In Memory of Bob Burns

Bob Burns, who was heard on CJNU regularly over the past few years, passed away on October 25, 2010, at the age of 76. CJNU extends its sympathy to his wife Idola and the rest of Bob's family.

Bob's broadcast career began in 1955 when he left Winnipeg for Timmins and an announcing position at CKGB radio. After four years at that Ontario station, he moved to Thunder Bay to become program director at CFTA radio.

In 1960 it was back to Winnipeg to work as an announcer at the brand new CJAY TV (now CTV Winnipeg). It was the beginning of the program that was among those that Bob was best known for, the 'Teen Dance Party'. He hosted that program from 1961 until August, 1968.

His announcing duties at CJAY also saw him become the first Canadian announcer to interview the Beatles when they landed in Winnipeg in 1964 for a brief stopover on their way to a concert in San Francisco. The 29 year old Bob Burns interviewed every member of the Fab Four.

In addition to playing the hits on Teen Dance Party and interviewing the hit makers, he also directly participated in making the hits. He produced 'Shakin' All Over' for Chad Allen and the Expressions, was the manager/producer for the Guess Who in their early years, and also contributed to the career of performer Joey Gregorash.

Bob became program director at CKY FM in the mid-70s, then returned to TV to start up a TV station in Kenora.

CJNU station manager Bill Stewart says that Bob continued to be a dedicated and enthusiastic broadcaster right until the end.

"Bob dealt with serious health issues for the past few years," Bill says, "but he was determined to keep doing his CJNU broadcasts whenever he could. Almost a year ago, Bob and I were having a chat while he was waiting to go on the air and he told me how much he enjoyed doing what he loved to do; being on the air - but he regretted that he couldn't do more. I told him that every shift he did for CJNU was a gift - and I really meant it. That's the last time we spoke directly and I am so glad we had that conversation."

Because of his health issues, Bob hadn't been on the station for several months prior to his death, but just two weeks before he passed away, Bob told Susan Hamilton, who arranges the CJNU announcer schedules, that he really intended to be back on the air once he re-gained a little more strength. Alas, it was not to be.

CJNU program host Brett Buckingham says that "I felt honoured to meet and work with Bob at our station as I remembered him from Teen Dance Party days."

The writer of this article (CJNU webmaster) had some contact with Bob during the 1970s, including working with him as the narrator on a film I produced during that time. It was indeed a pleasure to work with such a consummate professional.

The family has said that if friends of Bob so desire, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.