The Canadian Cancer Society‘s annual fund raiser at the Hotel Vancouver saw 500 guests attending the Diamond Ball, which raised an amazing $700,000. The event was co-hosted by two of CTV‘s best: Mike Killeen and Colleen Christie, who my spies tell me did a wonderful job of keeping the evening moving forward… Another local broadcast icon, Fanny Kiefer, emceed the 24th annual B.C. Book Prize at a major gala at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Some of the many luminaries on hand for the affair included actress-turned-writer Meg Tilly, who currently has a children’s book out. Former radio talk show host, the controversial Ed Murphy has passed away after a long struggle with cancer. Ed enjoyed a career in broadcasting with CFRB Toronto, CKWX Vancouver, where he hosted Reaction Line and The Investigators on CKNW, and then revived his former Reaction Line show on CJOR (now 600 AM). For years he owned Murphy’s Pub on Seymour Street in Vancouver… I had a note from a reader, John Finn, who informed me that his mother Hazel Finn has passed away. He went onto explain that she was an entertainer on the Vancouver night club scene during the 60s, 70s and 80s. She performed over the years at Isy’s Supper Club, The Roadhouse Inn in North Vancouver, and the Copper Room at Harrison Hot Springs to name a few venues. Hazel also appeared on a weekly CBC variety show titled Bazaar. John is correct, Hazel’s contributions should not go unnoticed…
“Click me – I talk!”
Another passing to mention is that of Marc Chambers, who entertained listeners as “J. Marc” and “Marc Webber” (radio names) at CHUB Nanaimo and CJAV in Port Alberni. He also entertained as “Marc James” at CFUN Vancouver during the 80s before moving to Toronto where he worked for CHUM radio until his untimely death…One of the most successful entertainers in the music business, Neil Diamond will appear for one night only Saturday September 20th at General Motors Place… Actor John Larroquette (Boston Legal) paid a visit to Vancouver recently. He has won 4 Emmy Awards for his role in the TV series Night Court. He came to talk about sobriety, which he has enjoyed for some years. The Turning Point Recovery Society brought him here as a guest speaker for their 25th anniversary get together… I had two interesting nights in recent weeks at the Red Robinson Show Theatre with Andrew Dice Clay who, despite his image, is a nice man. Some folks got out of hand and he was upfront by taking the mic and having them removed from the premises. A class act. The next evening was spent with the talented Tanya Tucker, who still sings like a lark but has not completely ridden herself of some bad attitudes… Some acts coming soon to my theatre include The Pointer Sisters June 6th, Dwight Yoakam June 21st, and Glen Campbell June 28th…
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