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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.