With help from his co-host Davis, who conducted an interview using our questions (and some of her own) we found out why hes leaving now, his future plans and all the details about that 1976 April Fools Day prank on CHUM that went horribly awry. Dont judge.) Do it on YOUR terms with love, laughter, and loads of loud music. 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. Thats been a huge part of the past 10 years. 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. 211 Pritchard Road, Unit 4, Hamilton ON L8J 0G5. He was a very distinguished man, and he and I hit if off immediately. 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. Mike Cooper's wife, Deborah, has passed away at the age of 66. The car [I received] was an Austin Marina. 0 replies 0 retweets 1 like. Eventually, CHFI eliminated nearly all instrumental music, and instituted a soft adult contemporary format. This led to the elimination of the specialty programs coupled with more vocals in the playlist. . Especially after the phase out of a similar program last year: Sunday Morning Rewind. August 6, 2021 Erin's Journals. In 1973, Compeau decided to add some spice to the program by sprinkling in a few original period recordings. 1, 1976, he talked on air about getting odd phone calls from a threatening man. The program, hosted by Don Parrish, mixed soothing instrumentals, soft vocals and occasional light classical pieces in "pop" arrangements. [Mark Twain]. I was suspended, but all of the DJs phoned in sick the next day. PJ, Toronto Mike's episode 1004 with Mike Cooper. 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. A station official said he was on his way to Mexico immediately after his show on Friday. Latest; On Demand . Thanks for listening to 98.1 CHFI. (Imagine the Commodores hit Sail On playing quietly.). The station first signed on the air on February 1, 1957. Maureen was co-hosting the CHFI morning show with Darren B. Lamb, who hasn't actually been heard on the show this year. It was Summer 1975, at the beginning of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). 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. Hello everyone! CHFI-FM can also be heard on these low-power transmitters: This page is not available in other languages. via GIPHY. In the middle of a live commercial, listeners heard the sound of a door opening, an argument, then several gun shots. For one thing, I wont have to find out if I can walk in heels. So, yeah, Ill pass. If you are interested in hearing any of these highlights, they can be found at: http://ondemand.streamtheworld.com/1050chum/ . 1050 CHUM was THE station to listen to for contests, news and the music of the era. You see, after a years delay, this May, yours truly is being inducted into the Canadian Broadcast and Music Industry Hall of Fame. As time went on, the modern recordings were phased out and the program featured mainly the period recordings. I hear it now and I hate it. Tory leadership hopefuls are outlining their views on national broadcaster's future, Sponsored giveaway supported by social posts directed at female-skewing audience, Annual charitable campaign taps influencers and the social web for the first time, Netflix remains wary of regulation as some tout 'Anne' and 'Alias Grace' partnerships, PayPal and Ipsos research shows "Shop Now" buttons are gaining traction, Popular online ad exchange bans site for violating hate speech policy, Former Microsoft and Globe and Mail exec returns to the agency world. 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. Radio personality Mike Cooper is seen with his wife, Debbie, who passed away on Oct. 23 after battling cancer for five years. You need to enable JavaScript to run this 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! Please provide both your email address and password. It was 2006, Erin had returned to the station and Mike was with her. Maybe they happened, maybe they didnt, but theyre good stories. You're fired, would you like to come back? It really felt like a reunion! presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution When she was done with her [chemo] treatment at Mount Sinai, she would go back and volunteer at admission and make sure that everyone who is scared and lonely would get a hug, Davis recalled of Cooper. The second highlight was [working at] CFTR, a struggling radio station with great management and great talent. 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. I even punched two bosses, and Im still working in radio. Mike Cooper will be filling in for Darren B Lamb while he's away. You gave many of us THE most memorable good-byes and Ill never be able to dance you out, as you did me from Casa Loma, ending this radio career Im not even sure was possible without you in my corner. He started something called Radio Westdale a little closed-circuit radio station in the cafeteria. 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. Meeting one of your favourite radio personalities was a big deal! Having the Rogers machine behind us, advertising us and letting people know where we were and putting our faces out there and the brand. Newsletters. Again, if you would like to hear the original broadcast, it can be found at: http://ondemand.streamtheworld.com/1050chum/. (Yes, Im admitting this. I dont have a car or a washer and dryer. They had to call me back in. Tickets on sale now at RBCCanadianOpen.com See more Julie Adam General Manager/Program Director 98.1 CHFI bkwon: The cat is out of the bag. His afternoon drive was a hit and helped with the ever important ratings. He was the creator of the 5:10 "Stupid joke of the day" during his time at 680 CFTR. View email address. So Mike and the family would like to thank everybody who has offered their support and their kindness at this terrible time.. Even when Cooper was undergoing chemo herself, her desire to console others in pain didnt stop. You could tell these two have one of those almost fairy tale romances. Theyre gone. As luck would have it, he was having one of his mini breaks. Another of Compeau's innovations was Front Row Centre, heard Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. 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. Mo will always be part of the CHFI family, and we're grateful for the. Retweet. It seemed the whole city was behind him! In 1961 Cooper saw live blues musicians for the first time. He will sign off for the last time on Jan. 29, the station says. Mike was on air and at several breaks, mentioned about getting calls from a guy making threats to him. During the mid-1990s, Mike was at 97.3 EZ Rock. Lest we forget, Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia are going to resurface on a Toronto morning show soon, and this very well could be it. He's filling in during Darren's absence and just doing a fantastic job, having a great . 09 A B C D E F G H Wikipedia, Mike Emrick Mike Doc Emrick Born August 1, 1946 (1946 08 01) (age65) La Fontaine, Indiana Occupation Sports commentator Wikipedia, Mike Wallace (journalist) Mike Wallace Born Myron Leon Wallace May 9, 1918 (1918 05 09) (age93) Brookline, Massachusetts, US Occupation Wikipedia, Mike Schmidt Third baseman Born: September 27, 1949 (1949 09 27) (age62) Dayton, Ohio Wikipedia, Mike Eruzione Born October 25, 1954 (1954 10 25) (age57) Winthrop, MA, USA Height Wikipedia, Mike Hubbard (politician) Mike Hubbard 65th Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Incumbent Assumed office 2011 Governor Robert Bentley Preceded by Seth Hammett Wikipedia, Mike Stephenson for the rugby union footballer, see Michael Stephenson (rugby union) Michael Mike Stephenson, also commonly known as Stevo, (born 27 January 1947 in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire) is an English Rugby League World Cup winning Rugby League, and Wikipedia. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto 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. As well, some upbeat, rhythmic material was also added, while softer artists such as Air Supply were largely dropped from the station's playlist. In addition . Can you tell the story about setting the Guinness World Record for riding a ferris wheel? Hmmm. Only one volunteer came out for the Radio Westdale club and that was me. Born August 24th 1942 in Reading in Berkshire. While the latest CHFI talk is about the Christmas flip on Monday, my mind turns to what I think is an even bigger deal. I'll be t", Introducing CHFI Mornings with Pooja & Gurdeep, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CHFI-FM&oldid=1133866852, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 22:22. From riding his way to a Guinness World Record at the CNE, to being an essential figure in positioning Erin and Mike in the Morning as one of Torontos most beloved morning radio shows, Cooper has used his creativity and experience to connect with local audiences. Then they got another hug before they left.. Immediately after Fridays show, Cooper headed to Mexico for a listener event. I have the best kids in the world, and just when you think theyre going to grow up and youre never going to need them, something like this happens in the family and they were absolutely marvellous. Copyright 1996-2023 Brunico Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved. I loved War of the Worlds and thats where I got the idea. Would you like to login or register? This past Friday, January 8 th, 2016, long time radio personality, Mike Cooper, announced that his final day as co-host, on the CHFI Morning Show, will be Friday January, 29, 2016. The studios are in the Rogers Building on the northwest corner of Bloor and Jarvis Streets in Downtown Toronto. These days there are a lot of visuals, more than ever before. 28K views, 426 likes, 136 loves, 560 comments, 42 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 98.1 CHFI: Today was Mo's last show on CHFI. 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. Mike Cooper got his start in North Bay and signed off as co . But after 30 years of steering this flagship into the sunrise,you have earned smooth waters AND warm winds, knowing you were the best brother, producer and leader you couldve been for our team (even with Beckham!). When we took [CHUM] down, it was quite a feather in our cap. Mike has 1 job listed on their profile. Hes filling in during Darrens absence and just doing a fantastic job, having a great time and making life joyful again for Maureen, Ian, Gord and Christine. I love that she's holding my youngest in the post-recording pic. Rob and I adore you, Ian . Then the insanity of the past few yearsand lovely Mo and Mike, of course,which brings us to today. 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. 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. Learn all about Mike Cooper on AllMusic. Just a thought. Maureen hosted the afternoon drive show on Q107, a deep dive into her extensive Toronto radio career, Here she is playing her ten favourite songs of all-time, a complete overhaul of The Fan 590 lineup, Next Post : How to play Canada's Lotto 6/49, What Happened to Scott MacArthur? The password you have provided is incorrect. Share to Facebook. It was April 1st, 1976. They did not hear the disclaimer at the end of the prank. Anybody whos been mean to me, Ive always got mean right back to them, so they knew where I stood. If this is it tonight for Mike Cooper on air, congratulations to him on a great career! 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. No one will fill those big shoes, or strangely little chair. In Fridays message, Mike referred to Debbie as his tender morsel of passionfruit and his first love. You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. The record has since been broken but, what a ride (literally and figuratively) it was to see it happen. The transition worked, making CHFI one of the longest-running English-language AC stations in Canada. They have been together since they were 15 years old. The Backsteet Boys had their first hit 26 years ago. 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. Radio began for Mike at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. I was there with camera in hand, doing what I do best, capturing the moments. We can always hope.. Copyright 2022 Canadian Beats Media. She took over when Erin Davis retired five years ago. It doesnt get any better than this, Cooper said of the moments he shared with her while working on radio. Christine Cardoso is best known for her 10 year run alongside Mike Cooper as the co-host ofMike and Christine in the Morning at 97.3 EZ Rock FM in Toronto. to have it resent. Today Ian The General MacArthur says good-bye, after 30 years of helming the CHFI Morning Show with me, Don Daynard, then Bob Magee, Jay and Billie, then me again, but with Mike Cooper, and Ians new-found little brother, our tech producer, the wonderful Gord Rennie. Ive always been fair. Cooper will continue to host Coops Classics Saturday evenings on 98.1 CHFI. Or please feel free to contact customer service. In his sign-off for CHFI, Cooper repeatedly praised his wife Debbie, who was with him from his start on-air as a teenager, and through often-low paying jobs in a career that wound through North Bay, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. What will you miss most about morning radio? 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.". Aurora GO trains temporarily replaced by buses as additional track construction gets underway, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign returns to support children at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Davis Drive in Newmarket to be closed for Southlake event, 'Everybody's happy place': Newmarket Farmers' Market kicked off revitalization of downtown Main Street, LIVE NOW: Its April 28 and our top story is Missing Vaughan teenager Sol Mejia-Mesa found dead in Toronto, 'The worst is behind us': York Region medical officer of health halts regular updates on COVID-19. Cooper was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He co-hosted the morning show along with Christine Cardoso. Bob Magee took over Daynard's position on December 13, 1999.[5][6][7]. CHFI's Mike Cooper signs off after 45 years 08:04 January 8, 2016. I'd been doing news in at another Toronto station, and then I'd moved into being a music host at 97.3. I had a lawyer by the name of Julian Porter [who would serve as TTC Commissioner through 1987]. The most famous was the popular and long running Candlelight and Wine heard evenings from 6 to 11 p.m. The Fan 590 is also a Rogers-owned radio station. I broke a few rules along the way. The 29th CIBC Celebration of Hope is on Sunday, Nov. 11 at Hilton Suites in Markham. In 1962, an AM counterpart, CHFI (1540 AM) was added, which originally simulcast CHFI-FM's programming. 98.1 CHFI is home to the CHFI Saturday Night Show from 6pm to midnight with your host Mik. 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 CHFI, you know by now, since he's been doing it for a week, that yes, my favourite radio guy is back in the saddle again. Well that was the final Coop's Classics on CHFI last night. Please try again, or contact customer service at marketing@halldata.com. My name is Linda and I have been a fan of Canadian Music for as long as I can remember. Thank you, Mo! rights reserved. Can't get enough of Erin Davis, Mike Cooper & The Wiseguys? Several seconds later, Mike returns to the microphone and says April Fools!. 0001374029 Cooper Michael L C/O ROGERS CORPORATION ONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE PO BOX 188 ROGERS CT 06263-0188 0 1 0 0 VP Logistics. That kind of answers this question, but what are your post-retirement plans? Somehow, Mike got himself on board to set a Guinness World Record for the longest stay on a Ferris Wheel. 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. In the 1970s, Todd Russell began hosting a late evening program called Reminiscing featuring modern recordings of popular songs from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. I have some great pictures of [me with] rock bands. 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. I mean, how great is it that after five years off mornings, Mike can just slide in and feel like he hasnt missed a step? Twain: maybe those fools are the ones who are preventing us from succeeding? 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. Cooper started playing guitar shortly after leaving school in 1958. One of the stops I had to make while I was there, was to see Mike Cooper riding the Ferris Wheel. They have created a beautiful family and wonderful life together. I did a dreadful audition tape, but everybody looked at each other and said Are you a natural, or a great mimic? and I looked at them and said Im a natural.. Just a thought Let us be thankful for the fools. Talk about a natural. Ive had 55 program directors [and] only three were memorable and only three really made me a better broadcaster. a brisket, or an entire leg of beef, or heck who knows? Finally, during a commercial, as Mike was wrapping up the advertising dialogue, a guy walks into the studio, an argument and struggle occurs and ends with gun shots, screams and dead air. We talked about doing everything for years and years we talked about Were going to do this, were going to do that, were going to go Europe, were going to go to Australia. And what if we run out of time? To order I wasnt fired, a lot of people thought that. Awesome that Mike Cooper is back on the morning show on @981CHFI His enthusiasm is infectious - love him! Of course, theres a time for appreciation and reflection, but thats for someone else to do. 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. Erin Davis announces retirement after nearly 30 years as CHFI host, Maureen Holloway Kick-Starts Toronto Mornings on "Darren & Mo" on 98.1 CHFI Beginning January 9, "Today was Mo's last show on CHFI. Im sure this came as a shock to many of the stations loyal listeners. I was at the CNE on August 25 that year, to see my beloved Osmonds at the Grandstand. With a voice like mine, I sound really good-looking. Our own Mike Cooper and his daughter Sarah are on the patio at Bloor and Jarvis! The main programming heard from dawn until midnight was traditional easy listening fare, mostly instrumental cover versions of popular hits, as well as Broadway and Hollywood show tunes. By: Linda Heldman Its a hell of a view and Im so sick and tired of it, he told Jeff Davies of the Star, at the time. It was always a great event and all for a good cause, The Childrens Wish Foundation of Canada. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Mike's connections and jobs at similar companies. It didnt end well for the station or Mike. When I can combine them all, I feel I am right where I should be. 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. Out sailed a brisket, or an entire leg of beef, or heck who knows? Owned and operated by Rogers Sports & Media, it broadcasts an adult contemporary format, switching to Christmas music for part of November and December. She visited Christopher in Mexico and watched pastel sunsets.. That was really important. From kidnappings to cannon-sinking, what lies beneath the Bradford Bypass route? You must be logged in to post a comment So whos taking over the classics show? I even punched two bosses, and Im still working in radio. It was really a reason to be somebody, to try and entertain people. While the latest CHFI talk is about the Christmas flip on Monday, my mind turns to what I think is an even bigger deal. There are people I meet along the way that tell me all these wonderful stories about myself, and theyre so good I cant deny them. As a teen Mike enrolled in the broadcast course at Mohawk and his first station after finishing at Mohawk was CKAT FM in North Bay. The record wasnt that important to me, the notoriety was. Our boss Bob Wood had a DJ meeting and said I can guarantee you a washer and a dryer and a car. My hand shot up. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Once Tish Iceton was let go, Darryl Henry kept it going until the Christmas switch. Flaws in the Gamstop system have been noticed, contact non Gamstop casinos through this list. which brings us to today. We had so many years of happiness, and then five years of this awful cancer, her husband, also a former CHFI radio host, told yorkregion.com. Thats one Lauren had as a toddler, then we gave it to Ian and Anita and their three childrenand the day after Laurens wedding, he delivered it back to her. View Mike Cooper's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. The longtime co-host of 98.1 CHFI's "Erin & Mike in the Morning" told his listeners Friday morning that he doesn't "take back a single joke, a single word, a single laugh or a single smile," that he "I loved it all.". This brought CJEZ's ratings up dramatically, beating CHFI in several target audience demographics. Mike Coopers time at CHUM ended rather abruptly following, what is now, one of the best April Fools pranks in radio history. Its not the reason Im leaving, but it just was a huge wake-up call for us, that every time you think that youre going to live forever, you get humbled by life itself. Sure, there were lots of wonderful moments, but its the overall picture, the one that has been painted in bright colours of laughter and framed in a great big heart, that I cherish most.