Category: Red Around Town
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Red Around Town: 2016 In Memoriam, Part 2
Bobby Curtola’s death June 4 at 73 came as a real shock. I will always remember his youthful enthusiasm and how he loved to perform. Bobby was Canada’s first singing idol. Ottawa’s Paul Anka moved to the U.S. and in hindsight Bobby should have gone too – most of his early recordings were made in Nashville. He…
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Red Around Town: 2016 In Memoriam
Within days recently two iconic artists passed away, and they were related to each other. Debbie Reynolds was 84 and her daughter Carrie Fisher was 60. Carrie was best known as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. Debbie and Carrie were major Hollywood actresses at the same age – 19. She starred in many…
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Red Around Town, May 2016
Carole and I recently returned from a cruise around Australia and New Zealand. Thirty four days at sea, but it was a once in a lifetime trip and high on our “bucket” list. Upon returning I could not believe the number of my favourite personalities who have passed away. The list to date is unbelievable.…
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Red Around Town, October 2015
Early in my career I had the pleasure of meeting Jerri Adams. The two of us were followed around to various venues by a major U.S. publication: Coronet magazine featured a four page spread of her visit to our town. This photo is featured in Douglas Westfall‘s new book 30 Days With Nat King Cole (The story…
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Red Around Town, August 2013
I was saddened to hear that Eydie Gorme had died. She was in her 80’s. For 55 years she was married to singer Steve Lawrence. The two had hits together over the years including This Could Be The Start of Something Big, penned by the man who discovered the pair, Steve Allen. Eydie had many…
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Red Around Town, February 2013
Former local singer Bryan Adams and his “other” Alicia Grimaldi have welcomed a new baby girl into his world. Bryan and Alicia named her Rosylea Lula. Rosylea is Cockney rhyming slang for a cup of tea. The reason for the name is she arrived at tea time. Rosylea joins big sister Bunny who is now…
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“The Kid” Makes It To 58 Years In Radio
58 years ago this week I began my first radio show on CJOR. The first song I played was Marie by the Four Tunes. As a 17-year old King Ed high school student, I had been hanging around and learning the ropes at CJOR from deejay Al Jordan. Al took me under his wing and…
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Red Around Town, November 2012
The CRTC has denied BCE‘s application to acquire control of Astral Media‘s television and radio services because it is not in the public interest. Astral media operates 84 radio stations (including Vancouver’s AM 650, home of Red Rock Diner, Shore FM and Virgin Radio 95.3) and 20 pay and TV channels. This is the first…
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Red Around Town, October 2012
Singer Andy Williams has died at the age of 84. Andy appeared here many times at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. He also appeared on a locally produced CBC-TV show hosted by Paul Anka. The last time I saw him was in Branson, MO at his Moon River Theatre. His guest that was Petula Clark. That…
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Red Around Town, September 2012
Big news from Astral Radio with Shore FM, AM650 and Virgin Radio General Manager Brad Phillips moving this fall to become GM of rival Corus Radio which includes CKNW, 730 AM, The Fox and Rock 101. Brad is a fantastic people person and has a history of success with things such as the creation and…