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John Gilbert

1930 – 1998

Broadcaster

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About John Gilbert

Lived 1930 – 1998 (aged 68).

John Gilbert (14 September 1930 – 14 September 1998) was a Canadian radio broadcaster.

Early life, family and education

Gilbert was raised in the Cabbagetown section of Toronto before running away from home to join a carnival when he was 13 years old.

Career He began his broadcasting career in Cornwall, Ontario at age 17 and hosted his first talk show in Saint John, New Brunswick, around 1966. In 1973, he became the most successful radio talk show host in Canada with 120 000 measured listeners, more than Vancouver media legend Jack Webster. In 1976, Gilbert recorded "No Charge", a cover version of a song also recorded by Melba Montgomery and J. J. Barrie, which charted nationally. Gilbert's term with CHUM ended in 1977. A year after it launched, it was also broadcast by CJJD Hamilton, CJBQ Belleville, CJNH Bancroft, CHSC St. Catharines, and CHEX Peterborough. The show ran until 1982, when Gilbert re-joined Night Talk co-creator Taylor Parnaby, who had become station manager of CKO.

Career years unknown: CKSF, Cornwall, Ontario 1962: CHEX, Peterborough, Ontario years unknown: CFBC, Saint John, New Brunswick ???-1971: CJCH, Halifax 1971-1977: CHUM, Toronto 1978-1980: CKFH, Toronto 1980-1982: CKEY Toronto 1982-1986: CKO, Toronto (national radio network) 1990s: CKTB, St. Catharines, Ontario

Discography +Chart (1976)Peak positionCanada RPM Top Singles55

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Important facts

People in John Gilbert's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Gilbert's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Gilbert?

broadcaster (1930-1998)

When was John Gilbert born?

John Gilbert was born on 14 September 1930.

When did John Gilbert die?

John Gilbert died on 14 September 1998.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Gilbert

· Wikidata: Q6235302

· DBpedia: John Gilbert (broadcaster)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Gilbert. https://biography.guide/john-gilbert-1930/

MLA: "John Gilbert." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-gilbert-1930/.

Chicago: "John Gilbert." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-gilbert-1930/.

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