They called themselves number-two radio. But in the hearts of many Toronto radio listeners in the late ’60s and early ’70s CKFH was number-one.
For years, starting in 1957, CHUM radio was the dominant Top 40 powerhouse in Toronto radio. Sure CKEY gave them a good run in the early ’60s, but they were gone – an MOR station – by 1965. But by 1967, another challenger had appeared, the quirky, unpredictable CKFH. They played the songs CHUM didn’t play: British hits, album cuts, rhythm and blues. Their deejay lineup ranged from the offbeat Big G. Walters to the master of the Top 40 format in Toronto – Dan O’Neil. And with all due respect to the legendary CHUM, it was the anti-CHUM.
One of the early on-air personalities at ‘FH was English-born Keith Hampshire, who came to the station in 1968 after a stint at Radio Caroline. He was let go, on his birthday, in 1969, and has gone on to a successful career as one of Canada’s top commercial voice talents.
(NOTE: The date of this aircheck is in some dispute. Hampshire says he left the station in November, 1969 yet the vintage of these songs seems to be January 1970. You be the judge.)