Red Robinson
Encyclopedia
Red Robinson was the first Canadian disc jockey
to play Rock and Roll
music, both in the Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon
markets.
While still in high school in 1954, Robinson started working as a disc jockey at the age of 16 at radio station CJOR
. His first record 'spun' as a professional DJ was Marie by The Four Tunes. He was one of the first DJs to play Elvis Presley
, Buddy Holly
, and other Rock and Roll artists on a regular basis in Canada. In 1957, he was the host of the Elvis Presley concert at Vancouver's Empire Stadium, and repeated the experience at the same venue with The Beatles
in 1964.
Over the years, Robinson worked at many radio and TV stations in Vancouver and Portland, including CKWX, KGW radio
, KGW
-TV, CFUN, and the CBC
. Robinson was also the host for KVOS-TV
's "Red's Classic Theatre".
Robinson promoted "The Legends of Rock 'N Roll" at Expo 86
, and presented dozens of Rock and Roll giants at the Expo Theatre, including:
Robinson officially retired from radio in 2001, but continued to broadcast his Oldies show Sundays on CISL
radio.
In October 2007, Red Robinson moved to Vancouver's CFUN-FM.
In September 2011, Red Rock Diner returned home to AM 650. Catch Red every Sunday from 12 noon – 4pm (Pacific) on All Time Favourites, AM 650.
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
to play Rock and Roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music, both in the Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
markets.
While still in high school in 1954, Robinson started working as a disc jockey at the age of 16 at radio station CJOR
CJOR (AM)
CJOR is a Canadian radio station which broadcasts an adult contemporary format on 1240 AM/KHz in Osoyoos, British Columbia with an FM rebroadcaster on 102.9 FM/MHz as CJOR-FM in Oliver, British Columbia. The station is branded as EZ Rock.-History:...
. His first record 'spun' as a professional DJ was Marie by The Four Tunes. He was one of the first DJs to play Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
, and other Rock and Roll artists on a regular basis in Canada. In 1957, he was the host of the Elvis Presley concert at Vancouver's Empire Stadium, and repeated the experience at the same venue with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
in 1964.
Over the years, Robinson worked at many radio and TV stations in Vancouver and Portland, including CKWX, KGW radio
KPOJ
KPOJ is a radio station located in the Portland, Oregon, area. It airs a progressive talk format and was an original Air America Radio affiliate.-History:...
, KGW
KGW
KGW is an NBC affiliate television station serving the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 8, from its transmitter in Portland. It also produces segments and serves as the Portland bureau for Northwest Cable News , which is also owned by...
-TV, CFUN, and the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. Robinson was also the host for KVOS-TV
KVOS-TV
KVOS-TV is television station licensed in Bellingham, Washington and is an affiliate of Me-TV. The station's over-the-air transmissions are on digital channel 35, though through PSIP the station remaps to its former analog channel 12...
's "Red's Classic Theatre".
Robinson promoted "The Legends of Rock 'N Roll" at Expo 86
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
, and presented dozens of Rock and Roll giants at the Expo Theatre, including:
- Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
- Roy OrbisonRoy OrbisonRoy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
- Fats DominoFats DominoAntoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
- Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
- The Righteous BrothersThe Righteous BrothersThe Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They recorded from 1963 through 1975, and continued to perform until Hatfield's death in 2003...
Robinson officially retired from radio in 2001, but continued to broadcast his Oldies show Sundays on CISL
CISL (AM)
CISL is a Canadian adult standards radio station, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The station broadcasts on the AM band at 650 kilohertz. It is one of Canada's few remaining successful music stations on the AM dial. The calls in its moniker are generally pronounced "C-Isle".-History:CISL...
radio.
In October 2007, Red Robinson moved to Vancouver's CFUN-FM.
In September 2011, Red Rock Diner returned home to AM 650. Catch Red every Sunday from 12 noon – 4pm (Pacific) on All Time Favourites, AM 650.
Honors
- In 1997, Robinson was elected to the Canadian Broadcast Hall of FameCanadian Broadcast Hall of FameThe Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame, started in 1982, recognizes Canadians in broadcasting or entertainment related industries who have "achieved outstanding success in helping raise industry standards from a material or humanitarian standpoint."...
. - In 2000, Robinson was elected to the Rockabilly Hall of FameRockabilly Hall of FameThe Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre....
. - In 2006, the Red Robinson Show TheatreRed Robinson Show TheatreThe Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, British Columbia is an 1,074-seat live event theatre adjoining the Boulevard Casino. The $20 million theatre opened with a show by Little Richard on September 16th, 2006, and was named for local radio legend Red Robinson.A wide variety of acts have...
was named in Robinson's honour. Among those attending the gala opening were disc jockey Wink MartindaleWink MartindaleWinston Conrad Martindale , known professionally as Wink Martindale, is an American disc jockey and television game show host.-Radio:...
, entertainer Peter ReveenPeter ReveenPeter J. Reveen is a stage hypnotist and illusionist who performs mainly in Canada, and particularly Atlantic Canada. Originally from Australia, he first came to North America in January 1961, landing in Honolulu, Hawaii...
, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart, while Paul Revere and the Raiders and Bill MedleyBill MedleyWilliam Thomas Medley is an American singer and songwriter, best known as one half of The Righteous Brothers....
(of The Righteous Brothers) provided the entertainment. Robinson makes regular appearances to meet with the audience prior to many performances at the theatre. - In 2007 Red Robinson became a member of the nominating committee of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.