Dick Williams

He called himself the "Tall One". But for many listeners to CFPL in London, Ontario during the 1960s, Dick Williams was the only one when it came to Top 40 radio. Dick spent nearly half a century on the air in the Forest City, beginning in 1961 at CFPL. Williams was only 16 years old when he started his radio career in 1956 as program host at CKCR in Kitchener, Ontario.

Dick working at KDEO on July 13, 1960. [ LISTEN ] (36:12)

He moved to WSAI Cincinnati in 1958, and also jocked at KDEO San Diego and KROY Sacramento, California, before bringing his quick wit and masterful sense of timing to CFPL. Williams could have worked in almost any major market he chose, but he fell in love with the medium market of London, Ontario. A natural entertainer, Williams also did a dance show at CFPL-TV called "Dick Williams Wing Ding" that featured live performances and appearances by the other CFPL "Lively Guys."

Williams left CFPL in 1969, and later jocked on London stations CJBK, Q 97.5 (CIQM) and Oldies 1410 (CKSL).

The date is January 7, 1965 and Dick Williams opens his show on CFPL with the Beatles "I'm A Loser." [ LISTEN ]. (47:30)

Dick is credited with being the first DJ in North America to play the Beatles exclusively, well before the beginning of the "British Invasion."

Dick and some listeners, during one of the many street-side remotes in the new and improved Mach 2 Mobile Studio. Dick with Chatter the Chimp. Dick on a skateboard in 1965. The Lively Guys (left to right) Bill Brady, Al Mitchell, Dick Williams, and John Dickens.

WHERE DID DICK WORK? Here is the list: CKCR 1956, WSAI 1958, KDEO 1961, KROY 1961, CFPL 1961-1969, CJBK 1977, CIQM 1980, and CKSL 2000-2006.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Rock Radio Scrapbook