Vancouver BC radio legend, Red Robinson

Red Robinson (full name Robert “Red” Robinson) was a pioneering Canadian radio disc jockey and broadcaster, widely regarded as one of the first to introduce and popularize rock ‘n’ roll music on Canadian airwaves, specifically in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Born on March 30, 1937, in Comox, BC, he grew up in Vancouver and attended King Edward High School. His career began remarkably early: at age 17 (in 1954), while still a high school student, he started hosting Theme for Teens on Vancouver’s CJOR radio station. This made him the first DJ in Canada to regularly play rock ‘n’ roll music on air, starting as early as November 13, 1954. He helped bring the emerging genre—featuring artists like Elvis Presley—to local audiences at a time when it was still controversial and new.

** (December 1956 – Vancouver Sun) Disc Jockey of the Year Contest ends Sunday. All votes must be mailed by Sunday midnight. Final coupon which will enable readers of this page to cast their vote for their favorite record man appears on this page today. Standings in the contest at the latest count taken Thursday show Red Robinson of station CJOR still in the lead by a sizable margin. In second place is CKNW’s Jack Kyle and new man in third place is Don Francks of C-FUN who managed to nose out former third-placed D.J. Bob Hutton of CKNW. **

Elvis Presley 1957 Vancouver Presser: You Tube (Red Robinson Legends)

In 1957, he emceed Elvis Presley’s historic concert at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. His influence continued to grow; he later emceed The Beatles’ concert in Vancouver in 1964. His career path included:A brief stint in the US at KGW radio in Portland, Oregon, around 1959 (where he also gained some television experience).
*** Former city disc jockey Red Robinson, who now operates out of Portland, visited home a few days ago dressed in a U.S. National Guard uniform. In August, he enters the U.S. Army at Ford Ord for six months. (Note: This appears to be a short news item or gossip column snippet from The Province newspaper, dated March 24, 1960. ***

Red returned to Vancouver working at CKWX in 1961. He joined CFUN Radio in 1962 as a DJ and program director.

Over the decades, Robinson built a multifaceted career in broadcasting. He hosted shows like Red’s Classic Theatre (a Sunday night program on KVOS TV that aired from Vancouver to Seattle for over 12 years), where he interviewed major Hollywood stars such as Tony Curtis, Charlton Heston, Debbie Reynolds, and Mickey Rooney.

Red Robinson LEGENDS – Bill Haley

He was also an entrepreneur, promoter, and programmer who helped launch or boost careers of Canadian talents (e.g., discovering or supporting acts like Ian Tyson through radio contests). His energetic style and dedication earned him a reputation as a key figure in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll in Canada.

Bill Haley – Part 2

Robinson received numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 as part of a group of pioneer DJs.
Recognition by the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. The Order of British Columbia (OBC). A paver on the Comox Valley Walk of Achievement.

Bill Haley – Part 3

A biography titled Red Robinson: The Last Deejay by Robin Brunet (published around 2016) celebrates his six-decade career and encounters with legends like Elvis [A Series of Memories Posted By Red To Facebook] and The Beatles.

The Beatles 1964 Vancouver Presser: You Tube (Red Robinson)

Beatles LIVE @ Vancouver BC

Red Robinson passed away on April 1, 2023. He remains an icon in Vancouver radio history for his trailblazing role in bringing rock music to Canadian listeners and shaping the local broadcasting landscape.