It was always good to see and chat with all the stations on-air personalities and staff. Back in the day, all you had to do was be on the radio and just let people use their imagination. Designed by Graymatter Marketing Solutions, As always, you can watch a video version of this journal on, Hey, if you listen to Toronto radio and woke up thinking you were dreaming when you heard Mike Cooper back on the morning show on, So it was with a sense of dread that I was tasked with finding pictures from my early radio years. 1. . It must still be packed in a box somewhere. The Backstreet Boys certainly deserve their place on a retro show, and eventually the "newer oldies" will replace the "older oldies".My point is that the show has a heritage as an "oldies" program (as in "older oldies"), dating back to the Don Daynard days, and I also think Mike Cooper's audience tends to skew on the older side. A few seconds later, Coopers voice returned with the words, April Fool!. Do it on YOUR terms with love, laughter, and loads of loud music. Mike Cooper got his start in North Bay and signed off as co-host of Erin and Mike in the Morning on Friday. Radio host Mike Cooper announced his retirement from CHFI last week, capping a 45-year career in radio broadcasting. Please see details at www.celebrationofhope.info. Darren B. Lamb, formerly with CHUM-FM, joined CHFI as Davis' co-host in February 2016. But theres one thing they cant teach you in college, and that is true personality. As many of you may know, Deb was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2013. . Just a thought. In addition, the station rebranded as 98.1 CHFI (pronounced, "ninety-eight-one CHFI") instead, and unveiled the "Today's Lite Music" slogan.[8][9]. We can always hope.. We were unable to log you in. Itll be. Check out this phenomenal toplist for casinos. Honouring Deb with the Hope Award was just a further testament to her strength, and especially to her courage., Bell also praised the very public way in which she and Mike confronted her cancer diagnosis.. University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology Undergradruate studies M.A. Get the app. Listen to Pooja & Gurdeep all week at 6AM and play 'Is This You?' for a chance to # WIN a pair of tickets to see Alanis Morissette on June 10th! 1, 1976, he talked on air about getting odd phone calls from a threatening man. On December 26, 2009, long-time competitor CJEZ switched from an adult contemporary format to an adult hits format as CHBM-FM, leaving CHFI as the only adult contemporary station in Toronto. Immediately after Fridays show, Cooper headed to Mexico for a listener event. He's filling in during Darren's absence and just doing a fantastic job, having a great . The following week, Tracy Moore from co-owned television station CITY-TV began hosting the show on a temporary basis. The station was acquired in 1960 by Aldred-Rogers Broadcasting, a forerunner to Rogers Radio. AddThis Sharing Buttons. (In 1974, host Todd Russell died and was replaced by Sandy Hoyt.) Login, Andrew Waite ECMA 2023 Nominees (Interview), Corey LeRue ECMA 2023 Nominees (Interview), Moira & Claire ECMA 2023 Nominees ZOOMIES, The East Pointers ECMA 2023 Nominees (Interview), Shane Pendergast ECMA 2023 Nominees ZOOMIES. Mike S. Cooper is a Canadian radio personality in Toronto, Canada, co hosting the 98.1 CHFI morning show with Erin Davis. Mike Coopers time at CHUM ended rather abruptly following, what is now, one of the best April Fools pranks in radio history. Cooper will continue to host Coops Classics Saturday evenings on 98.1 CHFI. In addition, newer jingles were unveiled, along with an opening bumper for newer music. Just a thought And suddenly you know: Its time to start something new & trust the magic of beginnings. Sail on, my friend. No April Fools Day here; I have to read enough tweets from people who have absolutely no scientific knowledge and who probably couldnt spell scientific knowledge if they were challenged to, expounding daily on a global pandemic. 98.1 CHFI (@981CHFI) October 1, 2021. A local radio vet, Mike Cooper got his stripes by faking his own assassination on-air on April Fool's Day 1976, which got him canned from CHUM. It was initially owned by CHFI-FM, Ltd.[3] CHFI was the first commercial FM outlet in Toronto to provide its own distinct programming rather than simulcasting an AM station. I awarded the Bee Gees their first gold record back in the day. I got sued for assault and battery because I hit [his would-be assailant] with a crescent wrench. On November 9, 2016, Erin Davis announced she would be retiring from CHFI on December 15, and would be moving to British Columbia to be closer to her family. Coop responds with "I think I'm done in November, by my choice". In 1972, CHFI's AM sister station, by this point under the CFTR call letters, abandoned the beautiful music simulcast of CHFI-FM and adopted a Top 40 format. Success! Youre not a big fan of looking back at the past are you? Erin Davis joined the morning show in September 1988, with "Don and Erin" becoming one of Toronto's most prominent morning shows through the 1990s. So it was with a sense of dread that I was tasked with finding pictures from my early radio years. I would do it and not care. The most famous was the popular and long running Candlelight and Wine heard evenings from 6 to 11 p.m. It was Summer 1975, at the beginning of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). A veteran radio personality of 45 years and a leader in Toronto broadcasting, Mike gathers with his co-workers, friends and family at the Mill Street Beer Hall and Brew Pub in the Historic Distillery District.\rdaytime Toronto takes you on a behind the scenes tour of the event and we get to speak with one of the finest radio hosts in the business. Since very few had been reissued on LP at this time, a call went out to collectors who loaned their original 78-rpm records to the radio station. Please provide both your email address and password. But there just arent any of me at CFRA in Ottawa, CKLW in Windsor or CKO in Toronto, the stations whose people and experiences helped this chipmunk-cheeked newscaster grow into who I eventually became. To order CHFI is often the most listened-to commercial radio station in Greater Toronto, according to the Numeris ratings. Shame that's it's not on when I am in the car much.About two months ago I heard Ashes to Ashes by the Mindbenders on CKDO and thought wow they're playing ?? Longtime local radio personality Mike Cooper is hanging up his earphones as co-host of 98.1 CHFI 's "Erin and Mike in the Morning show.". Of course, theres a time for appreciation and reflection, but thats for someone else to do. 0001374029 Cooper Michael L C/O ROGERS CORPORATION ONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE PO BOX 188 ROGERS CT 06263-0188 0 1 0 0 VP Logistics. While writing the article, I tried to find my copy. But these last few weeks, Ive been stuck in a time machine, going through piles of photos from our lives stacked and crammed carelessly into torn boxes that have moved from basements to garages in houses and cottages over the past 30-some years. 1050 CHUM was THE station to listen to for contests, news and the music of the era. While Cooper was fired for the bit, he was allowed to work his way back on air with fill-in jobs for other announcers. By the mid-1980s, the audience for CHFI and other beautiful music stations was beginning to age, while advertisers usually seek younger listeners. Share to Facebook. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. I broke a few rules along the way. Firing Erin Davis and moving Bob Magee to afternoons, the station named Mad Dog and Billie, later known as "Jay and Billie", as the morning team, beginning June 23. The email address you have provided does not exist in our database. I had no money and was going home in the pouring rain when a cop pulled up on Lakeshore Boulevard and said Where you going son, its a mean night? I said Im going home. I had my CHUM shirt on and he said Are you the guy from the ferris wheel? He took me back to the wheel and phoned the radio station and told them what had happened and they convinced me to stay. maybe the whole cow, and he kind of quit on the spot. Ive always been fair. The records were cleaned, repaired and brushed with distilled water before being transcribed to tape. A veteran. Meeting one of your favourite radio personalities was a big deal! The sergeant who came in said I dont know what we can do about this, but I just want to make sure you never ever work again.. I'm trying to imagine a life without her and in these early days of our family's loss, that's just not possible. A real shame because that was a fantastic show, especially with Tish. That kind of answers this question, but what are your post-retirement plans? A new logo was unveiled in 2000, when Rogers rebranded the station from CHFI FM98 and the "Toronto's Perfect Music Mix" slogan, to 98.1 CHFI, moving away from soft adult contemporary to mainstream AC under the "Toronto's Soft Rock" slogan. Guess we will see in the new year what the station will do during the Saturday evening slot.Always remember when Mike had the big goodbye when he left mornings on CHFI in January 2016. They did not hear the disclaimer at the end of the prank. When [CHUM listeners] reacted, they reacted negatively, and the repercussions what if a police car hit a pedestrian and I am ultimately responsible and then they told me all the things that could have happened that didnt and if they did how much trouble Id be in and how much the station would be in. While the latest CHFI talk is about the Christmas flip on Monday, my mind turns to what I think is an even bigger deal. Those three will have to do. Retweeted. From perfect harmonies to sharing all of those mornings the rawest, guffaw-est time of day together before most of our world was even awake. Debbie Cooper had such incredible strength of character, Allan Bell, vice-president, community relations and corporate partnerships at Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, said. What do you think your contribution to the medium has been? I appears as if Mike is gone again, as well as producer Gord Rennie. . 1. Deborah Cooper, who suffered from colon cancer since 2015, was the "healthiest sick person you'd ever meet," former CHFI radio host Erin Davis said as she was readying to speak at her friend's funeral Tuesday. I remember well that Erin dressed as Elton John and Mike Cooper was wearing a slightly tight fitting, powder blue tuxedo. . When I can combine them all, I feel I am right where I should be. You never hear dead air on an AM rock station, and in those seven seconds everybody reacted. I was desperately shy as a kid and dyslexic, so I had two strikes against me. Rob and I put together a little something for the radio. Especially after the phase out of a similar program last year: Sunday Morning Rewind. His afternoon drive was a hit and helped with the ever important ratings. This led to the elimination of the specialty programs coupled with more vocals in the playlist. Copyright 2023 Metroland Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved It was themed and it was encouraged for people to dress up in their favourite era costumes. And Mr. It was the best time of my life. Ive had 55 program directors [and] only three were memorable and only three really made me a better broadcaster. . During the mid-1990s, Mike was at 97.3 EZ Rock. Why do think radio remains vital in the 21st century? She was so fierce, . I'd love it. It was 2006, Erin had returned to the station and Mike was with her. My wife had a health scare she had, and has, colon cancer. #CHFI I hope he has a great time. When Christine went on Maternity Leave, in came Erin Davis. Also, this weekend Ian takes off for three weeks in his native PEI and so, from one ocean to another, I send this love letter on the airwaves and the ocean waves to my friend. I want to be like them. He took me to the radio station with Mr. Brown, and the seed was sown. I was the swing guy and the all-night guy, so they had nobody to work. AddThis Sharing Buttons. The longtime CHFI morning man recounts his 45-year broadcast career. I think Ive got that, Im going to die with it, but everything else I wasnt doing so well in.. What will you miss most about morning radio? (Yes, Im admitting this. We put this AM station back together again and took it to number one for about 10 years, which was unheard of. The New Establishment brings 30 Under 30 in a new direction, starting with media professionals. Coopers courage in battling cancer began in 2013, but all that stopped on Oct. 23 when she passed away at 66, leaving a heartbroken husband Mike, also 66, after 50 years together. She was flitting around with other chemo chairs and patients like a hummingbird, just making sure that everybody was OK, Davis added. As many of you may know, Deb was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2013. You see, after a years delay, this May, yours truly is being inducted into the Canadian Broadcast and Music Industry Hall of Fame. On Apr. No one will fill those big shoes, or strangely little chair. We had lightning storms and here I am attached to this giant metal A-frame and it is arcing lightning. I mean, how to sum up 30 years of closeness a lifetime in many ways and a friendship that grew into more like a brother and sister than I think either of us ever knew possible. Hmmm. Erin had been terminated from CHFI after some personnel changes to on-air talent had taken place. He was my history teacher and had some radio experience. The Hope Awards are an annual luncheon, hosted by the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, giving voice to those fighting cancer. City TV did a report on his last show and included the famous 1050 CHUM April Fool assassination of Mike on air. [4], In December 1987, Don Daynard became CHFI's new morning show host, a position he would hold until his retirement on December 10, 1999. Main Photo Credit:CHFI File Photo. [Meister Eckhart]. Mike ended the summer by breaking the record at 21 days, 10 hours and 10 minutes! Looking back, what do you consider your career highlights? Maureen, if you're reading this, there is life after CHFI. I struggled the best I could. There are 3500+ professionals named "Mike Cooper", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. I even punched two bosses, and Im still working in radio. By: Linda Heldman We want to see the world a little bit. Yes, there were a ton of family pictures (some of those felt like a gut punch), but I tried to hurry past them. Contents 1 Career 2 Accomplishments 3 References So whos taking over the classics show? Anybody whos been mean to me, Ive always got mean right back to them, so they knew where I stood. This would be where I first crossed paths with Mike. My name is Linda and I have been a fan of Canadian Music for as long as I can remember. Weve saved up a couple of pesos here and there along the way so we could do whatever we wanted to do. I was suspended, but all of the DJs phoned in sick the next day. Mo will always be part of the CHFI family, and we're grateful for the chapter she", "Beyond honoured to be asked to temporarily guest host @981chfi's #1 morning show. When I told him I was going to be a disc jockey, he said Youre far too big of a boy to ride a horse. I said No dad, disc jockeys ride records, we talk on the radio, and he said Why would you want to do something like that?, I said Well, you listen to these old names on CHML in Hamilton. Compeau also created the popular Classics 'til Dawn, an overnight program of popular classical music. For those that listened to Toronto Mike's episode 1004 with Mike Cooperearlier this year. around the 1:27:00 mark, Toronto Mike asks Mike Cooper about Coop's Classics and how long he'll keep it going for. Explore Mike Cooper's discography including top tracks, albums, and reviews. I want to share with you a story or two about . I want to share with you a story or two about a guy a pillar at CHFI whos leaving the only job he ever had, today. Out. I didnt know we also had to be writers and editors. I just know how to edit myself in spoken word, so it kind of started to pass me by and I started to feel a little ancient. I have to admit I looked forward to it. Well, here we are, the first day of April. a brisket, or an entire leg of beef, or heck who knows? Republication or distribution of this content is Please try again, or contact customer service at marketing@halldata.com. Mike found himself on radio, at CKGM, in Montreal for awhile before finding his way back to Toronto at 680 CFTR AM (Now 680 News). It was so real that people refused to believe the obvious. He will continue to host Coops Classics Saturday evenings on CHFI but, the bulk of his time will be spent continuing to make memories with his sweet bride. He started something called Radio Westdale a little closed-circuit radio station in the cafeteria. View the profiles of professionals named "Mike Cooper" on LinkedIn. 2009, CHFI returned to mainstream AC, but retained the "Toronto's Lite Favourites" slogan and added the decimal point back in the station identification. . (In 1984, Compeau would become program director of classical station CFMX-FM and use this same format for its overnight program.) I was in my mid-teens, with a passion for The Osmonds and the Bay City Rollers. Standing up to people and standing up to bosses kind of made me a local hero to other broadcasters, who always wanted to do that. Ive taken care of millions of people over the years and now its time to take care of one: my beloved wife and childhood sweetheart Debbie, Cooper said in a prepared statement. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8, Cooper said in an emotional statement on Friday morning. Copyright 1996-2023 Brunico Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Cause youre The General. Dubbed the "new library of old 78's", these antique rarities were showcased each weeknight. We had a sound effects record of a gun going off, and I waited seven seconds as I fell to the floor [before yelling] April Fools.. The record wasnt that important to me, the notoriety was. Mike was on air and at several breaks, mentioned about getting calls from a guy making threats to him. With her incessant juicing, and putting turmeric on everything, Cooper was described by her husband as a hummingbird around different beds of cancer patients at the hospital. January 13, 2016, Radio host Mike Cooper announced his retirement from CHFI last week, capping a 45-year career in radio broadcasting. Erin had the opportunity to meet and work with Mike Cooper, one of Canada's best-known radio personalities, while she was temporarily filling in on another Toronto radio station. which brings us to today. He worked at some of the best stations with CHFI, CHUM, CKGM, CFTR, EZ Rock and maybe a few others I forgot. Then in the new year it never came back, replaced by more of "Toronto's Perfect Music Mix". presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution He was the creator of the 5:10 "Stupid joke of the day" during his time at 680 CFTR. Another of Compeau's innovations was Front Row Centre, heard Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Okay, he did have another job: he drove the van for the Pickle Barrel in his teens until he took a corner too fast and a door flew open. She agreed, with one condition; that Mike Cooper would become her morning co-host. I have to admit, I might include them in my plans. Well that was the final Coop's Classics on CHFI last night. It was April 1st, 1976. Only problem is that I don't get to the radio dial at home very much except maybe on DX days and to test my AM stereo transmitter. CHFI - Toronto's Perfect Music Mix. Debbie has been by his side throughout his entire radio career. So Mike and the family would like to thank everybody who has offered their support and their kindness at this terrible time.. Im looking forward to celebrating our son-in-law Phils birthday today and Robs birthday, which coincides with Easter Sunday, this weekend. They worked it all out. I didnt mind getting up in the morning. In June 2005, CHFI management fired Jay and Billie, rehired Davis for mornings (who returned on September 6), and also hired Mike Cooper as her co-host on October 26 after his contract with CJEZ expired. Add to Media list. No drama or long goodbyes. In addition . It got uglier every day I was behind the wheel. Mike Cooper will be filling in for Darren B Lamb while he's away. Please re-enter or use "forgot password?" But for them, the rest of us could not succeed. I got beat up in the middle of the night: a couple of guys stayed over after an AC/DC concert and started rocking the ferris wheel back and forth. CHFI-FM pioneered the "beautiful music" format in Canada. 45 Year Radio Veteran, Mike Cooper, Announces Retirement, http://ondemand.streamtheworld.com/1050chum/, https://soundcloud.com/981chfi/mike-cooper-announcement, Amanda Keeles unveils new single, My Heart Feels the Same Way Too (Interview), Gary Edward Allen releases new single, Final Surprise (Interview). The highlight was first getting into radio at a radio station in North Bay called CKAT FM back in 1970. Share to More [PHOTO: 98.1 CHFI] Our hearts are broken Mike Cooper's wife, Deborah, has passed away at the age of 66. The 29th CIBC Celebration of Hope is on Sunday, Nov. 11 at Hilton Suites in Markham. What was your worst on-air moment? The second highlight was [working at] CFTR, a struggling radio station with great management and great talent. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about It was a year later that CHFI management decided Don would flourish with a co-host at the older-skewing also-ran station. It seemed the whole city was behind him! I have three primary passions in my life, music, photography and writing. Let me know if you'd like to visit a third time for another episode of Toronto Mike'd. - Erin Davis photo. [10][11] At the same time, the station returned to using the point on the station's ID, returned to its soft AC format, and switched its slogan to "Toronto's Lite Favourites. Mike had a good run at this station. Cooper started playing guitar shortly after leaving school in 1958. They have created a beautiful family and wonderful life together. Im not a big fan of following the rules, but I am a company man. You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. He has been co-host of Erin and Mike in the Morning with Erin Davis for 10 years, while his career also includes stops at Toronto's 1050 CHUM AM, CFTR 680 and 97.3 EZ Rock. The transmitter is atop the CN Tower.[2]. Cooper's courage in battling cancer began in 2013, but all that stopped on Oct. 23 when she passed away at 66, leaving a . Like. Copyright 2021 Real Family Productions Inc. When we took [CHUM] down, it was quite a feather in our cap. Why are you choosing to retire now? You see, like my friend Mike Cooper, these days, were more about making memories, instead of looking back. No more age limit! Music director Michael Compeau created a number of the station's much-imitated programs. For one thing, I wont have to find out if I can walk in heels. CHFI-FM can also be heard on these low-power transmitters: This page is not available in other languages. The only good retro show left on the air is Roger Ashby's. Thank you, Mo! I appears as if Mike is gone again, as well as producer Gord Rennie. [The station beat perennial ratings leader CHUM AM, a station widely credited with inventing rock radio in Toronto]. He said How would you like to go to a real radio station and see what happens?, My father was a lineman for Hamilton Hydro, and he really wanted me to be a grunt: he wanted me to be a cop, to work for the hydro company. Before sharing the morning show marquee, Cardoso was an entertainment reporter, traffic reporter . Coop responds with "I think I'm done in November, by my choice".If that is still the plan. and since the CHFI Christmas switch turns on Monday. this Saturday night November 12th could likely be the last Coop's Classics ever on 98.1 CHFI (and possibly the last time we hear Coop's voice on CHFI). I love that she's holding my youngest in the post-recording pic. Like and follow 98.1 CHFI for the latest in entertainment plus local news and events. You see, after a years delay, this May, yours truly is being inducted into the Canadian Broadcast and Music Industry Hall of Fame. Im newly married.
Oscar Tshiebwe High School Highlights,
Dubrovnik To Mostar Border Crossing,
Zabbix Unmatched Trap Received From,
Articles M
