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Radio Legend John Donabie To Be Honoured In His Hometown
John Donabie, who is a cherished SOWNY member, has been told he's being inducted into the Oshawa Walk of Fame, a real honour for a hometown boy and one he's deservedly proud of.
A look at his bio shows why he's deserving of the award, tracing his rapid growth in the biz:
"John Donabie’s voice first boomed at CKLB in Oshawa in 1965, within 18 months he found himself in Canada’s #1 radio market, Toronto.
First working for Foster Hewitt at CKFH to then joining CHUM-FM under Bob Laine. There he crafted the art of interviewing - a skill that would later coin him a musicologist. Sitting down with the likes of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, B.B. King, Garth Brooks, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and the Phantom himself, Colm Wilkinson.
He was instrumental in the launch of Q-107 in Toronto and New Country CISS-FM. Later he would join the legendary CFRB doing talk radio, interviewing the top authors, musicians and actors, reinforcing his reputation as one of the country’s best communicators.
"John Donabie has given so much and has been so supportive of the Canadian Music Industry," said former CHUM Chairman Jim Waters.
John also hosted his own television series, "Afternoon Delight" which aired daily on the CBC TV network."
He won't be going in alone. Accompanying him on his stroll on the Walk Of Fame will be skater Don Jackson and the Oshawa Green Gaels, among four others.
He's been around a long time and I'm really happy to hear of his honour. He's had all kinds of accolades over the years, but there's nothing quite like being recognized by the place where you grew up. The ceremony will be held on Nov. 7th.
Congrats John. It's well deserved.
- Forward Power
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Re: Radio Legend John Donabie To Be Honoured In His Hometown
An excellent broadcaster, and a great contributor to SOWNY. Congratulations John!
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Thread Starter- Dani Elwell
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A wonderful man and a great broadcaster! Congrats to you John!
- craignucks
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Love this! John was so incredibly kind and encouraging to me as a rookie in the industry.
- mace
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I always enjoyed his weekend afternoon show on CJRT. He really did get to play what he wanted to.
- Doug Thompson
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John's been a radio legend for a very long time. Best interviewer ever. Very happy for my friend.
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- Marsden
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Standing ovation!!! Our time being together at CHUM-FM was grand and filled with many memories. And those DJ meetings with the great Bob Laine...so many smiles we each hold dearly to this day.
- Muffaraw Joe
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He also had a stint as the morning show host on Jazz FM as well, he is super versatile, where he can do many formats and succeed like he has. Well done John!
The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
- Leslieville Bill
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Well deserved. Congratulations John!
- Not an industry person. Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio.
- djwildbill
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Doug Thompson wrote:
John's been a radio legend for a very long time. Best interviewer ever. Very happy for my friend.
Wonder if he’d ever offer interviewing lessons. He might be able to help others decide what kinds of questions to ask each artist.
One great interviewer I wish I could have learned from is the late Brian Linehan from CityTV. He hosted “CityLights” and then “MovieTelevision” with Jeanne Beker. There were guests who asked Linehan where he got certain bits of information about them. They were just so amazed about his interviews. That’s one point about what makes a great interview - find out bits about your interviewee that they didn’t think anyone knew.
- Binson Echorec
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One great interviewer I wish I could have learned from is the late Brian Linehan from CityTV. He hosted “CityLights” and then “MovieTelevision” with Jeanne Beker. There were guests who asked Linehan where he got certain bits of information about them. They were just so amazed about his interviews. That’s one point about what makes a great interview - find out bits about your interviewee that they didn’t think anyone knew.
Linehan was terrific. He also knew when to stay quiet and let the guest continue on, which is another skill that is slowly disappearing.
And just to stay on topic. I don't know John D but I know people who have worked with John D. Haven't heard a bad word yet. Congratulations!
Last edited by Binson Echorec (September 12, 2024 5:25 pm)
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[One great interviewer I wish I could have learned from is the late Brian Linehan from CityTV. He hosted “CityLights” and then “MovieTelevision” with Jeanne Beker. There were guests who asked Linehan where he got certain bits of information about them. They were just so amazed about his interviews. That’s one point about what makes a great interview - find out bits about your interviewee that they didn’t think anyone knew.
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Thread Starter- Dale Patterson
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Re: Radio Legend John Donabie To Be Honoured In His Hometown
Good grief ... where hasn't he worked, and what format hasn't he done?
From his profile at ckfhtribute.com.John Donabie came to the Toronto airwaves at CKFH in 1967 and was still rockin' T.O. more than a half-century later at the University of Toronto station CIUT. Over the years, he did practically every format there was: Country (CFGM, Country 59, CISS-FM), Album Rock (CHUM-FM, Q-107), Adult Contemporary (CKFM), Oldies (KEY-590), Middle-of-The Road (CJCL), Talk (CFRB), Jazz (CJRT) and Free-form (CIUT). He was also at Adult Contemporary CJFM in Montreal for three years in the '70s and before CKFH was at Top 40 CKLB in Oshawa. At CKFH, John succeeded Norman B. on the all-night "Where It's At" R&B show in the fall of 1967, later moving to day shifts. A highly respected musicologist, John was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2013.
"Life without echo is really no life at all." - Dan Ingram
- djwildbill
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Our radio instructors were correct in saying that a radio format shouldn’t be the reason you choose to work at a particular station. John’s résumé proves you can do well and succeed to the highest by working any format.
I admit when I was shipping around demos and résumés in the late 80’s, I was only applying at stations where I loved the format. For me that was Adult Contemporary or Top 40 radio stations.
I actually was offered an evening gig in Timmins at their FM country station in 1989. I had applied at their AM AC radio station but I felt it was too far away for a format I didn’t know then. Yes, I know I applied to their AM radio station. When I called back to give them my answer and the PD didn’t remember who I was - well that was the straw that broke the farmer’s back. I ended up, instead, with an evening gig at CHUC in Cobourg. Tony Monaco started the same time doing afternoons. I was glad to have chosen Cobourg. I really liked it there.
- mic'em
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Congrats Mr. Donabie. We are fortunate to have so many Canadian radio icons on this forum.
- torontomike
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When John Donabie visited a few years ago to talk about his illustrious career in radio working at CKFH, CHUM-FM, Q107, CJCL, CFGM, CFRB, CKFM, CKEY, CISS-FM, Jazz-FM and CIUT, his interviews with John Lennon, attending The Last Waltz and so much more, we ended up talking for over two hours. Incredible!
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I just had the extreme pleasure of talking to John Donabie, one of my all time favourite Toronto radio personalities. He told me the Walk of Fame ceremony in Oshawa was great and he was happy to see so many old friends and family members come out for the honour.
What he wasn't expecting was total strangers who came to the event, coming up to him and telling how much he meant to them on the radio. Some first heard him on CKFH. Others remember him from the CHUM-FM years. But all had great things to say about this wonderful man who deserves the accolades after 55 amazing years in the business.
Congrats again, Mr. D. It is a well deserved honour to have your name on that Walk. And hopefully, you'll never be taken for granite!
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