Red Robinson passes at 86

Radio News from British Columbia

Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby radiofan » Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:24 pm

Vancouver's oldest Teenager has left the building.

Image

Two days after his 86th Birthday, the man who brought Rock & Roll music to Vancouver has passed away. Legendary disc jockey Red Robinson who first hit the Vancouver airwaves at CJOR on November 12, 1954 was on the air
at numerous Vancouver and Portland, OR radio stations until his final radio gig, The Red Rock Diner at CISL in 2017.

The late Mike Cleaver spoke with Red about his career several years ago. https://www.bcradiohistory.com/amikecle ... inson1.mp3

Red's bio from Gord Lansdell's Vancouver Broadcasters website:

DJ CJOR Vancouver 1954-56; DJ CKWX Vancouver 1957-58; MC Elvis Presley show Empire Stadium Vancouver 1957; DJ/ TV host KGW/ KGW-TV Portland 1959-60; DJ CKWX 1961; PD CFUN Vancouver 1962-67; CBC-TV Vancouver 1963-65; PD CJOR 1968-70; AMD CKWX 1971-83; multiple program host including Red's Classic Theater KVOS-TV Bellingham; host cross Canada oldies show Reunion 1985-93; AMD CISL Vancouver 1993-2000; host Red Rock Diner CISL 2001-07; host Meet the Collectors Prime TV 2004; host Red Rock Diner CKCL-FM/ CFUN-FM Vancouver 2007-11; host Red Rock Diner CISL 2011-17. BCAB Broadcast Performer of the Year 1969; Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame Pioneer DJ 1994; CAB Hall of Fame 1977; Rockabilly Hall of Fame 2000; member B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame Starwalk at the Orpheum; member Canadian Association of Broadcasters Half Century Club 2004; Red Robinson Show Theatre Coquitlam named in his honour 2006-13; awarded doctorate degree University of the Fraser Valley 2012; appointed to the Order of British Columbia 2016.

R.I.P. my friend. Condolences to Red's family and friends.
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
User avatar
radiofan
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 13719
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:24 pm
Location: Keremeos, BC

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby radiofan » Sat Apr 01, 2023 7:56 pm

In 1984 Red Robinson was doing afternoon drive at Supercountry, CKWX 1130. From Labor Day until his retirement in November, Red's show was billed as Red Robinson's Teen Canteen 54 - 84. Here's a portion of one of Red's Teen Canteen show from his last week at CKWX. From the Radio West aircheck archives ...

Red Robinson's Teen Canteen on CKWX November 8th, 1984 Aircheck in AM Stereo
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
User avatar
radiofan
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 13719
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:24 pm
Location: Keremeos, BC

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby Jack Bennest » Sun Apr 02, 2023 8:08 am

Sad to hear - but 86 is a golden year

Red joins Carole in Radio Heaven

Red started at OR in 54 - ten years later I was playing DJ in my bedroom and the rest is history

Nice to hear Red on bcradiohistory.com and thanks RF for keeping it alive :towel:
User avatar
Jack Bennest
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:25 pm

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby BossRadio » Sun Apr 02, 2023 8:31 am

Red sure knew his country music too. In 1979, CKOV in Kelowna flipped to country music. Red was still at WX, but acted as a consultant on our changeover, and advised our jocks on production, rotations, and all the good stuff he knew about. RIP Red and Carole.
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum
BossRadio
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 361
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: the outskirts of the edge of the fringe of the centre of the universe

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby Muzik » Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:19 am

An amazing career and life.There was a time when I thought Red would see 100. One more in radio heaven…..R.I.P.
Muzik
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 118
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:07 pm
Location: Saskatoon

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby cammy85 » Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:24 am

RIP Red!! I only knew him (I hope this is right) the Red Rock Diner that used to be on CISL 650 in Vancouver. Great guy and great show!! Condolences to everyone!!

Edit: what a career!! https://redrobinson.com/about/
cammy85
Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:14 pm

Re: Red Robinson passes at 86

Postby talker2002@gmail.com » Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:24 pm

Sorry to learn of Red's passing. He was one of a kind! While Red spent some time in his early radio years working as a DJ he was kind enough to take some time to allow me to watch what he was doing in the studio while I was still going to school. Years later we would share experiences importing talent to many Interior BC centres for live performances by the Hit Parade artists of the day. No matter that for years we were on opposite stations vying for the same audience, Red was always a friend. He and Carole are together now, planning a show to end all shows. To Kellie, Sherri and Bill, my condolences.

R-I-P Red; you are missed.
talker2002@gmail.com
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:41 am


Return to British Columbia

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 128 guests