It is a special weekend around our hallways at Quinte Broadcasting.
It was 75 years ago, August 14, 1946, that CJBQ 1230 AM went on the air. It was not overly powerful at 230 watts, however, since it was the only game in town, it did not have to be.
The audio above is from 1947, where Jack Devine was on location.
On Friday August 12, the Lorne Brooker Show hosted a special three-hour broadcast to mark the occasion.
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Quinte Broadcasting President Bill Morton shares some memories with Program Director Sean Kelly and Host Lorne Brooker, during CJBQ’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, on August 13, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Owner Bill Morton shared the stories of how the station came to be. CJBQ was granted a licence in 1945, the year World War 2 ended.
The station would have three locations in its time; 11 Victoria Avenue, the former Intelligencer building at Bridge Street and Pinnacle, and 10 South Front Street since 1985.
A 1960s Trudeau Motors commercial on CJBQ
Joining the special broadcast were numerous voices from the past, including CJBQ’s longest serving Morning Show Host Matt Mitchell. He talked about those listening and how important they are.
Mitchell speaking of the audience
Matt Mitchell’s final words as host on CJBQ
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CJBQ celebrates 75 years (Photo: David Foot/ Quinte News)
Peter Thompson also shared a few words during the broadcast. Thompson, aka the Red Knight, worked in major market radio, however spent the majority of his career in Belleville.
Peter Thompson in the 1980s
A 1960s commercial for Swiss Dale Honey Chicken voiced by the legendary Jim Wright
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A photo Dave Charles
Dave Charles was one of the biggest names to ever come out of the station. He moved on to work in broadcasting in dozens of different countries.
Charles talking about why CJBQ has lasted so long
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One of the many photos on the wall at CJBQ. Billy Ray Cyrus stopped in to the station. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
The Open Line with Milt Johnston
Jack Miller has been on CJBQ in six different decades, include the 70s
Jack Miller from 1979
Program Director Sean Kelly joined Quinte Broadcasting in 1989, and shared his thoughts on Friday on the Lorne Brooker Show.
Sean Kelly
Guests during the broadcast included former/current voices Mary Thomas, Al Baker, Ted Bradford, Lorne Brooker, David Foot, Todd Smith, Jack Miller, Dave Charles, Peter Thompson, Kevin Williams, Bill Morton, Kerry Patrick, John Henderson, and more.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE 3 HOURS BY CLICKING HERE
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk presents Quinte Broadcasting owner Virginia Morton with a certificate to honour CJBQ’s 75 years (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
