Jukebox Memories

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Jukebox Memories

During our high school years we listened to two popular rock and roll radio shows namely CKDA's House Party with Norm Pringle and Teen Canteen on CJOR with Red Robinson. Norm Pringle also hosted the TV version of House Party on Victoria's early TV station CHEK, where the popular hits of the day were featured with a panel to adjudicate the success, failure, popularity etc. of the song or singer. The panel consisted of applicants from the schools in the area.

Norm Pringle moved on to California and the film industry while Red Robinson continued a very successful career in radio. He was inducted into the radio rock and roll hall of fame and was the first rock and roll disc jockey in Canada. Today at age 80 (2017) he still hosts and two hour radio show playing the musical memories of his choice.

Early disc jockey days with Red Robinson when they still played 78s. Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Sun	Red at the famous Elvis concert in Vancouver. Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Sun	Red with Buddy Holly Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Sun	Red Robinson age 80 in 2017 and still has his own radio show. Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Sun.
House Party on CHEK hosted by Norm Pringle	Norm Pringle at CKDA	Norm and wife Elsie with Elvis at the Vancouver concert.

Red Robinson and Norm Pringle

Norm was inducted into the Victoria Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008

Norm Pringle passed away in March of 2012. (1923-2012)

Red Robinson's Awards and Honors

	Received the Canada 125 medal for contributions to the community over the years. Senator Ed Lawson presented it to Robinson on Timmy's Christmas Telethon.
	On July 21, 1994 Red Robinson was officially inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and his name is now in cement in front of the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.
	In April 1997 at the annual convention of Rotary, Robinson was presented with the Toastmasters International community and leadership award.
	Honored with a floor in the Lions International Children's building for his contributions to children with disabilities through his hosting duties on 23 Timmy's Telethons.
	Helped raise over $100 million to children with disabilities on the annual Timmy's Telethon which ran for 23 years.
	May 14, 1998, was the date Red received the ShowCanada Showmanship Award; this award was presented by movie exhibitors and distributors from across Canada.
	In March 1987, Robinson's colleagues in the broadcast business created a scholarship in his name at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in the broadcast division.
	As part of Expo '86, Robinson promoted the "Legends of Rock and Roll" and presented 41 of the best of the rock and roll world. This was a 13-week series.
	In 1991, Robinson was selected by the District of North Vancouver Centennial commission as one of the District's 100 distinguished citizens.
	Also in 1991, the Province of British Columbia made Robinson their official ambassador for a tourism initiative titled "Music '91" which took Red around the province promoting and emceeing shows for Linda Ronstadt, Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Jan & Dean, and a host of other entertainment giants.
	On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's birthday, Robinson was among a select group given a gold medal in honor of this historic event. It was the Queen's Golden Jubilee award.
	In 2006, Robinson's home town of Comox inducted Red into the Comox Valley walk of achievement. Kim Catrall is among those honored by the walk.
	In 2008, Sarah McLachlan presented Red with the Vancouver Music Industry Bruce Allen/Sam Feldman Legend award.
	The British Columbia Association of Broadcasters in 1989 presented Robinson with an honor as a Broadcast Pioneer.
	In 2008, the Pacific National Exhibition named their annual talent search in Red's honor. It was called the Red Robinson talent search.

More Honors

	B.C. Heart Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Talmud Torah School of Vancouver, Haddassah-Wizo Organization of Canada, B.C. Kidney Foundation, Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation of B.C., Vancouver Aquarium Society, Kompufind Kidfinders Foundation of B.C., B.C. Lions Alumni Association, Award of Merit Expo 86, Broadcast Pioneers Honour Roll – B.C.I.T., Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.
	In 1997, Robinson was elected to the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.
	In 2000, Robinson was elected to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
	In 2006, the Red Robinson Show Theatre was named in Robinson's honour. Among those attending the gala opening were disc jockey Wink Martindale, entertainer Peter Reveen, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart, while Paul Revere and the Raiders and Bill Medley (of The Righteous Brothers) provided the entertainment. Robinson makes regular appearances to meet with the audience prior to many performances at the theatre.
	In 2007 Red Robinson became a member of the nominating committee of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
	In October 2011, Red was awarded "Doorman of the Year" by the Vancouver Hoteliers Association, for his relentless promotion of Vancouver and its talent, and welcoming spirit.
	In 2012, the University of the Fraser Valley awarded Red with an honorary degree, a Doctorate of Letters. He was recognized for "pioneering contribution to the Canadian music industry, and his philanthropic work with the CHILD Foundation and the Heart and Stroke Foundation and other charities."
	In July 2016, Red was appointed to the Order Of British Columbia, the highest form of recognition by the BC Government.