2012 CMW RECAP: BOB LAINE INDUCTED INTO THE CANADIAN RADIO MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

Cindy Laine Shlanger on the far left in front of me accepts the Hall of Fame award for her dad Bob Laine at the 2012 Canadian Radio Music awards.

Bob Laine was inducted into the Canadian Radio Hall of Fame during the 2012 CMW's Canadian radio Music awards. I was pleased to personally meet his daughter Cindy Laine Shlanger who was so NICE and picked up the award for her late father. Being that I moved to Canada 5 years ago, I never knew Bob's legacy till I read up on it. He was a true icon in Toronto's radio history. Pls read below.

Bob Laine with Duff on their famous radio gig

Bob Laine began his radio career in Simcoe Ontario, at CFRS – Canada's Farmland Radio Service. After nine months, Bob moved on to work on the all night show at CHUM in Toronto in 1958. After a decade on the night shift, Bob moved to days, where he had the opportunity to impress  “the big guys”  with what he knew and, in 1970, he was offered the opportunity to manage CHUM–FM. At age 32, he entered management and never looked back.

During his time in management, Bob relished being involved in the whole operation of the radio station. He founded the CHUM radio network, and became its Vice President – General Manager. When asked about his time at CHUM, Bob couldn't single out a particular important moment, but felt strongly that he had had a glorious career. He was truly touched when Thursday October 30, 2003 was named Bob Laine Day at 1050 CHUM in honour of his retirement. He thought it was wonderful and a real treat, especially since he was on air with Gord James on the morning show.

On May 26, 2007, CHUM celebrated its 50th Anniversary which happened to coincide with Doors Open Toronto. As a result, there were guided tours through the building, as well as special programming throughout the day. Bob was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the CHUM celebration, including spending six hours on air that day, as well as arranging a reunion of CHUM  “veterans”  the night before which was attended by a few hundred people.

Five years ago, Bob Laine and Doug Thompson began assembling the history and heritage of CHUM which would become the CHUMuseum. In his words,  “Nobody knows CHUM better than I do. So much stuff that had gone missing that I approached Doug Thompson to see if we could salvage some stuff.” 

Now retired, Bob is heavily involved with the CHUMuseum, and the CBMF/FMCR. Among his other interests, Bob teaches radio programming at Seneca College, conducts pre–op classes at Sunnybrook Hospital for open–heart surgery patients, and proudly reports that  “Since I've retired, I've taken 10 strokes off my golf game.” 

What a TRUE RADIO ICON!!--I was so honored to help carry that Hall of Fame award!--Mskemi @HipHossip

Source: http://www.cbmf-fmcr.ca/Newsletter/march2009/laine.php