I always find it interesting to see how people react to the passing of someone they haven’t really thought much about in years. Twitter entries or online comments eventually default to “so sad ” or “RIP” once the poster has offered some deeply personal insight like “will be deeply missed.”
We inevitably, if not predictably, default to the mundane and maudlin when it comes to commenting on someone’s death. They amount to a litany of one-size-fits-all-on-cue-140-character-lamentations that make me long for Helen Steiner Rice greeting card verses. Alright, that may be an exaggeration, but you get the point. I will admit I’m no better at this. I’ve caught myself offering a heartfelt, “That’s too bad” hoping the pause to follow is considered respectful rather than the time it take me to figure out how to transition the conversation to something more pressing – like the weather or the commute or both.
The reason I bring this up is because Larry Solway died earlier this week. While there was some notice in the local media, Larry’s passing deserves more than a text message note.
Those of you who lived in Toronto during the 60’s and 70’s may remember Larry as one of the great radio voices in this city. I know my friends at Newstalk 1010, with the great heritage of CFRB behind them, like to think they pioneered talk radio in this market. In fact, it happened about a block or two south of the RB studios at Yonge and St. Clair at 1050 CHUM. There’s no doubt that RB had the stellar line-up of public affairs correspondents and commentators – including Pierre Burton, Charles Templeton, Betty Kennedy, Jack Dennett, Peter Dickens and the great Gordon Sinclair. Sinclair, of course, was famous for his “10-2-12” (11:50am) news and comment where he’d spin and spout off about a variety of subject matter that he felt needed his attention. It was 10 minutes of fiery, provocative opinion – a pre-cursor to the 3-4 hour talk shows that became the formatic backbone of the station by the early 90’s.
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Larry Solway was about thirty years ahead of his time as a broadcaster. He was doing talk radio in the 60’s and 70’s that rivaled the tone and quality of radio done these days by guys like Bill Carroll and John Oakley. Larry and John Gilbert, (also at CHUM), not only expressed opinion, they challenged their listeners to do the same. Calling into the show was not for the faint of heart. In Larry’s case, you were more like fodder.
I’m not old enough, nor enough of a radio geek, to remember specifics of Solway’s or Gilbert’s shows. But I know I was struck by the big personalities that went with the big voices. They weren’t just “whacky” guys on the radio. They were frighteningly well informed, quick witted and highly entertaining in a more ruthless than reckless way on the air.
Solway’s show was called “Speak Your Mind”. While that may have appeared as an invitation for his listeners to have their say, it was really Larry’s mission statement. He spoke his mind and could do it with or without callers.
He wasn’t afraid to tackle the taboo subjects. In fact he seemed to thrive on it. No dull, dry debate about politics or city hall budgets. He was talk radio guy on a top 40 Rock ‘n’ Roll radio station. He had to be more entertaining than the music! So, Larry talked about the “Sh*t You Can’t Say” on the radio. It was unvarnished and energetic – on the verge of dirty at times. At least that’s how it sounded to pre-pubescent ears when the subject matter turned to “sex”!!
Too cool for the room or too big for his boots, either way Solway got bounced from the CHUM air chair over a series of explicit sex shows he broadcast in 1970. He chronicled the experience by writing a book the following year called “The Day I Invented Sex”. While Solway never appeared to be at a loss for something to do in the intervening years, he did return to radio. He eventually landed at CFRB in the early 90’s.
I remember hearing him on the air the night the Rodney King verdict came down. You may recall that verdict prompted a demonstration outside the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto. That rally soon turned violent when the protestors marched and rampaged along Yonge Street. (Think of the G20 weekend).
In his inimitable style, Solway ranted and raved and worked his listeners into a lather by “refusing” to talk about these “clowns” on Yonge Street. Talking about them would only draw attention to their antics, would only enable them. Of course, he couldn’t ignore this. The RB news team was all over the story; they had reporters in the thick of the protest. But the more he teased the audience the more engaged they became.
Years later, I was lucky enough to work with Larry at “TALK 640” and I asked him about that show. He told me he thought the window smashers were idiotic and undeserving of his time. At the same time he knew full well that night he wouldn’t be able to ignore it. So, just as he did in his CHUM days, he spoke his mind. The more he said “no” the more the audience wanted to hear.
Larry was a fascinating character and I can honestly say I learned a great deal from him as a listener and a career broadcaster. I’d encourage you to check out Marsha Lederman’s story about Larry in the Globe. It goes well beyond his time behind the mic. (NOTE:Marsha also crossed paths with Solway during his time at TALK640.)
His final blog entry detailed his challenges and struggles as he battled his cancer. The signoff was typical Solway. He not only spoke his mind, he got the last word.
“I hope to survive. If not. It’s been good.”
As much as Larry would have loved it, you can’t argue with him on that.
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