Year: 2009
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Dennis Miller, Brent Butt, Little River Band
In the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting up with some major personalities. I had a great interview with Dennis Miller, a most interesting man. He is a conservative. I find it ironic that within a week of Dennis’ appearance at the River Rock Bill Maher appears at the Red Robinson…
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Paul Harvey — 1918-2009
Paul Harvey was one of the classiest broadcasters of all. His wonderful voice and almost theatrical presentation made him a household word for decades. His style and grace were important factors in making him one of the best loved of radio performers. I can’t think of the number of performers who have tried to copy…
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Red’s mailbag – February edition
Did I hear you say some time ago that Roy Orbison and k.d. lang recorded Crying somewhere in Vancouver? Where and when? Thanks, Doug Kochen Yes, it was recorded at Blue Wave studios on 2nd Avenue. How do I know? Roy told me when he was in town for the session. Mr. Robinson, I enjoy…
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Ian Tyson at the “Red”
Kevin Statham photo Ian Tyson came to the theatre they named after me and sang some of his classic hits such as Four Strong Winds and Lovin’ Sound. Ian’s voice sounds strained and truth be known he may never get it back. It was a disappointment to many in attendance but their respect for him…
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BBC Radio 2 Remembers Gene Vincent
I always felt sorry for the early rockers. In the late ’50s an investigation into graft in the record and radio business forced radio stations and record companies to turn much of the music from the rock and roll era into basic vanilla. This way they could sustain their Top 40 programming but gear the…
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Stacks Of Wax! Mounds Of Sound!
I was guest on Rock 101’s Bro Jake morning show and took in some of my favorite rock cuts from vinyl albums. His theme for weeks now has been “On the Record” or the “Wax Museum”. I suggested he change it to “The Vinyl Frontier”. (L to R – Josh, Bro Jake, Rock Girl Alece,…
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A Vancouver legend’s brush with Buddy Holly
Fifty years ago, three young musicians boarded a four-seat propeller airplane after playing a show at a Midwest ballroom. They flew in a storm to avoid another overnight ride on an unheated bus during an arduous midwinter tour. By morning’s light, searchers found the wreckage on a cold, windswept Iowa farm. The crushed fuselage held…
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Red Around Town: February 1
A very busy week: my article on Bryan Adams appeared in this week’s TVWeek magazine. I think you will find my interview of interest as it updates Bryan for 2009… the incomparable Etta James appeared at the Red Robinson Show Theatre. The lady entered the stage in a mobilized scooter and did the entire show…
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On Radio: O’Day is still Seattle’s voice
Pat and me in Roche Harbor, 2004 Of all the voices that have crossed the radio airwaves in Seattle the past half-century, none may be so immediately identifiable to so many people, even today, as Pat O’Day’s. A half-century, as it happens, is the appropriate time frame to consider O’Day’s place in Seattle radio lore,…
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Red Around Town: January 24
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2009 inductees. The induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland April 4 for the first time since 1997. This year’s inductees are Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Metallica, Run-DMC and R & B singer Bobby Womack. In the Early Influence category this year…