Category Archives: People

In my December 1958 column in The Vancouver Sun I wrote: “This is contract termination time in New York and Hollywood. This week the Crew Cuts move to RCA Victor from Mercury. The Crew Cuts were responsible for one of the first rock’n’roll songs, ‘Sh-Boom’. They are Canadians and have enjoyed much success in the…

In the early era of rock’n’roll three Canadian singing groups were predominant on the hit parade: The Four Lads, The Diamonds and The Crew Cuts. I met The Crew Cuts – Rudi Maugeri, Pat Barrett, Ray Perkins and John Perkins – during a 1956 Vancouver appearance shortly after Bill Haley and the Comets had played…

On this day in 1973, CFUN returns to Vancouver — and the good times are back at 1900 West 4th Avenue! #14CFUN‘s Chuck McCoy wraps up a great day: “By mid-1976 CFUN had the largest radio listenership in the Vancouver area. A true ‘Worst To First’ story. I have often been asked if I felt…

September 30, 1973 — #14CFUN is back! Program Director Chuck McCoy has an interesting story about the promotion: “I selected veteran DJ Daryl ‘B’ to be the MC and star of our call letter change. I asked Daryl to announce that all regular programming on the new CFUN would be suspended while he dialed randomly…

It’s September 30, 1973, and the heritage #14CFUN call letters are coming back to 1900 West 4th Avenue! Chuck McCoy remembers that day vividly: “The night we changed radio in Vancouver is forever etched in my memory. CHUM’s purchase of CKVN earlier in 1973 coincided with my first Program Director job. With the advice, support…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…