Author: Red Robinson
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
Holly Cole At The “Red”
Holly Cole appeared at the Red Robinson Show Theatre a few weeks back. It was not the first time we had met. She appeared at another venue during the jazz festival and I did an interview for Global TV. I found her to be a gracious woman with an enormous amount of talent. We talked…
-
Red Around Town: January 3
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the founders of Great Big Sea on Global Morning News. Alan Doyle was a most forthcoming performer who has not lost touch with his Newfoundland origins. The week prior to our meeting PBS had presented their “Special” to great reviews… Chris Cornell was vocalist with…
-
Putting The “Christmas” In “Merry Christmas”
Red, we are listening to your show this morning and loving every minute of it. Not only because you play the best music but because you call Christmas, Christmas. Not “the holiday” not “the season” and we really do appreciate that. With so many people, businesses and government so busy trying to be politically correct…
-
Talking about Crohn’s disease
Kellie Robinson’s younger brother Jeff was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 10. In the 23 years that followed, he underwent 26 surgeries and spent countless stints in the hospital. “But he always had the most amazing spirit,” says Kellie. (more from Erin McPhee in the North Shore News)