Rock Radio Scrapbook

AIRCHECK OF THE WEEK
For week of June 14, 2015
Edition #838

Talent: DAVE MICKIE
Station: CKEY Toronto
Date: June 17, 1963
Time: 42:06 (unscoped)
19:09 (scoped)

(Logo courtesy Bill Dulmage)

For many Canadian boomers, Dave Mickie/Marsden has been a big part of the soundtrack of their lives.

From his early days as legendary CKEY night-time jock Dave Mickie, to his metamorphosis into FM rock announcer-programmer extraordinaire David Marsden, this radio legend has entertained a generation and while blazing a trail for the next.

But even legends have to start somewhere. We asked Marsden about his beginnings in the radio business and he was kind enough to respond...

"After a year and a half of banging on radio station doors and sending out scores of tapes I got my first job - CFCO  Chatham. Operator for the morning show, typing out music playlists and literally sweeping the floor. Three months. Jack Beardall, the station owner and the only person seemingly willing to hire me, had sold the station to Hildebrand who brought his own team. The new Program Director was named Sandy Hoyt and he fired everyone at the station except Frank Proctor.

At that point I had a big three months experience and went looking for a new gig. After a couple of months I found it. CHLO - St. Thomas. I was hired as a newsperson. After a few months I was offered the evening shift as a DJ. At the time CHLO played what was termed as Beautiful Music. Ray Conniff, Percy Faith etc.

After a few months of playing this music I became bored. I liked Rock and Roll!! One night I brought my own 45s in and started playing them. In attempt to match the Rock music David Mickie was born (I was a fan of Biondi, therefore he was my influence).

I got away with that performance for about three weeks. Then John L. Moore - the owner - tuned in and almost had a cardiac. He fired me the next day. About a week later he called me at my little apartment in St. Thomas and asked me to come to a meeting. Turns out there had been significant phone calls and letters about 'where had Mickie disappeared to' - he hired me back. But this time he promised I could do whatever I wanted. ;-) 
  
That was the turning point for CHLO. A station who later became a major rocker in the London/St. Thomas market. During that time a goofy young kid named Paul Skirownski (sp?) answered my phones and helped around the studio. When I left to go to CKEY I suggested to John L. Moore that he keep Paul around. Something about him said - radio. Today he is known as Paul Ski.

About a year after being hired back at CHLO - Walt Grealis (then a promo man for London Records) was in London working the promo at station level. He tuned in and had a listen. He visited the station and asked if I had ever thought about being in Toronto radio.

Two weeks later I got the big call from Gene Kirby, PD for CKEY. My dream had always been to work at CKEY. At first I thought Gene's call was a hoax. After three calls I finally took the bait and called him back. It really was HIM. Walt Grealis became my manager and a few weeks later I did my first show at CKEY.

Yep - with less than two years experience I made it to Davenport Road and CKEY. Back then one counted on having to have a minimum of seven years. I got lucky! ;-) "

Hear Dave Mickie on CKEY (UNSCOPED) here.

Hear Dave Mickie on CKEY (SCOPED) here.

The CKEY Good Guys in 1963

The CKEY Good Guys in 1964

(Larger view here.)

(Scrapbook archives)

More 1963 airchecks here!