"No Interest" in Returning to Edge 102 Following Death of Martin Streek - Strombo

Published by Toronto Mike on November 9, 2009 @ 19:02 in Edge 102 ~ CFNY, Martin Streek Remembered ~ A Tribute to Martin Streek, Radio

RadioMartin Streek took his own life in July. The last time I saw Martin, he was chumming around with his pal George Stroumboulopoulos at the Casby Awards. Here's a clip of them that night.

The first Sunday following Martin Streek's death, I tuned in 102.1 the Edge to hear The Strombo Show. I was hoping for a tribute of some kind. When 102.1 the Edge didn't air The Strombo Show and didn't utter Stroumboulopoulos's name, I asked aloud whether Strombo had quit Corus. I put on my detective badge and started to follow the clues.

Last Sunday, I noted that CFNY did not air the first Strombo Show following Martin Streek's death. I was speculating that perhaps Strombo, a good friend and fan of Martin, made this happen. His show did air on other Corus stations. I'm a big Strombo fan, and I was interested in his tribute to Streek. For my money, nobody could impart their passion for good music the way Streek and Strombo could.

In a new interview with CHARTattack to promote his new CBC Radio 2 show, Strombo has admitted that Streek's death played a role in his decision to leave Corus. Here's an except:

And to be honest, after [friend and colleague] Martin Streek died I had no interest in going back on The Edge [in Toronto]. So Corus was not the best place for me to be.

Radio may well be a business, where people are hired and fired all the time, but that doesn't mean it has to be entirely void of integrity. Strombo made a business decision with his heart, refusing to be a part of the machine that fired his friend after 20+ years of passionate service – his friend who literally had the station's call letters tattooed on his ass and remained one of the last links to the days at CFNY when spirit mattered. George took a stand and I admire the shit out of that.

Well done, George. Thanks for proving me right.

Permalink Entry Permalink Comments 10 comments

10 Responses to ""No Interest" in Returning to Edge 102 Following Death of Martin Streek - Strombo"

Sarah
November 9, 2009 / 20:40

Well said.

brad
November 9, 2009 / 20:47

yes, well said

strombo showed a lot of class - good detective work

Buffaloboymike
November 9, 2009 / 23:09

Strombo may not have been one of the original CFNYers but he just earned the respect of the fans of that era

McNulty
November 10, 2009 / 08:09

I admire Strombo for that. You have to admire someone when they put their ideals and morals ahead of money.

I think if I was in his position, I would want to do the same thing.

jason - getyouroj.com
November 10, 2009 / 08:47

I've never been georges biggest fan but he is pure class. I thank you for doing the right thing.

Anonymous
November 10, 2009 / 10:43

I like how Buffalobymike stated it.

Romy
November 10, 2009 / 11:39

Good on ya George. As someone who experienced, first hand, what lying, heartless sacks of excrement some execs of big radio companies (in my case, CHUM) can be - I applaud you and respect you for speaking out. If more people did the same perhaps companies like Corus would be less likely to treat people the way they treated the late Martin Streek.

Hector
November 10, 2009 / 16:13

I too like how Buffaloboymike stated it.

George scored some really high integrity points with this.

Gary
November 10, 2009 / 20:10

I always liked Strombo.

Yea, right.
May 19, 2010 / 08:32

CBC offered him more $$

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