In Memoriam
Total 1824 Posts
Dolly Parton got her big break on The Porter Wagoner Show writing "I Will Always Love You" as a goodbye as she left to become a country music superstar and actress. She wrote many hit songs, but for my money, it's "Jolene" all the way.
Soraya Roberts was a culture writer who wrote the book In My Humble Opinion: My So-Called Life and who has contributed to Harper's, Vanity Fair, The L.A. Review of Books and other publications.
Perry Rosemond, an unsung hero of Canadian television, has passed away. Perry came up on Toronto Mike'd during my conversation with John Byner as he produced the first two seasons of Bizarre. As Ed Conroy tells us, he created King of Kensington and worked on such key children's shows as
Frank Beard was the long-time drummer of ZZ Top.
Hayden Panettiere was the actress best known for roles in television’s “Heroes” and “Nashville”.
Tommy John played 26 MLB seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics.
Don Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors and at one time was the winningest NBA coach in history.until he was surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022.
Tedde Moore was the actress best known for playing Miss Shields in A Christmas Story.
Jim Fonger was CFNY's Operations Manager from July 1988 until October 1989. During that period, the station broadened its playlist and added more Top 40 hits into its Spirit of Radio alternative mix. This period is often referred to as "the mistake of '88". As you can imagine, this upset
Lloyd Robertson was anchor of CBC's The National, before joining the CTV where he co-anchored the CTV National News with Harvey Kirck before becoming the senior news anchor for CTV. In 2023, I enjoyed a 90-minute chat with Lloyd for Toronto Mike'd and we talked about his career in broadcasting,
Vincent Pastore was the actor best known for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos.
Bill Atanasoff was a former City-TV cameraman who was struck by a driver on November 9, 2010, while on assignment. Bill suffered severe head trauma, a broken neck, broken pelvis and two broken legs, but his story was not a sad one, but an inspiring one. Peter Gross called me
Arlene Smith was a founding member of the Chantels, singing their 1957 hit Maybe, which defined the girl group sound.
Kavinsky was a French musician, DJ, producer who is best known for Nightcall, a stellar jam from the Drive soundtrack.
Scott Hylands was a prolific Canadian actor who portrayed Detective Kevin "O.B." O'Brien on Night Heat.
Glen Hansard was the Irish musician who won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly, which he wrote for the film Once.
Duane Ward ranks second in Blue Jays history in saves behind Tom Henke and had a league-best 45 saves as the Blue Jays repeated as World Series champions in 1993.
Jennifer Finch played bass for L7, an LA rock band best known for "Pretend We're Dead", a song I still throw in the mix.
Freddy Cannon was the singer best known for the hits "Tallahassee Lassie", "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans", and "Palisades Park"
Brenda Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in My Left Foot. She also appeared in films such as The Field, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Angels in the Outfield, A Time to Kill, Veronica Guerin, Inside
Jim Corrigall was all-star defensive end for the Toronto Argonauts, winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1975.
Sam Neill was the actor best known for playing paleontologist Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. He also had key roles in A Cry In The Dark, The Piano and The Hunt For Red October.
Bonnie Tyler was the husky voiced singer best known for the #1 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart", a Jim Steinman joint originally intended for Meat Loaf, and "It's a Heartache" and "Holding Out for a Hero".
Renata Ford was the wife of late Toronto mayor Rob Ford.
The Tommy Hunter Show began as a CBC Radio program in 1960, replacing the long-running variety show The Happy Gang, and went on to replace Country Hoedown on CBC Television in 1965. Tommy Hunter hosted The Tommy Hunter Show until CBC cancelled the popular show in 1992. Ralph Benmergui took
