Roy Orbison in Vancouver, 1986
Thirty-five years ago today, on August 10, 1986, Roy Orbison appeared at the Legends of Rock’n’Roll show at EXPO 86 in Vancouver. When Les Vogt and I were planning the acts for the Legends of Rock’n’Roll we thought our old friend would be a great headliner. He agreed without hesitation, saying “I will cancel some…
June 1, 1986 – Carl Perkins at Expo 86 (1/2)
June 1, 1986 was a big day at Vancouver’s Expo 86 as Carl Perkins kicked off the Legends of Rock’n’Roll – over 40 of the greatest rock’n’roll acts of all time! Carl Perkins will always be remembered as one of the true rockabilly greats. If he had never written another song after “Blue Suede Shoes”…
June 1, 1986 – Carl Perkins at Expo 86 (2/2)
June 1, 1986 was a big day at Vancouver’s Expo 86 as Carl Perkins kicked off the Legends of Rock’n’Roll – over 40 of the greatest rock’n’roll acts of all time! As a deejay I was more than aware of Carl’s talents. Ricky Nelson stated that Carl was one of his favourites as did The…
Health Update From Red
A quick health update: I recently lost my footing and ended up breaking the humerus bone in my left arm – no laughing matter! I spent some time in St. Paul’s Hospital undergoing physiotherapy and regaining my strength. Once my arm had healed, I decided to move into Point Grey Private Hospital, a care facility…
A Tribute to Rick Honey and Daryl B
Twenty years ago this week, Vancouver radio lost a couple of major talents: Rick Honey and Daryl “B” Burlingham. I’ll be remembering Rick and Daryl, and we’ll relive some of the highlights of their amazing careers. RIP Rick and Daryl… gone but not forgotten…
Saluting Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett was a frequent visitor to Vancouver over his amazing 70-year career. Most of us remember Tony’s biggest hit “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” but he had a string of classic songs: “Because of You”, “Cold, Cold Heart”, “I Wanna Be Around”, “The Good Life” and many more. Tony Bennett has sold…
Legends Of Radio – Brian Beirne
30 years ago today, on January 18, 1991, Brian Beirne was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Brian was a DJ for K-EARTH 101 in Los Angeles. “Mr. Rock’n’Roll” is considered one of the foremost historians on rock music. His 40 year radio career included stints in San Francisco, Chicago, Cleveland,…
RIP Gerry Marsden
Sad to hear of the death this morning of Gerry Marsden at 78. With an engaging and happy personality, he had a wicked sense of humor and never took his success too seriously. Gerry And The Pacemakers first appeared in Vancouver in the Fall of 1964. In May that year the group released “Don’t Let…
Legends Of Radio – Pat O’Day
When Pat O’Day died August 4, I lost a great friend and the Pacific Northwest said goodbye to a genuine legend. Son Jeff O’Day wrote a fitting tribute to his father in a Facebook post: “The Pacific Northwest will always seem a little empty without the legendary Pat O’Day. All we can do is focus…