Canadian radio legend Red Robinson passed away on April 1, 2023. If you knew radio, if you knew music, if you knew rock and roll, then Red touched your life.
Red Robinson: The Last Deejay
I used to blog a lot more about local history but when I did, I looked to Red for inspiration when it came to entertainment. As a Board Member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, I got to learn so much more about him as a founder.
Robert Gordon Robinson (RED) was born in Comox, BC on March 30, 1937. He received his early education at King Edward High School in Vancouver. Red was spinning the hits on Vancouver’s CJOR while still in high school in 1954, and he didn’t sign off the airwaves until 2017, staying active through to this day on his website and social media.
It would be impossible to list every accomplishment, every moment where Red impacted the world of radio and entertainment in BC, but here are a few:
In 1957, Red moved to Vancouver Top 40 giant CKWX. He was the first radio disc jockey to program rock and roll on a regular basis in Canada, and the first to play Elvis Presley records.
In 1957, he was the MC of the Elvis Presley show at Vancouver’s Empire Stadium and MC-ed the Beatles‘ show there in 1964 as well.
In 1961 he was hired as Program Director at Top 40 newcomer C-FUN, and turned it into a rock and roll powerhouse.
At EXPO 86, Red presented The Legends Of Rock’n’Roll, including Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Righteous Brothers.
He was elected into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in 1994
In 1969 he founded Trend Advertising (later Palmer Jarvis Advertising)
Red hosted mornings on CKWX until 1983, and went “network” with Reunion, a cross-Canada oldies show that ran from 1985-1993.
In 1993 Red built a top-rated morning show on 650 CISL/Vancouver. Red “retired” from radio in 2001, but continued to broadcast his show Sundays on 650 CISL.
In 2016, Robinson was appointed to the Order of British Columbia for his tireless charity work with organizations like the CHILD Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation and Timmy’s Telethon.
“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.”
– Red Robinson in 1982, looking back at one of the greatest days of his life when he introduced Elvis at Empire Stadium in August of 1957
CityNews Vancouver (CKWX) wrote about Red today: “For many Vancouver listeners, he wasn’t just a part of radio history, he defined it.“
Enjoy shopping for fresh, local produce, fruit, berries, and artisanal goods at these summer farmers markets in Vancouver and beyond:
Buying directly from farmers often means that the produce is more affordable and sustainable, as it doesn’t have to travel long distances to reach you!
For its 31st season Royal City Musical Theatre (“RCMT”) presents the riotously entertaining musical Crazy for You at the Massey Theatre. A classic romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, and a theatre in need of salvation, it is full of humour, larger-than-life characters, and some of the greatest show tunes of all-time.
Crazy for You at the Massey Theatre
When: April 27 – May 14, 2023
Where: Massey Theatre (735 8th Ave, New Westminster)
The story in a nutshell: stage struck Bobby Child (Todd Talbot) works as a banker but has a desire to be a singer/dancer on Broadway and spends his off hours practicing dance routines. He is sent to Nevada to foreclose on a theatre and falls for Polly Baker (Rabecca Talbot), the sweet postmistress, whose father happens to own the beautiful, but decaying, Gaiety Theatre. Bobby concocts a scheme to bring together New York City Follies Girls with a cast of local rundown cowboys (with latent musical talent) to put on a show and save the theatre. But plans get complicated.
RCMT is thrilled to have Vancouver’s own Todd Talbot play the lead role of Bobby Child. You may know him from the hit TV series Love It or List It, Vancouver or possibly from the 90’s Nickelodeon seriesFifteen – but you may not know, Todd is a theatre professional for more than 20 years! “Having worked together a number of years ago at the Arts Club Theatre Company in the musicals West Side Story and White Christmas,” stated Valerie Easton, director and choreographer, “I am thrilled to have Todd join the RCMT cast – so to quote George and Ira Gershwin, “Who Could Ask for Anything More!”
The zany yet lighthearted script is complemented with sensational tap dancing and a collection of the most beloved tunes from George and Ira Gershwin including the romantic “Someone To Watch Over Me” and “Shall We Dance”, “I Can’t Be Bothered Now” and the high-energy dance number, “I Got Rhythm”.
RCMT is consistently recognized for presenting exceptional Broadway quality musicals over its 30-year history. This years’ show will continue that tradition with the same acclaimed team of Valerie Easton as director/choreographer, and musical director, James Bryson leading an 18-piece orchestra.
Enter to Win
I have four tickets to give away to opening night on April 29th so I’ll give a pair to two winners! Here’s how you can enter to win:
April is here and so are the cherry blossoms! This Sunday is the Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival (free) at Garry Point Park in Steveston. Find this event and many more things to do around Vancouver this weekend listed below:
If you’ve ever wanted to time travel, Surrey Archives is making it (somewhat of) a possibility with an online program April 13th. Featuring archival photographs of well-known Surrey locations, the virtual session will compare historic places to their current counterparts.
Surrey has transformed from a rural municipality to an urban centre over the last century. While the intersection of King George Highway and 72nd Avenue has changed significantly, the Esso Station there still echoes the past. Re-purposing is also a theme ingrained in Surrey. Take Newton’s former Fire Hall 10 building for example. It opened in 1962 but has served as the Newton Cultural Centre since 2010.
Attendees can expect photos of businesses, landscapes, community facilities, and infrastructure from various periods as the archives staff delve into the history of each location.
To take part in the virtual session register online or call Surrey Archives. If you can’t make the program, you can check out the Surrey Time Lapse tool online, featuring archival photos geo-located to modern-day locations in Surrey.
