Red Around Town: October 4

Some notable passings: Actor Paul Newman has died from cancer  at the age of 83. One of his quotes: “It’s absolutely amazing that I survived all the booze and smoking and the cars and the career…” Newman is  survived by his wife Joanne Woodward and five children. He was an amazing actor and his movies — Hud, The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, The Sting, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid — are among the classics… also passing away is Connie Haines at 87. The singer made over 200 recordings in a long career that also saw her appearing on disc with Frank Sinatra… We lost J.J. McColl to complications of ALS. She had the  distinction of becoming Vancouver’s first female DJ/talk show host with CJOR radio. From there she went on to host a daily two hour music/talk program on CBU-FM in Vancouver. She will most likely be best remembered as host of 50 Up on CBC Television and as the playwright of Menopositive, The Musical.  J.J. was 72. All will be missed… In other radio news: it has been a wild and crazy week with old friend Jim Fraser departing CKAY up the Sunshine Coast. Owner/operator/announcer and chief bottle washer Bob Morris received the license a few years ago but I am sure he is finding it difficult to bring in revenues in such a small market. Bob appreciates talent and is a talent himself so I am guessing this is the reason for Jim’s departure… A beautiful addition to any radio station is Charlee Morgan but with the change in format at the former Clear FM management most likely felt her style did not fit the “oldies” format. To my recollection she had been on the air only a few months. It must have come as a shock but like I said in my latest Reditorial, Charlee don’t take it personally… On that note I can think of three super talented women who are not on the air on a regular basis  at the moment: Carol Alexander, Julie Brown, and Colleen Troy. If any of the three mentioned here are on the air please let me know as I have lost track of you… My friend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame colleague Pat O’Day will be playing hits from the Sixties tomorrow at the Kitsap County Historical Society’s “Cruisin’  the Sixties” fundraiser event this Saturday at the Admiral Theater in Bremerton. Old deejays never die, they just fade the music. I ought to know… Congrats to new Canucks captain, goalie Roberto Luongo. Honestly you can knock me over with a feather… never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to see the Canucks in a 6-0 position in the preseason… A busy month for music lovers: At the Red Robinson Show Theatre: Herman’s Hermits October 3, Engelbert Humperdinck October 17, Chicago October 18, Neil Sedaka October 24, Tony Bennett October 25… at the River Rock Show Theatre: Boyz II Men October 3, Kris Kristofferson October 10… at GM Place: Sheryl Crow October 4, Celine Dion October 20, Neil Young October 22, Bob Dylan October 24… at BC Place: Madonna October 30.