Rock Radio Scrapbook
FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Subject:
END OF CKY 580/LAUNCH OF 102 CLEAR FM
Station: CKY Winnipeg
Date: January 21, 2004
Time: 17:50
A legendary broadcaster said goodbye to a legendary station. With Don Percy hosting the final show, CKY ended 81 years on the AM band and moved to FM.
CKY began its life at the dawn of radio in 1923. It started as a 2,000-watter owned by Manitoba Government Telephones, broadcasting only three hours a day. Its programming was also made available in parlour cars of CNR trains passing through Winnipeg!
Known as "Manitoba's Friendly Giant", CKY would go on to become of Canada's most popular radio stations. Its powerful 50,000-watt signal was heard in three provinces and in the U.S. A successful Top 40 outlet for years, CKY had an oldies format as Oldies KY58 AM when the switch was made to the FM band as 102 CLEAR FM.
CKY 580 got a great send-off, with veteran broadcaster Don Percy hosting a final show that included visits from former CKY announcers, city dignitaries and friends of CKY. You won't believe the final song, a special version of "Yesterday" written and sung for the occasion by Winnipeg's own Joey Gregorash.
Enjoy the final moments of CKY-AM and the launch of 102 CLEAR FM here.
(The Don Shuttleworth Collection)