Red Around Town: November 8

Singer Yma Sumac, the Peruvian Songbird with the 5 octave range, has passed  away at 86. The only Peruvian in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, she was born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo. “Yma Sumac” means “how pretty” in her native Quechua language. Her original albums are collectors items… Also gone at the age of 75 is Nick Reynolds, a founding member of The Kingston Trio. The group was formed in 1957 in San Francisco: Dave Guard on banjo, Bob Shane and Reynolds on guitar. Five of the trio’s first 6 albums hit #1 for  a total of 46 weeks. The Kingston Trio charted 17 hits on the Billboard  Top 100… Michael Crichton, who wrote The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park and created the  popular TV drama ER has died of cancer at age 66. His books have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide. Crichton wrote his  first novels while attending Harvard Medical School. A global warming  skeptic, he stirred controversy with his 2004 best-seller State of Fear, with eco-terrorists as the main villains. He was one of my favorite writers… Elvis lives! With the talents of DJ Spankox, a new  album of remixed Elvis Presley songs is set for release this month. Re:Versions is the first of its kind to be released in  North America, using the latest technology, 11 classic Elvis songs  have been reworked and rearranged giving them a new and modern twist  but keeping intact the original feel of Elvis’ beloved music… “Doc” Harris has been let go from CISL 650. With the forthcoming changes the veteran deejay has been given his walking papers from the frequency. If memory serves me right this is the fourth time he has come and gone from the same outlet.  “Doc” is one of the most well-known radio personalities in our town’s history. No reasons for his sudden departure were given… it was  my 22nd year at BCIT‘s Scholarships presentation on November  5. The Red Robinson Achievement Award for Excellence in Radio  Broadcasting was awarded to Craig Wilkie from Nanaimo. My personal congratulations to Craig on winning the award… upcoming concerts at the Red Robinson Show Theatre: David Clayton-Thomas November 22, The Fab Four November 23, and the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir featuring the Sojourners and Elvis tribute artist Jeff Bodner present A Gospel Christmas November 29…