Red Robinson's Legends

It's Mother's Day and I want to salute my Mom, Alice Robinson, who struggled to bring up my brother Bill and me, but never complained.

Here's a true Mother's Day story from Red Robinson: The Last Deejay (from our friends at harbourpublishing.com):

"One time, Robinson and his brother made a slingshot from an old inner tube tied to two tree trunks and an ornamental spear taken from a cemetery. When they fired the contraption, the spear shot through a wooden fence and impaled a chicken. The chicken’s owner confronted Alice shortly afterwards on her doorstep; Alice listened patiently to the allegations, declared, 'My little angels had nothing to do with it,' and hustled her boys inside. 'Then she got out the wooden spoon,' Robinson recalls."

She was a wonderful mother and she supported both of us in our careers. She even helped me with this 1994 CISL promotional spot for Mother's Day brunch at Seasons In The Park.

How can you forget a Mom like that?

Little Richard, a true rock'n'roll original, passed away this morning (5/9/2020). He was 87. This interview was recorded June 12, 1957. Little Richard was appearing at the PNE Exhibition Gardens, and I persuaded him to visit CKWX. There, Richard submitted to the interview, but it wasn’t long before he walked over to a piano sitting in the corner of the studio. He sat behind it and entertained a bunch of us for about fifteen minutes. I worked with Little Richard many times over the years. I'll always treasure my autographed copy of this Rolly Ford photo.

It's the book that talks! Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, available now from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com

"The Last Broadcast" with Red's special guests Pat O'Day and Bruce Allen aired on CISL650/Vancouver on August 27, 2017.

It’s 11:11 a.m., and the second hour of Robinson’s final broadcast when Wink Martindale phones in from California. Listeners don’t know the backstory of his relationship with Robinson, but that’s not important. The only thing that matters is the sharing of stories and name-dropping that, due to their sheer volume, demonstrate how exciting life can be when one follows one’s passions, no matter how unusual they are.

O’Day’s eyes light up upon hearing Martindale’s cultivated southern accent. “It’s a joy hearing your voice again,” he says. “The last time you and I were together was at a poker game at Helen Noga’s house. She was Johnny Mathis’s manager, and he was upstairs asleep. Do you remember that?”

“I certainly do, and I remember losing,” Martindale replies. “That’s what I remember the most about that poker game.”

In this episode, Wink shares a great story about Glen Campbell working with Frank Sinatra and updates us on his game show career.

In this 1981 interview with Vancouver broadcaster Terry Moore, Charlton recalls his childhood in Illinois and Michigan; his early acting career in New York and Hollywood; the reason for his activism; working with director Cecil B. De Mille.

Charlton Heston appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. Among the most memorable: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952),The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and Planet of the Apes (1968). Charlton Heston died in April 2008. He was 84.

In this 1981 interview with Vancouver broadcaster Terry Moore, Charlton talks about his personal life; his role as a quarterback in Number One; working with son Fraser (who appears in the interview).

Charlton Heston appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. Among the most memorable: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952),The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and Planet of the Apes (1968). Charlton Heston died in April 2008. He was 84.

Gene recalls working with the Rolling Stones and George Jones; balancing career and family; a couple of great Phil Spector stories. Recorded in 1987 in Vancouver.

Gene talks about the enduring appeal of early rock'n'roll; the real story behind his first record; some of the biggest hits of his songwriting career; the background story of Town Without Pity. Recorded in 1987 in Vancouver.

Ron Townson and Florence LaRue on touring, their favourite Fifth Dimension hits, and carrying on without original members Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. Recorded at the Legends of Rock'n'Roll at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Ron Townson and Florence LaRue talk about the role Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb played in their careers and the increased popularity of softer music. Recorded at the Legends of Rock'n'Roll at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Fabian talks about growing up with his friends Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell in Philadelphia, his touring schedule and the pressures of the road, and his TV and movie career. Recorded at the Legends of Rock'n'Roll at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.