Red Robinson's Legends

Don't touch that dial! The radio show in a book, Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, is at 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. "Defining a certain era as 'the good old days' is entirely subjective, but...

How lack of distribution and promotion affects exposure of a hit record; the music industry needs to be aware of an artist's enduring appeal to his audience; how badly the press treated Elvis until his death; Roy looks ahead to the next step in his career. Recorded in Vancouver, July 1978 Roy Orbison was one of the original Sun Recording stars, but his long stay with Monument Records brought his g...

Roy recalls his early days at Sun Records; Elvis' Texas performances and the unique sound of Scotty Moore's guitar; Johnny Cash puts Roy in touch with Sam Phillips; the secret of the Sun Sound; Roy works briefly with Chet Atkins at RCA before signing with Monument Records in 1959; the success of "Uptown" and "Only The Lonely"; Roy tells the story behind recording "Running Scared". Recorded in Vanc...

Roy shares the story of "Lana" and its success a couple of years after leaving Monument; working with songwriter Joe Melson and writing solo; how great music makes a simple emotional connection; Roy moves to LA from Nashville and Linda Ronstadt records "Blue Bayou". Recorded in Vancouver, July 1978 Roy Orbison was one of the original Sun Recording stars, but his long stay with Monument Records bro...

Paul Revere and The Raiders sign with Columbia; the band visits Vancouver in 1962; Mark remembers booking agent Pat Mason and Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day; his career after the Raiders; performing live; his appearance on "Married With Children"; what he's been up to lately, including a book. Recorded at CISL/Vancouver in 1997.

It was 1775 and Paul Revere rode his horse yelling “The British are coming!” In the 1960’s another Paul Revere noticed that the British Invasion was starting all over again. He rode the charts and was successful while many bands collapsed during the invasion. The band was discovered by jock Roger Hart of Portland’s KISN. In 1962 they had just experienced breakout success thanks to their regional h...

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm...

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm...

On June 27, 1956, Bill Haley and the Comets played Vancouver's first real rock'n'roll concert at Kerrisdale Arena. Almost forgotten in this day and age, but in a historic sense Bill Haley was the Granddaddy of rock'n'roll. It’s hard to put a finger on the first rock'n'roll record, but there is no doubt Bill Haley made it happen all over the world. The novel part of Bill Haley's music ― its rhythm...

Wink Martindale's career spans six decades. His first TV series was the WHBQ-TV children’s show Wink Martindale of the Mars Patrol. As a Memphis deejay and host of the TV show Teenage Dance Party, he is credited for giving Elvis Presley his first major break. He's best known as a game show host ("Tic Tac Dough", "Trivial Pursuit") and television producer (Vancouver-based "Second Honeymoon"). Wink...

It's the book with its own radio show, and Wink Martindale is on the phone from Los Angeles! Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast, is 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 Robinson sm...

In this 1981 interview with Vancouver broadcaster Terry Moore, Kirk shares the secret to staying in shape; the changing role of movie actors; working with Johnny Cash; playing in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Broadway; reflections on his early movies and comments on the Oscars. Kirk's movie career spanned six decades. He was best knowh for Spartacus (1960), Lonely Are the Brave (1962), and Se...

In this 1981 interview with Vancouver broadcaster Terry Moore, Kirk talks about his upcoming project The Man From Snowy River; how he handles money; the perception of Hollywood as "Tinseltown"; winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom; how his background prepared him for success and his personal take on some of his fellow actors. Kirk's movie career spanned six decades. He was best knowh for Spar...

Carl recalls the early crossover success of "Blue Suede Shoes"; his 1956 car accident and subsequent recovery; the story behind Elvis' cover of "Blue Suede Shoes"; on a 1964 UK tour with Chuck Berry, Carl meets "them long-haired boys", the Beatles. Recorded at the EXPO 86 "Legends of Rock'n'Roll" show in Vancouver in 1986. Carl was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Sun Records founde...

Carl visits the Beatles at Abbey Road Studios and records "Honey Don't", "Matchbox" and "Everybody's Tryin' To Be My Baby"; his enduring friendship with Johnny Cash; how "four old broken down rockabillies" recorded the "Class of '55" album; a chance to work with Rick Nelson is cut short by tragedy; Carl wraps up with some inspirational advice. Recorded at the EXPO 86 "Legends of Rock'n'Roll" show...

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...

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 bu...

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 Martinda...

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 (195...

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 Ev...

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.