Courtesy of Puget Sound Radio dot com
Royal City Music Project aka RCMP
Presents
Victoria's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
2008 Induction of Norm Pringle
RCMPsite.com's Glenn Parfitt makes presentation to Norm Pringle
Photo: Godfrey Stephens
by Michael Easton
Puget Sound Radio dot com
Monday Sept. 22/08
a couple of days ago long-time friend Dave Kissinger emailed telling me he and his band were going to be inducted into the Victoria Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this Sunday. I then realized this was the weekend long time Victoria disc-jockey Norm Pringle was also to be inducted. Sunday at the 'Strath' was a date for ME!
Located in one of Victoria's most popular Hotel's the Strathcona Hotel on Douglas Street has a number of various night clubs, one called 'Element', formerly known, or part of it was the Old Forge was where all the action was taking place. I think I finally figured about where the bowling alley used to be, something long time Victorians can relate to.
'Familiar Faces'
As I desended down-under into the tombs of Element
I ran into former CFAX/KOOL owner Mel Cooper.
Red Robinson, Mel Cooper, Norm Pringle & R&R HOF Bob Dalziel
Mel's memory of Norm Pringle when he was PD at CKMO now CFUN, not only had Norm hired Mel away from CJAV in Port Alberni and brought him to the big smoke of Vancouver, but called George Melford Cooper into his office before going on the air and told him to drop the George and change his name to "Mel" for on-air purposes, something Mel decided to prolong. That was in 1951.
It was great to finally meet Michael Forbes of the Ocean's "Forbes and Marshall" Michael introduced me to his uncle John, John Forbes, along with Michael's dad Larry were the 'Brothers Forbes' who rocked the Old Forge in the old days, what a delight!
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was CFAX 1070 morning man Al Ferraby with a guest appearance from Mr. Radio himself, Red Robinson.
Red had come over from Vancouver to Introduce his long time friend and fellow broadcaster Norm Pringle as the inductee for Most Influential Broadcaster 1957-1965 . Red shared with us that when Norm left his disc-jockey job at CKDA in Victoria and headed down to California with his lovely young bride Elsie, Norm didn't have any on-air work lined up, so apon arrival in Hollywood, Norm was referred by a friend Rupert Stephens to apply for a job at Western United Recorders in Hollywood. It just so happens this man's son Godfrey Stephens provided the photo's for this occasion. Thank you very much Godfrey.
carpet Red
for Red September 21, 2008
Red Robinson arrives in 68 California Mustang,
greeted by RCMP founder Glenn Parfitt
Red Robinson on Norm's Induction into Hall of Fame
'Fever'
Back to when Red was driving down to Hollywood in a red convertible and met up with his old pal Norm who was now working for Western United Recorders. Norm's job was the recording and sending out of material for Armed Forces Radio Stations. Although Norm wasn't on the air, he still had a keen ear for music and had recorded a song from a local telethon program by Peggy Lee, the song was called Fever. When he played it for Red, Red was so impressed he brought it back to Vancouver with him and started playing it on the air. He got a call from Capital records Canada asking where he got the record, because Canadian fans were wanting to buy after the airtime he was giving play on his show. I think someone was talking when he gave the reply to the Canadian record company, something like it was his collection, it appearred a somewhat vague reply to their question. He was then contacted by Capital Records in Hollywood and was informed Ms. Lee had not recorded the song. Red suggested perhaps Ms Lee should be taken into the studio and record the song and the rest is history, the song was a Giant Number One hit. Norm certainly knew how to pick a winner.
PSR's Michael Easton and Norm Pringle
Photo taken by Godfrey Stephens
back to my friend Dave Kissinger and his band called the Regents and each of the members were to be inducted into the Victoria Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the keyboard player was none other than Rogers Calgary radio man Vince Cownden. What a pleasure to see and talk with Vince after all these years. He tells me his dad Walter Cownden, a long time Victoria Radio man, probably the only radio guy I knew who worked at all three of the original Victoria stations, CJVI, CFAX and CKDA/CFMS. Vince says dad is still going strong and is active at 89 years old.
PSR Congratulates Glenn Parfitt for his incredible efforts in bringing the Victoria Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame to fruition and for a website that marvels me with each visit
try it http://www.RCMPsite.com
a message from Glenn Parfitt...
Another one in the books folks as the Victoria Rock & Roll Music Hall O Fame puts another magical afternoon in the history books. A huge thanks to Red Robinson, Al Ferraby, Bob Dalziel, Barry Ensign, Art Horsman, Deb Rhymer and Brian Newcomebe for emceeing and introducing the Class Of 2008 to the Hall. Special thanks to Allen & Laurie Page for hooking Red up with the coolest ride in a 1968 Mustang California Special.
Please visit Puget Sound Radio dot com to see this in its original context
Click Here to View Hall of Fame Tribute Video on YouTube