Rock Radio Scrapbook

AIRCHECK OF THE WEEK
For week of September 25, 2011
Weekly issue #648

Talent: JOHN DONABIE
Station: CKFM Toronto
Date: May 19, 1988
Time: 4:20

John Donabie could do it all - and he did it for a long time.

Toronto-area audiences first heard Donabie at Top 40 CKLB in Oshawa from 1965 to 1967. From there it was on to Toronto's top-40 rocker CKFH, as he succeeded Norman B. in the all-night slot in the fall of 1967. Donabie also worked the midday shift at the Big 143 before leaving in 1971. That year, he moved to progressive rock-formatted CHUM-FM where he initially held down the late-night shift. He moved to afternoon drive (remember the featured artist segment at 4 p.m.?) before leaving the station in the mid-'70s.

After three years at Montreal's CJFM, Donabie returned to Toronto radio in 1977 to help launch Q-107. His presence in afternoon drive helped give the station instant credibility in its early years.

In the summer of 1979, Donabie left Q-107 to host "Afternoon Delight" on CBC television. But he soon returned to radio. From 1979 to 1982, he reclaimed his old afternoon drive slot at CHUM-FM. His next move came in 1982 when he moved to MOR-formatted CJCL and the PM drive show. He completely changed direction again when he became midday host and music director at country station CFGM from 1983 to 1985.

From 1985 to 1987, Donabie spent two years in weekend mornings and AM drive fill-in at CFRB. That was followed by a two-year stint (1987-89) as midday host at easy-listening CKFM.

(Larger view here)

In 1989, Donabie took his talents to oldies-formatted CKEY, serving as midday host until that station disappeared in March, 1991. CKEY was reborn as CKYC and Donabie moved to the morning drive slot until the fall of '91.

Next up was a weekend stint at Q-107 in 1992 and then Donabie moved to the new country station CISS-FM in afternoon drive from 1992-95.

In 1995, Donabie returned to CFRB for weekend mornings, AM drive fill-in and as entertainment editor. After leaving CFRB in 2010, he moved to CJRT and another format - jazz. He left Jazz-FM in 2011 to spend more time with his family and write a book about his experiences in broadcasting.

Top 40, progressive rock, easy listening, country, oldies, talk, jazz. Donabie has done it all, and well..

Enjoy Donabie at CKFM here.

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)
 

More 1988 airchecks here!

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