Legendary Vancouver-area DJ Red Robinson is coming to Surrey to talk about rock ‘n’ roll history, in a fundraiser for a local charity.
He’s the featured attraction at a Feb. 15 event called “Hearts, Horses & Hope,” a benefit for The Centre for Child Development at Elements Casino in Cloverdale.
Tickets are priced at $65, or $150 for VIP seating. Event details are posted at the-centre.org/events.
“Enjoy the exhilaration of harness racing at Fraser Downs Racetrack and sensational selections from the Clubhouse Buffet, as you listen to Red’s encounters with the legends of rock’n roll,” says a post on the website. “Finish the evening with a sock hop, dancing to the music of the 50’s.”
For 65 years, The Centre for Child Development “has been helping children with special needs reach their potential,” according to a bio on the organization’s website. Locations include Surrey, Langley and Delta.
Now I'm ready to play the hits! The early days of rock'n'roll #radio at CFUN/Vancouver, 1962 #TBT pic.twitter.com/Ca9p0ZyWJC
— Red Robinson (@deejayred) January 4, 2019
November 23,1958 – 60 years ago tomorrow – now legendary rocker Ritchie Valens makes his only #Vancouver appearance. #TBT
More: https://t.co/1z9pepJfyt pic.twitter.com/Rec3JpoOhT— Red Robinson (@deejayred) November 22, 2018
In 1957, Robinson was a high-school teen who found his voice as one of the first DJs in Vancouver to play rock ‘n’ roll records. While on the job, he met Elvis Presley, the Beatles and many other icons of the genre.
His Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-worthy story was told in Red Rock Diner, a musical that has played in Surrey several times, most recently in the fall of 2015 in an Arts Club on Tour production at the arts centre.
In August 2017, Robinson said goodbye to the radio business during a four-hour show on CISL 650, closing his six-decade career in broadcasting, shortly before the “oldies” station switched to sports programming under the Sportsnet banner.
In recent years Robinson has supported the West Fine Art Show, held during the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair.
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