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Stirling Faux.

Photo courtesy Scott Jenson

50 years on Vancouver radio dial

By Joe Leary

Published 12:02 PDT, Fri March 15, 2024

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Across the broadcast industry, job instability remains one of the few constants. To amass fifty years of consistent service spread over the radio dial in one city is an incredible accomplishment. Stirling Faux has just achieved that milestone.

It was Feb. 25, 1974 when the young disc jockey first arrived in Vancouver to host the mid-day shift at the city’s Top 40 Powerhouse radio station, 73 CKLG.

“Gary Russell and Doc Harris were already (DJ’s) at CKLG and we had all worked together before, so my wife Carole and I drove across Canada in February in a ’66 Pontiac Strato-Chief,” he says of the life-altering move to the West Coast. The area would become home for at least the next 50 years.

“Once we arrived and saw green grass and robins in February we immediately knew this was unlike anywhere in Canada and worth working hard to stay”.

Shortly after settling in to his new environs, a strike call was underway as some employees were trying to organize a union within CKLG. “It wasn’t for me”, says Faux.

“Once job action began, those of us who remained did all the shifts on both stations (CKLG AM & FM) using different names and we made the best of things. It wasn’t much fun for any of us.

Eventually it fizzled out and we all got back to work—awkward for a little while but we were pros and got it done. My only takeaway was (and still is) “If this ever happens again, I’m leaving”.

Most with significant tenure in broadcasting, have faced spells of abrupt unemployment as turnover can be frequent. In his 54 total years in radio—50 in Vancouver alone—Stirling Faux has experienced his fare share of upheaval.

“I’ve been fired several times and I’ve quit a few times too,” he notes. “The radio biz is legendary for being unstable and it helps when you first get in to understand that clearly”.

On the positive side, the pay and subsequent perks can be generous; not to mention the myriad ancillary opportunities that can present them self.

“Radio has opened so many ‘other’ doors for me too,” says Faux.

“I hosted “Lotto Night in BC” for nine years on BCTV and “The Money & Wealth Show” for two years on CHEK-TV. I taught in the BCIT Broadcast Program and enjoyed every minute!

I’ve worked in radio all over town, including ROCK 101, CFOX, CKNW, CKLG, Roundhouse Radio and former Richmond oldies outlet, CISL 650”.

Faux’s career highlights also in-game announcer for both the Vancouver Canucks and BC Lions; acting as MC for the Prime Minister’s Dinner at BC Place during APEC in 1997 and Moderator at the World Lottery Conference in New Mexico in 2001.

They rank among a stellar list of milestones and accomplishments on this golden anniversary. And his work continues.

In 2023, Stirling made the move from CKNW talk show host back to music radio as afternoon host on WAVE 98.3 FM. “I’m fortunate to have been pursued by Durham Radio to host their 2-6 p.m. show on The Wave,” he says.

“After all these years, I’m ‘the new kid’ all over again; it’s a blast and there’s so much new music to learn”. The admiration is mutual.

“I had the good fortune of meeting Stirling the very first week I started work in Vancouver, over 22 years ago,” says Phil Evans, Operations Manager, WAVE 98.3

“I’m still awed by his show, his affability and his passion all these years later. If there’s another person in radio who feels more passionate about this city; his listeners and show, I’d love to meet them.

What a gem.”

Admittedly, the veteran broadcaster says there is no real key to staying employed in broadcasting other than; love the business and learn it. “I say be open to criticism; don’t be shy about imitating others and try to improve every chance you get.

I still do and say things on-air because ‘that’s the way so-and-so used to say it’ and I’ve never heard it said better. Don’t mess with success”.

Cheers on fifty years to Stirling Faux, in embarking upon and fulfilling his childhood dream.

“I’ve known since age 11 that I wanted to be on the radio and I’ve had the good fortune to be allowed to try many aspects of different music and talk radio formats.

The key for me has always been to stay on top of technology; learn the new computer programs and ‘techno-toys’ the engineers give us”.

Acknowledging his historic milestone, Stirling Faux is quick to point to the true “rock” in his life. “None of this has happened without Carole by my side,” he admits.

“In a crazy, fast-changing business-like radio you need stability in your life and I’m lucky to have Carole. She’s smart and patient and has been the constant in my life that has allowed us to see the world, raise a family and really enjoy a career.

“I consider myself to be a very lucky guy”.

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