Red Robinson is known as a pioneer of rock and roll.
Well, now the legendary Vancouver DJ is sharing his story – with the aid of author Robin Brunet.
And the duo will be in Langley , autographing the newly released biography called Red Robinson: The Last Deejay.
The new biography details the life and career of Robinson, one of Canada’s most celebrated pioneers of rock and roll.
Robinson began spinning hits while in high school in the early 1950s, laying the foundation for what would become a glamorous and ultimately fulfilling career that has made him a household name west of the Rockies.
Raised by a single mother, Robinson worked as a delivery boy to help support the family. From such humble beginnings, he developed a strong work ethic and unflappable moral core that enabled him to pursue a career that has endured.
He predicts readers will be delighted by behind-the-scenes stories from close encounters with Vancouver’s visiting celebrities, like the time he spent an hour with Elvis Presley in the BC Lions dressing room talking cars, women, movies and opera; hung out backstage in Portland with Johnny Cash; and nearly killed Roy Orbison and Bobby Goldsboro in a 1962 Grand Parisienne convertible while speeding to catch the Nanaimo ferry.
Brunet explained that Robinson’s vast career highlights are remarkable, from introducing The Beatles to the stage, to interviewing the likes of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers, to hosting numerous successful radio and TV shows over many decades.
Red Robinson: The Last Deejay recalls the highs, hurdles and triumphs of a celebrated time in rock-and-roll history, presented by the man who dug into the guts, glory and glitz in a way that only a champion on the frontlines of music really can.
Brunet was born in Montreal, Quebec, and attended Concordia University. He has worked throughout the country as a writer, editor and journalist for 32 years, and has written for numerous national business and commerce magazines.
He currently lives in Langley.
Red Robinson is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and can still be heard on the air every Sunday on CISL Radio.
Intially, the author and the protagonist were set to be at Coles on Thursday, Nov. 24. but due to illness, the event was postponed.
Now, the due are set to be at the bookstore on Thursday, Dec. 1, starting at 1:30 p.m. Coles in Willowbrook Shopping Centre is located at 19705 Fraser Hwy.
Book 11 for Mike McCardell
Also on the book front, television news personality and author Mike McCardell will be in Langley signing his latest book on Friday.
None of This Was Planned: The Stories Behind the Stories is his 11th book, which came out this month. The B.C. broadcaster and bestselling author is visiting Langley for a book signing, this session too is being held at Coles in Willowbrook.
Until Dec. 31, partial sales proceeds from each copy of None of This Was Planned – a Harbour Publishing book retailing at $29.95 – will be donated to the BC Women’s Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit to support what McCardell calls “the miraculous and lifesaving work they do every day.”
McCardell has spent his life tracking down thousands upon thousands of stories.
As the author of 11 books and a lifelong reporter, this CTV news personality has stored up a vast collection of anecdotes and is never short of a tale to tell.
With None of This Was Planned, McCardell said he takes us behind the scenes to show the sometimes agonizing, sometimes accidental, always reaffirming experience of hunting down a good story with the clock ticking toward air time.
His collection covers such topics as the difficulty of counting guinea pigs, Vancouver’s own volcano, the cruelty of goldfish shoes, the violent history of the tulip and the secret to a perfect chocolate-chip cookie.
As McCardell describes, “you don’t have to be a professional to collect stories of your own. All you need to do is take a walk and keep your eyes open – or open a good book.”
He’s at Coles in Willowbrook, 19705 Fraser Hwy., on Friday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Photographer shares
And speaking of books, B.C. nature photographer Chris Harris will be in Langley to promote the latest of his 13 self-published books.
The book is entitled The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: A Photographer’s Journey.
This man, with more than four decades as a professional photographer (www.chrisharris.com), will present a multi-media show depicting just some of his “breath-taking” imagery from what he describes as one of the least known but most beautiful regions of the province.
Harris embarked on a tour in late October that sees him travelling B.C. to promote his book and share his images.
“Chris really is one of Canada’s top photographers,” said Dennis Ducklow, a member of the Langley Camera Club and an active Langley photographer.
“He has totally dedicated his life to this passion and has photos that absolutely no one else on the planet has. This is because he puts himself into the most remote and beautiful places of our province,” Ducklow said.
The local presentation is being made on Friday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Rose Gellert Hall at the Langley Community Music School, 4899 207th St. Admission is free. Copies of the book will be available for sale.
