CKY

CKY began its life at the dawn of radio in 1923. It started as a 2,000-watter owned by Manitoba Government Telephones, broadcasting only three hours a day. Its programming was also made available in parlour cars of CNR trains passing through Winnipeg!

Known as "Manitoba's Friendly Giant", CKY would go on to become of Canada's most popular radio stations.

Its powerful 50,000-watt signal was heard in three provinces and in the U.S. A successful Top 40 outlet for years, CKY had an oldies format as Oldies KY58 AM when the switch was made to the FM band as 102 CLEAR FM.

Jimmy Darin

Jimmy Darin (Hilliard) came to CKY Winnipeg from KNEW Spokane in 1963. He joined one of the most popular and powerful stations on the Prairies, as CKY's 50,000-watt signal at 580kc got out well when the skywave kicked in at night.

CKY Aircheck (unscoped): CKY Jimmy Darin August 12, 1965. (50:38)

The station signed on New Year's Eve 1949 and soon adopted the slogan "The Powerful Station With Proven Listener Response."

CKY was a Top 40 station throughout much of its broadcast life and a great one too as you'll hear on this aircheck. Future stars to appear on CKY in the '60s include Chuck McCoy and Daryl B. This wonderful find by Charlie Ritenburg is a real treasure and a rare peek at Winnipeg Top 40 radio in the mid-'60s.

CKY 580 got a great send-off, with veteran broadcaster Don Percy hosting a final show that included visits from former CKY announcers, city dignitaries and friends of CKY. You won't believe the final song, a special version of "Yesterday" written and sung for the occasion by Winnipeg's own Joey Gregorash.

Enjoy the final moments of CKY-AM and the launch of 102 CLEAR FM here. (17:50) (Realplayer)

CKY music surveys from 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1966.