lot of guys now , the interview is more about them than the guests . I never use the word ' I ' when I interview someone . I think it 's irrelevant . '' Between swings in the Dodger batting cage , Boone talked about King , who is just 6 months older . ( Yes , Pat Boone can swing a bat surprisingly well at 79 . ) King `` invented the whole thing of celebrity interviewing , '' Boone said . Their first interview together was more than nearly 50 years ago when King broadcast from a restaurant booth in Miami , he said . Celebrities feel comfortable with King because they know he 's not trying to trap them , he said . `` He was never was trying to trap you or take advantage or present his own agenda , but inquisitive , truly inquisitive . So you never knew what he was going to ask . They were good and probing questions . You gave revealing answers , but you were more revealing because you thought you were talking to a friend . '' Longtime `` Entertainment Tonight '' host Mary Hart called King `` wonderfully unique . '' `` The network of friends that he has built up , throughout the world , no matter if it is political circles or celebrity circles , it is unparalleled , '' Hart said . Dr. Drew Pinskey said that the times he filled in for King -- before hosting his own HLN show -- made him realize `` hard it was to do his job and how easy he made it look . '' King gives his guests a `` spoonful of sugar '' while `` he 's sticking the shiv in you , '' Pinskey said . `` It 's pleasant and so fun that you do n't even realize it . '' Singer-songwriter Paul Anka became King 's friend during the Miami days in the 1960s . `` Larry never takes a real dirty run at you , '' Anka said . `` He always gets to the real deal without hurting anybody . '' `` Inside Edition '' correspondent Jim Moret , who substituted as host on King 's CNN show at least 30 times , called him `` a mentor , a friend . '' He expects King will be working for many more years . `` He told me that he wants his last question to be , 'Guest , what 's it like being asked a question by a 118-year-old ? ' `` Larry King talks Castro , Chavez and the richest man in the world with Cala .
Larry King 's wife throws a surprise party in Dodger Stadium . `` I thought I could retire , but I could n't , '' King says . King `` invented the whole thing of celebrity interviewing , '' Pat Boone says . Paul Anka : `` He always gets to the real deal without hurting anybody ''