The 1960s and ’70s saw the rise of social unrest and racial tension in the U.S., leading up to the country’s worst violent race riots in the summer of 1967. Separated by half a mile of polluted Detroit River water, a small Windsor, Ont. radio station burst onto the scene and became a powerful soundtrack for this pivotal time in American history. RADIO REVOLUTION: The Rise & Fall of The Big 8 explores the huge influence the Top 40 radio station CKLW, also known as ‘The Big 8’, had on the North American music scene during the ’60s and ’70s. RADIO REVOLUTION airs on CBC NEWS: THE LENS, Tuesday, May 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBC Newsworld, repeating Saturday, June 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
In its heyday, CKLW was a force to be reckoned with on the American music scene, earning the reputation as the loudest and hippest station at the time. Its signal was heard across most of eastern North America and its music mix appealed to both white and black audiences. “Exuberantly nostalgic,” (Joe Leydon, Variety) the documentary features candid interviews from CKLW alumni and music industry legends, plus never-before-seen footage and photographs of the station in its glory days.
Viewers will see ’60s and ’70s iconic figures Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Kiss, The Guess Who, Elton John, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, and many more. RADIO REVOLUTION also introduces program director Rosalie Trombley, who had a unique ability to spot a hit song before anyone else. Alice Cooper, like several other stars, confirms that Trombley had an enormous influence on his early success. This fascinating documentary sheds new insight into a little-known chapter of twentieth century pop culture history—a story that ends with the advent of Canadian content regulations.
RADIO REVOLUTION: The Rise & Fall of The Big 8 is produced by Judy Holm and written, directed and narrated by Michael McNamara. The documentary was awarded a Gemini in 2004 for Best History Documentary.
Andrew Johnson is the commissioning editor of CBC NEWS: THE LENS.
For review tapes, please contact Chris Tidey chris@mediaprofile.com.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Fielder
Media Profile
Toronto (416) 504-8464
danielle@mediaprofile.com May 10, 2006
