Tom Rivers on CFTR

Published by Toronto Mike on May 11, 2007 @ 11:55 in Radio

radioA couple of years ago, I wrote about my Toronto morning radio show history. I've listened to a few different morning shows throughout the years, but it all started with Tom Rivers and the Rivers Air Force on 680 CFTR.

Tom Rivers passed away a few years ago, but I'll never forget my first favourite DJ. Checking my RSS feeds this morning, I found a great entry from Shane Alexander sharing a clip of Tom Rivers doing his show back in 1988. I might have left Rivers for Jesse and Gene on Q107 by this time, but it's that same show I loved complete with Rusty and the Unfriendly Giant. If you remember Toronto radio in the 1980s, you'll love this clip.

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28 Responses to "Tom Rivers on CFTR"

Pete Kic
May 12, 2007 / 01:53

Mike,

What's the link to that Tom Rivers thing?

I would love to send it to my teacher.

Pete

Toronto Mike
May 12, 2007 / 08:20

Well, if you don't want to send your teach this link, you can send him/her http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3089137416163061650.

shane alexander
May 12, 2007 / 17:22

hey man.
thanks for the
nod. i knew someone
would enjoy the clip.
i've updated it
since with clips
from mike cooper
and steve gregory.
i got it from the
yellow board. ;)
rocknroll.
shaner.

Al
May 14, 2007 / 10:24

Ah that brought back some memories. I was a CFTR faithful listener through the Tom Rivers and Jessie and Gene eras right up to when they went all-news, then I switched exclusively to the Fan590. I remember the RAF well and yes, the unfriendly giant too.

Here's an interesting fact that you may or may not know. The guy in that clip doing most of the voices for Tom Rivers is Erik Tomas, the host of Raceline Radio on the Fan590, he also did Leaf games on CH and Global in the 80's. A few months back he was chatting with one of the other fan personailities about his days with Tom. They even played clips from the unfriendly giant show.

Phil
May 18, 2007 / 12:58

does anyone know where to get copies of "The Unfriendly Giant" episodes?

Toronto Mike
May 18, 2007 / 13:14

I don't know, but I know Shane Alexander above worked with Tom Rivers. Shane, any idea?

shane alexander
June 6, 2007 / 21:41

phil,
i'm not sure if the show is up for grabs, but i do know erik thomas (info@raceline.ca) has a bunch of copies.

you might also want to ask this guy - http://www.shroomazoom.com/ufg/

hope you can find a couple.
they were all classics.
:)

Andy Martens
September 22, 2007 / 22:33

Mike,

Tom Rivers was best. I remember listening to his shows on CHUM and CFTR.

Craig Cunningham
November 11, 2007 / 15:43

Hi guys!

I was fortunate enough to obtain 3 of The Unfriendly Giant episodes from another source. If you'd like a copy, please email me.

Cheers!

shane alexander
November 15, 2007 / 18:02

hi craig. what's your e-mail?

Toronto Mike
November 15, 2007 / 19:00

c_cunningham3@hotmail.com

Doug (Champ) Avery
December 5, 2007 / 19:59

Hey all, just wanted to say how nice it was to see us all doing the unfriendly giant again, man did that bring back some memories. Eric truely is an amazing talent , he did a ton of voices for us on the show ...like the Queen, Danny Gallivan and any other accent you could think of just to point out a few.
Take care all
Doug

Brightmoon
January 6, 2008 / 10:13

Wow. Absolutely incredible. You just don't hear radio like that anymore. I've always heard about the "Unfriendly Giant" but never heard a show until now. What a hoot!

Charlie
February 2, 2008 / 11:53

Those are some great videos. I was a huge fan of Cftr.I remember the unfriendly giant,Mike Cooper's stupid joke of the day,and I remember listening to Steve Gregory.I really miss those days of radio.There's no character anymore...or very little of it.

Charlie
February 2, 2008 / 12:31

Those are some great videos. I was a huge fan of Cftr.I remember the unfriendly giant,Mike Cooper's stupid joke of the day,and I remember listening to Steve Gregory.I really miss those days of radio.There's no character anymore...or very little of it.

Tim
March 9, 2008 / 19:04

I remember taping some episodes of 'Unfriendly Giant' on my family's dual cassette recorder (man, those were huge)- but they got lost when I moved out...
(sound of window smashing and giraffe's fading screams)
Rusty: What's Jerom doin?
Unfriendly: About 65 last time I checked.
Tom helped my wit to no end.

shroomAzoom
April 9, 2008 / 11:48

Hi Guys,
Great to see Tom and Erik doing their thing on video. This is the first time I've seen them "live." Thanks for digging this up!

I've still got my Unfriendly Giant webpage up at my website and I've got links to my two Unfriendly Giant cartoons.

Louise
July 4, 2009 / 16:43

Hello out there. I have been trying to get clips from The Unfriendly Giant for ages. I totally loved that radio show, anyone got any links or info? Thanks

Graham
August 9, 2009 / 22:58

you gotta get this on facebook if it's not already.

Anonymous
December 2, 2009 / 20:51

I was happy to post my friends, any questions, e mail Steve Gregory. steve.gregory@chumradio.com

Steve Gregory
December 2, 2009 / 20:58

I was happy to post my friends, any questions, e mail Steve Gregory. sgregory@939bobfm.com

Craig Cunningham
April 18, 2010 / 04:14

Hey everybody!

I've finally found it! 17 episodes of the Unfriendly Giant available to download!!!
It's a torrent site, but amazing quality!

If anyone has trouble with it, please let me know; I can send you a copy of the CD.

Please enjoy!

Mich Verrier
July 29, 2010 / 08:47

Hi all. I to really enjoyed the the Unfriendly Giant. I used to lissen to it on cjkl hear in Northern Ontario Canada. I to taped a few eps off the radio but i don't know where the tapes are. and to Craig Cunningham
I would really like a coppy of that audio cd please and thank you. feel free to e mail me at mich@ntl.sympatico.ca for my mailing address etc. also does any one remember the dead dog cafe? that used to be on cbc? that was also a good radio show. from Mich from New Liskeard Ontario Canada.

Dave McCormick
December 11, 2010 / 00:00

CFTR was an amazing station back in the 1980's from Jim Brady, John Landecker, Tom Rivers to Jessie & Gene. Bill Hayes, Mike Marshall, Dan Williamson, Mike Cooper, Kris James, Steve Gregory, John Hinnon, Larry Silver. i'm sure i'm missing a few more (Larry Fedorik/Erik Thomas). If this station had survived I may not have moved to Sirius XM Satellite.

al
March 26, 2011 / 22:51

Hi craig how can I get a copy of the 17 episodes of the unfriendly giant can you email me at ezrider@sasktel.net with a link. Thanks Al

Jeff
March 28, 2011 / 15:07

Would LOOOVE a copy of this. I used to have them all somewhere. lost the CD. Dying to get them again. I had been talking to Tom a while back about offering them as a CD and then he passed.

jmmccann@gmail.com

Jackie Remers
December 14, 2011 / 10:12

Looking to get a copy of the 17 episodes of the unfriendly giant. My husband and I love them.

Pleas e-mail me copies if possible. Thanks.

Jackie Remers
December 14, 2011 / 10:13

Hi there Jackie here again. Here is my e-mail jackieremers@hotmail.com
if anyone has a copy.

thanks

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