Aug 22, 1964 –59 Years ago The Day the Beatles shook Vancouver

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August 22, 1964. Photo by Owen Coppin. From the private collection of Red Robinson

The Fab Four’s first appearance in Canada 59 years ago was cut short because of a near riot

While February 7, 1964 was the day The Beatles crossed the big pond to conquer America, it was on August 22, 1964, the day before the legendary Hollywood Bowl Concert, that The Beatles made their first appearance north of the 49th Parallel. That concert was held outdoors at Empire Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.

The late legendary broadcaster and Disc Jockey Red Robinson, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, had previously introduced the likes of Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and Buddy Holly to the general public. But it was on that night in Vancouver that Red emceed the show that would go down as an unforgettable date in Beatle’s history.

I had the incredible opportunity to interview Red in 2004 when he graciously agreed to emcee a show at the PNE featuring Rubber Soul – The Canadian Tribute a band I was managing at the time.

Robinson, then 27, was at the time the Program Director and DJ at CFUN Radio in Vancouver. “It was a great day,” says Robinson. The concert was held on a football field on the site of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), built in 1954 for The British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It was during those games that Roger Bannister and John Landy broke the four-minute mile. [Read more…]

Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll DJ Red Robinson dead at 86

Red Robinson introduces Rubber Soul PNE August 21, 2004. Photo by Greg Gazin

Robinson interviewed, befriended and introduced the likes of The Beatles, Elvis, Bill Haley, and Buddy Holly to the Canadian public

Legendary Canadian Rock’ n’ Roll broadcaster and DJ Red Robinson passed away on Saturday at 86 after a brief illness.

I first met Red in 2004 when I asked him to introduce a tribute band I was managing at the time – Rubber Soul – The Beatles Experience – which had been selected to perform on the opening night (Aug. 21) of Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) to commemorate both the 50th anniversary of the PNE and the 40th anniversary of the Beatles first Canadian concert at what was then the Empire Stadium. Empire Stadium was torn down during the eighties to make way for the PNE.

[Read more…]

20 years ago first camera-phone photo taken

philippe-kahn-first-camera-phone-picture

1st Camera-Phone pic taken/shared  Jun 11,97

Starting off with saying. “It was 20 years ago today,” immediately conjures up an image in one’s mind of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. But this time, “Image” is the operative word, as exactly two decades ago today, the first camera-phone photo was taken and shared – a feat we certainly take for granted today. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

The Origin of April Fool’s Day

Are you on red alert for pranks and fake news April 1st? It’s just an extension of centuries-old tradition to entertain and trick – or is it?

EDMONTON, Alta. Mar. 31, 2017 /Troy Media/ – On April Fool’s Day, we’re on red alert for pranks, hoaxes and fake news – and it’s been going on for centuries, from an era when court jesters were common.

With no TV, movies or Internet, jesters, jokers or fools were the entertainers of Medieval and Renaissance times. They often started out as travelling performers who, with minstrels, entertained at fairs and markets.

The fools who gained greatest prominence were those who entertained monarchs and noblemen, as part of the household staff.

Being a court jester was the career pinnacle for the quick-witted and talented few. They could rise above the simple nomadic existence, entertaining peasants living in filth, disease and poverty. Their new life was to entertain a captive audience, and enjoy stability, shelter and more to eat in one meal than others had in a week.

Read the full story at Troy Media.

You can also listen to the Podcast at Toastcaster.com.

Archive: Celebrating Christmas in 18th and 19th century Alberta

troyxmas18thBy Greg Gazin
 Writer 
Troy Media Corporation

EDMONTON, December 19, 2008 /Troy Media/ — Turn the clock back to the late 18th century to the mid 19th century Alberta and chances are you’d be eating fish, beaver tail and stewed moose, rather than roasted turkey and honey-glazed ham, for Christmas dinner.

Instead of rockin’ to tunes emanating from audio systems and iPods, you’re more likely to be dancing the jig to the sounds of a fiddle and perhaps a drum.

That was the height of the festive season celebrations during the period of the Fur Trade.

[Read more…]

Experience London’s Great Fire of 1666 through Minecraft

Great Fire 1666 pre-fire map

In 1666, the Great Fire destroyed London, England and to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the event, the Museum of London wants to share the story with the world. But rather than do it simply in the form of video, text, or a exhibit, the story is also being retold as a game – Great Fire 1666.

The game will consist of three phases or ‘Maps”; starting you off on the streets of 17th century London before the eventful time, where you can walk around and interact with the locals. You’ll then have an opportunity to combat the flames of the Great Fire and then later on rebuild your own version of England’s capital. Read More at CanoeTech Blog.

Troy Media: The day the Beatles shook Vancouver

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August 22, 1964. Photo by Owen Coppin. From the private collection of Red Robinson

The Fab Four’s first appearance in Canada 50 years ago was cut short because of a near riot

EDMONTON, AB, Aug 21, 2014/ Troy Media/ – While February 7, 1964 was the day The Beatles crossed the big pond to conquer America, it was on August 22, 1964, the day before the legendary Hollywood Bowl Concert, that The Beatles made their first appearance north of the 49th Parallel. That concert was held outdoors at Empire Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.

Legendary broadcaster and Disc Jockey Red Robinson, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in1994, had previously introduced the likes of Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and Buddy Holly to the general public. But it was on that night in Vancouver that Red emceed the show that would go down as an unforgettable date in Beatle’s history.

Robinson, then 27, was at the time the Program Director and DJ at CFUN Radio in Vancouver. “It was a great day,” says Robinson. The concert was held on a football field on the site of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), built in 1954 for The British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It was during those games that Roger Bannister and John Landy broke the four-minute mile. [Read more…]

19th century camera technology still relevant today

The Petzval lens, old and new

 

EDMONTON, AB, / Troy Media/ – If 19th century University of Vienna Mathematics Professor and inventor Joseph Petzval were alive today, I wonder how surprised he’d be to see how far camera technology has advanced. But I’d really like to witness the look on his face if he knew that a lens he created in 1840 was getting a new lease on life almost two centuries later. Read More at Troy Media.

I met the Walrus

On this the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death, it would be appropriate to look back on this moment in time and remember the legend and founder of The Beatles who was gunned down by a lunatic in front of his apartment – The Dakota in the Village in New York on Dec 8th, 1980.

Read more… AT CANOE TECHNOLOGY