Johnny Canton

Born October 4th, 1941, in Kansas City, Kansas, Johnny Canton was one of the indisputably most popular disk jockeys of the 1960s at WDGY in the Twin Cities. Johnny claimed that the first "rock and roll" record he ever heard over the radio was either by Chuck Berry or Little Richard, on a late night 15-minute program aired on a station in Shreveport, Louisiana.

At age 16 Johnny made his on air debut as a DJ on May 8, 1958. The first record he played on the show was “Yakety Yak” by The Coasters. Johnny was the host of a one hour Saturday afternoon show that featured rock’n’roll music (sponsored by a local record store), the only time slot for rock music amidst the radio station’s softer Hit Parade programming. Johnny worked the weekend shift at KLEX and worked Saturdays from 1:00 PM until sign-off and Sundays from Noon until sign-off.

Canton's broadcasting journey took him to stations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Rochester, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, and the Twin Cities, in Minnesota. In addition to being an on-air personality he has been a Program Director, News Director and Music Director at various stations.

As a kid with his wooden microphone.

Beginning in June of 1959 at KOKO, Johnny hosted a Saturday evening Top-40 show from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.

The stations mainstays were The Four Freshmen, Peggy Lee, Perry Como and similar artists. Johnny was on the air weekdays from 7:00 AM until 12:30 PM, then went to classes at Central Missouri State College from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM and then it was back to KOKO for a second shift from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. At college, Johnny took taking classes in theater, speech, and drama and also helped put the college radio station on the air.

In late 1960 at KZIX Johnny is once again at a new radio station, this time with no air time allotted for rock’n’roll music. The station played the Kingston Trio, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, and similar artists. Johnny became the news director and then program director, as well as being an on air personality.

In the WDGY studio circa July 1970.

In 1961 Johnny landed a gig at WNOW in York, Pennsylvania - his first job at a radio station with a Top-40 format - and also became the program director as well as being an on air personality.

In August, 1961 WRAW was a newly purchased radio station by Bill Rust (who also owned WNOW) and was in third place in the local radio stations when Canton came to work for them as a DJ and as program director. He switched the format to Top-40 with all on air personalities and in 90 days the station moved from third place to first place in the local ratings.

Between 1963 and 1966 Johnny worked as an on air personality and program director at both KUDL in Kansas City, Missouri and WIXY in Cleveland Ohio. Sandwiched between was a stint at WHAM in Rochester NY between June, 1964 and December, 1965.

At WIXY with the Beatles in 1966.

During the height of Beatlemania at WIXY the station was playing one song by The Beatles for every three songs played. On August 14, 1966, Johnny added his name to a very small and very elite group of people who had the once in a lifetime opportunity to introduce The Beatles at one of their concerts in the United States.

The show was held at the Cleveland Stadium and including opening acts: The Remains; The Cyrkle; The Ronettes; and Bobby Hebb. A local businessman provided a custom made mobile home that was set up right behind the stage near second base as a “holding room” for The Beatles. In the mobile home, Johnny got to visit with The Beatles and their manager, Brian Epstein, prior to the concert.

While working at WIXY, Johnny received a phone call from George “Bud” Armstrong, Executive Vice President of Broadcasting for Storz Broadcasting. George advised Johnny to contact WDGY Radio in Minneapolis where there was going to be an opening. Johnny called WDGY and talked to Phil Trammel, the GM, and was offered a job over the phone. He accepted, and soon after departed Cleveland, Ohio and relocated to Minnesota.

Johnny started out as music director and on air personality and took over the Noon to 3:00 PM afternoon shift (formerly occupied by Johnny Dollar).

With John Denver (& wife Annie) in '71.

Canton also appeared as the M.C. in the Joe Cocker film, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen,” also partially filmed in the Twin Cities.

In 1968, Johnny received a Radio-TV Mirror Magazine Award for radio Personality of the month. Johnny Canton, along with other DJ’s at the station supported the local rock bands, a tradition that went back to DJ Bill Diehl during his tenure at the station.

In 1969, Johnny was selected to play a minor role of a ticket agent in the Ross Hunter/Universal Film “Airport” which was partially filmed in Minneapolis.

Johnny played the records of the local bands on the air and worked as an emcee at local band jobs including shows at the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the PromCenter, the Bel Rae Ballroom, and numerous other venues including events for the Minneapolis Aquatennial.

30 Star 1970

May 11, 1969

Johnny is behind the mic at WDGY. [ LISTEN ] (31:24)

The broadcast includes a 20/20 news, weather, and sports report.

In addition to working with the local bands, Johnny also brought in national talent and emceed their shows. National acts that Johnny brought to the Twin Cities were Aretha Franklin, Tiny Tim, Dionne Warwick, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Sonny Bono, and for Christmas shows, Andy Williams and Roger Miller.

A WDGY scoped aircheck with Johnny on June 4, 1973. [ LISTEN ] (12:35)

Hear the WeeGee $10,000 Record Stash promo and Johnny ply "1130 Caret Gold." This is the place where "it pays to listen." Johnny's also does a brief Art Fern imitation.

Also during his years at WDGY, Johnny was known for interviewing many famous musicians, in person and over the “Hit Line” including: Andy Williams, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Helen Reddy, Tony Orlando, Frankie Valli, Neil Sedaka, and Bette Midler.

Here is Johnny interviewing John Lennon on October 8, 1974 [ LISTEN ] (15:14)

Lennon discusses his new album along with singing background for Ringo and Elton John. Black recording artists have always influenced John's music. He blames the break up of the Beatles on - boredom and lack of musical creativity - more than anything else. But it's quite possible that they could record together again. In closing John records two WDGY promos.

In early 1977, WDGY hired a new program director and General Manager Dale Weber decided to switch the Top-40 format to country music. In December of 1977 the Top-40 format came to an end and all of the employees were let go. Johnny was offered a job as Executive Vice President for Metropolitan Advertising which worked in print and broadcasting. This job led to the formation of Canton Communications, Inc. in 1978, an ad agency and radio-TV production firm, still operating in the Twin Cities.

Sadly, Johnny passed away on December 31, 2016, after suffering a severe stroke. Johnny Canton was a Twin Cities icon and a genuinely nice guy.

Some materials used on this page were originally published by the following: MinniePaulMusic, Radio Tapes, Vintage Pics, Twin Cities Radio Airchecks.