Toronto Legends

Publicist and Music Industry Expert Eric Alper talks about music entering his bloodstream via his Grandfather Al’s Grossman’s Tavern, the influence of American Hot Wax & Music World at Promenade Mall, why Snoop Dogg travels with his own personal joint roller, launching Nickelback’s 1st EP, The Wiggles’ roots in punk rock [!!!!], why Bill Wyman hitting on his wife was cool, recollections of Ringo S...

‘When Canada Shut Down’ author Sean Mitton talks about Paul Henderson’s Goal of the Century being Canada’s ‘Man on the Moon’ moment, the Henderson Hat Trick [THREE game-winning goals], how Phil Esposito’s passionate ‘rant’ galvanized the country, shares the bond between Tretiak and Henderson’s grandsons, tells tales of the ‘Russian Stick Boy,’ explains how the Henderson goal actually saved a marri...

Multiple-time Manager of the Year Jake Gold talks about his first concert [Beatles at Maple Leaf Gardens 1964!], 17 years of managing The Hip/a 17 year break/starting anew in 2020, music’s most important North American cities [NYC, LA, Toronto], getting creative backstage with Robert Plant, earning bona fides from the Rolling Stones by playing through a cross-storm hurricane, Dan Aykroyd’s advocac...

Broadcaster/Podcaster Ted Woloshyn talks about taking over for Wally Crouter for a decade of mornings at CFRB, dealing with 2:45am wakeups when you aren’t a morning person, his 11 year run of ‘Saturdays with Ted’ on Newstalk 1010, losing the Best Comedy Album Juno Award to some guys named Bob & Doug, getting early encouragement from Bob McAdorey at the CNE, his ahead-of-everyone-else recognition t...

Little Canada’s founder & visionary Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer introduces us to ‘Our Home & Miniature Land,’ learns about Wayne Gretzky [“who is this The Great One?”], explains why the process is as important as the product, shares the trials & tribulations of moving the exhibition into it's display space [spoiler alert: cut a hole and lower it through the floor!], enjoys NHLer Sam Gagner dropping...

Former NHL referee Paul ‘Devo’ Devorski talks about his Centennial Cup win for Guelph, how he handled Darren McCarty in ‘that Detroit game’ [aka The Brawl], being there for Ray Bourque’s Stanley Cup win, his Valentine’s Day card to Pat Quinn, the incredible end to game 7 of Pittsburgh’s 2009 Stanley Cup victory over Detroit, always finding Bruce Boudreau in his swimming pool, working the 2006 Turi...

Superstar singing impressionist André-Philippe Gagnon talks about Jay Leno discovering him at Just For Laughs, getting the ‘blessing’ to approach Johnny Carson after his breakout spot on The Tonight Show [after DECLINING his 1st invitation!], PM Brian Mulroney promoting him to Lady Diana, singing with Celine Dion in front of 95,000 in France, singing We Are The World to Quincy Jones, playing the f...

Broadcasting executive Nelson Millman tells us how grade 10 was ‘the best 4 years of my life,’ about being Bob McCown’s boss, why he prefers production over being on-air, overseeing Blue Jays radio broadcasts in ’92/’93 as the team won back-to-back championships, how sports radio is a clubhouse, ‘The Fan’ staying true to its brand by engaging fans, and what a truly great person Don Cherry is! TORO...

Singer/songwriter Matt Dusk takes a 'Matt Dusk Sings Sinatra' tour break to talk about dining with the Queen & Prince Philip, his graduation interaction with Oscar Peterson, his breakout role on Mark Burnett’s The Casino, Michael Buble: friend? enemy? frenemy?, his celebrity status in Poland, fond feelings for The Reservoir Lounge and The Rex Hotel, how building relationships in Las Vegas is like...

Entrepreneur & Business Executive Mark Cohon shares his journey from cheeseburgers to basketball to baseball to pigskin to music to the Gin Smash, tales of the ‘Big Mac Bus’ & ‘George the Amphibious Car,’ how the Royal Family has the same problems as any family business, having TWO Members of the Order of Ontario in the same family, going from Forest Hill to Siberia to NYC to Sumatra, memories of...

Toronto Star’s The Fixer Jack Lakey shares lessons learned from being the garbageman at a pickle factory, his advocacy for the Little Guy, dialing 311 vs The Fixer, the power of not wanting to look bad in the Star, why you must talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey, the bureaucracy of the ‘city media funnel,’ loving the action of horses and poker, his 8 years ‘causing discomfort’ at City Ha...

Film critic/author/broadcaster Richard Crouse talks about his Donald Sutherland ice-breaker, Simon Le Bon’s love of Mr Greenjeans’ Buffalo Chips, kind words for Cameron Bailey’s leadership and agreement with his view that ‘moviewatching is best as a communal experience,’ Brad Pitt’s insouciance to a tidal wave of flashbulbs, why Hugh Jackman and Lady Gaga are ‘good people’, his upcoming book of Le...

ESPN Rules Expert & ex-NHL Referee Dave Jackson talks about his Montreal origins, reffing his first game in corduroys and a yellow helmet, a horrible yet career-defining incident post-game in Lachine, boyhood hero Guy Lafleur [and his hair!] swooshing by during a game, taking Trevor Linden’s advice on dealing with The Great One, working the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, the ‘work commute’ to his...

Ahead of the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, CEO Cameron Bailey talks about growing up in the countryside of Barbados, his time at NOW during the heyday of alternative weekly newspapers, writing his first movie review [DIE HARD!], why he initially said ‘NO’ to Piers Handling, TIFF’s focus on being a ‘walkable audience-centric festival,’ being a voting member for the OSCARS, the craziness...

The King of Bay Street Wes Hall talks about his humble beginnings in rural Jamaica, lessons learned from his Grandmother, coming of age in Malvern, his past life as the Chicken Catching Grim Reaper, the importance of construction NOT demolition, taking the BlackNorth Pledge, using ‘skin in the game’ to break through barriers, the difference between deals closing on Dragons’ Den vs In Real Life [yo...

Emergency Room Physician/Author/Radio Host Dr Brian Goldman talks about his long-suffering Maple Leafs fandom, being a ‘browner’ who would study for a blood test, extending his storytelling from the ER to bookwriting to his CBC Radio show, how ‘Medical B.S.’ became ‘White Coat, Black Art,’ avoiding the ‘sunk cost fallacy’, the benefits of teamwork & unburdening, and his best advice for both physic...

Tea Evangelist David Segal talks about his entrepreneurial roots, his first DAVIDsTEA shop on Queen St West, being a 10 year overnight success, why you need a healthy dose of naivety, getting product into Oprah’s hotel room, why you have a beer with ‘Dave’ but tea with ‘David,’ his entrepreneurial advice [“just START”], and why when it comes to hockey & bagels it’s MONTREAL or bust [booooo!]! TORO...

Canada’s First Supermodel Monika Schnarre talks about the risks of swimsuit photoshoots, her connection to BNL & Jason Priestley, her ‘Forrest Gump-iness,’ bloodhound bonding with Luke Perry, her Vogue/Sports Illustrated Swimsuit/BH90210 experiences, official height clarification [spoiler alert: 6’ 1.75”], and why Scarborough Rules! TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum. Learn more about y...

Canadian/Olympic/World Figure Skating Champion Elvis Stojko talks about Superfan Chuck Norris, inside the Harding/Kerrigan kerfuffle of ’94, Don Cherry defending him, appearing on The Simpsons and Brooklyn 99, his ‘mic drop’ moments landing the quad-double/quad-triple, his relationship with ‘best frenemy’ Kurt Browning, and meeting his figure skating wife at the rink in a Mexican mall! TORONTO LEG...

Broadcaster & Music Historian Alan Cross talks about his Manitoba roots & first transistor radio, his accordion proficiency, CFNY/The Edge to Q107, becoming a 'professional music geek,' his more than 800 episodes of The Ongoing History of New Music, and why we all MUST respect Nickelback! TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedy King Mark Breslin shares the Yuk Yuk’s story and talks the Order of Canada, Joan Rivers vetting him via Howie Mandel, his initial reaction to Jim Carrey, why “the customer is always in the way,” his Canadian-first booking policy, and “if a customer complains about a comedian, we get rid of the customer!” TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum at andrew.applebaum@gmail.com All episode...

Yorkville Hairstylist Gary Chowen talks about his start at Caruso’s salon, being Cher’s ‘Hair-apist’, his partnership with Bob Mackie, his friendship with John Byner, getting Jim Carrey his first TV gig, and the brilliance of Jose Feliciano!  TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum at andrew.applebaum@gmail.com All episodes available at www.podpage.com/toronto-legends/episodes/ Learn more ab...

Former Toronto Raptors broadcaster Chuck Swirsky talks about his Canadian citizenship, ‘what if’ Vince Carter nails that game 7 shot, Kobe’s 81 point game, his talking bobblehead recording session, and the origin of “get out the salami & cheese, mama, this game is OVER!” TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six-time Grey Cup Champion Adam Rita talks about the Three Amigos [Wayne Gretzky, John Candy, Bruce McNall], that incredible 1991 season, how The Rocket was the Argos’ Gretzky, how Pinball can make you miss in a phonebooth, why Damon Allen is Gumby with a gifted arm, and shares the punchline to “what’s the difference between a Loonie and Doug Flutie?” TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum....

Former Toronto Maple Leafs executive Bob Stellick talks about negotiating with Harold Ballard in front of #1 draft choice Wendel Clark, brother Gord’s reign as GM, Mats Sundin’s helmet choice, and unfettered urination in the Maple Leaf Gardens' troughs! TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices