Remembering Red Robinson

By Bill Allman bill@famousartists.ca

“In the early days, rock and roll was a dirty word.” said legendary disc jockey Red Robinson While still in high school Red played his first record on radio, “Marie” by the Four Tunes. In those days, daring to air records by black artists got you threatened and insulted, even in polite Vancouver. Red spun records incorporating rhythm and blues from African-American music as well as rockabilly into his shows. A lot of listeners loved it – Red’s market share and numbers are legendary and have never been matched – but some weren’t ready for the sounds of black artists such as Ruth Brown and Lloyd Price. The city wasn’t “there” yet. In fact, Red personally bought most of the records across the border in Bellingham rather than wait for them to be available in Vancouver. Red Robinson brought rock and roll to Vancouver. Actually, he was one of the first on-air personalities to play rock and roll in Canada, a distinction that earned him a place in Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While today, those attitudes may be fodder for conflict and humour in “Hairspray” or “Footloose”, in white-bread 1950s Vancouver, Red was a genuine agent of social change.

Oh, he was a master showman, an entertainer, and a music lover, too. But knocking down the colour barriers that existed was, at least, a long-overdue sideeffect of giving teenagers what they wanted. What teens wanted was the freedom, the fantasy, and the excitement of rock and roll! Red always brought that excitement! He was on the air on CJOR while still in high school. After moving to CKWX, he met and interviewed some of the biggest legends in the business. Roy Orbison was a friend, Buddy Holly became a treasured memory, Elvis Presley handcuffed him to a shower rod after posing for a photo with a teddy bear, and John Lennon told him to “Get the f**k off our stage!” when he was introducing the Beatles and trying to calm the crowd.

A recipient of the Order of British Columbia and one of the first Granville Street stars for the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Red’s honours and tributes are too numerous to name. But he treasured every single one of them, just as he treasured every fan, every meeting, every experience in his long and storied career. That career carried him through radio, television, and advertising; but it was on the air where he shone. Red Robinson graced Vancouver radio until retirement in 2017. Even after that, he worked with family and colleagues on a podcast that details his incredible love for music and the stories to which that love gave birth.

My friend Red Robinson died on April 1, 2023. I am very sad about this. But I am better for having known him, I am better for having him as an example. Thanks for the memories, Red. Thanks for the music. Thanks for the entertainment and for always bringing the excitement.

And thanks for your friendship.