Rock Radio Scrapbook

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Talent: JACK CULLEN
Station: CKNW Vancouver
Date: February 14, 1968
Time: 10:16

In an ever-changing business, Jack "The Boy Disc Jockey" Cullen was a constant. Cullen spent more than 40 continuous years at CKNW Vancouver beginning in 1957 with his popular "Owl Prowl" program. Prior to that he worked at CJAV Port Alberni, B.C., plus CKWX and CKMO-CFUN Vancouver. He also had a previous stint at CKNW (1949-54). Cullen did his last show at 'NW on May 18, 1999, but a few of his shows aired in 2000 on CKST Vancouver.

A native of Vancouver, Cullen served in the Canadian navy during World War II as a wireless operator. His record collection of approximately 300,000 discs was said to be one of the largest in the world.

Red Robinson had this to say about him:

"He was the first free-form deejay in Canada, right after the war. Oh, there were deejays, but none as free-thinking as Cullen. He would do his nightly "Owl Prowl" show from mountain tops, taxi cabs and under the sea ... anything to garner an audience. He was and is totally irreverent and his rebel style created one of the largest followings in the history of West Coast radio.

He and I competed for a short period in 1955 and 1956, but he mixed Frank Sinatra (his idol) with Fats Domino and Elvis Presley. He soon abandoned the rock scene, as it was not to his liking, but not before booking acts like Little Richard and others into various venues in the city. As a matter of fact, the first real "Rock 'n Roll" concert in Vancouver was financed by Jack. It was Bill Haley and his Comets at Kerrisdale Arena in June of 1956 and he asked me to emcee it.

We all love Jack as he is a true character from the golden age of deejays. Like his idol Frank Sinatra, he did it his way with no regrets. He is the inspiration for me to get into radio and I love him."

Cullen died April 27, 2002 at the age of 80.

Hear Jack Cullen here.

(The Fred Bradley Collection)

More 1968 airchecks here!

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