"The Last Broadcast" with Red's special guests Pat O'Day and Bruce Allen, aired on CISL650/Vancouver on August 27, 2017. 

Here are all 19 episodes of the show that wrapped up Red's 60-year radio career. 

Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, out now at FriesenPress, Indigo, Chapters and Coles, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes & Noble, Google Play and Apple Books.

We dedicate The Last Broadcast to the memory of a true radio legend: our friend Pat O'Day, who passed away August 4, 2020. For more on Pat's amazing career, you'll want to pick up his autobiography, "It Was All Just Rock'n'Roll" at Amazon - amzn.to/3pQKBVi

Dee Lippingwell photo

The Last Broadcast *COMPLETE*

On November 8, 2000, I retired from daily radio and CISL's Wakeup Club morning show. One of the many friends we talked to that day was legendary Canadian singer Anne Murray. Anne had just taken a year off, and I asked her what I should be doing with all this "free time".

Retirement Tips From Anne Murray, 2000

The Crystals were one of the most successful "girl groups" of the early 60's with hits like "There's No Other (Like My Baby)", "Uptown", "He's Sure the Boy I Love", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Then He Kissed Me" and "He's a Rebel", which hit #1 around this time in 1962. 

In this 2000 interview, Dolores talks about legendary producer Phil Spector and the enduring success of their Christmas album.

Dolores says "I am still singing today! We do theme parks, concerts halls/theatres, private parties for lots of high profile people, many cruises, theme parties and even some weddings! We've done lots of corporate dates, political parties etc. We have done them ALL over the years! We get kids of all ages in our audiences and they are well pleased. We have a lively, fun show! The girls with me are singers and actors.They've been in movies,TV and Broadway shows. We would love you to contact us to see if you'd like us to sing for your special affair."

Contact Dolores on her Linkedin page: linkedin.com/in/dolores-kenniebrew-40262a28 and read more about the Crystals at thecrystals.net

Dolores Kenniebrew, The Crystals

I first met Susan Jacks on the set of Let’s Go, Vancouver’s weekly contribution to the CBC TV series Music Hop. The show allowed Canadian talent to get exposure from coast-to-coast on television. Susan was a wonderfully talented, stunningly beautiful lady with a voice like silk.

Susan and husband Terry created some of Canada’s most memorable hit records as the Poppy Family. Their hit song “Which Way You Goin’, Billy?” was Vancouver's first million-seller! My friend John Mackie said "She was a natural singer, with a cool, clear voice that fell somewhere between Karen Carpenter and Tammy Wynette." Susan was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2010.

I loved playing Susan's music on the radio, and my listeners loved our very own homegrown talent. She was a frequent guest and we've managed to preserve those interviews. Here, in 2006, she talks about growing up in Haney, BC and auditioning for Let's Go. 

Susan faced many personal traumas and health issues in later years, but her inner strength always kept her moving forward. She was one of the most positive, warm and friendly people I ever met.

I will always remember Susan's voice, her stage presence and her love of music. In our interview she mentions a couple of her influences, Dusty Springfield and Jackie deShannon. And I know that somewhere out there, a little girl is listening to Susan's music and being inspired by that beautiful voice. 

Susan, you'll be missed by all of us who knew and loved you. I'd like to say goodbye by remembering the lyrics of one of your best songs: "I Thought Of You Again":

"The train moved on... and with my nose against the glass... I hummed a song. It made me smile... and for a while... I just forgot that you were gone."

Remembering Susan Jacks

We're celebrating the life of Jerry Allison, drummer for Buddy Holly and The Crickets, who died this week (8/22). This extended interview was recorded at Vancouver's Legends of Rock'n'Roll show at EXPO 86. One of my favourite lines in the interview is when Jerry says, “I think we were the first ugly band... and then The Rolling Stones just took it and went all the way with it!”

Jerry and Buddy met in high school in 1956 and the two began playing as a duo — Allison on drums, Holly on guitar and vocals. One year later, they linked up with bassist Joe B. Mauldin and guitarists Niki Sullivan and Sonny Curtis to become The Crickets. Jerry also co-wrote a couple of their biggest hits: “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue”.

After Buddy left The Crickets in 1958, the group continued to tour and record into the Sixties and beyond, with Jerry Naylor replacing Holly after his death in 1959. Jerry Allison’s career flourished as a studio musician at The Crickets’ label, Liberty Records in Los Angeles, working with artists like Eddie Cochran, Bobby Vee and Johnny Rivers. 
 
Along with fellow original Crickets Mauldin, Sullivan and Curtis, Jerry Allison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Smokey Robinson at a special ceremony in 2012. Smokey said, “Buddy Holly wasn’t just Buddy Holly. He was a Cricket. One day they gave us ‘That’ll Be the Day,’ on another ‘Maybe Baby’. They were indeed the original rock’n’roll band.”

Jerry Allison’s drums are the best part of some of my favourites: “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday” and especially “Not Fade Away”. “That’ll Be The Day” was Jerry’s favourite. It was the first song he and Buddy recorded together.

Jerry Allison

It's August 31, 1957 in Vancouver and Elvis Presley is about to take the stage for his first — and only — visit here.

With my heart pounding with excitement, I left Elvis in his dressing room and walked toward the stage at the north end of Empire Stadium. A huge curtain hung from the rear of the stage, and it was in this area that I waited for my turn to appear on the platform and bring on the legendary Elvis Presley. The acts on stage at this time were the Jordanaires, a gospel group from the US South who had recently been added to the background sound of Elvis' RCA recordings. They gave a more well rounded sound to the drums of D. J. Fontana, the bass of Bill Black and the incredible guitar of Scotty Moore. 

Road manager Tom Diskin stood with me on the backstage platform, and when the Jordanaires completed their set I walked out on stage. I can't describe the feeling of standing at one end of a stadium and looking out at a sea of 25,000 faces. I had to gather up every ounce of courage. Tom had told me to point to the right of the stadium when introducing Elvis, and he would run out of the tunnel and step into a large black Cadillac limousine. My introduction was brief. An off stage announcer shouted my name as MC, I walked out to thundering applause, and said "On behalf of the Teen Canteen, Canada’s largest teen show, I'm proud tonight to present to you, ELVIS PRESLEY!!!" With that short announcement I pointed to my right, and right on cue Elvis came running out of the tunnel and hopped into the waiting limo.

The crowd went berserk. It sounded like a city of a million all screaming and yelling in unison. My greeting had been generous, and I knew that it was more for the fact that I had been instrumental in getting Elvis to Vancouver than for my own appearance, but the ecstatic greeting for Elvis was pure joy for seeing the one man who had brought the whole world of Rock'n'Roll together. Elvis Presley was the centerpiece of the art form and the idol of their generation and here he was — in the flesh! 

Elvis wore only the top jacket from his solid gold suit. When I asked him backstage in the dressing room why he hadn't worn the whole gold suit, he explained that the creases in the pants caused them to look terrible and unsuitable to wear. The gold suit had been a Colonel Tom Parker concept. Here was the golden boy of music in the Fifties and the Colonel was going to have him appear in gold, real gold, to show the world just how big his boy was. "The Colonel" knew the value of glamour and he used it masterfully.

What follows is a recording of my introduction, Elvis' entrance, and the reaction of 25,000 fans. A night I'll never forget.

Elvis Presley at Empire Stadium, 1957 - Entrance

"WKRP in Cincinnati" premiered this week in 1978 on CBS-TV, airing for four seasons and 90 episodes. My late friend Terry Moore sat down with Gordon and his wife Anna in 1981 for this CKNW interview.

The show, created by Hugh Wilson, featured the staff of a struggling radio station and was based on his experiences in sales at WQXI/Atlanta. New program director Andy Travis switches WKRP's format from easy-listening music to rock with help from deejays Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap, station manager Arthur Carlson, sales manager Herb Tarlek, news director Les Nessman, receptionist Jennifer Marlowe and producer Bailey Quarters.

Gordon reflects on his broadcast background and the inspiration for his character; the strengths of the show's cast; the advantages of syndication; he and Anna discuss how success has changed their lives; the truth behind Hollywood's "Tinseltown" myth; the importance of good management; and how they spend their free time.  

Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson was Gordon's signature role, and he starred in a short-lived revival of the show, "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" which ran in syndication from 1991 to 1993. He also appeared in the final season of Seinfeld, in which he played George Costanza's boss at a playground equipment company. You probably also remember when he took over the Maytag repairman role from Jesse White. 

Gordon Jump died at his home in Glendale, CA on September 22, 2003. He was 71.

Legends of Comedy: Gordon Jump

Diana Ross and The Supremes had just finished a two-week run at the legendary Cave Supper Club in October 1967, touring on the strength of their #1 hit "The Happening". Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson heard a Motown cover band at an after-hours club and alerted Motown Records CEO Berry Gordy. Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers signed a recording contract with Motown, and Gordy produced “Does Your Mama Know About Me,” their debut single.

The song was written by band members Tommy Chong and an old friend from my "Let's Go" TV show, Tom Baird. Tommy went on to huge success with comedy duo Cheech & Chong, and Tom Baird made a name for himself as a songwriter, arranger and producer for a number of Motown acts like Rare Earth, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. At a 1968 Chicago concert, The Jackson 5 opened for Bobby and he arranged for them to audition for Berry Gordy and other Motown executives. The group was signed to Motown, and Bobby Taylor became their first producer. Bobby left Motown three years later after a financial dispute, recording sporadically into the mid-1970s. 

In 2006, Bobby dropped by my CISL/Vancouver morning show for this interview. We covered a lot of ground: our early days together at CBC-TV's "Music Hop" and "Let's Go"; an early band member named Jimi Hendrix; the real meaning behind “Does Your Mama Know About Me”; the musical genius of Tom Baird; a young Bruce Allen protégé named Michael Bublé; and my meeting with Sam Cooke and Bumps Blackwell. These were special moments with an old friend.

Bobby Taylor died in 2017 at a hospital in Hong Kong, where he’d been undergoing treatment for leukemia. Tommy Chong remembered him as an extraordinary singer: “He used to do 'Danny Boy' and make everybody cry in the audience. He would hit notes that were unbelievably high and he could sound like anybody he wanted to sound like – Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey. I’ve been with a lot of singers, but nothing like Bobby.”

Image: Nora Tam, South China Morning Post

Bobby Taylor interview, 2006

Every year C-FUN counted down the Top 300 listener favourites in our "Soundathon". Over 150,000 votes decided which songs would appear, and we usually played them from 7:00am December 29 until midnight New Year's Eve. This annual tradition was so popular we started running "Summer Soundathons", celebrating the biggest summertime hits of the Sixties. 

The final C-FUN Soundathon ran in summer 1967: the #1 song was The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby", followed by Bryan Hyland's "The Joker Went Wild", "Monday Monday" by The Mamas & Papas, "Wild Thing" from the Troggs and "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.

To promote Soundathon 1964, we decided to produce a series of promos taking a light-hearted jab at some of the C-FUN Good Guys and our news staff. Big laughs all around, and we've included some of our favourite 1964 C-FUN "Channel 14" jingles. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

CFUN Soundathon Promos, 1964

Sad music news... Chad Allan passed away on November 21 at age 80. He is survived by his wife, Christine. Chad was born Allan Kowbel in Winnipeg and took his stage name, Chad Allan, in tribute to a favourite 1950s singer, Chad Mitchell. His first band was Allan and the Silvertones and then Chad Allan and the Reflections/Expressions, which evolved into the Guess Who. Chad left the Guess Who in 1966 to attend college. In 1967, he hosted the Winnipeg version of the weekly CBC TV music program Let's Go. Chad was a guest at the grand opening of the Red Robinson Show Theatre, and Red interviewed him on the September 21, 2000 edition of CISL Radio's "Wakeup Club". Here, they talk about the early days, some of the people Chad worked with, and the first time he heard "Shakin' All Over". In 2015, he was inducted as a Member of the Order of Manitoba for his contribution to Canadian music. A true rock'n'roll pioneer. RIP Chad!

Chad Allan interview, 2000

Concert photographer Dee Lippingwell's very first concert was a Pink Floyd show in Vancouver back in 1973. Over a 50 year career she photographed some of rock's royalty: The Rolling Stones, Queen, Aerosmith, David Bowie, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, KISS, Van Halen and many more. Her first book, “The Best Seat in the House,” was followed by the self-published “First Three Songs… No Flash,” and Dee and Red sat down to talk about her new book. 

Dee was inducted into the BC Country Music Association's Hall of Fame in 2011, an honour in part based on her extensive work with the Merritt Mountain Music Festival. “I don’t think I was ever tired of rock and roll, I love rock and roll,” Dee said, “but country music opened my eyes to other music out there.” 

Her photos of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and other country stars were documented in her third book, 2021's “Memories From the Mountain”.

Dee Lippingwell died May 9 after a battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Paul, sons Marc and Chris, grandchildren Shauna and Tyler, and her brother David.

Bryan Adams' writing partner Jim Vallance told music trade magazine Billboard Canada, "If you were lucky enough to live a hundred years, you wouldn't come across a lovelier, more classy, more talented, more humble person than Dee Lippingwell."

For a wide selection of Dee's work, including books, prints, scarves, tees and tote bags, visit deelippingwell.net. 

Recorded in Vancouver, 2012

Dee Lippingwell

Glen Campbell was a fantastic 12-string guitar player who became part of a group of studio musicians later known as The Wrecking Crew. Glen played on hits by The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and many more.

Red says, "I recall Glen coming to Vancouver as part of the annual C-FUN Teen Fair in the early Sixties. He had only two or three songs out at the time and none were in the Top 10, but his single 'Universal Soldier' (penned by Canadian artist Buffy Sainte-Marie) was charted in Billboard magazine along with a version by Donovan. I could not get him an interview with anyone in the media. A couple of summers down the road, 'Gentle On My Mind' became a major hit, followed by 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' and 'Wichita Lineman'. Suddenly everyone wanted an interview with Glen.

Anyway, years later when he achieved superstar status, he returned to Vancouver and played to a sell-out audience at the Coliseum. Toward the end of the show he picked up the mike and said, ‘It’s nice to be back after all those years. When I first came to Vancouver I couldn’t get arrested, but there was one man who believed in me. He’s here in the audience tonight, and I want him to stand up.’ He meant me! I was startled, but I stood up and the Coliseum crowd cheered.”

Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, and he was still well enough to embark on his final tour, which was documented in the award-winning film Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. 

Red says, "The last time I saw Glen was onstage at Vancouver's PNE. I asked for an interview and he said he wasn't up to it, but he relented in the end. Glen was going through the early stages of Alzheimer's and did not want to ignore me, but he was uncomfortable. He remembered me and the PNE dates from the past. We had such a great trip down memory lane."

Glen Campbell died in Nashville on August 8, 2017, at the age of 81. Glen's wife Kim founded the I'll Be Me Alzheimer's Fund with director James Keach, who directed Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. For more information, please visit ibmaf.org. Planning a trip to Nashville? Make sure you visit the Glen Campbell Museum and celebrate the life of a pop/country giant!

Recorded in Vancouver, 2012

Glen Campbell

Red recalls how his career started around this time in 1954, meeting Elvis, retirement, voicing Michael Buble's Christmas specials, Red Rock Diner, and his plans for his vast archive. Recorded in Vancouver, November 2014.

Red with Bro Jake & Dave Pratt on TSN 1040

Rich Elwood was a Vancouver radio personality, actor, stand-up comedian and comedy club owner. His comedy career started doing Bill Cosby routines in front of his Grade 7 class and he polished his act in Toronto's notorious Yonge Street strip clubs. "They were a good training ground," he told the Vancouver Sun's Lee Bacchus, "You would have about 200 guys out there all yelling 'Bring out the broads!' You had to be good or you'd be doing the last 10 minutes to heckles and boos." 

Rich says, "Doing standup was always a blast. However, bands typically didn't care for standup warmups. In one case, the last thing they said to me before going on was 'Keep it short and don't touch our equipment.' I was only going to do five minutes and would not need to touch their gear, but it became a twenty minute set that ended in me giving myself a cymbal crash. 'Don't say don't to a comedian', I said to them coming off. 

I opened for many acts over the years including Tom Jones (a class guy and very gracious), The Righteous Brothers (quiet but nice), Howie Mandel (a super person and very funny), Dennis Miller (very bright), The Temptations (very cool people) and Ray Charles, who was so nice to me and I was very much in awe of him. Man, did he have stories!"

Punchline's was the first real comedy club in Vancouver. Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Norm Macdonald, Howie Mandel and other greats all headlined. Rich also opened the door to up-and-coming comics Ryan Stiles, Rick Ducommun, Patrick McKenna and many more. His Vancouver radio career in Vancouver included CFUN (as DJ Rich Kelly) and CKNW as a talk show host. He was MC for Red's 50th Anniversary In Radio celebration in 2004, and he would also step in for Red on CISL's morning show. Among Rich’s acting roles over the years was a part in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore in the mid-1990s. After getting out of the club business, he was an in-demand corporate comic and producer. Rich wrote comedy for the hit political series Double Exposure, and he developed several TV projects with writing partner Patrick McKenna.

Rich Elwood died on December 2, 2021 at the age of 67. Old friend John Oliver says, "One of the funniest people I have ever known and a true friend. A risk-taker, an entrepreneur who never quit in his efforts to bring quality comedy to Vancouver." Tom Jeffries replaced Rich at CFUN: "He was most gracious and we had so much fun when he ran Punchline's. A very talented and hilarious man ― I miss him. I was blessed to call him a friend."

Recorded in Vancouver in 2013.

Legends of Comedy: Rich Elwood

Chuck Berry was among the performers at the historic 1956 "Show Of Stars" at Vancouver's Georgia Auditorium. This first "Show of Stars" was an all-Black show in the sense that the performers were basically Rhythm and Blues stars. The line-up included Chuck, Bill Doggett, The Five Satins, Fats Domino, LaVern Baker and Clyde McPhatter. Out of this show grew my admiration for the true roots of rock'n'roll. I could appreciate Bill Haley and the Comets and Elvis Presley, but after this dynamite show I realized where it had all begun. 

Chuck Berry impressed me the most musically. He would follow his early hits, 1956's "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" with a string of rock'n'roll classics: 1957's "School Day" and "Rock and Roll Music"; and "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Reelin' and Rockin'", "Johnny B. Goode", and "Around and Around" in 1958.

Chuck Berry received  a Grammy Awards Lifetime Achievement award in 1984 and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. In a Rolling Stone interview, he shared the origin of his trademark “duck walk” at a 1956 concert at the Paramount Theater in New York: 

“I had to outfit my trio, and I always remember the suits cost me $66, $22 apiece. They were rayon, but looked like seersucker by the time we got there. I actually did the duck walk to hide the wrinkles in the suit. I got an ovation, so I figured I pleased the audience, so I did it again, and again.”

Chuck Berry is probably rock’n’roll’s most influential figure. You can hear his guitar riffs in the music of Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys, and many more bands and artists.

Here's my 1956 interview with Chuck Berry!

Chuck Berry

Johnny talks about his own label and his success with the Fifth Dimension; the story behind "Poor Side Of Town". Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

Johnny Rivers

Robinson, O’Day, and Allen banter as they consult their music sheets (each have selected their own songs to be played over the next several hours). At 10:25, Factora gives them the go ahead, and through the speakers an announcer introduces Robinson, followed by the first few bars of `Rebel Rouser’ by Duane Eddy. Effortlessly, Robinson chimes in;

“Hey, my favourite theme over the years: `Rebel Rouser’ with Duane Eddy, and that’s what I was: a rebel rouser. But it didn’t matter, I was doing what I loved. And here we are, the final show on this Sunday, and I have two very special guests here: Pat O’Day, who used to be the program director of KJR in Seattle, and we exchanged a lot of things over the years….”

“Had a lot of fun,” O’Day interjects. “And a lot of mutual respect.”

“That’s true, very much so.”

O’Day shoots his old friend a cocked eyebrow. “You tried to make inroads into my audience in Seattle, and I resented that, but forgave you.”

Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, is available now in paperback and ebook from friesenpress.com and chaptersindigo.ca

The Last Broadcast: Episode 1

"On the hot summer morning of August 24th, 2017, 62 years and nine months after he first leaned into a radio station microphone and spoke to British Columbians as a bona fide deejay, Red Robinson is about to become unemployed – again.

But if losing Red Rock Diner, his six-year old show on CISL, weighs heavily on him, he keeps it to himself as he drives to the Richmond station one last time from his home in Vancouver, with wife Carole in the back seat and Seattle deejay Pat O’Day beside him. The glass and metal clutter of downtown recedes in his rear view mirror as he crosses the Oak Street Bridge onto Highway 99, and he keeps the conversation breezy, tells jokes, and occasionally swears at tailgaters." 

In this episode, Red and Bruce Allen reminisce about one of Elvis' favourite artists, the late Roy Hamilton.

Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, is available now in paperback and ebook from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

The Last Broadcast: Episode 2

Here's another excerpt from Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, available now from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

"But as soon as he enters his studio and sees O’Day and Allen glance up at him, the wave of emotion settles. He’s back in his element with two old pros.

Immediately they launch into the next talk segment, on the heels of Roy Hamilton’s 'You Can Have Her' and Elvis Presley’s 'Don’t Be Cruel'. “Perfect,” Robinson intones as the last note of the Elvis song is piped through the speakers. “Bruce, I threw in Elvis because you and I and Pat worked with him. I know you booked him across the country; did you ever spend any time with him?”

In this episode, Bruce and Pat remember Elvis, the guys talk about "race music", Pat tells us about Elvis' health issues, Bruce on Colonel Parker's role in Elvis' career.

The Last Broadcast: Episode 3

Here's another excerpt from Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, available now from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

"Robinson’s internal clock hits zero, coinciding with the digital readout on the glass wall facing them. 'Hey, this is the Red Rock Diner, it’s the final show. My guests, Bruce Allen and Pat O’Day; I'm so happy to have them here. Coming up: Roy Orbison, after this break.'"

In this episode, Red talks about his friendship with Roy Orbison and Roy's life, Bruce salutes rock pioneer Dion DiMucci.

The Last Broadcast: Episode 4

Here's the latest from Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, available now from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

"The Last Broadcast" with Red's special guests Pat O'Day and Bruce Allen aired on CISL650/Vancouver on August 27, 2017.

As the final note of 'Fortune Teller’ wafts through the speakers, Robinson tells his listeners, "I remember that record. Bobby was known in Canada and I thought this was such a hit. It was recorded in Nashville, not here. We didn’t have the infrastructure then, did we, Bruce?"

'No.'

“And so I said, 'give me a copy of that’. And I sent one to you, and Pat, you played it and it charted in Seattle.”

“Yes, it did.”

“And I sent another copy to KPOI in Hawaii, to Ron Jacobs.  And between the two of you, Curtola got on the charts in America.”

Also in this episode, Pat recalls a great story about "Wooly Bully" and the guys reminisce about one of Bruce's favourites, a one-hit wonder by the Redwoods.

The Last Broadcast: Episode 5

Fabian talks about growing up with his friends Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell in Philadelphia, his touring schedule and the pressures of the road, and his TV and movie career. Recorded at the Legends of Rock'n'Roll at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Fabian

In this 1981 interview with Vancouver broadcaster Terry Moore, Charlton recalls his childhood in Illinois and Michigan; his early acting career in New York and Hollywood; the reason for his activism; working with director Cecil B. De Mille.  

Charlton Heston appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. Among the most memorable: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952),The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and Planet of the Apes (1968). Charlton Heston died in April 2008. He was 84.

Charlton Heston Part 1

It's the book that talks! Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, available now from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

"The Last Broadcast" with Red's special guests Pat O'Day and Bruce Allen aired on CISL650/Vancouver on August 27, 2017.

It’s 11:11 a.m., and the second hour of Robinson’s final broadcast when Wink Martindale phones in from California. Listeners don’t know the backstory of his relationship with Robinson, but that’s not important. The only thing that matters is the sharing of stories and name-dropping that, due to their sheer volume, demonstrate how exciting life can be when one follows one’s passions, no matter how unusual they are.

O’Day’s eyes light up upon hearing Martindale’s cultivated southern accent. “It’s a joy hearing your voice again,” he says. “The last time you and I were together was at a poker game at Helen Noga’s house. She was Johnny Mathis’s manager, and he was upstairs asleep. Do you remember that?”

“I certainly do, and I remember losing,” Martindale replies. “That’s what I remember the most about that poker game.”

In this episode, Wink shares a great story about Glen Campbell working with Frank Sinatra and updates us on his game show career.

The Last Broadcast: Episode 7

Little Richard, a true rock'n'roll original, passed away this morning (5/9/2020). He was 87. This interview was recorded June 12, 1957. Little Richard was appearing at the PNE Exhibition Gardens, and I persuaded him to visit CKWX. There, Richard submitted to the interview, but it wasn’t long before he walked over to a piano sitting in the corner of the studio. He sat behind it and entertained a bunch of us for about fifteen minutes. I worked with Little Richard many times over the years. I'll always treasure my autographed copy of this Rolly Ford photo.

Little Richard Promo & Interview, 1957

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. 

It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm ― was the dominant factor that made rock'n'roll. At Bill's first session with Decca, he recorded "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll", which were to transform the concept of what popular music could be. "Rock Around the Clock" was featured in a youth-oriented movie called "Blackboard Jungle" and all hell broke loose. This movie and the song "Rock Around the Clock" became the focal points of the young and gave greater thrust to the popularity of this new hybrid of blues and country music. 

Red remembers: "The show had been sold out for weeks before his arrival. Local favourites Les Vogt and the Prowlers opened the show. I stepped out on to that stage and felt the electricity in the air immediately. I thanked Jack Cullen for asking me to MC the show and introduced Bill Haley. The screams started just after I said 'And now the man you've been waiting for...' I thought the roof was going to be ripped off by the sheer weight of the noise. While Bill played through his set I waited backstage for my first interview with the man who brought it all together.

Bill Haley was an utter surprise to me. He was kind and friendly, he was aware of my nervousness in his presence, but made me feel comfortable instantly. We talked for about an hour, had a few photographs taken together (by renowned Vancouver photographer John McGinnis) and he vanished into the night like so many of the stars I was to meet over the years. Those magic moments together will always be with me. I don't mean that I was in a swoon like a teenage girl; I knew then that here was a man of significance in the history of North American music. I knew within my soul that I was part of his story and he was part of mine.

One of the most fascinating stories from that meeting was his almost prophetic offering to me. Bill said in the midst of the conversation, 'Red, we have just about reached the end of our time in the spotlight.' I could not understand this thinking; he was at the height of his career and the hits just kept on coming. Yet, he insisted that he and the Comets were about to be overtaken by a young man from Memphis that he called 'The Hillbilly Cat'. Haley said, 'Red, the next giant of rock'n'roll is going to be Elvis Presley. He's got the looks, the talent and the magic to make him very, very important in the months and years ahead.' 

Bill Haley was right. You know that, I know that, but in that dressing room at the Kerrisdale Arena during that hot summer night in 1956 standing there with the world's number one rock'n'roll artist, it was hard to conceive of anyone bigger than Bill Haley and the Comets."

Bill and Red met again just over a decade later at Vancouver's Marco Polo restaurant where Bill gave what Red felt was one of the best interviews he'd done. Bill was articulate about this music and music in general.

In this episode, Red and Bill talk about all the hits, starting with Rock Around The Clock and finishing up with the story of Crazy Man, Crazy; Bill moves into the Sixties to talk about his foray into Spanish music.

Bill Haley Part 3

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. 

It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm ― was the dominant factor that made rock'n'roll. At Bill's first session with Decca, he recorded "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll", which were to transform the concept of what popular music could be. "Rock Around the Clock" was featured in a youth-oriented movie called "Blackboard Jungle" and all hell broke loose. This movie and the song "Rock Around the Clock" became the focal points of the young and gave greater thrust to the popularity of this new hybrid of blues and country music. 

Red remembers: "The show had been sold out for weeks before his arrival. Local favourites Les Vogt and the Prowlers opened the show. I stepped out on to that stage and felt the electricity in the air immediately. I thanked Jack Cullen for asking me to MC the show and introduced Bill Haley. The screams started just after I said 'And now the man you've been waiting for...' I thought the roof was going to be ripped off by the sheer weight of the noise. While Bill played through his set I waited backstage for my first interview with the man who brought it all together.

Bill Haley was an utter surprise to me. He was kind and friendly, he was aware of my nervousness in his presence, but made me feel comfortable instantly. We talked for about an hour, had a few photographs taken together (by renowned Vancouver photographer John McGinnis) and he vanished into the night like so many of the stars I was to meet over the years. Those magic moments together will always be with me. I don't mean that I was in a swoon like a teenage girl; I knew then that here was a man of significance in the history of North American music. I knew within my soul that I was part of his story and he was part of mine.

One of the most fascinating stories from that meeting was his almost prophetic offering to me. Bill said in the midst of the conversation, 'Red, we have just about reached the end of our time in the spotlight.' I could not understand this thinking; he was at the height of his career and the hits just kept on coming. Yet, he insisted that he and the Comets were about to be overtaken by a young man from Memphis that he called 'The Hillbilly Cat'. Haley said, 'Red, the next giant of rock'n'roll is going to be Elvis Presley. He's got the looks, the talent and the magic to make him very, very important in the months and years ahead.' 

Bill Haley was right. You know that, I know that, but in that dressing room at the Kerrisdale Arena during that hot summer night in 1956 standing there with the world's number one rock'n'roll artist, it was hard to conceive of anyone bigger than Bill Haley and the Comets."

Bill and Red met again just over a decade later at Vancouver's Marco Polo restaurant where Bill gave what Red felt was one of the best interviews he'd done. Bill was articulate about this music and music in general.

In this episode, Bill records two albums in Mexico; the high price of success; touring the Pacific and Europe and its effect on him and the Comets.

Bill Haley Part 2

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. 

It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm ― was the dominant factor that made rock'n'roll. At Bill's first session with Decca, he recorded "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll", which were to transform the concept of what popular music could be. "Rock Around the Clock" was featured in a youth-oriented movie called "Blackboard Jungle" and all hell broke loose. This movie and the song "Rock Around the Clock" became the focal points of the young and gave greater thrust to the popularity of this new hybrid of blues and country music. 

Red remembers: "The show had been sold out for weeks before his arrival. Local favourites Les Vogt and the Prowlers opened the show. I stepped out on to that stage and felt the electricity in the air immediately. I thanked Jack Cullen for asking me to MC the show and introduced Bill Haley. The screams started just after I said 'And now the man you've been waiting for...' I thought the roof was going to be ripped off by the sheer weight of the noise. While Bill played through his set I waited backstage for my first interview with the man who brought it all together.

Bill Haley was an utter surprise to me. He was kind and friendly, he was aware of my nervousness in his presence, but made me feel comfortable instantly. We talked for about an hour, had a few photographs taken together (by renowned Vancouver photographer John McGinnis) and he vanished into the night like so many of the stars I was to meet over the years. Those magic moments together will always be with me. I don't mean that I was in a swoon like a teenage girl; I knew then that here was a man of significance in the history of North American music. I knew within my soul that I was part of his story and he was part of mine.

One of the most fascinating stories from that meeting was his almost prophetic offering to me. Bill said in the midst of the conversation, 'Red, we have just about reached the end of our time in the spotlight.' I could not understand this thinking; he was at the height of his career and the hits just kept on coming. Yet, he insisted that he and the Comets were about to be overtaken by a young man from Memphis that he called 'The Hillbilly Cat'. Haley said, 'Red, the next giant of rock'n'roll is going to be Elvis Presley. He's got the looks, the talent and the magic to make him very, very important in the months and years ahead.' 

Bill Haley was right. You know that, I know that, but in that dressing room at the Kerrisdale Arena during that hot summer night in 1956 standing there with the world's number one rock'n'roll artist, it was hard to conceive of anyone bigger than Bill Haley and the Comets."

Bill and Red met again just over a decade later at Vancouver's Marco Polo restaurant where Bill gave what Red felt was one of the best interviews he'd done. Bill was articulate about this music and music in general. In this episode, Bill tells Red how he got started: the origins of the term "rock'n'roll"; his early success, how he managed his money, and how he kept his enthusiasm.

Bill Haley Part 1

Playing straight man to Jonathan Winters was one of the most wonderful experiences of my career. Jonathan and I cut a series of TV commercials for Hudson’s Bay Company in Vancouver in 1976. Neither one of us worked with a script, just a general outline of the commercial. Jonathan threw me a line and I ad libbed the wrong line in reply. Realizing what I said, I fell to one side and Jonathan broke up. I am the collapsing Santa and Jonathan is playing a kid, albeit smoking a Cuban cigar. 

Jonathan Winters was not only a great funny man but a wonderful human being. We spent many hours together and he loved to collect Indian art (being part native himself). When Jonathan died in 2013 at 87, my friend and Seattle radio legend Pat O’Day wrote: 

“I am so saddened at the departure of Jonathan Winters. I guess I dreamed he would always be alive somewhere. His was a mind and style that somehow always typified the way characters he introduced would think and talk with others. He always painted those mental pictures, taking you to the scene of the conversation.  He was never politically concerned. He always told his stories just to me! He had that delightful mind that he could convert to being whatever character he was at the time. You always knew he was such a nice guy in person due to the loving characters he employed. Not the future, nor the past, will ever develop another Jonathan Winters. Truly, one of a kind! I hope up in heaven they book him to do some shows. Even they would love some Winters laughs.”

I miss him as does the world. He brought us the greatest gift of all: humour. Next time you see a stand-up comic, think of Jonathan... because some of the routine you are witnessing most likely began with Jonathan Winters. If there was a Mount Rushmore for comics he would be up there.

Jonathan Winters interviews, 1976

I first met Susan Jacks (then Susan Pesklevits) on the set of Let’s Go, Vancouver’s weekly contribution to the CBC-TV series Music Hop. I co-hosted with Fred Latremouille. The show allowed Canadian talent to get exposure from coast-to-coast on television. Susan was a wonderfully talented, stunningly beautiful lady with a voice like silk.

Susan married and divorced another Let’s Go performer, Terry Jacks, but in between they created some of Canada’s most memorable hit records as the Poppy Family. Terry was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2004 and Susan was inducted in 2010.

50 years ago this week, the Poppy Family’s “Which Way You Goin’, Billy?” reached #1 on music trade magazine Cashbox and #2 on Billboard (right behind The Beatles' The Long And Winding Road). It was Vancouver's first million-seller! Susan Jacks remembers how the song's title came about.

Susan Jacks Remembers "Which Way You Goin' Billy?"

During 1957's "Show of Stars" in Vancouver, it was my job to introduce each act as they appeared on stage, then I would rush backstage and tape a quick interview with one of the stars. The show was literally a live jukebox presentation, hit artist after hit artist and song after song. Eddie Cochran, Jimmy Bowen, Buddy Knox, Don and Phil Everly, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, George Hamilton IV, Buddy Holly and the Crickets - an incredible assortment of talent, a Who's Who of early rock and roll.
 
Paul Anka was just fifteen when I first met him during this tour. He seemed arrogant, but to me this was his way of covering up his obvious inferiority complex. After all, he was the youngest performer on the show and he had to compensate. His first hit "Diana" had just been released in the summer of 1957 and it launched his career. It came across as arrogance but there was no question about his talent and his stage presence. He was, at the time, the only Canadian who had made it into the international arena of Rock and Roll. On my taped interview with him during this time he sounds cocky but if he hadn't been, who else would have listened to him, who else would have promoted him? 

Paul Anka was, and always has been, his own best promoter. He works at this as much as he works at songwriting and everything that he involves himself with.  One of the differences with Paul Anka was his ability to write most of his own material. He has not only written hits for himself, but for others. He wrote "My Way" for Frank Sinatra and "She's A Lady" for Tom Jones and many other hits for many other singers.

As we celebrate Paul Anka's birthday today, please join me in extending your best wishes to a genuine Canadian music icon who is still going strong. And please take time to visit Paul at paulanka.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel, PaulAnkaTV. That's where you can hear Paul's latest, "Sessions". It's a masterful work by a true pop craftsman. I know you'll enjoy it!

Happy birthday, Paul!

Paul Anka

The highlight of 1957 had a date: August 31. The place: Empire Stadium, Vancouver. The occasion: The live appearance of Elvis Presley. 

More than 26,000 tickets were sold for the event. Presley arrived in Vancouver by train as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, did not want Elvis to fly. The train arrived in the morning at the Great Northern Railway station, catching the media off guard as they had anticipated he would be arriving by plane. He was then driven by limousine to the Georgia Hotel. I took the elevator to the 12th floor and started walking down the hall toward Elvis’ room. I knocked on the door, it flew open and Tom Diskin, Elvis Presley's road manager, greeted us. The meeting was brief: a handshake, a question here, an answer there. Elvis was cautious at our initial meeting but when he realized that I was not there to interview him, he was most cordial. We talked about his success, the types of music we both enjoyed and his enjoyment of live performances where he could see immediate reaction to his stage act.

I guess one of the main reasons I have always been a Presley fan is that I discovered a down to earth individual who had not been affected by the incredible success that fell upon him. We said goodbye and I said that I was looking forward to his show and would see him later that day at the stadium.

The next scene opens at the Elvis press conference. I discovered that only the newsmen had brought tape recorders. The other deejays had not. I hadn't been used to doing interviews with a press group and was determined to get my piece in. As the microphones were pushed into Presley's face I fought to ask him questions mostly related to his music. He seemed to understand that I was not out to gather any sensational news. When the press conference ended, Elvis and I were joined by two Vancouver policemen. We stayed there together for what seemed like an eternity waiting for the stadium to fill up with fans. These were intimate moments with the "King".

We talked about growing up poor. We discussed the changing world, his family, my family, his love of rhythm and blues, country and gospel music. Elvis discussed at great length his ambitions with regard to his music. He asked me about my radio show, the kids that listened, how they reacted to his television appearances and his records. 

Just before I left the dressing room to go out and bring on the opening acts, Elvis stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "It was nice meeting you. Good luck with your radio career and I hope we get to see each other again down the road." 

With my heart pounding with excitement I left Elvis and walked toward the stage at the north end of Empire Stadium. I can't describe the feeling of  looking out at a sea of 25,000 faces. I had to gather up every ounce of courage. My introduction was brief: I walked out to thundering applause and said "On behalf of the Teen Canteen, Canada’s largest teen show, I'm proud tonight to present to you, ELVIS PRESLEY!" The crowd went berserk.

Elvis performed for only 25 minutes. He sang many of his hits including "Heartbreak Hotel", "Don't Be Cruel", "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", and "Hound Dog". As the crowd grew more alarming, Presley was ordered by his manager to wrap up the show and depart in his Cadillac, now parked conveniently behind the stage. It was truly an unforgettable evening.

On August 31, 1982, to mark the 25th anniversary of Elvis' visit to Vancouver, CBC's Vicki Gabereau sat down with me and we covered some of the highlights of the concert. I thought I'd lost this interview, and it was a treat to hear it again. Hope you enjoy my recollections of one of the greatest days of my life.

Elvis In Vancouver - August 31, 1957

Longtime CKNW afternoon host Rick Honey called it a day after 24 years on May 30, 1997. Rick came to Vancouver in late 1969 from Nova Scotia to work at Top 40 CKLG and quickly developed a following. 

Rick was also a top-notch MC and an accomplished magician! I loved Rick's sense of humour, and it was evident when I called him from my CISL morning show to check up on him.

Rick was named Broadcast Performer of the Year by the BC Association of Broadcasters in 2000.  He died in Vancouver February 24, 2001. Rick Honey was only 53. A tremendous loss for his loyal listeners and his many friends in the radio business. RIP Rick!

Red Robinson's Legends

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