Red Robinson's Legends

Here's the latest from Robin Brunet's new book 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.

O’Day suddenly asks, “Do we have time for a Sinatra story?”

“Sure.”

O’Day leans into the microphone lovingly. “Originally, KJR in Seattle was owned by Frank Sinatra and Danny Kaye, but Sinatra had never been to the station. Now, the year is 1962, the Seattle World’s Fair is going on, and Frank Sinatra says he’s coming to Seattle to the fair and to visit his radio station.

“Well, everybody panicked because the station was so outmoded. So big money was spent. Frederick & Nelson's interior decoration department came in and installed carpets and a new kitchen, and it was just glorious, and now comes the day Frank Sinatra is supposed to visit. Everyone has their coats and ties on. There are flowers on the desks. There are little sandwiches and snacks, and the staff is waiting in breathless anticipation for his 2:00 p.m. arrival.”

We wrap up a week of Portland memories as Red reads a sponsored spot, plugs the request line, promotes an appearance by KGW's Merle Lingle and tells us about "the fastest rising club in the country today".

Here's the latest from Robin Brunet's new book 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.

As the final note of 'Fortune Teller’ wafts through the speakers, Robinson tells his listeners, "I remember that record. Bobby was known in Canada and I thought this was such a hit. It was recorded in Nashville, not here. We didn’t have the infrastructure then, did we, Bruce?"

'No.'

“And so I said, 'give me a copy of that’. And I sent one to you, and Pat, you played it and it charted in Seattle.”

“Yes, it did.”

“And I sent another copy to KPOI in Hawaii, to Ron Jacobs. And between the two of you, Curtola got on the charts in America.”

Also in this episode, Pat recalls a great story about "Wooly Bully" and the guys reminisce about one of Bruce's favourites, a one-hit wonder by the Redwoods.

Sad to hear of the death of British-born singer Ian Whitcomb at 78 in Los Angeles on Sunday (4/19/2020). You might remember Ian's only Top 10 single, "You Turn Me On", produced by old friend Jerry Dennon.

Ian Whitcomb defied the "one hit wonder" stereotype. An erudite Brit with a love of vaudeville and an accomplished author, he talks about working with Mae West and his love for the music of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran and the roots of rock'n'roll. As Ian says, "That, to me, was like being around when the Bible was being written..."

This interview was recorded at the Legends Of Rock’n’Roll show at EXPO 86. Ian was a special guest at the Donovan concert along with Peter Noone, Billy J. Kramer and Spencer Davis.

Dinah Washington came to Vancouver in 1961 to appear at the Cave Theatre Restaurant. She had the air of a major movie star and loved to flash her expensive jewelry. Cave owner Ken Stauffer and I showed up at Vancouver International Airport for what was probably my most difficult interview. I don't know what was bothering her that day, but you can hear the result for yourself! She went on to do a series of great shows at the Cave. A temperamental star, but there is no questioning her amazing talent.

Here's another excerpt from Robin Brunet's new book 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

"Robinson’s internal clock hits zero, coinciding with the digital readout on the glass wall facing them. 'Hey, this is the Red Rock Diner, it’s the final show. My guests, Bruce Allen and Pat O’Day; I'm so happy to have them here. Coming up: Roy Orbison, after this break.'"

In this episode, Red talks about his friendship with Roy Orbison and Roy's life, Bruce salutes rock pioneer Dion DiMucci.

Kelly is the late Fred Latremouille's younger brother. We worked together at Rogers Media's FUN-FM and he's now doing mornings at Stingray's 104.3 The Breeze, Kelly called me to wish me a happy birthday, and if you missed it "live" here's the call. Thanks Kelly!

Here's another excerpt from Robin Brunet's new book 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

"But as soon as he enters his studio and sees O’Day and Allen glance up at him, the wave of emotion settles. He’s back in his element with two old pros.

Immediately they launch into the next talk segment, on the heels of Roy Hamilton’s 'You Can Have Her' and Elvis Presley’s 'Don’t Be Cruel'. “Perfect,” Robinson intones as the last note of the Elvis song is piped through the speakers. “Bruce, I threw in Elvis because you and I and Pat worked with him. I know you booked him across the country; did you ever spend any time with him?”

In this episode, Bruce and Pat remember Elvis, the guys talk about "race music", Pat tells us about Elvis' health issues, Bruce on Colonel Parker's role in Elvis' career.

I can't believe it's been five years since Vancouver radio legend Fred Latremouille left us way too early on March 5, 2015.

When Fred and partner Cathy Baldazzi signed off their KISS-FM show in April 2000 I had a chance to celebrate with them on my CISL morning show. Miss you Freddie!

"On the hot summer morning of August 24th, 2017, 62 years and nine months after he first leaned into a radio station microphone and spoke to British Columbians as a bona fide deejay, Red Robinson is about to become unemployed – again.

But if losing Red Rock Diner, his six-year old show on CISL, weighs heavily on him, he keeps it to himself as he drives to the Richmond station one last time from his home in Vancouver, with wife Carole in the back seat and Seattle deejay Pat O’Day beside him. The glass and metal clutter of downtown recedes in his rear view mirror as he crosses the Oak Street Bridge onto Highway 99, and he keeps the conversation breezy, tells jokes, and occasionally swears at tailgaters."

In this episode, Red and Bruce Allen reminisce about one of Elvis' favourite artists, the late Roy Hamilton.

Robin Brunet's new book Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, is available now in paperback and ebook from friesenpress.com, chaptersindigo.ca, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnesandnoble.com, play.google.com and books.apple.com