Radio in Canada’s predominently French Province was never better! Here’s a composite of the airstaff of 900 CKTS Sherbrooke as it sounded in 1974. CKTS was the only English hit music station in the south-central part of Quebec, the region known as the Eastern Townships.
While there’s no reverb at CKTS, the station takes a page from the playbooks of RKO and WABC for both the personality aspect of the station’s programming and the jingles. As you’ll hear, CKTS was TIGHT! These guys were quick on their feet and seemingly had a one-liner for every break. This rivals some of the best that American RKO stations like KFRC, KHJ and WRKO had to offer. Little known in the States, after listening to this, one might say that CKTS was Quebec’s best kept secret.
Heard on this aircheck are Ted Silver, Sandy Davis, Isaac Shane, others. Listen for a great promo for “The Motown Special” at the end of this recording.
hi i didnt know it existed until you guys turned me on to it ckts what do the call letters stand for please and thanks jb
CKTS, stood for “Contributing Knowledge Through Service”.
I was a listener though to 1965 when I left for Ontario.
I have fond memories of Richard Gale from Bishops who was the DJ on Saturday afternoons. A very popular rock n roll show. A bit of a wild man, especially when his program was cancelled.
Later encountered Mr. Gale broadcasting from CHML 900, Hamilton, in a classical format. Later on CFMX, Coburg-Toronto also classical. I believe he’s now retired.
I believe that is was actually something like “Kingston Telegraph Sherbrooke”, the ones who started CKTS AM 900.
Awesome aircheck! But I would argue the date is either 1976 or ’77. I don’t believe those ELO or Earth Wind and Fire hits charted until around that time.
I miss CKTS. Station is dark at this time
I was wondering if Montreal during the years 1973-1978 had an English hit station CKTS sounded like a fun station.
You bet it did! 980 CKGM was a major force in Montreal during the 70s! We had a great friend in Marc Denis, who hasn’t come around the site in a long time, but he personally gave me this one for Airchexx – I gotta tell ya, this is one of my very favorite airchecks of all time! Listen to the energy, and this was in both French AND English!
sorry but I do my best to write good english…
in the early 60′s and 70′s I was an avid listener of CKTS radio 900AM without neglecting the French radio station CHLT 630AM..
I want to tribute DJ’s which made us dance,Gordon Breen who was sport’s director but also at ease the turntables, also veteran Kent Fellow on the air weekdays afternoon ”Kent at 4:10” he was the best on the turntables to play the biggest hits of the time,also a great tribute to Harry Green, many times I saw him live in the small studio on Dufferin Street,his show called ”Harry Green Show”on weekdays….
also hard to forget Jack Cornet, Bob Wood, Alain Dubois,Pat O’Gallager, Burl Dewer, Diana Parker, Jerry Cochrane …..
it was the golden age of AM radio,the era of 45 that is now called” oldies” …
if you knew these people please let me know…
is the most beautiful memories of my adolescence and I’ll never forget them…..
Awesome memories! CKTS was the best! As well as the music it was quality radio. They won lots of awards. Got to visit their studios as a Cub Scout in ’68 . CKTS was a big of the day for those of us who rode ETRSB buses to Galt in the 70’s. Almost every driver had the radio tuned in to 900 AM. Thanks Airchexx!
My brother-in-law worked at CKTS from the early 70′ until 1980 when he moved back to Ontario. He was one of the morning man. His name was Ron Smith. Loved to listen all day long. They played music back then and not just talk like the stations do now.