Radio pioneer becomes first Canadian inducted into U.S. Radio Hall of Fame
Windsor radio pioneer Rosalie Trombley was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Radio Hall of Fame this week.
The legendary music director now has the unique distinction of being the only Canadian out of 325 inductees, so far.
“Rosalie was really a groundbreaking, trendsetting music touch point making kind of individual,” said Kraig Kitchin, chairmen of the Radio Hall of Fame. “Her ability to select songs and to pick music that later became big hits not only on CKLW, but also on hundreds of radio stations in the United States is very evident.”
Trombley was music director at “The Big 8” CKLW-AM from 1968 to 1984. At the time, she was one of the few female music directors in Top 40.
“It was still in the emerging format,” Kitchin explained. “She was a trendsetter in the way that she was able to hear songs in a way that she knew radio audiences would want to hear them over and over again and at high frequency.”
Kitchin continued, “When artists like Bob Seger write songs about her, that's a significant indication she really, really has good relationship with music artists.”
Rosalie Trombley with Bob Seger
Tromblay was thought of as the number one music director in the U.S. during her tenure. She introduced numerous artists such as Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, and Bob Seger, who later wrote a song about her entitled "Rosalie.”
Trombley is credited with significantly helping artists and music groups including Elton John, Earth, Wind and Fire, Ted Nugent and The Guess Who.
“She was a Canadian resident. She made her living with Canadian radio stations, but her influence was really felt not only in that southern part of Canada, that Windsor, Ontario area that included areas like Hamilton and Sarnia but also throughout all of Southeast Michigan, where her influence really was very, very apparent,” Kitchin said.
He noted Trombley is also being inducted alongside musician James Brown.
In a statement to CTV News, Rosalie’s son Tim Trombley, who is also director of entertainment at Caesars Windsor said, “I am incredibly grateful my mother, Rosalie Trombley, will be honoured by the Radio Hall of Fame. My family and I look forward to celebrating our mother’s legacy and memory at the Induction Ceremony and thank the Nominating Committee for this opportunity to recognize our mom, who was a true legend in the history of AM Top 40 in North America.”
Rosalie Trombley passed away Nov. 23, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.