The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / When Dave Mickie (Marsden) First Hit Toronto Airwaves

**Posted by RadioActive** October 27, 2024 4:00 pm

This remarkable article from the Toronto Star, published May 18, 1963, outlines the start of David Marsden's career in Toronto, just three weeks in, beginning as a motor mouthed DJ at CKEY. It also traces how he got to Canada's top market.

It's a look back at an incredible career that is still going strong all these years later - although the early reaction to the city being slipped a "Mickie" wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms by many of the adults listening in trying to figure out what he was saying.

"Only about 10 per cent of what I say is unintelligible," he told the paper back then. "It's a sort of double talk. Perhaps I do it... to bring out the kookiness. Some people think I do it for lack of having anything to say but it's not so."

He's had a lot to say since then. Proving that even back in those pre-Beatles days, he had the spirit of radio.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 27, 2024 4:27 pm

Maybe Mr. Marsden can fill in the blanks here, if it doesn't bring back too many bad memories. I just found this article in the same newspaper dated Sept. 20, 1963, almost four months to the day after the one above was published. It says Mickie's moment on CKEY ended abruptly, but that he was looking to go back on air, this time on TV.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 27, 2024 7:26 pm

There aren't a lot of airchecks of Dave Mickie from his CKEY days, but this one was preserved somehow in excellent quality. It's from 1963 and it's a great example of what he did in that format. Hard to believe it's the same guy we all came to know as the calm, velvet voice on CFNY.

Dave Mickie On CKEY 1963
(Courtesy Rock Radio Scrapbook)

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 28, 2024 9:02 am

After listening to Dave Mickie you wouldn’t believe it was David Marsden, talk about a 180! I used to listen to his weekend evenings show on The Rock back 10-15 years, found it by flukes and is the only time I listened to that station. I remember that Marsden left a week before the final scheduled show, which was too bad, but seeing as he is a pro he probably had a good reason to do so. He introduced me to some great music back in the 80s, thanks Mars Bar!

**Posted by mace** October 28, 2024 9:44 am

I think the next stop was 1280 CHIQ in Hamilton in 1964.

**Posted by Walter** October 28, 2024 9:50 am

My favourite radio team back in the late 70s - early 80s was Marsden and Woloshyn afternoons on CFNY. They were funny, and irreverent, with terrific music to boot. We liked them so much, a buddy and I drove up to Barrie one night to catch Woloshyn's stand up comedy act at some bar. Worst comedian ever, but I still loved the radio show!

**Posted by John D** October 28, 2024 9:51 am

I remember taking the bus, as a teenager, to go to the CNE. I knew that CKEY was broadcasting from there and that Dave Mickie was going to be there. Out he came wearing his gold lame jacket. I was thrilled!!!

Later Dave or now known as David Marsden would come to CHUM-FM, and we would become lifelong friends. He is truly a radio hero to me. Sorry if that embarrasses you, David. Stay well, my old friend.

Last edited by John D (October 28, 2024 9:51 am)

**Posted by RadioActive** October 28, 2024 10:01 am

Ah yes, that infamous jacket.

In case you need it, the pic, courtesy the great Doug Thompson, features (l-r) J.P. Finnegan, Duff Roman, Big G Walters, Lee Vogel (in drag, apparently representing the bride in this shotgun wedding), Bill Brady and Dave Mickie. Quite the on air lineup!

**Posted by Marsden** October 28, 2024 9:04 pm

Thanks everyone for the kind words. So very much appreciated.

BTW - a record promo guy heard my show at CHLO. He then told Mr. Kirby about it. That's how it all started. The promo man's name is Walt Grealis. In the beginning he would drive me to the station each evening, as I was new to Toronto. In the car with him was a guy named Stan Klees. Stan would shout to me ad-lib notes that could use on the show, if I wished. Crazy!

Regarding my leaving CKEY after such a short ride - I had signed a deal with CBC to co-host a new full network show called Music Hop. The co-host was Alex Trebeck. The Producer was Stan Jacobson. CKEY had a deal with another Production House and it seems my contract with CKEY indicated I couldn't work with an opposing TV production group. IE - CBC. BTW - it was not CTV.

I was advised I had to make a decision - CKEY or CBC-TV. I was a kid and TV and television seemed like a step in the right direction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Hop

And yes - I added CHIQ to my radio work. At the same time CHCH had a Saturday evening show called Mickie A Go Go. But my memory is a little thin....

Thanks again. Means a lot..

Last edited by Marsden (October 28, 2024 9:10 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** October 28, 2024 10:06 pm

Fantastic memories I never knew Mr. Marsden. Thanks for contributing them.

**Posted by Doug Thompson** October 29, 2024 2:02 am

At CHIQ, Dave Mickie's operator was David Haydu...aka Geets Romo.

**Posted by mic'em** October 29, 2024 7:04 am

As mentioned on this board previously, I had the privelidge of spending the final year of my broadcasting career at CKMW Brampton which shared studio space with CFNY. I started in evenings, then moved to the morning show when Rhythm 790 came to be. During that tenure, I spent time with the FM jocks when I could, and the news team where I had many conversations with the great Mike Stafford. I was the voice of Knob Hill Farms for NY , which were always cold read spots. It was thrilling to hear those spots , I still remember them well . It is now 38 years since that time. I got to rub shoulders with Marsden, Live Earl Jive and Beverly , Ron Bruchel, the late Nick Charles , Jim James and so many more. Maie Potts used to follow me on air on CKMW , her and and Craig Venn are the only people I'm aware of still on air , possibly Scot Turner also, and I need to mention Gene Stevens who hired me originally.

Last edited by mic'em (October 29, 2024 7:05 am)

**Posted by mace** October 29, 2024 8:37 am

Doug Thompson wrote:
At CHIQ, Dave Mickie's operator was David Haydu...aka Geets Romo.

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