The 1970s began with a bang for Montreal Top 40 radio fans. On January 1, 1970, CKGM - led by the newly arrived Jim Sward - launched a full-time Top 40 format aimed at toppling teen market leader 1470 CFOX. Interestingly, Sward was hired away from CFOX by CKGM owner Geoff Stirling, so in effect he was asked to topple what he created. But it worked. When the ratings were released on December 11, 1970, the verdict was in: CKGM had taken over top spot in almost a total shift of audience in just 11 months. CKGM would remain the dominant Top 40 station in Montreal throughout the '70s. As for CFOX, it was gone by 1977, replaced on the dial by the all-news station CKO.

One of the CKGM jocks in the early '70s was Darell Provost. In addition to CKGM, he also jocked at CFRY Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and in Winnipeg at CKRC and CFRW. Now long removed from his Top 40 days, he tells Rock Radio Scrapbook about his time in radio here.

Hear Darell Provost on CKGM from January 16, 1972 here. 
 

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)

More 1972 airchecks here!

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