If you're my age or older, you were inundated with marketing for Roger, Rick and Marilyn on CHUM-FM. That was the brand, and even if you didn't listen, you knew the names and what they looked like. In the 80s, it wasn't often you could visualize local radio hosts.
That trio remained intact until 2008 when Rick Hodge quit to work on EZ-Rock and CFRB 1010. Rick dropped by to talk about why he left and you can hear this conversation as episode 116 of Toronto Mike'd.
For several years after Rick's departure, it was Roger, Darren and Marilyn as Darren B. Lamb assumed the Hodge chair. My audio documentary series on the mysterious disappearance of Darren B. Lamb is highly anticipated.
In 2018, after 50 years on the air in Toronto, Roger Ashby left the 104.5 morning show. Prior to that, I had a great chat with Roger about his career in radio and you can hear that conversation as episode 126 of Toronto Mike'd.
Marilyn Denis, however, remained and was teamed with Jamar McNeil and then David Corey when Jamar left to host afternoon drive on CHUM with Josie Dye. Here's a great chat I had with Jamar, and here's a great chat I had with Josie. More on them in a bit...
From the Bell Media PR:
As Marilyn Denis marks her 40th year waking up listeners on Toronto’s CHUM 104.5, the broadcasting legend announced live this morning her decision to step away from her hosting role at the station. Denis is set to conclude her historic career with CHUM 104.5 this summer.
Here is where I'd link to a lengthy conversation I had with Marilyn Denis on Toronto Mike'd, but despite several attempts by yours truly over the years, I've yet to make that happen. Perhaps now is the time for Marilyn to make her Toronto Mike'd debut so we can celebrate her four decades hosting mornings on CHUM.
Here's a little more about Marilyn, again from the Bell Media PR:
The Edmonton-born Denis became the first female DJ at KRPL in Moscow, Idaho, before moving to Calgary where she held various radio and television positions including programmer, music director, and traffic reporter. It wasn’t until she auditioned to become Roger Ashby’s co-host at CHUM 104.5, that Denis found her niche. She has always balanced her dynamic radio career with her candid television presence, beginning her career in television by reporting on sports, weather, and entertainment at CTV Calgary, and working as a freelance reporter for TSN. Denis also shared hosting duties on Bravo!’s Gemini Award-winning concert series LIVE AT THE REHEARSAL HALL and was host of the popular daily show CITYLINE for nearly 20 years.
A three-time Gemini Award winner, Denis received The Rosalie Award in 2006, honouring Canadian women who have paved the way for others in radio broadcasting. Denis is also the recipient of the Allan Waters Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award; is listed as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by WXN; was selected as the University of Idaho’s 2017 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree recipient; awarded the 2023 Crystal Award for Creative Excellence by Women in Film and Television; and in 2024 received the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Denis was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2024.
Reach out Marilyn, the listenership needs to know where you keep those Gemini Awards! I'm mike@torontomike.com.
As for what's next, that didn't make the Bell Media press release, but I'm going to speculate that FOTMs Josie Dye and Jamar McNeil slide into the morning show slot.
Congratulations to Marilyn Denis for a tremendous run, the likes of which we'll likely never see in this radio market again.
