In October, 2003, legendary CHUM deejay Bob Laine retired after forty five years with CHUM Ltd. But he did not have to go far for his subsequent venture. Laine – with the assistance of lengthy-time producer Doug Thompson – quickly started the lengthy but fascinating job of sifting via CHUM’s monumental archives, relationship back to the station’s beginning as a Top 40 station in 1957. It has been a labour of love, and very fruitful.
What Laine and Thompson have found is a treasure trove of airchecks, jingles, photos and different materials from CHUM’s Top 40 era. They’ve been very generous in donating these new finds right here in the CHUM Archives on Rock Radio Scrapbook, Canada’s Aircheck Archive.
So sit back and get pleasure from – The CHUM Archives, Part 1, the ’50s and ’60s…
And after you’re finished here, please visit…
The CHUM Archives Part 2: the 1970s and past…
Subject: Original CHUM JOCKS MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: 1957 Time: 6:39
They obtained the rock rolling at CHUM.
Launching what became Canada’s leading Top 40 station, Phil Ladd, Harvey Dobbs, Josh King, Phil Stone, Pete Nordheimer and Hank Noble have been the jocks on CHUM’s first day of hit parade programming on May 27, 1957.
CHUM owner Allan Waters thought Top 40 radio sounded like “rocks smashing together” the primary time he heard it at WQAM Miami in the winter of 1956-57. Despite that he decided the brand new format was good to shake up his station’s rankings, which had been anaemic since the station’s founding in 1945. So regardless of reaction ranging from scepticism to outright hostility, Waters made the move. CHUM went on to turn into one of the vital profitable stations in Canadian radio historical past.
But what of the original CHUM jocks? These pioneers came from various places and backgrounds however all have one factor in frequent: they laid the groundwork for one of Canada’s most successful radio stations. Listed here are their stories:
Phil Ladd (6-9 a.m.): CHUM’s first morning man, Ladd got here to the station from KDUB Lubbock, Texas. He had the honour of playing the first record in CHUM’s Top forty format on May 27, 1957 (All Shook Up – Elvis Presley). He did not final long – Ladd did his final CHUM present in October 1957, the primary of the original CHUM jocks to go away the air, and was succeeded by Al Boliska. Ladd continued as CHUM program director until May 1958 when he was changed by Allan Slaight. In 1960, Ladd was hired to do programming for WONE Pleasantville, New Jersey. An extended-time resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Ladd died in his late ’60s, according his buddy, former CHUM jock Duke Roberts.
Harvey Dobbs (10 a.m.-12 noon): Dobbs started in radio in 1929 at CFCF Montreal and later moved to CFRB. He was in his eighth 12 months at CHUM when the station switched to a hit parade format. His original shift was 10 a.m. to noon, by September it can be expanded to 9 a.m.-noon. He left the airwaves in February 1959 to enter CHUM gross sales, and was changed within the late-morning shift by John Spragge. Dobbs died September 7, 1984 at the age of 72.
Josh King (12 noon-1 p.m.): The man born William Joslyn Kingerley arrived at CHUM in 1951, hosting a show called “CHUM Valley” (he also appeared on “The Johnny Lombardi Show”). King left the station in 1953 but was back two years later to host Country Caravan which continued on CHUM even after the change to Top 40. CHUM cancelled Country Caravan in January 1958 with Al Boliska adding the noon-time slot to his morning duties. (Note: A search of U.S. loss of life information reveals that a William J. Kingerley died in California on July 18, 2006 on the age of 77.)
Phil Stone (2-5 p.m.): The Glasgow-born Stone was employed by CHUM to do public relations work in February 1949 however wound up on the air when the common host of the present Sports Roundtable was having hassle showing up reliably. Stone, whose background included magazines, newspapers and sportscasting on CBC radio and tv, wound up being a rock ‘n’ roll deejay when CHUM made the swap to Top 40. He did not just like the music however stayed on the air until May 1959 when he was changed in the afternoon drive slot by Mike Darow. Stone turned CHUM’s vice-president in control of promotions and charitable work. He left CHUM in 1966 to teach at Humber College, founding the radio program there in 1972. Stone died May 1, 2008 on the age of 94, lower than a year after making his ultimate radio appearance at the CHUM 50th anniversary reunion.
Pete Nordheimer (5-7 p.m., 10:30-12 midnight): Nordheimer was at CJCS Stratford, Ontario, prior to CHUM. He did a split shift on CHUM’s unique lineup, not unusual for radio in those days, with exhibits in afternoon drive and late evening. Nordheimer was the one authentic CHUM jock nonetheless on the station’s lineup into the 1960s. He was doing 1-four p.m. when he was changed by Bob McAdorey in August 1961. After CHUM, Nordheimer did audio work for the United Church and labored in programming for CHIN Toronto. Nordheimer was the last of the residing original CHUM jocks earlier than he died at age 93 on February 28, 2015.
Hank Noble (12 midnight-6 a.m.): A country-music recording artist beneath the title Billy Guitar, Noble and his group would perform live on CHUM on Friday nights. Noble/Guitar had a #22 CHUM Chart in 1957 with “Here Comes The Night.” Noble, who also jocked on CFCN Calgary, CKRC and CKY Winnipeg and WCOS Columbia, South Carolina, did his last CHUM all-night time present in January 1958. He was replaced by Jay Jackson, who was himself succeeded by Bob Laine later that year. Noble was in his late ’50s when he died in 1988.
Other shows: Several holdovers from the pre-rock era remained on the CHUM schedule when the station went Top 40 on May 27, 1957. Hit Parade was on at 9 a.m., followed by Who Am I? at 9:15 and “Chapel Chimes” at 9:45. The Johnny Lombardi Show (Italian) was on from 1-2 p.m. CHUM had a 3-hour block of international programming from 7-10 p.m. Then Walter Kanitz was on with the Continental Carousel (described as “songs and tales with a European flavour”) from 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. All these reveals have been gone from the CHUM lineup by mid-January 1958.
Enjoy the original CHUM Jocks Montage (followed by a 1999 interview clip with CHUM founder Allan Waters) here.
Subject: PETE NORDHEIMER TRIBUTE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 3:28
An period ended when Pete Nordheimer passed away February 28, 2015 on the age of 93.
Nordheimer was the final original residing CHUM jock, the ultimate survivor of a gaggle that included Phil Ladd, Harvey Dobbs, Josh King, Phil Stone and Hank Noble. Nordheimer arrived at CHUM from CJCS Stratford, Ontario, in the mid-’50s and was within the lineup doing a break up afternoon drive-late night shift when CHUM introduced its full-time Top 40 format on May 27, 1957. Nordheimer lasted longer on air than any of the unique CHUM jocks – he was the only first-day jock remaining on the schedule when he was changed by Bob McAdorey in 1961. Nordheimer later did audio work for the United Church and in addition worked in programming for CHIN Toronto.
On this tribute, you may hear a portion of an interview Bob Laine did with Nordheimer in 2006, and several other promos that includes Nordheimer’s voice. Thanks to Doug Thompson for putting it together.
Hear the Pete Nordheimer Tribute here.
Dave Johnson (l) and Pete Nordheimer. (The CHUM Archives/Doug Thompson)
Subject: AL BOLISKA PROMO MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 6:43
(Logo courtesy Bill Dulmage)
He was, arguably, Toronto’s first Top forty radio star.
Blazing a path that many others would observe, Al Boliska dominated morning radio on CHUM starting in 1957 and CKEY beginning in 1963.
Boliska was a success practically from the first moment he took over from Pete Ladd on CHUM’s morning present in November, 1957. His zany humour (who can overlook “The World’s Worst Jokes”) and off-beat strategy earned him a loyal following that helped boost CHUM’s profile during its early days as a Top 40 station. Such was his recognition that Boliska truly did two each day reveals on CHUM – the 6-9 a.m. breakfast show and the noon-1 p.m. lunchtime shift.
This 1957 graphic predates Boliska’s arrival by just a few months. (The CHUM Archives)
It was a significant coup for rival CKEY late in 1963 once they lured Boliska away from CHUM for his or her morning present (see this Toronto Telegram article from October 29, 1963 from the CHUM Archives. Boliska’s tenure at CKEY was short – he left in 1965 when ‘EY switched to a MOR format. He later moved on to CHIN-AM after that station signed on in 1966 and in addition had a stint at CFCF Montreal.
Boliska died on his 40th birthday, taken way too quickly.
Enjoy a montage of Al Boliska promos on CHUM here.
Subject: JOHN SPRAGGE PROMO MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 10:Fifty four
(Graphic courtesy Bill Dulmage)
(L-r: Bob Laine, John Spragge, Bob McAdorey, Dave Johnson, Mike Darow, Larry Solway, Gary Ferrier, Al Boliska)
Remember The Housewives Hit Parade? As politically incorrect as this feature is likely to be on radio at present, that was the day by day focus of John Spragge’s mid-morning program on CHUM back in the 1960’s. John often referred to his legion of female listeners as ‘my gals’. This wasn’t an act on Spragge’s half, he was genuine in his affection for his listeners. CHUM held movie premieres and all sorts of different promotions for John’s ‘gals’.
Another regular characteristic on John’s show was his sometimes inspirational, typically whimsical, typically thought upsetting Something To think about. It became a really successful a part of CHUM programming. In fact, someone needed to parody it ultimately. That day came one day when Bob McAdorey was filling in for John. He began the regular theme music for the characteristic, then merely said, “Gina Lollobrigida.” There was a protracted pause until Mac stated “Something To consider.”
(l-r: Al Boliska, John Spragge, Mike Darow, Salvation Army consultant, Dave Johnson. 1961/The CHUM Archives) *Through the glass to the left of Boliska’ s head is operator-producer George Nicholson, a.ok.a. Just Plain George)
Near the end of his years at CHUM, John Spragge was made Public Service Director. After he left 1331 Yonge Street, John turned a successful Program Director and General Manager, each in Toronto and in Kitchener. He also labored tirelessly for many years for the Radio Sales Bureau (now known because the Radio Marketing Bureau).
Enjoy this nostalgic look again at CHUM in a simpler period. John Spragge. The housewives pal.
Enjoy a montage of John Spragge promos right here.
Subject: MIKE DAROW PROMO MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 10:53
(Courtesy: Bill Dulmage)
As a disc jockey, Mike Darow stood head and shoulders above most of the others. In fact that was simple since Mike was 6′ 4″. In fact, Mike was the tallest disc jockey on CHUM until Tom Rivers got here along.
Mike arrived at CHUM in March of 1959 from western Canada. He changed unique disc jockey Phil Stone, who moved into CHUM management. For the primary few years, Darow was on from four to 7 p.m. Then, when Bob McAdorey arrived at CHUM in 1961, Mike moved to the 1-to-four shift.
Mike’s two most well-known expressions were “smile drivers” (that means motorists) and “from the two mikes and two turntables” (meaning himself plus the microphone and CHUM’s two turntables back when we nonetheless played vinyl records. Remember them?)
Mike Darow wasn’t solely a disc jockey on CHUM, however a darn good singer. In reality, he made it to the CHUM Chart twice – as soon as on his personal with The Battle of Queenston Heights, a parody of Johnny Horton’s Battle of recent Orleans. In 1964, he charted again as one-quarter of the CHUMmingbirds with The Brotherhood of Man.
Mike left CHUM within the fall of 1965 for new York and an ABC-Tv recreation present known as Dream House (ed-the unique show hosted by Darow aired from April, 1968 to January, 1970 – it was revived briefly in the 1980s with Bob Eubanks as host).
Sadly, Mike passed away in 1996, however continues to be remembered on this ten minute and fifty second audio montage of his promos on CHUM.
Subject: BOB McADOREY PROMO MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 10:Fifty one
(Description and photograph courtesy Doug Thompson)
Bob McAdorey first hit the CHUM airwaves within the late spring of 1961 after an exhaustive search by CHUM management for a brand new announcer to change departing DJ Pete Nordheimer. Bob got here to us from CJOY in Guelph, the place he was properly beloved. He additionally stored busy participating in local politics.
If wit was cash, then Mac was a multi-millionaire. His means with phrases and irreverent humour endeared him to CHUM’s listeners for nearly 10 years. At various occasions, his on-air nicknames included “McAdorey the Magnificent” and “the body beautiful.”
Mac additionally doubled as CHUM’s music director for a lot of his years there. After he left CHUM in 1968, Bob labored at nation station CFGM and straightforward listening after which Top forty CFTR and then, in the mid-1970s, started an illustrious profession at the worldwide Television Network.
Bob McAdorey passed away February 5, 2005 on the age of 69.
We’ve a montage of promos Mac did when he was having fun on CHUM.
Hear the Bob McAdorey montage here.
Subject: THE CHUM JINGLE MONTAGE (1957-2004) Station: CHUM Toronto Date: Various Time: 13:33
When CHUM launched its Top forty format in 1957, it was not on the familiar 1331 Yonge Street tackle, but a lot additional south at 250 Adelaide Street West. The station was initially at the Hermant Building at 21 Dundas Square when it went on the air October 28, 1945. In 1947, CHUM moved to the Fulpart Building at 225 Mutual Street. It later settled at 250 Adelaide St. West. On April 24, 1959, CHUM took residence what was then known because the Ginn Building at 1331 Yonge the place it stayed for a half century. In 2009, the CHUM studios have been transferred to 250 Richmond St. West, not removed from the unique Adelaide Street tackle.
They have been known as “the songs between the songs.” And for many, they have been as much a part of the top 40 listening experience as the music and the deejays. We’re speaking about … the jingles.
A few of Top forty radio’s most memorable jingles were heard on CHUM Toronto. Whether or not they have been from CRC, Futuresonic, PAMS, TM, Johnny Mann or Otis Conner, they all held a spot in our hearts and memories.
The CHUM Jingle Montage begins with CHUM’s early days as a Top forty station in 1957, continues through the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and right as much as 2004. That is one of the crucial unbelievable audio experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. I hope you will enjoy it as effectively.
Benefit from the CHUM Jingle Montage right here.
Ever marvel what CHUM’s schedule was like earlier than it went Top 40? Take a look at this schedule from February, 1956!
(The CHUM Archives)
Subject: CHUM PROMO MONTAGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: 1958 to 1962 Time: 10:56
CHUM “billboarded its expertise – actually (Photo montage courtesy Bill Dulmage)
(Description by Doug Thompson)
Some have been severe. Many were zany. But all of them had an ideal sense of enjoyable. That’s what CHUM promos have been for the reason that “Nifty 1050” grew to become a Top forty station in May of 1957.
In this montage from the early years of the station, you will hear a CHUM promo saying the seek for a substitute for deejay Pete Nordheimer, who was leaving the station (Bob McAdorey was eventually employed); a foolish deejay promo with Hollywood actress Joan Crawford; a Radio Race promo (a highly regarded CHUM contest within the 1960’s) and the Magnificent Seven Singers contest promo featuring all the seven deejays of the day … ahem … how can we put this delicately … singing?
In case you’re questioning, the singing deejays are (in order): Dave Johnson, Pete Nordheimer, John Spragge, Mike Darow, Bob Laine, Al Boliska and J.J. Richards (fill-in host and full-time CHUM newsman.)
Enjoy the CHUMemories. Oh, by the way in which, this CHUM promo montage rounds off at 10 minutes and 50 seconds. 10 – 50. Get it? Nifty.
Hear the CHUM Promo Montage here.
(The CHUM Archives/Doug Thompson and Bob Laine)
Produced by Doug Thompson
Talent: DAVE JOHNSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: May 2, 1959 Time: 26:26 (unscoped) 12:12 (scoped)
(Courtesy: Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
One of the vital cheerful and upbeat personalities you will ever hear on the air, Dave Johnson was a pal to Toronto radio listeners for more than two decades.
Johnson joined CHUM in January 1958, taking over the 7 p.m.-midnight shift at the fledgling Top forty station. Earlier in his profession, he had been an operator at CKEY Toronto, followed by a stint as an on-air character at CKOY Ottawa. At CHUM, Johnson joined a workers that included Al Boliska (6-9 a.m. and noon-1 p.m.), Harvey Dobbs (9 a.m.-noon), Pete Nordheimer (1-four p.m.), Phil Stone (4-7 p.m.) and Jay Jackson (midnight-6 a.m.)
One of many highlights of Johnson’s early years at CHUM was a program phase referred to as the Hi-Fi Club. This led to a popular teen dance party known as the Hi-Fi Club Dance, a few blocks up from CHUM. Johnson personally hosted the dance introducing reside acts and playing ’45s. Union issues ultimately led to the tip of the event nevertheless it stays an integral part of CHUM’s early historical past.
(Dave Johnson with Donna Loren – courtesy Bob Laine and Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
By the point he left the station in late October 1965, Johnson was the only deejay remaining on CHUM from that 1958 lineup. In between, he had hosted the demanding and high-profile night time-time shift repeatedly for nearly eight years – almost a CHUM report* – even sharing the mike with the legendary Dick Clark (on tape) for a while in 1963.
After his CHUM days, Johnson moved to nation-formatted CFGM Richmond Hill as afternoon drive host and music director (turns out he was a giant fan of nation music, in addition to being an opera buff and gourmet chef!) He was nonetheless holding down his acquainted afternoon drive slot at CFGM when he died instantly of a coronary heart attack October 20, 1980.
Hear Dave Johnson with the Hi-Fi Club on CHUM right here. (UNSCOPED)
Hear Dave Johnson with the Hi-Fi Club on CHUM right here. (SCOPED)
*Russ McCloud was a night-time jock at CHUM for 9 years – August 1984 to August 1993, when he moved to afternoons. That would make him the holder of the record for the longest uninterrupted stint on nights at CHUM. Due to Russ for confirming the time he spent on nights. All informed, McCloud was at CHUM for 16 1-2 years (he also worked mornings for a time before returning to afternoon drive.)
Subject: THE MAPLE LEAFS Forever RADIO CARTOONS Station: CHUM Toronto Dates: 1959, 1960 and 1962 Times: Various
CHUM carried Leaf hockey throughout the 1964-65 season
Remember when the Toronto Maple Leafs received Stanley Cups?
It’s been so long, the memories of that point have nearly fully pale. In any case, they have not received a Cup since 1967. But these radio gems that appeared on CHUM back within the ’50s and ’60s ought to deliver that era flowing back.
The Maple Leafs Forever Radio Cartoons have been the brainchild of Allen Farrell, CHUM’s Promotion Director and creative guru. They have been modeled after the “lower-in” information made common in the 1950s by Buchanan and Goodman of The Flying Saucer, Parts 1 & 2 fame.
The Radio Cartoons featured a mock hockey sport punctuated by short report clips. They first appeared in 1959 (with Allen Farrell appearing solo as Foster Know-it). He was joined by Garry Ferrier in 1960 and in subsequent variations. The role of Bill Hewitt (Faster Foster) is performed by Farrell while Ferrier plays Foster Hewitt (Faster Foster’s father). They’re true gems of Top forty radio comedy and creativity and you’ll hear the outcomes under:
The Maple Leafs Forever Radio Cartoon, 1959 (with Allen Farrell) (3:18)
The Maple Leafs Forever Radio Cartoon, 1960 (with Farrell and Garry Ferrier) (3:36)
The Maple Leafs Forever Radio Cartoon, 1962 (with Farrell and Ferrier) (3:31)
Talent: AL BOLISKA with “THE WORLD’S WORST JOKES” Station: CHUM Toronto Date: 1960 Times: Various
Al Boliska was the centre of consideration at CHUM – and in this picture. (Courtesy: Bill Dulmage)
“Do you notice if it weren’t for Edison we would be watching Tv by candlelight?” – Al Boliska
He was so funny it harm – Al Boliska both made your sides split, otherwise you’d groan with agony.
The king of the corny joke, Boliska starred as CHUM’s morning man for six years earlier than heading the wake-up show at rival CKEY.
Boliska worked off-air at CBC news in his hometown of Montreal before taking on hosting duties at CKLC in Kingston, Ontario, in 1953. It was there he started to develop his zany model. According to Allen Farrell’s e-book The CHUM Story, he often stunned his CKLC listeners by doing his present from the Kingston pen or the local community centre. In 1956, Boliska took over the morning show at CKSL London, Ontario. Then it was on to Toronto as Boliska and his long-time operator George Nicholson have been employed for CHUM’s morning show within the fall of 1957.
Front and again cover of “The World’s Worst Jokes” pocketbook edition. (Courtesy: Doug Thompson)
At CHUM, Boliska became a morning legend, with features like the World’s Worst Jokes, and a forged of characters like Just Plain George (Nicholson), Officer Tie Clip (CHUM janitor and handyman Al Deveraux) and Lou the Butcher (yes, a local meat-store operator). Boliska was Toronto’s first Top 40 morning funnyman, and he paved the way in which for the many that might follow.
Front and back cowl of “More of the World’s Worst Jokes” pocketbook version. (Courtesy: Doug Thompson)
Long-time CHUM producer Doug Thompson talks about the World’s Worst Jokes…
“The World’s Worst Jokes was the each day corny joke comedy bit that Boliska did at CHUM at 6:45, 7:Forty five and 8:Forty five AM, with George Nicholson (“Just Plain George”), his op, who he’d labored with at CKLC Kingston prior to coming to CHUM. I’ve a number of authentic WWJ segments from CHUM airchecks that Charlie (Ritenburg) and i re-built. What CHUM did within the early days (58-60) was repeat The World’s Worst Jokes in the Dave Johnson Show at night time. Dave normally talked over the top music, so you would never get a clean copy.
I also happen to have in my private archives, the original albums that Boliska used for both his theme tune “What D’Ye Mean You Lost Your Dog” (hearken to it right here in MP3) and the WWJ. They’re two separate albums by Albert White and the Gaslite Orchestra out of San Francisco. So, Charlie and that i married the ending music from my album to the WWJ airchecks and viola…clear variations. Of course it took a lot of work to get them to match up, the airchecks were in really dangerous shape. I used them on the air as part of the 1050 CHUM Hall of Fame segments.”
Front cover of “The World’s Worst Jokes” pocketbook edition, Volume 3. (Courtesy: Doug Thompson)
Boliska enjoyed a memorable run at CHUM before CKEY employed him away for mornings in late 1963. But he quickly regretted leaving CHUM, as this Toronto Telegram article from February 11, 1964 from the CHUM Archives exhibits. After his CKEY keep ended, he moved to Johnny Lombardi’s CHIN in mornings for the launch of that station in 1966. Boliska left CHIN the next year for the morning present at Montreal’s CFCF in 1967. His producer, the late George Nicholson, later produced John Gilbert’s discuss present at CHUM.
Boliska kept busy exterior of radio. His novelty-music The Ballad of The Dying Cowboy (take heed to it here (MP3)) reached #18 on the CHUM Chart in 1960. He additionally did a weekly travelling Tv show on Toronto’s CBLT-Tv called On the Scene, and wrote a column for the Toronto Telegram.
Boliska died of a coronary heart assault in Toronto on April 7, 1972 on the eve of his 40th birthday.
The “World’s Worst Jokes” was made into record album in 1966. There was also a “World’s Worst Jokes” guide – the first edition by McClelland and Stewart was published in 1966 and the Simon and Shuster pocketbook edition (pictured above) came out in 1968 (a followup, “More of the World’s Worst Jokes”, was additionally published by Simon and Shuster). Boliska additionally did three other books “It is Written: A set of Graffiti from the washrooms, fences, alleys, walls, billboards and subways of North America” (1968), “The Mahareeshi Says” (A 1969 Pocket Books publication)”, and “Wipe-Outs” (a 1969 book of insults, put-downs and caustic quips from Pocket Book).
Enjoy some Al Boliska humour below:
Segment One (with sidekick Just Plain George) could be heard right here. (0:45)
Segment Two (with sidekick Peter Dickens) may be heard here. (1:04)
Al Boliska on the CNE, 1959. (The CHUM Archives)
Al Boliska with unknown CHUM feminine staffer in 1961 outdoors the CHUM constructing in 1961 for the Austin 850 Dream Weekend in London promotion. (The CHUM Archives)
Al Boliska on the CFCF chart from May 19, 1967. (Courtesy: Doug Thompson)
Allen Farrell sent this memo to the CHUM jocks on November 28, 1963.
Larger view right here.
Talent: MIKE DAROW Station: CHUM Toronto Date: April 12, 1961 Time: 32:37 (unscoped)
CHUM was greater than hit parade station – it was additionally a highly-polished full service operation.
Good evidence of this is discovered on this aircheck of Mike Darow’s afternoon drive shift on April 12, 1961. The highest tunes of April 1961 are heard after all however the massive information of the day isn’t forgotten: Yuri Gagarin has grow to be the first man in house as you’ll hear on a CHUM “News Extra” with Ron Knight, a.k.a. Art Cuthbert. Pierre Berton is heard with one of the various daily commentaries he was doing for CHUM on the time. The topic is the widespread chilly, still a topical subject.
There’s visitors “CHUM Terrific in Traffic in Toronto”, weather (with Weather Consultants of Canada), horse racing outcomes “It’s Pony Time!” and commercials for Pepsi, Hellman’s, Campbell’s Soup, Neilson Chocolate, Made Rite Potato Chips and lengthy-departed manufacturers Woolworths and Mann and Martel. Darow gives away a copy of the Marcels’ Blue Moon to a fortunate listener, and there is a salute to Danforth Tech highschool and and “Win It This Minute” is returning to CHUM. Wow!
Enjoy Mike Darow on CHUM from April 12, 1961 right here.
Talent: JANE MORGAN Station: CHUM Toronto Date: June 14, 1961 Time: 32:00
The stars got here out at CHUM in 1961 when the station had several effectively-known personalities host music exhibits rather than the regular DJs.
Mitzi Gaynor, Bill Dana (along with his character Jose Jimenez), Pat Boone, Jim Backus, Conway Twitty, Tennessee Ernie Ford and others all took turns at the CHUM mike on this relatively interesting programming transfer. Pierre Berton even did a 3-hour music show and – at his insistence – played classical music!
Jane Morgan, finest known for her 1950s hits Fascination and The Day the Rains Came, additionally took a turn on the CHUM mike and we’ve got it for you!
Enjoy Jane Morgan as she fills in for John Spragge within the 9-10 a.m. hour on CHUM here.
Talent: MITZI GAYNOR Station: CHUM Toronto Date: June 14, 1961 Time: 29:23
(Courtesy: Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives) Mitzi Gaynor, perhaps greatest remembered for her look in 1958’s “South Pacific”, fills in for Mike Darow within the 5-6 p.m. hour here.
Talent: THE VOICE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: May 18-19, 1962 Time: 40:54
There was a time when the arrival of a new deejay at a Top 40 radio station was massive information – really large information. But few stations made as massive a splash about it as CHUM did when “The Voice” arrived.
It was May, 1962 and CHUM had simply employed a new all-evening deejay, but he wasn’t on the air but. Nowadays the all-night time show is just not something most stations spend quite a lot of effort – if any – promoting, however again then day by day part was thought-about important. So when CHUM hired its new all-evening jock in ’62, his arrival was treated like that of royalty.
Friday, May 25, 1962 (technically 12:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26) was the night the new deejay was scheduled to start. For weeks earlier than, CHUM promoted it as the greatest factor since sliced bread (which again then was still delivered by a bread man, however we digress). On the fateful night at midnight, the whole CHUM deejay workers – even morning man Al Boliska who had a show to do at 6 a.m. – turned out to welcome the brand new rent.
What occurred subsequent? And just who was “The Voice”? Listen here.
More ON … “THE VOICE”
CHUM did an intense job of selling “The Voice”. A number of the on-air promos (we now have thirteen in all) that ran in the times prior to his arrival can he heard right here. (5:57)
CHUM also ran a promo on the same day the id of “The Voice” was revealed. You may hear that right here. (0:52)
The well-known Music Till Dawn opener may be heard right here. (0:33)
Only for the document, “The Voice” – who in actuality was Bob Laine – had left CHUM in March, 1962 for a really transient stint as CFGM’s morning man. When he returned to the all-night time show in May, 1962, he stayed at CHUM – on-air or in management – for forty one 1-2 extra years!
Subject: THE LEAFS WIN THE CUP!!! Station: CHUM Toronto Date: April 18, 1963 Time: 1:52
(Graphic courtesy Doug Thompson)
The Leafs win the Cup! The Leafs win the Cup! The Leafs win the Cup!
It’s troublesome to imagine a bigger Toronto sports story than if the Maple Leafs ever gained the Stanley Cup once more. In spite of everything, Lord Stanley’s mug has eluded them since 1967 and the reminiscence of their glory years grows dimmer every year. Yes, they’ve had some respectable groups since – they made the semifinals in 1979 and 1993 – but any plans for another Stanley Cup parade remain decidedly on hold.
Within the 1960s, nevertheless, the Leafs won the Cup so usually it was almost routine. Toronto received 4 NHL championships in the ’60s – three in a row from 1962 to 1964 and another in 1967. Then the drought started.
On this clip from April 18, 1963, CHUM sports activities director Bryan Hall excitedly relates the news of the most recent Leaf Stanley Cup victory.
Hear it right here.
We asked Doug Thompson about Bryan Hall, and here is what he told us…
“Bryan was at CHUM for 3 years. He’d been employed by Allan Slaight who knew his sports activities work from Edmonton when Slaight was at CHED and Bryan was at CJCA. Bryan informed me Slaight and he worked out his contract on a cocktail napkin at a bar. Bryan was in city protecting the Eskimos (he wasn’t the play-by-play announcer but) and Slaight met with him on the airport and wrote his deal out on the napkin.
Bryan Hall left CHUM and went back to Edmonton (from whence he got here). He was at CJCA, earlier than and after he returned to Edmonton. Then when CJCA went darkish in 1993, Bryan moved over to CHED as sports director. He was also the play-by-play voice of the Edmonton Eskimos for 40 years, a job he has retired from.
Jon Pearkins wrote to us in 2010..
“Hall can be Sports Director for the opposite three Corus stations in Edmonton: CHQT (iNews880), CKNG-FM (JOE-FM) and CISN-FM. He started his career at CKUA Edmonton in 1953, joining CJCA in 1955. Biggest irony: Bryan was born in Toronto in 1934.”
Talent: DICK CLARK with JOHN SPRAGGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: May 27, 1963 Time: 26:43
(l-r: Dave Johnson, Dick Clark, Alan Slaight, unknown/The CHUM Archives)
It was the spring of 1963 and the heat was on.
Dave Mickie’s new night time-time present on rival CKEY was gaining in reputation and CHUM needed to do one thing big.
So they introduced in the biggest identify of all of them.
On May 27, 1963, CHUM started carrying The Dick Clark Radio Show. The American Bandstand host had been making this system out there to radio stations since the start of the yr via Mars Broadcasting of Stamford, Connecticut. The primary CHUM present was broadcast live from The Terrace, a now-demolished curling membership and roller skating rink in downtown Toronto. Subsequent editions had Clark on tape and regular host Dave Johnson dwell.
Production whiz Claude Deschamps – who had the job of making your complete 7-9 p.m. present sound dwell – inspired Clark’s manufacturing firm to send personalized bits, time checks masking each attainable time, and more “interplay” with Johnson. Clark’s people have been so impressed with Deschamps’ work that they offered him a job (he finally stayed at CHUM).
Mickie, who began within the 7-11 p.m. shift at CKEY in April 1963, left the station in September. Clark’s CHUM show continued till the top of the 12 months. The Dick Clark Radio Show was solely picked up by few dozen stations – together with CJCA Edmonton – and seems to have ended sometime in 1964.
A number of hours earlier than Clark’s first CHUM show, he appeared on the station with late morning jock John Spragge. The American Bandstand host bantered with Spragge and took a couple of calls from listeners (it’s attention-grabbing to hear ladies give their names as Mrs. (insert husband’s identify) – a follow that thankfully ended way back). A few hours later, Clark went to The Terrace to do his first CHUM present, which you’ll hear in our 1963 section.
Enjoy Dick Clark and John Spragge on CHUM right here.
(Larger view right here)
(L-r: Dick’s in the center by the long white balloon, Bob McAdorey is to Dick’s proper and Dave Johnson to Bob’s right. That’s CHUM board operator/producer George Nicholson “Just Plain George” sitting at the desk doing the dwell engineering./The CHUM Archives)
Talent: JOHN SPRAGGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: June 17, 1963 Time: 48.Fifty nine (unscoped) 16:17 (scoped)
He solely had one on-air gig, however it was one of the best. For 10 years – 1958 to 1968 – John Spragge was the midday announcer at Toronto’s CHUM, his calm, friendly voice entertaining tens of millions of southern Ontarians and western New Yorkers during CHUM’s first decade as a Top 40 station.
Spragge began at CHUM within the late ’50s in news whereas taking Radio and tv Arts at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. Eventually he dropped out to work full-time within the information department, a decision he would never remorse. In 1958, he took over from Harvey Dobbs within the 9 a.m.-noon shift, beginning a decade-long run in middays at CHUM. During that time, listeners heard the Housewives Hit Parade (women voting for his or her favorite tunes each week) and in addition obtained the small print of Spragge’s next film preview. These events, hosted by Spragge himself, had been held at an area theatre and gave listeners a chance to meet John, and vice-versa. Such was the private nature of radio at the time.
(Courtesy Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
In December, 1963, with the arrival of morning man Jay Nelson, Spragge’s hours changed to 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Within the spring of 1968, he moved briefly to noon-4 p.m., then noon-3 p.m. by the summer. But by August, with CHUM’s swap to the Drake format, the man referred to as “The Hawk” was gone.
Spragge would by no means do a jock shift again. After CHUM, he spent just a few years with the Radio Sales Bureau and Standard Broadcast Sales. He was program director at CFRB Toronto from 1972 to 1985, and likewise programmed Talk 640 in Toronto in the ’90s. Spragge additionally labored in Kitchener, Ontario, at CFCA, CKKW and CKCO-Tv, and was additionally a public speaker and marketing consultant.
Deeply involved in charities, Spragge walked in the first March of Dimes, constructed properties for Habitat for Humanity, and helped restore summer time camps for youngsters with particular wants, together with many other charitable projects. In 2008, he grew to become solely the second person to twice win the Rotary Club’s highest honour, a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Spragge died December 16, 2008 in Toronto after a two-year battle with most cancers. He was 71.
Enjoy John Spragge (UNSCOPED) on CHUM here.
Enjoy John Spragge (SCOPED on CHUM here. * introduction by Bob Laine
Note: John Spragge counts down the CHUM Chart of June 24, 1963 on this aircheck (see under).
(CHUM Chart courtesy Ron Hall)
Original full-size aircheck restored by Doug Thompson and Charlie Ritenburg
Custom scope for Rock Radio Scrapbook by Doug Thompson
Subject: DAVE JOHNSON PROMO for Hello TORONTO Station: CHUM Toronto Date: 1964 Times: 00:41
(Courtesy: Doug Thompson)
They have been at opposite ends of the clock, but here Jay Nelson and Dave Johnson come collectively.
In 1964, Nelson did the 6-10 a.m. shift on CHUM, while Johnson was on from 7-10 p.m. On this promo, Johnson urges listeners to tune into Nelson’s Hello Toronto morning drive comedy segments.
Hear Dave Johnson’s promo for “Hello Toronto” right here.
Hear some “Hello Toronto” segments from 1967 here.
Talent: LARRY SOLWAY Station: CHUM Toronto Date: January 29, 1964 Time: 25:47
Larry Solway, 1969 (Courtesy Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
Amidst the rock, CHUM had discuss.
In the 1960s and early ’70s, Canada’s leading Top forty station was residence to the bottom-breaking and generally controversial speak show Speak Your Mind, hosted by the outspoken man with the booming voice, Larry Solway. The Toronto-born Solway arrived at CHUM in the mid-’50s, earlier than it was a Top forty station, and along with his talk present duties served as Creative Director of CHUM and briefly as its Program Director during his decade-and-a-half with the station. He and promotions head Gary Ferrier did an on-air shtick known as “Larry and Gary” for a time. Solway was additionally a vice-president and was responsible for bringing in Murray the K to CHUM-FM and Jack Armstrong on the AM facet in 1968.
Larry Solway publicity shot, 1960 (Courtesy Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
Speak Your Mind debuted on CHUM in 1960 with host Dr. Marcus Long, a professor of philosophy on the University of Toronto. Trent Frayne and June Callwood, a married couple at the time, later co-hosted collectively or did the present individually. Solway took over the reins permanently in 1964. Speak Your Mind originally aired from 10:30-10:55 p.m., then grew to become a two-hour show beginning at 10:00 p.m. in 1964. It moved to late mornings in 1968, first from 10:00 a.m. to noon then 9-eleven a.m.
The present was renamed The Larry Solway Show for the 1970-71 season however Solway left CHUM in November of that year after airing a controversial series of exhibits about sex. John Gilbert changed him as host and continued with The John Gilbert Show till 1977. Solway later did discuss reveals at CHIC Brampton, Ontario (1976-79), CKAR Oshawa, Ontario (circa 1983), CFGM Richmond Hill, Ontario (1986-1989), CFLY Kingston, Ontario (circa 1989), CFRB Toronto (1991-92) and CHOG Toronto (1996-97).
Larry Solway (r) Pierre Berton (l) on the CHUM mic in 1961 (Courtesy Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
Solway wore many hats. He wrote two books – The Day I Invented Sex (after his departure from CHUM) and Don’t be Blindsided by Retirement (with former investment counsellor Andrew Bertram) about adjusting to retirement. Solway was a panellist on the CBC-Tv exhibits Flashback (1966-68) and This is The Law (1971-75). He appeared in the movies Meatballs and The Brood among others and was an accomplished stage actor, producer and director. Solway was a columnist for the Sunday Star in Toronto within the late ’70s, and was an active blogger in his ’80s. Solway also dabbled in politics, operating unsuccessfully for the brand new Democratic Party within the 1999 Ontario provincial election.
An avid sailor and piano player, Solway died of complications from bladder cancer on January 9, 2012. He was 83. In his last weblog submit, he wrote, “I hope to survive. If not. It’s been good.”
Hear Larry Solway with Speak Your Mind on CHUM from January 29, 1964 here.
(CHUM Chart, December 11, 1967/Courtesy Ron Hall)
Upon learning of Solway’s dying, Doug Thompson wrote about his former CHUM colleague on the SOWNY Radio-Tv Forum. You’ll be able to read it in its entirety under.
“My first shift at CHUM on February 1st, 1965 was 6PM to midnight, which meant working the last hour with Bob McAdorey, all three hours with Dave Johnson, then 2 hours with Larry Solway on “Speak Your Mind”. There was no telephone screener. I used to be it. For my first day, Larry only yelled at me once on the talkback. “Don’t put callers like that through again” was precisely what he stated as a result of it is ceaselessly etched in my mind. I was 18 and terrified of Larry…not less than that first night.. I don’t exactly remember what kind of caller he was referring to nonetheless.
In Chuck Blore’s “History of Radio” montage that he produced for the 1968 Bill Gavin convention, Chuck used a brief clip of Solway berating a caller. That was the type of factor Larry did extraordinarily effectively. I remember one time, he took one listener apart, ranting and yelling…up one aspect and down the other. After he hung up on the caller and while he was nonetheless talking about it on air, he turned to me and winked.
He was one hell of an actor.
I worked with Larry on “Speak Your Mind” for the 18 months I was a board op, then we shifted into a unique relationship once I moved into production. Larry was CHUM’s Creative Director and that i recorded extra Steinbergs and Bad Boy commercials with Larry than I care to consider. Garry Ferrier was all the time enjoyable to work with as a result of he joked around with you within the studio. Larry would too, if Garry was recording with him or Bob Laine or any of the CHUM jocks, however on his personal, he was all enterprise.
After he was fired for that collection of daytime packages on intercourse, which as we speak would not even make a nun blush, I went to a book signing for “The Day I Invented Sex”, the book Larry wrote about that point. He inscribed a fully great be aware to me contained in the fly leaf that I’ll at all times cherish.
In 1969, Larry wrote the unique CHUM History Of Rock. All 28 hours of it. It was a whole lot of Larry’s opinions about rock’n’roll (he wasn’t a fan) with some details thrown in. If I remember correctly, we had about per week to provide it (that feels like old instances eh Warren?). The all the time lovely Chuck Riley flew up from Indianapolis the weekend before to file the narration. We had only a few interviews, but I managed to insert a couple of Elvis and Beatles interviews in anyway.
When Bob Laine and that i began engaged on the CHUM Archives in October 2003, I found these 28 original History of Rock master tapes intact.
They still had my hand written cue sheets inside the containers.
The very best advice Larry ever gave me was in 1967 when CHUM inventory was about to go in the marketplace. Staff may purchase them for $10.50 a share. The week earlier than the stock launched, he told me, “borrow as a lot money as you can and purchase, buy, buy”.
The CHUM inventory opened at $18.00.
Larry was right…as soon as again.
“Turn your radio down” tonight in honour of one in all Canada’s biggest broadcasters. Larry Solway.”
Talent: JOHN SPRAGGE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: April 7, 1964 Time: 8:27
One of many hallmarks of CHUM’s early years was the stability of its on-air workers. Bob Laine served for 10 years on the all-night show (1958-1968), while during the same period there have been only two morning males (Al Boliska and Jay Nelson). Dave Johnson and Brian Skinner covered that 10-12 months period within the highly coveted night slot whereas middays were the preserve of John Spragge.
Spragge replaced Harvey Dobbs within the 9 p.m.-noon slot in 1958 and entertained on mid-days until he left with the changeover to the Drake format in 1968. As you will shortly tell on this aircheck, CHUM’s weekday daytime programming in those days was unabashedly aimed toward “housewives,” as homemakers had been called then. The music featured a lot lighter fare than one may anticipate from a Top forty station. The true Top 40 music came after college, at night, in the mornings and on weekends, when the children can be listening.
Hear John Spragge right here.
Talent: BOB LAINE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: September 3, 1964 Time: 27:36 (unscoped) 15:22 (scoped)
“Good morning world, that is Bob-O. Good morning Bob-O, that is world.”
For almost a decade, these phrases greeted CHUM listeners six nights every week at the stroke of midnight. It was the opener of the Bob Laine present, some of the memorable all-night packages in rock radio historical past. For six hours, listeners were treated to the highest songs from CHUM Chart and the most effective hits of yesteryear, with one of friendliest-sounding deejays within the enterprise.
Laine talks about his CHUM years…
“I started my career in May of 1958 as the all-evening jock and retired 45 and a-half years later as a radio vice-president. I did every part one can do in radio … on-air … station manager … normal manager … black hat (with white trim) … duopoly putter-collectively (Windsor) … pay fairness … employment equity … radio station designer. I had the best time for all these years. I used to be taught and skilled by the greats – Allan Waters, Fred Sherratt and Al Slaight. I used to be given alternatives one can only dream about by Jim Waters and I was on the air with the greats of ’60s radio … Boliska, Johnson, Spragge, McAdorey, Darrow, Nelson, Weaver, Roman and the pioneers the CHUM 1950s, guys like Pete Nordheimer, Phil Stone. Harvey Dobbs. When you read Al Farrell’s ebook “The CHUM Story” know that the great instances we associated are true … if not incomplete!!! There are some stories that will simply should go untold! I hope you take pleasure in the good music I performed on this aircheck.”
Laine arrived at CHUM following a stint at CHNS in Simcoe, Ontario. At CHUM, he joined a station that simply the yr earlier than switched to a full-time hit parade format. On the time, there have been many who thought rock ‘n’ roll was only a fad, and devoting a station to the “devil’s music” was sheer folly. History would prove them mistaken.
Laine spent 10 years on the all-evening present, enjoying the hits of the day and – at 3 o’clock in the morning – oldies on the Golden Galaxy. Back then the oldies weren’t very old and the idea of enjoying them was quite new. But earlier than long, there would be numerous stations taking part in oldies and numerous exhibits specializing in oldies. Laine was one of the pioneers of the idea.
Laine moved to middays in August, 1968. He did his remaining common CHUM present on Christmas Eve 1969, returning for some weekend appearances in 1970. Later, he was program director at CHUM-FM, a part of his three-decade career in CHUM administration. But for a lot of who remember CHUM within the ’50s and ’60s, he’ll all the time be the voice within the night.
Hear Bob Laine on CHUM from September 3, 1964 (UNSCOPED) right here.
Hear Bob Laine on CHUM from September 3, 1964 (SCOPED) here.
Talent: DAVE JOHNSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: September 11, 1964 Time: 57:05 (unscoped) 20:33 (scoped)
The Canadian Flag Debate was raging. Shindig and Bewitched premiered on ABC. The Warren Commission Report on the JFK assassination was launched. Harpo Marx died. Keenu Reeves was born.
It was September, 1964 and in Toronto, within the midst of Beatlemania, you could possibly learn the Fox Trot at Arthur Murray’s. A 5-bedroom bungalow in the Danforth-Warden space may very well be had for $12,900. You can buy footwear at Agnew-Surpass, meals at Bassins, discover bargains at Sayvette The Discount Department Store, purchase building provides at Beaver Lumber, fill up at Supertest.
Men’s all-weather coats may very well be purchased for at Simpson’s for $24.95. Red Arrow Distributors was promoting an AM automobile radio for $29.Ninety five with a FM tuner for $59.Ninety five (“limited quantity”). On the theatres, in a film newspaper ads described as Sintillating, Marlon Brando, David Niven and Shirley Jones have been starring in Bedtime Story.
(Courtesy Bob Laine and Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
The Beatles have been in city, briefly, having arrived at Toronto’s Malton Airport early in the morning of September 7. They performed two reveals at Maple Leaf Gardens, with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. and a night show at 8:30 p.m. The following day they performed the Montreal Forum. On the CHUM Chart, House of the Rising Sun by The Animals and Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison each spent two weeks at Primary in September, 1964.
The Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League entered training camp in September, 1964, basking within the glow of their third straight Stanley Cup. Their baseball counterparts, the Toronto Maple Leafs of the minor International League, had been ending a middle-of-the-pack season. The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League have been in the middle of a 4-10 campaign that would place them last in the Eastern Division.
ROCK RADIO SCRAPBOOK requested DOUG THOMPSON about DAVE JOHNSON, and this is what he said…
“Back within the late 1950’s and early ‘60’s, when I was a teenager rising up in Oakville, Ontario, I first turned addicted to C-H-U-M 1050 Toronto. I loved listening to all of the jocks – Al Boliska, John Spragge, Mike Darow, Pete Nordheimer (later Bob McAdorey) in addition to Bob Laine, but on the time, Dave Johnson was my all time fave CHUM DJ. I listened to him each evening whereas I used to be doing my homework (and even after i wasn’t).
Dave had an actual feel for the music, although I came upon just a few years later once i began working with him, that he really didn’t care for rock’n’roll. Dave liked opera and nation music (and not essentially in that order).
Flash forward to Monday February 1st, 1965 – my first day as a CHUM board op. I sat in the CHUM AM management room to look at and study the board for many of the day, then flew solo from 6 o’clock till midnight. I labored the final hour of Bob McAdorey’s show, then all three hours with Dave. He couldn’t have been nicer to me. The commercials, station jingles and promos were all on cart, but we nonetheless played 45’s from the turntables positioned on the left aspect of the console. Dave wore his swimsuit and tie for the entire shift. He and i labored collectively 5 nights every week till October ’65 when he left for country station CFGM in Richmond Hill. He remained there till his demise on October 20, 1980.
Most individuals didn’t know this, but Dave was extraordinarily shy in public, which is why he always felt uncomfortable sitting in that fishbowl of the CHUM Satellite Station on the CNE or Sportsman Show.
This aircheck is from September 11, 1964, that’s 4½ months earlier than I got to CHUM, and on this night time, Davo is sounding great….identical to he at all times did.”
Morning man Wally Crouter was in his 18th 12 months at CFRB, whereas Jay Nelson and Al Boliska have been in their first years in mornings at CHUM and CKEY respectively. Phil MacKellar woke listeners up at CKFH and Gerry Herbert did mornings at CHFI-AM. You may hear classical music on CHUM-FM, stunning music on CHFI-FM and English-language programming at CJBC until October 1, when it went all-French.
In September, 1964, night jock Dave Johnson was nearing the top of a very successful run at CHUM. He started there in January, 1958, and left in the fall of 1965.
Enjoy Dave Johnson on CHUM (UNSCOPED) here.
Enjoy Dave Johnson on CHUM (SCOPED) here.
(Dave Johnson with Annette Funicello – courtesy Bob Laine and Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
Talent: BOB McADOREY Station: CHUM Toronto Date: September 17, 1964 Time: 56:39 (unscoped) 28:15 (scoped)
(Photo credit: The CHUM Archives, Bob McAdorey)
Bob McAdorey not solely performed the data, he chose them.
Doubling as afternoon jock and music director during CHUM’s glory days of the 1960s, McAdorey performed a huge part within the station’s success throughout that memorable decade. One among the largest plums of his job was figuring out the rankings of the songs on the CHUM Chart, which during his time as MD was a Top 50 ranking. The CHUM Chart was one of the influential music charts in North America and will make-or-break the profession of a musical act, especially a Canadian one.
Rock and roll was in its nascent stages when McAdorey acquired his begin in radio in 1953 at CHVC in his hometown of Niagara Falls, Ontario. From there he labored in Dawson Creek, B.C., and the Ontario markets of London, Hamilton and Guelph. He arrived at CHUM in 1961, replacing the last of the original CHUM jocks – Pete Nordheimer, within the 1-4 shift. In 1964, he moved to the 4-7 p.m. time slot, trading locations with Mike Darow who moved into Mac’s shift. McAdorey would spend the next 4 years in afternoon drive, earlier than leaving as a part of a significant upheaval of the station in 1968.
“We saved it clear up here,” McAdorey advised the Toronto Star’s Jim Bawden. “There was no payola as in the U.S. and we intentionally helped plenty of Canadians. It was character radio. We have been promoted like crazy again then. And the pressures were unbelievable. We dictated what report have been going to go. And what children would eat, drink.”
After CHUM, McAdorey moved to nation-formatted CFGM in Richmond Hill, simply north of Toronto. He moved to straightforward listening CHFI-AM in 1970 and was there for a short while after the station moved to a rock format in 1972. McAdorey returned for another stint at CFGM before transferring to Global Television in 1976 where he spent 24 lively years, first doing wacky comedy bits then transferring into leisure. A man who suffered vital tragedy in his life – he was predeceased by his spouse Willa, daughter Robin and son Terry – McAdorey yearned for his earlier radio days. “I’d walk into the sales space in pyjama tops and jeans and talk one-on-one to folks,” stated McAdorey, who handed away in 2004 at age 69. “Not less than that is the best way I always imagined it.”
Enjoy Bob McAdorey on CHUM (UNSCOPED) right here.
Enjoy Bob McAdorey on CHUM (SCOPED) right here.
Talent: BOB LAINE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: November 25, 1964 Time: 32:Forty nine (unscoped) 16:Forty four (scoped)
When Doug Thompson began at CHUM in 1965, he not only achieved a lifelong career dream but in addition made a pal for all times.
Doug tells Rock Radio Scrapbook the story of himself, CHUM, and Bob Laine…
“When I used to be growing up in Oakville, through the late 1950’s and early 60’s, my parents gave me their Stromberg-Carlson radio. It was a huge piece of furnishings, standing about four toes high. My father, brother and i struggled to hold it up the steps to my bedroom the place we positioned it right beside my mattress.
This was an actual deal with to hearken to. I had a small transistor radio, however the sound coming out of the Stromberg-Carlson audio system was vastly superior – it was just so heat. I used to have the radio on (CHUM naturally) while I did my homework, listening to Dave Johnson and the HiFi Club. Bedtime was usually around 11, so I had to turn the radio off then. I was allowed to hear longer on Friday and Saturday nights and that’s when Bob Laine, CHUM’s all evening master, entered my life. For some motive, the track I most associate with Bob is Jorgen Ingmann’s “Apache” which he performed too much as his opening song round 1961 when it was successful.
Yearly, I’d go to the CNE with my parents and brother and while they went off and did their factor, I went to the Princess Gates and stood around and watched the CHUM guys on the Satellite Station. I did the identical thing at the annual Sportsman Show. I nonetheless have all of the CHUM promo pieces they handed out back then – the CHUM jocks and newsman within the black bowler hats in Bermuda shorts, and later, a brochure with them carrying boater hats. I also obtained most the CHUM guys autographs.
We moved to Edmonton in late 1961, but by then, I’d already been bitten by the CHUM bug and vowed that I would work there ‘some day’. That ‘someday’ took four years, but I walked via the doorways at 1331 Yonge Street as a full time worker on February 1st, 1965. My shift was 6 p.m. to midnight, so after sitting and watching mid day op Peter Crampton all day, I took the controls at 6 p.m. Chief operator and Production Manager Fred Snyder (who was also Moose Latreck on-air) left me by myself and stated he’d be again simply before 10 p.m. to point out me how one can get into delay for Speak Your Mind with Larry Solway. He did (just barely.) Around eleven p.m., Bob Laine walked into the control room, launched himself (as if I did not know who he was) then went off into the newsroom to prepare for his show.
We became pals that night time and over the course of my operating period (about 18 months earlier than I was promoted into the Production Department) we became lifelong mates, a lot in order that we’re still working collectively as we speak on the CHUM Archives and as board members of the Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation (as of November 2010.) I treasure our friendship, but occasionally my mind wanders again to 1960-61, when Bob Laine was just a “disembodied voice within the night time”, however one of the friendliest voices I had ever heard.”
Enjoy Bob Laine on CHUM (UNSCOPED) right here.
Enjoy Bob Laine on CHUM (SCOPED) here.
Talent: BOB LAINE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: January 2, 1965 Time: 26:06
Bob Laine is CHUM’s greatest-remembered all-night man. But a couple of other people, some nicely-recognized and a few not-so properly-identified, also did the midnight-to-daybreak shift over the years.
When CHUM debuted as a Top 40 station on May 27, 1957, the midnight-to-6 a.m. shift was held by Hank Noble, however not for lengthy. About eight months later – in January of 1958 – Noble was replaced by Jay Jackson. Jackson did not final much longer than Noble, leaving in mid-year to make manner for Laine. Aside from a departure of some months in 1962 whereas he did mornings at CFGM, Laine owned the all-evening slot for a decade. He finally moved to middays in August of 1968. Laine’s alternative: “The Prez” Brian Skinner, who had been the station’s zany night character from 1965 to 1968.
In August, 1969, Skinner was gone solely to be replaced by a future morning man – Roger Ashby. By March, 1972. Ashby was in middays and changed by one other future morning man – Mark Edwards a.okay.a. Bob Magee.
A succession of all-night time hosts continued all through the ’70s, with jocks like Pat St. John, Mike Cooper, Steve Elliot, Chuck Morgan and Dan Foreman working the graveyard shift. Within the ’80s, personalities like Steve Bolton, Gregg Lee, Jack Dennis, Melanie Deveau, Jeremy Smith and Kori Skinner (the son of Brian!) entertained on the all-evening show.
CHUM all-night time hosts within the ’90s included Kori Skinner, Andy K., Roger Kelly, Jack Dennis and Doug Kirkwood. By 2000, Bruce Marshall was voice-monitoring the in a single day present. CHUM switched to a sports activities-talk format as the Team in May, 2001, and ran syndicated talk overnight. When CHUM returned to music in August, 2002, the all-night time shift was unfilled, they just played music – no jock, although Roger Ashby’s son Regan Ashby typically crammed in.
Talent: BOB LAINE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: February 6, 1965 Time: 20:02
Here’s Bob Laine about a month later.
Enjoy Bob Laine on CHUM right here.
Talent: DUFF ROMAN Station: CHUM Toronto Date: January 7, 1966 Time: Part 1 – 26:10 Part 2 – 25:02
(Photo courtesy Doug Thompson/The CHUM Archives)
Forget the history books. The Roman Empire didn’t finish in the fifth century. It was alive and nicely in Toronto radio beginning in the late 1950s and its chief was Duff Roman. But his story begins on the Canadian prairies.
It was the fall of 1955 – Bill Haley’s Rock Across the Clock was all the craze – and Dave Mostoway began his radio career at CHAT Medicine Hat, Alberta. He did not stay there lengthy – in the fall of 1956 he moved to CKRC Winnipeg, where he stayed till the autumn of 1957. Then it was on to a yr-lengthy gig at CHAT-Tv (he was the first announcer when the station signed on). From the fall of 1958 to the spring of 1959, Roman jocked at CKSW in his hometown of Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
In the spring of 1959, Mostoway went to CHED Edmonton, then began his long Toronto radio career within the fall of that 12 months when he arrived at CKEY. But station proprietor Jack Kent Cooke didn’t like Dave Mostoway as an on-air title, so he and Mostoway pasted together a new title from Duff (his childhood nickname) and Roman (his youngest brother’s first identify). That will grow to be his authorized identify. He moved to CHUM in 1965 as weekend/swing host, moving to weekday afternoons from the fall of 1967 to the summer time of 1968. Roman returned to Winnipeg at CFRW from the summer of 1968 to the fall of 1969, then got here again to Toronto at CKFH where he served as morning host and program director until the summer of 1973. That proved to be his final on-air gig.
Aircheck highlights (Part 1)
– Bob McAdorey with Club 888 advert (0:49) – Ontario Housing Corp. advert “money for homes” (1:28) – McAdorey with ad for color (!) wedding ceremony portraits (3:39) – Commercial for “Battle of the Bulge” in Cinerama (4:42) – Larry Solway for Ontario Carpet Industries (6:13) – Roman references his operator Doug Thompson “pistachio nuts” (6:53) – Rothman’s cigarette ad (7:45) – Roman stay learn with promo for new CHUM contest “Cash Caravan” (10:49) – Addiction Research Foundation spot (12:03) – McAdorey promos Cash Caravan (14:15) – CHUM Bugs can “Win It This Minute” (14:53) – Cousin Don’s bar-restaurant ad (16:32) – Cameo cigarette ad “Refreshingly different” (18:10) – Roman with CHUM “News Preview” (19:47) – McAdorey once more for Club 888 “for big boys and ladies” (21:01) – Pine-Sol ad (23:11) – Toronto Milk Producers live read with Roman “ask your milkman” (24:36)
In August, 1974, Roman returned to 1331 Yonge as program director at CHUM-FM where he served till March, 1977. He entered CHUM Radio senior company management in the fall of 1978. He was appointed CHUM-FM’s operations supervisor within the fall of 1984, turning into station manager in the course of repositioning CHUM-FM as Adult Rock (the forerunner of today’s Hot AC format) and hiring Roger, Rick and Marilyn for the morning present.
In the fall of 1988, Roman was appointed Vice-President CHUM Limited, the primary new VP at the corporate degree in over 20 years. In December, 2007, Roman was named appearing head of the CHUM Radio Division, CTV Ltd., and later returning to his duties as CHUM Radio VP.
Roman’s quite a few awards have included being chosen Major Market Radio Executive of the Year on the Annual Industry Conference sponsored by the Record in 1986, and Ontario Association of Broadcasters Broadcaster of the Year in 1996. He was inducted to the CAB Hall of Fame in 2001. A robust supporter of Canadian music, Roman owned his own record label – Roman Records – where he recorded and managed The Paupers and David Clayton Thomas in his early years. He was honoured for his music work in 2006 when became one of many few broadcasters named to the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Hear Duff Roman for Brian Skinner on CHUM from January 7, 1966, Part One, right here.
Hear Duff Roman for Brian Skinner on CHUM from January 7, 1966, Part Two, here.
Aircheck highlights (Part 2)
– Ad for movie Seven Women “in Panavision and Metrocolor” (0:53) – Battle of the new Sounds (2:10) – Noblesse ad “Strike it Rich” (2:33) – Piper Studios “Complete black and white protection of your marriage ceremony for as low as $25” (4:58) – Hit-Pickers Hot Line (5:50) – CHUM’s Canadian Talent Spotlight (8:42) – Gogue Inn ad “For the in-crowd” (10:02) – Club Clothes Shop followed by weather (11:33) – Battle of the new Sounds winner (13:08) – Brian Skinner on the telephone from New York (15:37) – Club 888 ad “1.75 for guys, $1.25 for gals” (18:48) – CHUM News Preview “2 cent hike in butter worth!” (20:02) – Cash Caravan Promo (20:48) – Ad for Cameo cigarettes (21:23) – Gogue Inn ad (23:33)
Talent: DICK HAYES Station: CHUM Toronto Date: June 7, 1967 Time: 7:37
He worked at several stations, under a quantity of different names. But southern Ontario radio followers will remember him as Dick Hayes, and the two years he spent at CHUM.
Hayes arrived at CHUM in the fall of 1965 – his first appearance on the CHUM Chart was on December 6 of that year (pictured above.) Prior to that, he had been Dick Haase (similar pronunciation, completely different spelling) at WWTC Minneapolis-St. Paul. At CHUM, he took over the 1-four shift from Mike Darow, who would go to host the ABC game show Dream House. Hayes spent two years at CHUM – all of it in afternoons – earlier than leaving for KOL Seattle in late 1967 the place he was generally known as Jeff Boeing (the promo KOL used was “KOL has acquired Boeing!”)
In 1968, he moved to WXYZ Detroit as Jack Hayes. By late ‘sixty eight or early 1969, he was Jack Hayes on New York’s WNBC however left in March, 1970. We don’t know what occurred his on-air career proper after that, however he exhibits up once more within the ’80s and ’90s as Richard D. at WHND Monroe, Michigan. He was PD/air personality there till 1994. The man born Richard Haase joined Greater Media Detroit as a Senior Information Systems Analyst in 1980. He stayed there for 30 years, finally retiring in 2010.
Enjoy Dick Hayes – and Gene Scott with a news update – on CHUM right here.
Talent: DONNY BURNS Station: CHUM Toronto Date: January 1, 1968 Time: 6:10
Who would have imagined the changes ahead for CHUM in 1968?
The yr started with Jay Nelson in morning drive, John Spragge midmornings, Duff Roman early afternoons, Bob McAdorey afternoon drive, Brian Skinner early evenings, Larry Solway in late night speak and Bob Laine all-night time.
By yr’s finish, the one deejay still on the same shift was Nelson. Spragge, Roman and McAdorey have been gone, Skinner was on his approach out and Solway and Laine had moved to daytime.
New personalities, together with Jackson Armstrong and J. Michael Wilson, graced the CHUM airwaves as the station moved from a character to a music focus.
Fittingly, CHUM started the brand new Year with a new character – Donny Burns.
To listen to Donny Burns, click on right here.
Talent: DUFF ROMAN Station: CHUM Toronto Date: February 17, 1968 Time: 49:46 (unscoped)
Certainly one of CHUM’s highest profile departures in 1968 was Duff Roman.
The previous CKEY jock started at CHUM in 1965 in weekends/swing. He moved to 1-4 p.m. in the fall of 1967 (replacing Dick Hayes), then early in 1968 moved to a short-lived 1-3 p.m. shift.
Roman and fellow CHUM legends John Spragge and Bob McAdorey exited the premises as a part of a major reshuffling within the summer time of 1968. But it surely was solely a short lived departure for Roman – he would return to 1331 Yonge in 1974 to start a long career in CHUM administration.
Enjoy Duff Roman on CHUM from February 17, 1968 right here.
(The Duff Roman Collection)
Talent: JAY NELSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: September 27, 1968 Time: 9:08
Everything changed at CHUM in the summer season of 1968.
Not solely did the station transfer to a more streamlined Drake-model strategy, the complete lineup was revamped with a brand new voice rising and some outdated pals exiting the airwaves.
Added to the lineup was J. Michael Wilson in the brand new 3-7 p.m. shift. He changed long-time afternoon driver Bob McAdorey, who had been doing 3-6 p.m. Bob Laine went from the all-evening present to 11 a.m.-Three p.m., succeeding John Spragge who ended a 10-yr run in middays. Jack Armstrong, who had been doing 6-9 p.m., moved to 7 -eleven p.m. Brian Skinner’s shift changed from 9 p.m.-midnight to 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
Least affected by all of the strikes was morning man Jay Nelson, whose shift merely moved to a hour earlier. He was now doing 5-9 a.m. adopted by Larry Solway’s Speak Your Mind speak present.
Enjoy Jay Nelson on CHUM shortly after these modifications right here.
Subject: JAY NELSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: November 9, 1968 Time: 1:17:07 (unscoped) 18:52 (scoped)
More of Jay Nelson, from a few months later, with the music included.
Enjoy Jay Nelson on CHUM (UNSCOPED) here.
Enjoy Jay Nelson on CHUM (SCOPED) right here.
Talent: JACK ARMSTRONG Station: CHUM Toronto Date: February 13, 1969 Time: 49:15 (unscoped)
Nearly two dozen stations in 10 states and one province, from Toronto in the north, Miami in the south, Boston in the east and San Francisco within the west. Such was the a lot-travelled profession of the legendary Jack Armstrong.
Big Jack got his radio start at the age of 14 in his home state of North Carolina, with a gig at WCHL Chapel Hill in 1960 as John Larsh. He was nonetheless rockin’ 46 years later when he signed off his remaining present at WWKB Buffalo, New York, in 2006.
In between, Armstrong worked at two different North Carolina stations – Ways Charlotte and WMQX Winston Salem. He made 5 radio stops in California, at KTNQ/KHTZ, KFI and KKHR Los Angeles, KFRC San Francisco, and KBOS Tulare, California. He had two Ohio stops, both in Cleveland at WIXY and WKYC. There have been additionally two Pennsylvania gigs, at Pittsburgh stations WKTQ (13Q) and KDKA.
Also on Armstrong’s resume: Florida (WHYI Miami), Indiana (Wife Indianapolis), Connecticut (WPOP Hartford), Colorado (KTLK Denver) and final but not least Ontario (CHUM Toronto – he talks about his CHUM experience here). Armstrong additionally did a one-evening stand at WNBC New York as the Unknown Deejay in 1978 (there was additionally a one-off gig at WNTC Potsdam, New York, in 1970). It was quite a career for one among the best Top forty jocks of all time (his exclusion from the National Radio Hall of Fame is against the law).
Enjoy Jack Armstrong on CHUM here.
Talent: JACKSON ARMSTRONG Station: CHUM Toronto Date: February 16, 1969 Time: 58:26 (unscoped) 20:Forty four (scoped)
Little did listeners tuning in to CHUM in early 1969 notice that Jack Armstrong would quickly be gone from the station. Armstrong, who joined CHUM in a blaze of publicity on June 2, 1968, did his final present there on February 20, 1969. He particulars his somewhat rocky relationship with CHUM administration on this 1971 interview with Jon Wolfert here.
While Armstrong’s stay at CHUM was transient, the time he spent there was memorable. He was actually rocking the night time this aircheck was made, just 4 days before his departure. Try the references to WABC jock Cousin Brucie and Armstrong’s editorial on scholar violence (administration was not amused by the latter).
Rock Radio Scrapbook is pleased to current Jack Armstrong (SCOPED) here.
RESTORATION by Charlie Ritenburg
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Talent: BOB LAINE & J. MICHAEL WILSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: February 26, 1969 Time: 33:Forty seven
(CHUM Chart scan courtesy Ron Hall)
Disc jockey, manager, archivist.
You can even add visitors reporter to Bob Laine’s listing of talents.
On this fabulous scoped aircheck of six hours of CHUM programming, Laine does his regular show then appears as a site visitors reporter on J. Michael Wilson’s program.
Laine is smooth and personable as all the time on his common CHUM present, but an added deal with is listening to him do the visitors. He’s skilled but at times out-and-out hilarious in the fill-in role, an ideal foil to Wilson (and Rodney the Rodent).
Enjoy Bob Laine and J. Michael Wilson on CHUM right here.
(The CHUM Archives/Doug Thompson)
Talent: GARY DUKE Station: CHUM Toronto Date: August 4, 1969 Time: 19:33
Nineteen-sixty-9. For 1050 CHUM, it was an excellent 12 months.
Roger Ashby, Dick Smyth and Gary Duke all began at CHUM that year and Chuck McCoy took over the coveted 7-11 p.m. shift.
For Ashby – who began at CHUM September 2, 1969 – it was the start of a four-decade stay at 1331 Yonge. His CHUM profession has included the legendary “Sunday Morning Oldies Show” on each CHUM and CHUM-FM, and the successful Roger, Rick and Marilyn – later Roger, Darren and Marilyn (and ever later Roger and Marilyn) – morning show on CHUM-FM.
Smyth did news and commentary for nearly 18 years at CHUM after beginning there July 7, 1969. He moved to CFTR in 1987 where he helped launch 680 News in 1993.
Duke left CHUM for CKLW in 1970, returned to CHUM in 1972 as Duke Roberts before leaving for Toronto rival CFTR in 1973. He was later concerned in radio possession and voice work.
McCoy started the 7-eleven p.m. shift at CHUM in February, 1969. He departed CHUM in 1973 then began a protracted and successful profession in radio administration. The man generally known as “The Chucker” was named to the CMW Hall of Fame in 2009.
On the draw back, Jack Armstrong left CHUM in February after a memorable eight-month keep, certainly one of about two dozen radio properties for “Supermouth”. Brian “The Prez” Skinner departed within the summer time of 1969 after six years at CHUM, three of them (1965-68) in the vital night shift. Bob Laine did his final common CHUM on-air shift in December however did just a few fill-ins in 1970. He started at CHUM in 1958 and was the station’s last on-air hyperlink to the 1950s.
Hear Gary Duke on the CHUM all-night show from August 4, 1969 here.
(The CHUM Archives/Bob Laine and Doug Thompson)
Talent: JAY NELSON Station: CHUM Toronto Date: September 29, 1969 Time: Pt. 1 – 1:10:Fifty three (unscoped) Pt. 1 – 27:Forty six (scoped) Pt. 2 – 1:13:04 (unscoped) Pt. 2 – 25:26 (unscoped)
Plenty of musical surprises and other gems on this aircheck of Jay Nelson from the early fall of 1969.
It kicks off with Gene and Debbie’s “Go along with Me” – a follow-as much as their moderate hit “Playboy” in 1968. Whilst you occasionally hear “Playboy” on oldies stations, “Go along with Me” is nearly never heard.
If that voice on Wind’s “Make Believe” sounds familiar, it is. It’s Tony Orlando, who would get better fame with Dawn within the ’70s.
When was the final time you “What’s The use of Breaking Up”, by Jerry Butler, or “Sugar on Sunday” by The Clique? They are each on this aircheck.
CFRB legend Bob Hesketh is heard in a Pontiac ad, and CHUM’s Bob Laine pitches the automobile dealership Little Brothers Weston. There’s a traditional Dominion “Mainly because of the meat” industrial, and a Doublemint spot that should bring again a couple of memories.
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