If you were a listener to the old rock and roll version of CFTR, you probably never heard of George Johns. But you still heard him. He was the guy pulling the strings behind the format at 680 and he had a programming philosophy that has since been transferred to a host of very successful stations in Canada and the U.S. 

In this wide ranging interview with another radio vet, Dave Charles, he recalls those rock days at CFTR, getting the format off the ground, how he tried to counter-program arch-rival CHUM, the mistake he thinks he made with The Last Contest and the current sad state of the industry today.

"The main difference between CHUM and CFTR during my time was the music and Jock approach. The Jocks on CHUM were more like Boss Jocks like Bill Drake used. Mine were a little bit more conversational because I was chasing adults. My brother Reg was the PD when CFTR finally beat CHUM."

(The final story of the piece about teaching tomorrow's broadcasters is especially revealing, but sadly, I suppose it's not really a surprise.)

The Early Rock Days At CFTR With The Man Who Made Them Happen