The airwaves of Vancouver fell silent this week after a legendary voice signed off for the last time. LG73 FM, a radio station with a rich 69-year history, has ended its run, leaving a void for many longtime listeners.
A Golden Age of Radio
John Tanner, a former LG73 DJ who witnessed the station’s golden age firsthand, recalls his late-night shift in 1968 when he unknowingly played a track from the Beatles’ unreleased “White Album.” The song, “Revolution 9,” with its droning sounds and Yoko Ono’s screams, left Tanner bewildered but marked a unique moment in radio history.
From Humble Beginnings to Rock Star Status
Founded in 1955 by the Gibson brothers, LG73 began its journey in a former North Vancouver telephone exchange. The station later moved to Vancouver’s Richards Street and quickly established itself as a local favorite. LG73 boasted a roster of iconic DJs, including Tanner himself, Doc Harris, Fred Latremouille, Dean Hill, Terry David Mulligan, and program director Roy Hennessy. These personalities weren’t just voices on the radio; they were local celebrities.
“DJs were treated like royalty,” reminisces Tanner, who is approaching his 81st birthday. He recounts lavish perks like movie premieres, restaurant invitations, and open bars, all thanks to their star power. One memorable anecdote involves Tanner and fellow DJ Fred Latremouille attending a race at the long-gone Westwood Motorsport Park. “We were given red Mustangs to drive,” Tanner laughs, “and got pulled over for drag racing! But being local celebrities, we somehow talked our way out of a ticket with just a warning.”
A Reflection of the Community
Laura Ballance, a veteran Vancouver publicist who worked with LG73 during her time at the PNE, highlights the station’s role in fostering a sense of community. “Local media outlets like LG73 were where we turned to, good times or bad,” she says. Ballance emphasizes how the station served as a mirror to Vancouver, keeping residents informed and connected. “It’s sad to see these strong media voices disappear. Ultimately, we all lose when this happens.”
The Rise of Homogeneity and the Fall of Local Icons
The media landscape has undergone a drastic shift, with generic playlists replacing locally-curated content. Terry David Mulligan, who currently hosts “Mulligan Stew” on Edmonton’s community radio station CKUA, blames corporate ownership for this decline.
“When I started at LG73, it was a powerhouse,” he recalls. “Now, it’s not just individual personalities leaving, entire stations are shutting down. The suits ruined radio the moment they took control.”
Corus Entertainment, the current owner of LG73, is a prime example, with their stock prices plummeting from $25 a decade ago to a mere 15 cents today.
A Pitiful End for an Era of Good Radio
John Tanner mourns the passing of an era. “Those were good days, good years, filled with fantastic radio,” he says. “It’s a shame that corporations are gobbling everything up, turning us all into robots.” As LG73 fades to black, it leaves behind a legacy of iconic personalities, groundbreaking moments, and a deep connection with the city of Vancouver.
