Mighty 800
The Mighty 800 Podcast
Rod Dewar
Rod Dewar was a commentator and host on CJAD 800 starting in 1957. In 1970 during the October Crisis, when the federal government imposed the War Measures Act, he famously said on the air "I went to bed in a democracy, and awoke to find myself in a police state". When Rod was told he'd be suspended for a week for the comment, he rushed into the studio and quit on-air.
Sidney Margles
Sidney Margles was a CJAD 800 newsman from 1957 to 1974. He was part of what they called the Mobile Squad along with Rick Leckner and Peter Shurman.
Club 800 at Belmont Park
Club 800 was a show that played music for teens on CJAD 800, weekdays between 4:05pm and 5:00pm. It was hosted by Mike Stephens.
Montreal City Election
Montreal City Election Oct 28 1962 (Left to right) Leslie Roberts, Bill Roberts, Sidney Margles
Melanie King
Melanie King was a favourite on CJAD 800. She hosted an afternoon show for about 15 years before moving to Australia in 1996.
Michael Libling
Michael Libling created, wrote and hosted The CJAD 800 Trivia Show for 20 years
Club 800
Mike Stevens (left) interviewing singer Julius La Rosa at Belmont Park. It's not clear when this picture was taken, but La Rosa did several shows in Montreal in 1969. Club 800 was a popular show for teens in the 1960s and 70s.
Andy Barrie
Andy Barrie was introduced to CJAD in Montreal, and when one of the station's long-time commentators resigned in protest during the October Crisis of 1970, Barrie was named as his replacement. In 1977, he moved to Toronto and a job at CFRB.
The CJAD 800 Newsroom
The CJAD 800 newsroom
Leslie Roberts, Neil McKenty, Peter Shurman, Sidney Margles, Yvette Meunier, Bobby Bartrem (partially obscured standing way at the back)
Robert Bourassa on CJAD 800
Former Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa interviewed on CJAD 800
CJAD 800 Mobile Squad
On the spot coverage of the Union Nationale convention in June of 1971, reported by CJAD 800s Mobile Squad.
Joe Cannon
Former CJAD 800 talk show host Joe Cannon
Tommy Schnurmacher and Mark Burns
Tommy Schnurmacher sits across from Mark Burns sometime in the early 1980s when Tommy was an entertainment reporter
Sidney Margles
"In 1960, CJAD 800 provided Sidney Margles with a transmitter-equipped mobile unit – a “studio-on-wheels” which could put a listener at the scene of a fast-breaking or major news event in Montreal and environs. From fires to politics – from celebrations to crisis – from civic issues to public demonstrations, Sid was there, or on call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
The CJAD studios in 1948
Men in a recording studio CJAD radio station in Montreal. There are four microphones in the room.
Trudie Mason and Kevin Holden
Real-life married couple Trudie Mason and Kevin Holden hosted an afternoon show on CJAD 800 in the 1990s. Their daughter, Kayleigh, was adopted by the station. And, that's Tommy Schnurmacher at the back left walking into the room. (May 14, 1998)
Laurie and Olga
Laurie MacDonald and Olga Gazdovic hosted a show on CJAD 800 weekends in the 1990s.
George Balcan and his successor Terry Dimonte
Former CJAD 800 morning man George Balcan (left) and his successor, Terry DiMonte. "You know how much he meant to me and my career," DiMonte said. (April 8, 1998)
Murray Sherriffs and Steve Kowch
Afternoon newscaster Murray Sherriffs with Program Director Steve Kowch in the CJAD 800 newsroom on Fort Street in 1998
Neil McKenty, host of The Exchange on CJAD 800
Neil McKenty, who's signature line was "the lines are blazing", hosted The Exchange, a mid-morning talk show on CJAD 800. (July 1993)
Melanie King
Melanie King had the tissues at the ready for the tears shed between the laughs at her last day broadcast at CJAD 800 (July 12, 1996). King had been on the airwaves at CJAD 800 for 15 years, but moved to Australia in 1996.
Father John
Father John Walsh as he prepares to broadcast his Father John Walsh radio show
George Balcan
Legendary morning show host George Balcan retires in February 1998
Melanie, George and Terry
Show host Melanie King, Morning Show Host George Balcan (sitting), Host Terry Dimonte
CJAD 800 staff at the radio station's 50th anniversary in 1995
Left to right: News Director Gord Sinclair, Host Melanie King, Newscaster Victor Nerenberg, Morning Show Host George Balcan and Station Manager Rob Braide
CJAD 800 News Cruiser
CJAD 800 News Cruiser covering a fire
Mini Jet Ranger
An "unsolicited" model of the CJAD 800 JetRanger helicopter, made by the owner of a local hobby shop. The model had a six foot rotor blade span, and flew by remote control.
CJAD 800 Mobile unit
CJAD 800 Mobile Squad vehicle driven by Sidney Margles
CJAD 800 traffic helicopter
Former CJAD 800 traffic reporter Len Rowcliffe with the CJAD traffic helicopter. Watch the NFB video on the right to find out more about Len and CJAD.
CJAD started covering traffic in the 1960's with a piston powered Bell 47 helicopter. The station graduated to a Bell JetRanger. In 1980 or 1981, the station experimented with a twin engined Cessna Skymaster (fixed-wing) before settling into a piston-engine 2-place Hughes 300 chopper. (courtesy: History of Canadian Broadcasting)
CJAD started covering traffic in the 1960's with a piston powered Bell 47 helicopter. The station graduated to a Bell JetRanger. In 1980 or 1981, the station experimented with a twin engined Cessna Skymaster (fixed-wing) before settling into a piston-engine 2-place Hughes 300 chopper. (courtesy: History of Canadian Broadcasting)
Fort Street studios of CJAD
The CJAD 800 corner at Fort and Ste. Catherine in 2012
CJAD 800 News Quiz
Jeep advertising CJAD 800 Super News Quiz
CJAD 800 Mobile Studio
CJAD 800 mobile studio, on the air and getting a scrubdown from Loyola students, their car wash derby to raise money for a local charity
CJAD 800 traffic helicopter
Station Manager Mac McCurdy and CJAD 800's first helicopter traffic reporter, Len Rowcliffe
CJAD 800 Snowmobile Patrol
CJAD 800 and CJFM snowmobiles
We have news for you
Newspaper ad from the 1960s showcasing CJAD 800s news team from the era
"I love 'em all"
From the teenagers to the housewives, Mike Stephens of Montreal's CJAD says. Emphasis is on the hit parade until 5, the tastes of the car driver until 6. Then, from 6:30 to 7:30 Mike widens the range of records to include anything he likes which he thinks the CJAD audience will like too. Lastly, 7:30 to 8 is the daily Coke "Hi Fi Club."
CJAD 800 Daylight Saving Time ad
CJAD puts more music in the air for DST. Daylight Saving Time ... When The Days Are Brighter And The Listening Is Lighter !
Three young Verdun beauties in 'Miss Club 800' contest
"Miss Club 800," to be judged on the basis of best suitability for radio programming and hostessing — personality, public speaking, ability to mix with others, and the like — will be granted the chance to be mistress of ceremonies on certain Club 800 broadcasts over CJAD during the 1959-60 season.
AWARD: The Golden A Award
Presented to CJAD Radio 800 for effort in removing the social stigma attached to the disease alcoholism through public education. 1972-1973
AWARD: Ohio State Award
Ohio State Award in recognition of outstanding achievement among radio programs relating to public affairs and community problems to CJAD for the program "Canada and Separatism" in 1965.
CJAD 800 crossword puzzle
Answers and winners of a CJAD 800 crossword puzzle in the Montreal Gazette on Nov 13, 1975
Paul Reid dies
Popular disc jockey Paul Reid, whose soft-spoken late night poetry, special Christmas show and easy-listening style made him a Montreal radio legend for nearly 16 years, died yesterday (January 1983) at the age of 55.
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
Paul Reid
"This is Paul in Montreal – and the night is ours.” No-one who ever heard those words, spoken by that silky smooth, warm voice over the night-time airwaves of CJAD radio on countless nights in the 1960s and 70s, will ever forget them, and the magic that Paul Reid brought to every word.
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
Paul Reid was named to the CJAD 800 Wall of Fame in 2017
— History of Canadian Broadcasting
Paul Reid was named to the CJAD 800 Wall of Fame in 2017
CJAD 800 Wall of Fame
Top left to right: George Balcan, Gord Sinclair, Ted Blackman, Dave Fischer
Bottom left to right: Paul Reid, Tommy Schnurmacher, Melanie King
Bacon, eggs and Balcan
Newspaper ad for the George Balcan Show which aired throughout the 1980s and 1990s on CJAD 800.
Newspaper ad for the George Balcan Show
Newspaper ad for the George Balcan Show which also names weatherman Bill Haldimand, JetRanger traffic reporter Rick Leckner, sportscaster Ted Blackman and newscaster Art Leonard
CJAD 800 Christmas ad
An ad for CJAD 800s Christmas programming
Paul Reid inducted onto the CJAD Wall of Fame in 2017