June 1957 – new kid at CKWX

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This photo was taken just 10 weeks after I joined CKWX. I am 20 and thrilled to be on CKWX which is about to increase its power to 50,000 watts, making it the biggest station west of Winnipeg and north of San Francisco.

I love it because it means I can reach more listeners with my music, rock and roll. The photo was taken on my 4 to 6 pm afternoon shift. I also had a late night show from 10:15 to 1 am. This is unheard of today. I couldn’t wait to perform and two shifts was ideal.

Notice the ashtray by my right elbow. Yes, we all smoked in those days! Directly in front of me and to the left is the CKWX hit chart. Some of the hits of the day included Teddy Bear with Elvis, Bye Bye Love with The Everly Brothers and A White Sport Coat with Marty Robbins.

Also of note is the paper my hands are almost touching. It is a “live” commercial. In those days of yore you were allowed to read “live” commercials. They worked. Oh, the memories.