Red Robinson Show Theatre to be Renamed The Joint
byAlthough it was announced earlier this year, it’s only recently sunk in that the Red Robinson Show Theatre at the Boulevard Casino will get a new name when the casino changes over to the Hard Rock Casino brand this December. The theatre, named after local rock and roll radio legend Red Robinson — inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 — will then be called “The Joint”.
Michael Bublé seeing red over Red Robinson Show Theatre name change: The singer was sitting in a production truck with an assistant when he noticed the Red Robinson sign was down. A new sign said: “Coming soon: The Joint.”
“They can’t do that,” Bublé said he told his assistant, who had confirmed the name change. “It was disbelief. I couldn’t believe that the same people who’d honoured him could dishonour him.”
Robinson is credited with bringing rock and roll to Vancouver in the 1950s. As a teenage disc jockey, he was an early believer in the music and sowed the seeds of what has become an important music industry city. [The Province]
An online petition to keep Red’s name on the venue is gaining momentum and the following note has appeared on the Boulevard Casino website this afternoon:
We would like take this opportunity to address our community’s feedback regarding the name change of the Red Robinson Show Theatre. As we announced in October, Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam will officially become the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver on December 20, 2013. Our venue is undergoing a transformation that impacts every part of the property, and this includes rebranding all facets of our operations under the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver name.
We truly respect and admire Red and the legacy he has created over the last 60 years. We have enjoyed a great relationship with him and will continue to honour that relationship with a collection of some of his vast memorabilia that will be displayed throughout the new facility once Hard Rock Casino Vancouver opens.
We look forward to creating new memories and experiences for the community at the new Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. This globally recognized brand is known for providing world-class entertainment, dining and gaming options and we’re excited for what this will bring to our community.
On Friday, November 15th at 2:40pm, Chuck Keeling, Executive Director Stakeholder Relations at Great Canadian Gaming Corporation will be speaking with Simi Sara on CKNW to discuss the changes happening at the Boulevard Casino, future home of the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. We anticipate many of the community’s questions will be addressed at that time.
Sincerely,
Peter GoudronSenior Vice President, Operations – West
Great Canadian Gaming Corp.
It is the end of an era at the casino but perhaps a new door is opening somewhere else. It’s exciting to have a Hard Rock franchise in Vancouver (again) and the theatre is a really great venue. Hopefully Red will continue to be honoured and regardless of the theatre’s name, everyone should familiarize themselves with Red Robinson and his legacy.
Red Robinson was the first Vancouver disc jockey to play that “rock and roll” music and was the emcee for Elvis’ Vancouver tour stop at Empire Stadium in 1957 — among many of the other groundbreaking moments in his career. Read more about Red on his blog, including his latest post about his 60-year career in radio. It is truly a privilege to share a hometown with him.
5 Comments — Comments Are Closed
It’s very sad that the Hard Rock couldn’t see fit to keep the Red Robinson name. Peter Gourdon’s letter explaining things is pretty lame. It seems they’re happy to have his memorabilia, but not honour him. Naming the place “The Joint” is so meaningless. Perhaps another venue will take on the name.
Cathy
Red Robinson’s name is GOLD in this City. I think Vancouver should look at this as a great opportunity rather than an insult to Red. How about renaming the Pacific Coliseum the Red Robinson Pacific Coliseum?
Was Red Robinson inducted into the ROCK & ROCK HALL OF FAME? You would say ‘yes’ because you have been hearing this since 1995. It has been said so many times that the local and Canadian media, celebs like Bruce Allen, Jann Arden, Michael Buble, Terry D Mulligan all believe it and repeat it. Red Robinson was NEVER INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. Look for yourself.
http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/
Received the Canada 125 medal for contributions to the community over the years. Senator Ed Lawson presented it to Robinson on Timmys’ Christmas Telethon.
On July 21, 1994 Red Robinson was officially inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame and his name is now in cement in front of the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.
In April 1997 at the annual convention of Rotary, Robinson was presented with the Toastmaster’s International community and leadership award.
Honored with a floor in the Lions International Children’s building for his contributions to children with disabilities through his hosting duties on 23 Timmy’s Telethons.
Helped raise over $100 million dollars to children with disabilities on the annual Timmy’s Telethon which ran for 23 years.
May 14, 1998 was the date Red received the ShowCanada Showmanship Award – This award was presented by movie exhibitors and distributors from across Canada.
In March 1987, Robinson’s colleagues in the broadcast business created a scholarship in his name at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in the broadcast division.
As part of Expo ’86, Robinson promoted the “Legends of Rock and Roll” and presented 41 of the best of the rock and roll world. This was a 13 week series.
In 1991, Robinson was selected by the District of North Vancouver Centennial commission as one of the District’s 100 distinguished citizens.
Also in 1991, the Province of British Columbia made Robinson their official ambassador for a tourism initiative titled “Music ’91” which took Red around the province promoting and emceeing shows for Linda Ronstadt, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Jan & Dean, and a host of other entertainment giants.
On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, Robinson was among a select group given a gold medal in honor of this historic event. It was the Queen’s Golden Jubilee award.
In 2006, Robinson’s home town of Comox inducted Red into the Comox Valley walk of achievement. Kim Catrall is among those honored by the walk.
In 2008, Sarah McLachlan presented Red with the Vancouver Music Industry Bruce Allen/Sam Feldman Legend award.
The British Columbia Association of Broadcasters in 1989 presented Robinson with an honor as a Broadcast Pioneer.
In 2008, the Pacific National Exhibition named their annual talent search in Red’s honor. It was called the Red Robinson talent search.
Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2013)
The Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame, started in 1982, recognizes Canadians in broadcasting or entertainment related industries who have “achieved outstanding success in helping raise industry standards from a material or humanitarian standpoint.”
Candidates are nominated annually by Canada’s five broadcasting associations and the executive committee of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (“CAB”). The name of each inductee is inscribed in bronze on the Hall of Fame plaque at the CAB offices in Ottawa. Personalized plaques are also presented to either the inductees themselves or to their families.
Inductees include (partial list)
Gerry Acton, Former Vice-President, Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Bryan Adams, singer
Murray McIntyre (Jerry) Forbes
Dr. Charles A. Allard
Marge Anthony, one of Canada’s first female all-night DJ’s
Randy Bachman, singer
Walter J. Blackburn
Rob Braide
Raynald Brière
Al A. Bruner
André Bureau
George Chandler
Shan Chandrasekar, President of the Asian Television Network
Bruce Cockburn, singer
Thomas E. Darling
Johnny Esaw, CTV’s former vice-president of sports
Reginald Fessenden
Barbara Frum
Réal Giguère
Harvey Glatt, founder of CHEZ-FM
Harold Greenberg, founder of Astral Media
Lorne Greene, actor
Arthur W. Grieg
Bruce Hogle
Fred Latremouille
Donald Lawrie
Gordon Lightfoot, singer
Robert (Bob) Lockhart,
John Arthur Manning, Pioneering Broadcaster
Arthur Andrew McDermott
Anne Murray, singer
Craig Oliver
Rai Purdy
Paul Reid
S. Campbell Ritchie
John Roberts
Lloyd Robertson
Red Robinson
Ted Rogers
Gordon Sinclair
Ian Tyson
Phyllis Yaffe
Hal Yerxa