CHUM 50th anniversary party at Nathan Philips Square/City Hall - May 26,2007 - Toronto and Lightfoot will be performing!

woo-hoo!! I'm THERE!!

wish I still had my old transistor radio that I listened to CHUM on back in the day..

Thanks for the info..

PS did ya get my PM earlier this week?? :)

Is Gord performing solo or will any of the band be with him?

He'll be solo as far as I know..
I didn't see a PM...had some computer probs and power issues earlier this week..

This sounds like a perfect opportunity for Lightfoot to perform "I'll Tag Along".

From the Toronto Star:

Lightfoot is still the one

May 26, 2007 04:30 AM

Canadian roots music legend Gordon Lightfoot still remembers the thrill of hearing one of his early recordings, "Remember Me, I'm The One," on 1050 CHUM's Top 40 playlist back in 1962.

"It came as a real surprise," Lightfoot told the Star.

He's performing a short set at the vintage station's 50th anniversary concert at Nathan Phillips Square this afternoon at 4, along with 1960s Toronto R&B survivors Little Caesar and the Consuls, and Robbie Lane and the Disciples.

"I'd been recording in Nashville with a crack studio band, but I had no idea that this song would be playlisted on CHUM.

"At the same time, they also playlisted Pat Hervey's `Mr. Heartache,' which was written by Les Pouliot – another Canadian record.

"What was more exciting was that I started selling records as soon as the song was added. I didn't have that kind of success on Canadian radio again 'til 1971, when I released `If You Could Read My Mind.'"

That was a full year before the CRTC-enforced 30 per cent Canadian content regulations came into effect, which changed the style and sound of Canadian radio and spawned a domestic recording industry the following decade, Lightfoot added.

"To be accepted on CHUM was a big deal in those days."

Greg Quill

I hope this is the right thread for these questions :

1) I was listening to the pre-concert broadcast (quite entertaining), and one of the guests reminiscing said "I was at the 'Second Cup', having my morning coffee......" At least that's what I heard. So the question is: was/is there an establishment called 'Second Cup'?

2) How far is Nathan Phillips Square from the CHUM station ?

is this show live on the net?

THere is a chain of coffee shops called Second Cup. Very much like Starbucks or Tim Hortons. From what I have read, the founder of them was/is a big Lightfoot fan, and named the chain after GL's song.
Jenney

Thank you. That answers that particular 'chicken/egg' wondering.

[ May 26, 2007, 21:47: Message edited by: RM ]

CHUM is a 10-15 minute car ride from City Hall.(depending on traffic of course)
straight north up Yonge, one block south of the Lightfoot offices.
Second Cup is better than Starbucks-you're right about that Sue!

I spoke with Terry, Barry and Lightfoot afterwards and the sense I got from them onstage was correct--the monitors were too low and they couldn't hear themselves. They asked for them to be turned up before they launched into the 3rd tune, started it, stopped and sang Rainy Day People instead.

They did Don Quixote, IYCRMM, began Waiting For You and did Rainy Day People instead. Terry and Rick were the only band members there.

Lightfoot told me it would have been so much better if the sound had been better. The whole afternoon was loud rock and roll music until Lightfoot. When the last band left the stage it took about 20 minutes to set up the Lightfoot stuff. A couple of minutes prior to taking the stage Lightfoot entered the roped off side area with Rick and Terry and all the radio folks and people who could see him gave him quite an ovation. He had big smiles and waved and as he came up the stairs the audience rose for an ovation. He stepped to centre stage and bowed a bit and lanched right into Don Quixote. His voice was a bit hoarse in parts for all 4 songs and it seemed a few times he had difficulty with his hand.

All day as the emcee announced different performers I noticed that the mention of Lightfoot always brought applause.

It was a cool day, cloudy and a bit of a breeze but about 30 minutes prior to Lightfoot the sun broke through. It was quite a feeling to be sitting there a block from Yonge St., at Toronto City Hall with the Canadian flag flying not far from the stage celebrating a radio station that was such a huge part of not only my young life but of all who were in attendance. Today is the actual anniversary date that CHUM first hit the airwaves - May 27, 1957. I wasn't even two, my new sister had just arrived on May 8 but a few years later I had a transistor radio that held magic inside it. CHUM charts were anxiously looked forward to and a glorious voice singing poetry captured my heart forever.

Mike Heffernan told me of listening with his brother to another station for a while but then tuning into CHUM and before the show Barry Harvey recounted how he had his little transistor radio that he'd listen to sitting outside the house as a kid. As a kid he lived in the town where I have now lived for 21 years.

When Lightfoot, Rick and Terry left the stage they headed right across the square to the front doors of City Hall, no stopping, and right up to do a CITY TV interview to be aired this Tuesday on "A" channel and STAR tv I believe.

I waited around with my daughter, spoke a bit more with Barry and Terry, said HI to Rick and saw Elizabeth Lightfoot and daughter Meredith as well. Lightfoot came down and seemed in quite a hurry.

I said "Hi Gordon and he stopped and smiled and said "Hi CHar!" - we had a brief hug and he said it would have been so much better if the monitors and sound were right. He sid Hi to my daughter and after I mentioned how great it would be to do another phone chat later in the year he replied 'alrighty' as he swiftly headed out a side door of city hall.

Rick and his wife were walking through the open square to head to the hotel across the street as were Meredith and Elizabeth Lightfoot..I believe there was an after-concert CHUM party being held. Things were being packed up around the stage and we headed home.

Barry did say the shows down east were great, the folks really appreciated seeing him again and they were all pleased with the whole Maritimes tour. We said goodbye and 'see ya at Mariposa in July"..

I got some great stage shots and Lisa snapped one of me and The Man inside city hall in front of a huge model of the city of Toronto.

I'll get some up here when I get back to Whitby tonight.

[ May 27, 2007, 11:04: Message edited by: charlene ]

Very good Charlene, I can identify with your words-----> "It was quite a feeling to be sitting there a block from Yonge St., at Toronto City Hall with the Canadian flag flying not far from the stage." ;)

Because for me, The Canadian Flag, that beautiful Toronto's City Hall, and the famous Yonge Street, which is known by lots of Canadian, from one end of the country to the other. And to top it all, 'Gordon Lightfoot.' This to me would be a great July 1st, 'Canada Day'

You are very privilege to get to see this magnificent Icon so many times... Good for you. :)


Really happy to hear, "Barry did say the shows down east were great, the folks really appreciated seeing him again and they were all pleased with the whole Maritimes tour." We said goodbye and 'see ya at Mariposa in July.

Lucky you again, {lol} I hope it's beautiful warm sunny weather at Mariposa. Gord and Dylan. {WOW} :) Among many more...

Cheers!

~Jesse~ :)

[ May 27, 2007, 13:11: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe. ]

Do you remember Jesse-Joe, which song GL was referring to at the Moncton concert, where he said it was about getting back to nature. He said he would be performing it for the CHUM anniversary concert in a couple of weeks, and he wondered if the folks in Toronto would appreciate it as much as the Maritimers. Was it "Restless"?

Would you have more details on the interview that's supposed to be airing Tuesday? Channel, time, program, etc. I'm sure we'd all like to tune in!

I spoke with the woman who did the interview and she said it would be Tuesday - "A" channel - STAR Daily I think and at 6:30 with 11:30 repeat.
check your local listings..
I'll see what I can find..

Ooohh, wow - this is one great photo, I really love it!!!

Char,

what kind of problems did he have with his hand? Was it his left or right one?
Somebody said ( as a comment on the picture side Brink posted ) that he misplaced some chords. So this would have been his left hand than. If so, maybe it was because he couldn't hear himself good enough - I would think it can be a major distraction and he most likely got really frustrated by this - especially considered that he is such a perfectionist.
I really hope, this was all what was going on, after his transient stroke last year I'm always a bit nervous, I must admit.

Hi Irish,

No I dont remember the song, but do remember that he did indeed talk about CHUM being 50, and he was going to do the song outside, at Nathan Phillip Square, not knowing how it would sound. He then said something to, Im sure it will sound good here tonight.

From what I hear from Char & T.G., it is quite ironic, as if he knew maybe it wouldn't sound so good outside at City Hall... :)

[ May 27, 2007, 19:49: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe. ]

The A-Channel schedule shows a program called Star! Daily airing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and it looks like there's a repeat at noon the next day. If you can confirm the times, that would be great!

In the first photo, which one is Barry Harvey ?

he has the white t-shirt..

CHar,

Did you take the CHUM studio tour ? When I listened to their broadcast, it was mentioned that the turnout exceeded their expectations and they were turning people away as the concert neared.

nope - never went- I figured it would be crazy with people and I hadn't heard for sure that Gord would be there so I went shopping before heading to the concert..lol
It would be sad to see pics of all the folks we've lost that I used to listen to..McAdorey, Darow, Jungle Jay..

Several years later I tuned in CHUM FM a lot and then went to CHFI..i haven't listened to radio in years now..but the ones I put on if I do find myself turning on a radio are CHUM 1050 oldies and CHFI easy listening..they play Lightfoot..

Great pictures Char!

Claudia - he was having trouble with his right hand and it was a physical thing that happened a couple of times - just a few notes but the grimace on his face as it happened was evidence he wasn't happy .. It had nothing to do with not hearing the monitors.

Thanks Char - I was hoping, you could put me at ease, unfortunately not so. But there's nothing we can do, except pray for his health I guess. Hopefully his hand will get better again soon. Good thing he has a couple more days off before he resumes the touring.

Great pictures - thanks for posting them! :)

Vickie

Nice pics CHar. I like Rick in shades! The drum set was for the previous group?
Thanks for posting them.

Yeah - the drums were from the previous band..I missed Barry and Mike!
The whole band will be at Mariposa on July 8 tho..
It's nice to have 'daylight' pics instead of concert shots lit by stage lights..

Thanks for posting Char...

Thanks for posting Char...

Hi Char!
Thanks for the great shots. Keeps us in "in the know", for sure.
And I like the touch about getting another interview...never hurts to keep the thought alive. Since Gord hasn't called me, I figure I'll have to let you do this one yourself. (again!)
However, I will have the privilege of reporting back on the Tulalip concert in August!

Interview tonight: and it will probably be streamed at the website tomorrow:
http://www.star-tv.com/starDaily/ - on right side of page under:TODAY ON STAR! DAILY

Here's a lovely b & w portrait taken at the CHUM show:
http://thephotoforum.com/forum/showt...911#post902911

Re: CHUM radio in Toronto-oldies concert with Lightfoot
 

I'll have to re-scan my pics but here's some others:

Re: CHUM radio in Toronto-oldies concert with Lightfoot
 

Re: CHUM radio in Toronto-oldies concert with Lightfoot
 

Re: CHUM radio in Toronto-oldies concert with Lightfoot