With the passing of Don Berns earlier this week, it seems like an appropriate time to jump in the time machine back to 1989 when CFNY 102.1 had changed its progressive and alternative new music format to something more mainstream. How mainstream? Think Janet Jackson and Bryan Adams. CFNY
I'm very sorry to learn Jay "Maddog" Michaels has been let go from Virgin Radio 99.9 FM. He had been there since August 2006. Former partner Bilie Holiday was let go back in 2011. If you haven't yet heard Maddog on episode 92 of my podcast, give it a
The average cost of a detached home in Toronto is now $1,040,018, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board. For the first time ever, we've cleared the $1-million mark. I recently bought a detached home in Toronto, but I could never afford a price tag even close to
On April 19, 1904, the largest fire in Toronto's history engulfed a large section of downtown. 118 buildings were destroyed in eight hours. Here's some footage of the blaze.
Welcome to this week's Tuesday Open Mike. I'm Mike and I'll be your master of ceremonies for the day. Feel free to use this space to vent, rant, share a story and/or ask a question of the hivemind.
He was the longtime Toronto radio personality best known for his seven years at CFNY from 1985 to 1992 and his many years as Dr. Trance, Godfather of the Toronto rave scene. I was hoping to have Don Berns on my podcast, and when he came in, I was going
February was the coldest month in Toronto's recorded history, but trust me when I tell you last February wasn't much warmer and seemed to include more snow and ice. And the analytics tell me I managed to bike a great deal more this year. Here is how my cycling in
Anthony Mason died today. I remember him well from those 90s Knicks teams with Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley. He was only 48. You have to understand, the mid-90s feel like a few years ago to me. It feels like only yesterday I saw Anthony Mason driving to
In this 112th episode, Mark Hebscher tells a series of awesome stories. Mike also talks to Hebsy about the David Clarkson trade, Dean Blundell's new morning show and the Mike Wilner episode. This episode is exactly 1:12:22. You can listen to this episode in a variety of ways:
Leonard Nimoy was 83. He was the actor, film director, poet, singer, and photographer best known for his role as Spock in Star Trek. He lived long and prospered.
Welcome to this week's Friday Open Mike. I'm Mike and I'll be your master of ceremonies for the day. Feel free to use this space to vent, rant, share a story and/or ask a question of the hivemind.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward David Clarkson to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Nathan Horton. This is not a joke. This is the real mofo deal. Clarkson was signed in July 2013 but didn't last two seasons. My doppelganger has been given the boot and
If you watched the Oscars, you might have caught a little of what Jack Black sang in the opening number. It was a rare moment of Academy Awards honesty. Here's a transcript of what Jack Black said. Stop! This is what you sound like: movies, movies, wow, they rock. Listen
This little relic from Toronto's radio history was sent to me by Frank. It was circulated back in '92 when there were rumours CFNY was returning to top 40, as it did briefly in the late 80s. These types of campaigns remind me of David Marsden's original call to arms
When the Leafs traded Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators, I felt the first flame had been sparked in operation Scorched Earth. Since then, I've readjusted my expectations. I no longer believe the Leafs will be able to trade anyone beyond the expiring contracts. Daniel Winnik signed
Welcome to this week's Tuesday Open Mike. I'm Mike and I'll be your master of ceremonies for the day. Feel free to use this space to vent, rant, share a story and/or ask a question of the hivemind.
I always watch the Academy Awards. I've done so since I was a teenager. Last night, I did it again. Every single year, I regret it. 90% of the show is a snoozefest. Most of the musical performances are boring, mediocre songs, and when it's all done at midnight, I
Welcome to this week's Friday Open Mike. I'm Mike and I'll be your master of ceremonies for the day. Feel free to use this space to vent, rant, share a story and/or ask a question of the hivemind.
If I'm available to watch a Leafs game, I always tune in. This is even true for preseason games, and has been the case for as long as I can remember. I have always thoroughly enjoyed watching my hockey team, regardless of quality. This has always been the case, until
So I''m writing this guest entry to solicit some of your best..and worst..jobs when you were growing up. A guy I went to university with was so broke he participated in those pharmaceuitcal testing weekends. He was paid handsomely, but sprouted a tail about 2 years later. Good
Throughout my life, if it was possible to wear #11, I wore #11. In 1984, a young George Bell hit 26 dingers for my Blue Jays. I was hooked. George Bell became my guy, and George Bell wore #11. The rest, is history. Olli Jokinen has chosen #11 for his
In this 111th episode, Mike and Elvis discuss recent Toronto Mike'd guests, the hiring of Dean Blundell on The Fan 590, the cancellation of Spirit of Radio Sunday on 102.1, anti-vaxxers and more. This episode is exactly 1:16:47. You can listen to this episode in a variety
When I saw it was only -9 at lunchtime, I excitedly layered up and went for a long bike ride along the lake. After what we've endured the past few days, -9 might as well be +20. These unbearably cold temperatures have created some awfully photogenic scenes on Lake Ontario,
Welcome to this week's Tuesday Open Mike. I'm Mike and I'll be your master of ceremonies for the day. Feel free to use this space to vent, rant, share a story and/or ask a question of the hivemind.
Lesley Gore was 68. She was the singer who topped the charts in 1963 with her epic song of teenage angst, "It's My Party," and followed it up with the hits "Judy's Turn to Cry" and "You Don't Own Me." And who could forget her "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" bellowing
