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CFRA 75th Anniversary

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iHeartRadio Canada’s NEWSTALK 580 CFRA marks a milestone on Tuesday, May 3, celebrating 75 years on Ottawa’s airwaves. Featuring special programming throughout the day, including interviews with on-air legends Steve Madely, Lowell Green, and Ken “The General” Grant, the station also features archival audio from the past, highlighting the station’s deep-rooted history in Ottawa.

CFRA officially signed on-air on May 3, 1947 at 8:05 p.m. ET, with the station’s first home in the Ottawa Auditorium at 413 O’Connor Street. Originally operating from 6:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. on Sundays, the “FR” in CFRA represented Frank Ryan, the Ottawa entrepreneur who applied for, and received, the license to operate the station.

“First and foremost we want to thank our dedicated listeners, who continuously tune in to CFRA,” said Peter Angione, Director News & Information Programming, Bell Media Ottawa. “We would not be here today without those loyal listeners, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with them.”

A series of renowned radio hosts have been featured on NEWSTALK 580 CFRA’s airwaves, including Gord Atkinson, Hal Anthony, and Ernie Calcutt. Today, the station continues that tradition with veteran hosts including Bill Carroll, Leslie Roberts, Evan Solomon, and Kristy Cameron.

“For so many people, CFRA is Ottawa and Ottawa is CFRA,” said Bill Carroll, host of THE MORNING RUSH. “I was already aware of the great history I was joining when I came to work for CFRA six years ago, and it continues to be an honour to wake up with a new generation of Ottawa listeners.”

NEWSTALK 580 CFRA listeners can share their favourite memories of the station through a special “Listener Line” at 613-562-6700, with select messages airing as part of the anniversary programming.

All iHeartRadio Canada stations are available across Canada via live stream on iHeartRadio.ca and the iHeartRadio Canada app. iHeartRadio Canada stations are also connected through Alexa, Siri, and Google Home smart speakers.

CFRA moved from the Auditorium to the new address, 150 Isabella Street, in the late fall, 1957. In 1966, renovations began with new offices on all three floors at the west end of the building (to the right of the entrance in the photo. CFRA moved to a second 150 Isabella Street location (built immediately behind this building) in 1976. The original 3 story building was torn down in late 1976 to make way for a paved entrance to the new facility.

CFRA Studio at 150 Isabella Street.

CFRA moved from the Auditorium to the new address, 150 Isabella Street, in the late fall, 1957. In 1966, renovations began with new offices on all three floors at the west end of the building (to the right of the entrance in the photo. CFRA moved to a second 150 Isabella Street location (built immediately behind this building) in 1976. The original 3 story building was torn down in late 1976 to make way for a paved entrance to the new facility.
Newscaster John Larsen was co-host of the morning news from the late 1960s through the early 1980s on CFRA.

Newscaster John Larsen

Newscaster John Larsen was co-host of the morning news from the late 1960s through the early 1980s on CFRA.
An ‘early’ CFRA community cruiser on its rounds. The orange and yellow color motif was used extensively in the mid to late 1970s.

CFRA Community Cruiser

An ‘early’ CFRA community cruiser on its rounds. The orange and yellow color motif was used extensively in the mid to late 1970s.
Client supermarket promotions were popular on CFRA in the early and mid 1960s. The “Mystery Shopper” had numerous incarnations with various clients. Station staff would spot shoppers with the featured product in their basket and award a prize.

CFRA's “Mystery Shopper”

Client supermarket promotions were popular on CFRA in the early and mid 1960s. The “Mystery Shopper” had numerous incarnations with various clients. Station staff would spot shoppers with the featured product in their basket and award a prize.
CFRA Archive Photo

CFRA Archive Photo

When CFRA and CFMO moved to their spacious facilities on Walkley Road in 1989, the Newsroom was one of the station’s busiest areas.

Newsroom at Walkley Road

When CFRA and CFMO moved to their spacious facilities on Walkley Road in 1989, the Newsroom was one of the station’s busiest areas.
One of the last events in the Auditorium before demolition in the late 1960s. In the building’s latter years, it was known as the “Y Auditorium”. Following demolition, a new YMCA facility was built at the Catherine Street at O’Connor Street site.

Event at the Auditorium

One of the last events in the Auditorium before demolition in the late 1960s. In the building’s latter years, it was known as the “Y Auditorium”. Following demolition, a new YMCA facility was built at the Catherine Street at O’Connor Street site.
CFRA Archive Photo

CFRA Archive Photo

In the old Auditorium, at the corner of Catherine and O’Connor Streets amid ten thousand spectators, at precisely 8:05 PM, Saturday, May 3, 1947, Ottawa mayor Stanley Lewis stepped to the microphone and said “...it is with pleasure and pride that I officially announce, Radio Station CFRA ..in the City of Ottawa officially ‘On The Air’”!

Auditorium

In the old Auditorium, at the corner of Catherine and O’Connor Streets amid ten thousand spectators, at precisely 8:05 PM, Saturday, May 3, 1947, Ottawa mayor Stanley Lewis stepped to the microphone and said “...it is with pleasure and pride that I officially announce, Radio Station CFRA ..in the City of Ottawa officially ‘On The Air’”!
CFRA Archive Photo

CFRA Archive Photo

Parades and visibility opportunities were a hallmark of CFRA’s success. CFRA afternoon host Cliff Fletcher (passenger seat) during an “Ex Parade” in the mid 1960s

CFRA on the go car at “Ex Parade.”

Parades and visibility opportunities were a hallmark of CFRA’s success. CFRA afternoon host Cliff Fletcher (passenger seat) during an “Ex Parade” in the mid 1960s
580 CFRA Best Sellers

580 CFRA Best Sellers

CFRA’s first General Manager, Terry Kielty.

Terry Kielty

CFRA’s first General Manager, Terry Kielty.
CFRA Archive Photo

CFRA Archive Photo

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LOGO HISTORY
 

1960s 1970s-1983 1983-1987 1990-1993 Current

 

CFRA TIMELINE

 

Date

Event

1946

Ottawa entrepreneur Frank Ryan applies for an AM and something new, an “FM” licence to serve the Ottawa valley. Ryan received a licence to operate the licence to operate CFRA.

1947

May 3 at 8:05 p.m., CFRA signed on the air. The station's first home was in the Ottawa Auditorium at 413 O'Connor Street.  CFRA originally operated from 6:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. Sundays.

 

The “FR” in CFRA was for Frank Ryan.

1951

CFRA hosts the first Christmas Cheer Broadcast

1953

CFRA's power increased from 1,000 watts day and night to 5,000 watts day and night

1955

CFRA music programming was a blend of up-tempo popular AC hits and standards lightly sprinkled with a taste of country music.  The CFRA ‘house band’ through the late 50s and 60s was the “CFRA Happy Wanderers” fronted by local country music superstar, Joe Brown.

1957

CFRA moved to 150 Isabella Street.

1957

CFRA’s Gord Atkinson welcomed Elvis Presley to Ottawa and the Auditorium.

1957

Ottawa native Paul Anka’s hit single “Diana” first aired on CFRA’s Campus Corner show.

1959

CFRA-FM changes to CFMO-FM and launches separate programming.

1961

June 23 – Ken "the General" Grant joined CFRA from Montreal. Grant hosted the morning show from 1961 to 1996.

1962

CFRA moved up the dial from 560 kHz to 580 kHz, increasing power to 50,000 watts during the day and 10,000 watts at night.

1965

Frank Ryan died while on vacation. The company was taken over by his wife and partner in the company, Kathleen Ryan.

1968

CHUM Limited purchased CFRA and CFMO from Kathleen Ryan.

1968

Lowell Green joins CFRA for news and host of the open line show.

1970

CFRA programming evolved from a blend of up tempo recent-based easy listening to a current-based AC format to widen its appeal.

1976

CFRA and CFMO moved into a newer facility at the same 150 Isabella Street address.

1979

Hal Anthony joins the CFRA news team.

1983

CFRA debuts AM stereo.

1986

CFRA changed formats to “Favourites of Yesterday and Today.”

1989

The CFRA-CFMO studio moves to 1900 Walkley Road.

1991

CFRA switched to an All Oldies music format.

1993

Newsman Hal Anthony retired. The CFRA studio at 87 George Street is named the “Hal Anthony Studio.”

1993

In June, CFRA adopted a News and Talk format.

1993

Ken, the General, Grant retires from the morning show.

1994

Steve Madely begins hosting Madely in the Morning.

1997

CFRA marked 50 years on the air.

1998

CFRA broadcasted continuously when the “The Great Ice Storm” hit the Ottawa region on Jan. 4, 1998, knocking out power to tens of thousands of people. Some residents were without power for weeks.

1999

CHUM limited announced it purchased Rawlco's Ottawa stations – CFBO and CJMJ-FM (Majic 100).

2002

CFRA marked 55 years on the air. Former Mayor Bob Chiarelli proclaims “CFRA Day in Ottawa.”

2004

Longtime CFRA newsman Hal Anthony passed away.

2006

CFRA supports the “Wear Red Friday” movement, started by family members of soldiers serving from CFB Petawawa oversees.

2006

Bell Globemedia purchases CHUM Ltd., including Newstalk 580 CFRA.

2007

CFRA celebrates 60 years serving the community raising money during Food Day Day at the Canaa Agriculture and Food Museum. A special broadcast is held at the Chateau Laurier on May 3 with old-time live radio.

2010

Bell purchases CTVglobemedia, including Newstalk 580 CFRA.

2013

CFRA increased its night-time power from 10,000 to 30,000 watts.

2015

Steve Madely retires on Nov. 16 after 21 years as CFRA morning host.

2016

Lowell Green retires from CFRA. Green began his broadcast career in 1960.

2016

Veteran journalist Evan Solomon joins Newstalk 580 CFRA as the new afternoon host. Solomon now hosts the nationally syndicated show “The Evan Solomon Show”

2016

Bill Carroll debuts on March 7 as the new host of “The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll.”

2020

Kristy Cameron takes over as host of “Ottawa Now” on Feb. 10.

 

Sources: CFRA’s 60th anniversary timeline, https://broadcasting-history.com/listing_and_histories/radio/cfra-am and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFRA)