Red Around Town, August 2012

One of the overlooked interviews at the PNE was Bob Goen (above), who hosted the game show Family Feud three times daily at the fair.  Bob is a familiar face who co-anchored Entertainment Tonight with Mary Hart for 11 years. He succeeded John Tesh, who retired from the show to pursue a musical career. A most affable man… It was great to have Elvis’ best friend Joe Esposito back in town to share the stage at the PNE for the 6th annual Elvis salute Aloha Elvis, highlighting Donnie Edwards from Las Vegas. Joe is a treasure… my grandson Aidan insisted that I go on the Big Roller Coaster, the Shoot The Chute and the Tilt-A-Whirl at Playland. I did and am here to tell you I survived… I am doing a series on entertainment venues for Global TV twice a month on the morning news. So far we have aired the Cellar, the Vogue Theatre, the Cave, Kerrisdale Arena, and the Penthouse. Coming up: the Orpheum Theatre, the Commodore and many more. Some of these venues are still standing while others have disappeared… This city is rich in the history of show business. A carpenter named William H. Pratt was  helping build the PNE, but each night he appeared at one of the theatres on Hastings Street acting in various plays. When the building of the PNE was complete Mr. Pratt moved to Hollywood and changed his name to Boris Karloff… More passages: Farewell to Phyllis Diller, the comedienne who made fun of her former husband as part of her act. How many times did she refer to “Fang”?  Phyllis had a long standing friendship with the late Hugh Pickett. She was fond of Hugh and visited him every time she was in Vancouver. Pickett was Canada’s foremost impresario for decades. Farewell also to Tony Scott, who created some of the most memorable action movies of all time… The man who sang San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) during the halcyon days of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco has died. Scott McKenzie never again had another big hit. The song was written by John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas. He was a co-writer of the #1 Beach Boys hit Kokomo with Mike Love and Terry Melcher… Don’t miss Jersey Boys at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Tony award winning Broadway show is the story of singer Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons… A fine tribute to R&B singer Dinah Washington titled The Dinah Washington Story will play for one night only Friday October 12 at Brana’s restaurant at Stamps Landing on False Creek. Call Brana’s for tickets… Glass Tiger will perform at Rogers Arena September 12. One fine group… Michael Bublé is putting the finishing touches on a new album in Los Angeles with the help of producer Bob Rock… It is only a matter of weeks before the CRTC hearing on Bell Canada’s application to take over the assets of Astral: a myriad of television channels and hundreds of radio stations including Virgin, CISL AM 650 and Shore FM.  This will bring significant changes to many careers in our city. This will be one of the most significant hearings in decades. Ownership of media in this country for the most part has been concentrated into four corporations… One of the most unpleasant tasks in life is to attend a funeral of a friend. Recently I was at the service for long time production manager at CKWX, Gene Kern. It was an honour to be there. His son Steve acted as emcee. Gene’s long time friend Jim Morrison gave a thoughtful and insightful eulogy. It was a heartfelt send off. Gene, if your loving family is any example you were a special and blessed individual… Congratulations to David Pratt on his new sports show on CKNW heard nightly from 7 to 9 pm. A true radio professional… Look for wunderkind Kid Carson on JACK FM. Just wondering, but maybe Sonic will become the Kid’s new home. Stay tuned…