Red Robinson's Legends

On taking chances.

Red and Anne share the story of Peggy Lee and "Fever"

Jerry Lee Lewis started out in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis. His 1957 hit "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" followed by major hits "Great Balls of Fire", "Breathless", and "High School Confidential" firmly established him as a rock'n'roll pioneer. I brought Jerry Lee to Vancouver many times over the decades. My fondest memory of him was during EXPO 86 when he performed with Fats Domino. The show was videotaped and shown on HBO throughout North America. He was shining that night and his piano playing was what you might expect from Jerry Lee, brilliant. We recorded this interview just before the show. As one of the first performers to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was in an incredibly happy mood that night and it showed. The man has attitude, which is now taken for granted with rockers, but this guy invented it. Pat O'Day tells a great story about "The Killer" in Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast: “I've got Jerry Lee there (at Sheridan Park in Bremerton, WA) and I'm backstage, and suddenly the chief of police and the fire chief appear, and they’re angry. They said, 'Pat, we let you have your permit, you promised no more than 800 people, but you double-crossed us.' I said, 'What are you talking about? We cut off sales an hour ago: we only have 800 people here.' They took me to the edge of the stage, I looked through the curtain, and oh my God, there was a sea of bodies jammed together shoulder to shoulder. They couldn't even move. At least 1600 fans were packed together.' As O’Day stepped into the hallway, he was nearly knocked over by a swarm of young people rushing towards the auditorium floor, and still more were emerging from Lewis’s dressing room. He pushed past the fans, entered the room, and saw that the performer had gotten his assistant to lower a stepladder through his window to the back alley. The assistant had then slipped out front to inform everyone who had waited unsuccessfully for tickets that there was a back way in. When they clambered up the ladder, they were greeted with Lewis’s outstretched hand. “He was running his own private scalping business, collecting double what we charged at the box office. I said, 'Jerry, for God’s sake, how can you do this to me?’ and he replied, 'Pat, ol’ Jerry needs another Cadillac!’” Jerry Lee Lewis died today (10/28) at the age of 87. He was a larger-than-life rock'n'roll performer who left an amazing recorded legacy. If you were lucky enough to see him in person, I hope you paid for your ticket!

Merrilee tells Red about her first hit "Angel Of The Morning". Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

The group's Leon Hughes talks about their humorous approach to making music. Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

Lou tells Red the stories behind "Lightning Strikes", "Rhapsody In The Rain" and "Two Faces Have I". Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver.

Bobby recalls how he got started.

Spencer tells Red about his background. Recorded at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Tommy talks about the success of his first hit "Sheila". Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

Bobby talks about Buddy Holly's influence on his music. Recorded at EXPO 86 in Vancouver

Pat tells red about his early career on Dot Records. Recorded at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Herman's Hermits lead singer Peter Noone recalls his early career. Recorded at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Donovan talks about being compared to Bob Dylan, the folk music connection between the US and Britain, the unique nature of his music, and his impact on his audience. Recorded at the Legends of Rock'n'Roll show at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Johnny talks about his own label and his success with the Fifth Dimension; the story behind "Poor Side Of Town". Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

Donnie tells Red about his hits, the success of "Mission Bell" and the original idea for his name; Red and Donnie reminisce about touring with Dorsey and Johnny Burnette. Recorded at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

Bobby talks about filling in for Buddy Holly after Buddy's tragic death in February 1959.

The early days of the British Invasion

Frankie tells Red how he got started; the story behind his early hits. Recorded at EXPO 86.

Johnny remembers Archie Bleyer, the genius behind Cadence Records; his country roots. Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

Joe tells Red how Danny and the Juniors ("At The Hop", "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay") got their start. Recorded at EXPO 86, Vancouver

How his mother helped start his career

The story of his first hit "Honeycomb"

His take on his early hits - which did he prefer, New Orleans or Quarter To Three?

Early visits to Vancouver.

On collaborating when writing songs.

Johnny and Red talk about the "Class Of 55" album; Johnny's son John Carter Cash; his love of collecting memorabilia

Glen talks about his early career as a studio musician.

Charlie talks about his musical influences. Recorded at the Purple Steer/Vancouver, June 1970

How he wrote "A Hard Day's Night".

Rock'n'roll pioneer Neil Sedaka tells Red rock wasn't his first choice.

Ringo tells how he became a Beatle.

Liberty recording star Gene McDaniels arrived on the scene in 1961. His dynamic voice and soul were reminiscent of the late Sam Cooke. His first hit "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" was controversial and was banned from British radio. The song was simply a story about God making man and woman from clay. The British apparently found something wrong with the concept. Gene was part of the gap that filled the period leading up to The Beatles. His other hits include "Tower Of Strength", "Chip Chip", "Point Of No Return", "Spanish Lace" and "It's A Lonely Town". These songs were written by some of America’s best including Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Gerry Goffin and Carole King and Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. In early 1962 Gene was in Vancouver for a date at Isy's Supper Club. He was kind enough to drop by my CKWX Platter Party for a chat, and we talked about his music and some of his influences in this expanded interview on Red Robinson's Legends: Gene McDaniels.

What's new in country music; Hank talks song writing. Recorded at KGW/Portland, 1959

Conway tells Red how he got started.

Red asks Jimmy Bowen how long he thinks rock'n'roll will last

The story behind "Be-Bop-A-Lula"

Paul tells Red how he got his start. Recorded in Vancouver at The Show Of Stars, October 1957.

Back when rock was young I had the pleasure of being the MC for The Show of Stars at Vancouver’s Georgia Auditorium on October 23, 1957. The all-star cast included Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Frankie Avalon, George Hamilton IV, Buddy Knox, The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka and Eddie Cochran. All this for three bucks! Typical of the anti-rock attitude of the day, The Vancouver Sun’s Alan Hope wrote: “What the audience lacked in mobility they made up for in rapt attention. Occasionally the jungle beat caught them and they strained forward, hands clapping.” Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen called their band The Rhythm Orchids. Buddy had the first rock and roll million-seller with Party Doll. He went on to record and sell millions of records. Jimmy Bowen switched from performing to become a very successful record producer. Here we are in this time capsule, young and positive. Oh, the memories!

In praise of the piano; where he got the name. Recorded at CKWX /Vancouver studios, 1957

Ernie Freeman came to Vancouver in 1956 as bandleader and arranger with the first "Show Of Stars". I chatted with Ernie backstage, we talked about rock'n'roll and I learned the meaning of the word "zeitgeist"! Ernie released "Jivin' Around" in 1956 and he appeared in Columbia Pictures' classic teen flick "Rock Around The Clock" Ernie's cover version of Bill Justis' "Raunchy", his biggest solo success, reached #4 on the pop chart and #1 on the R&B chart in 1957. Ernie played piano on a couple of classic early Sixties instrumentals: B. Bumble and the Stingers' first hit, "Bumble Boogie" and "Percolator (Twist)" by Billy Joe & the Checkmates. He also performed with and arranged for the Routers ("Let's Go") and the Marketts ("Out Of Limits"). As a staff arranger for Liberty Records, Ernie worked with Liberty stars Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette, and Gene McDaniels. Ernie Freeman went on to work with Jimmy Bowen, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Johnny Mathis and Petula Clark. He won Grammy awards for his arrangements of Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night" (1966) and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970). Ernie Freeman died in 1981 in Los Angeles but he left an indelible mark on pop music.

Connie talks about the enduring appeal of ballads.

Where did they get their start?

Chuck Berry was among the performers at the historic 1956 "Show Of Stars" at Vancouver's Georgia Auditorium. This first "Show of Stars" was an all-Black show in the sense that the performers were basically Rhythm and Blues stars. The line-up included Chuck, Bill Doggett, The Five Satins, Fats Domino, LaVern Baker and Clyde McPhatter. Out of this show grew my admiration for the true roots of rock'n'roll. I could appreciate Bill Haley and the Comets and Elvis Presley, but after this dynamite show I realized where it had all begun. Chuck Berry impressed me the most musically. He would follow his early hits, 1956's "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" with a string of rock'n'roll classics: 1957's "School Day" and "Rock and Roll Music"; and "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Reelin' and Rockin'", "Johnny B. Goode", and "Around and Around" in 1958. Chuck Berry received a Grammy Awards Lifetime Achievement award in 1984 and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. In a Rolling Stone interview, he shared the origin of his trademark “duck walk” at a 1956 concert at the Paramount Theater in New York: “I had to outfit my trio, and I always remember the suits cost me $66, $22 apiece. They were rayon, but looked like seersucker by the time we got there. I actually did the duck walk to hide the wrinkles in the suit. I got an ovation, so I figured I pleased the audience, so I did it again, and again.” Chuck Berry is probably rock’n’roll’s most influential figure. You can hear his guitar riffs in the music of Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys, and many more bands and artists. Here's my 1956 interview with Chuck Berry!

Guy tells Red why things are different in Canada; his roots and how he spends his free time.

LaVern talks about "Jim Dandy"; memories of an early visit to Vancouver.

Bill shares his thoughts on rock'n'roll. Recorded at the "Show Of Stars" at Vancouver's PNE Forum, 1956

Red recalls how his career started around this time in 1954, meeting Elvis, retirement, voicing Michael Buble's Christmas specials, Red Rock Diner, and his plans for his vast archive. Recorded in Vancouver, November 2014.

Rich Elwood was a Vancouver radio personality, actor, stand-up comedian and comedy club owner. His comedy career started doing Bill Cosby routines in front of his Grade 7 class and he polished his act in Toronto's notorious Yonge Street strip clubs. "They were a good training ground," he told the Vancouver Sun's Lee Bacchus, "You would have about 200 guys out there all yelling 'Bring out the broads!' You had to be good or you'd be doing the last 10 minutes to heckles and boos." Rich says, "Doing standup was always a blast. However, bands typically didn't care for standup warmups. In one case, the last thing they said to me before going on was 'Keep it short and don't touch our equipment.' I was only going to do five minutes and would not need to touch their gear, but it became a twenty minute set that ended in me giving myself a cymbal crash. 'Don't say don't to a comedian', I said to them coming off. I opened for many acts over the years including Tom Jones (a class guy and very gracious), The Righteous Brothers (quiet but nice), Howie Mandel (a super person and very funny), Dennis Miller (very bright), The Temptations (very cool people) and Ray Charles, who was so nice to me and I was very much in awe of him. Man, did he have stories!" Punchline's was the first real comedy club in Vancouver. Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Norm Macdonald, Howie Mandel and other greats all headlined. Rich also opened the door to up-and-coming comics Ryan Stiles, Rick Ducommun, Patrick McKenna and many more. His Vancouver radio career in Vancouver included CFUN (as DJ Rich Kelly) and CKNW as a talk show host. He was MC for Red's 50th Anniversary In Radio celebration in 2004, and he would also step in for Red on CISL's morning show. Among Rich’s acting roles over the years was a part in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore in the mid-1990s. After getting out of the club business, he was an in-demand corporate comic and producer. Rich wrote comedy for the hit political series Double Exposure, and he developed several TV projects with writing partner Patrick McKenna. Rich Elwood died on December 2, 2021 at the age of 67. Old friend John Oliver says, "One of the funniest people I have ever known and a true friend. A risk-taker, an entrepreneur who never quit in his efforts to bring quality comedy to Vancouver." Tom Jeffries replaced Rich at CFUN: "He was most gracious and we had so much fun when he ran Punchline's. A very talented and hilarious man ― I miss him. I was blessed to call him a friend." Recorded in Vancouver in 2013.

Glen Campbell was a fantastic 12-string guitar player who became part of a group of studio musicians later known as The Wrecking Crew. Glen played on hits by The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and many more. Red says, "I recall Glen coming to Vancouver as part of the annual C-FUN Teen Fair in the early Sixties. He had only two or three songs out at the time and none were in the Top 10, but his single 'Universal Soldier' (penned by Canadian artist Buffy Sainte-Marie) was charted in Billboard magazine along with a version by Donovan. I could not get him an interview with anyone in the media. A couple of summers down the road, 'Gentle On My Mind' became a major hit, followed by 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' and 'Wichita Lineman'. Suddenly everyone wanted an interview with Glen. Anyway, years later when he achieved superstar status, he returned to Vancouver and played to a sell-out audience at the Coliseum. Toward the end of the show he picked up the mike and said, ‘It’s nice to be back after all those years. When I first came to Vancouver I couldn’t get arrested, but there was one man who believed in me. He’s here in the audience tonight, and I want him to stand up.’ He meant me! I was startled, but I stood up and the Coliseum crowd cheered.” Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, and he was still well enough to embark on his final tour, which was documented in the award-winning film Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. Red says, "The last time I saw Glen was onstage at Vancouver's PNE. I asked for an interview and he said he wasn't up to it, but he relented in the end. Glen was going through the early stages of Alzheimer's and did not want to ignore me, but he was uncomfortable. He remembered me and the PNE dates from the past. We had such a great trip down memory lane." Glen Campbell died in Nashville on August 8, 2017, at the age of 81. Glen's wife Kim founded the I'll Be Me Alzheimer's Fund with director James Keach, who directed Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. For more information, please visit ibmaf.org. Planning a trip to Nashville? Make sure you visit the Glen Campbell Museum and celebrate the life of a pop/country giant! Recorded in Vancouver, 2012

Concert photographer Dee Lippingwell's very first concert was a Pink Floyd show in Vancouver back in 1973. Over a 50 year career she photographed some of rock's royalty: The Rolling Stones, Queen, Aerosmith, David Bowie, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, KISS, Van Halen and many more. Her first book, “The Best Seat in the House,” was followed by the self-published “First Three Songs… No Flash,” and Dee and Red sat down to talk about her new book. Dee was inducted into the BC Country Music Association's Hall of Fame in 2011, an honour in part based on her extensive work with the Merritt Mountain Music Festival. “I don’t think I was ever tired of rock and roll, I love rock and roll,” Dee said, “but country music opened my eyes to other music out there.” Her photos of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and other country stars were documented in her third book, 2021's “Memories From the Mountain”. Dee Lippingwell died May 9 after a battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Paul, sons Marc and Chris, grandchildren Shauna and Tyler, and her brother David. Bryan Adams' writing partner Jim Vallance told music trade magazine Billboard Canada, "If you were lucky enough to live a hundred years, you wouldn't come across a lovelier, more classy, more talented, more humble person than Dee Lippingwell." For a wide selection of Dee's work, including books, prints, scarves, tees and tote bags, visit deelippingwell.net. Recorded in Vancouver, 2012