Mr. CHUM Retires: Duff Roman’s Farewell Spin

FACTOR’s founding president Duff Roman was celebrated at a private reception hosted by current president Heather Ostertag at the Foundation’s offices in the Leaside district of Toronto this past Tuesday. The event, attended by a clutch of VIPs from the radio broadcasting and music industries, was held in recognition of Roman’s many contributions to both industries, and in particular his retirement from the CHUM organization after 44 years of service.

In his ‘farewell’ speech, Roman was his usual humble self, spending the greater time in his short address thanking the many who have supported him along the way, and praising the FACTOR staff who had worked tirelessly over the weekend to mop and dry the offices  flooded in the Hurricane Bill blast that had swept the city.

He also dropped the fact that in his executive capacity at CHUM, the idea for FACTOR came from a conversation with former music man John Watt at the CRTC. As he put it, “I was doing the usual in front of the commission, bitching and whining” about the fact there weren’t enough good records to meet the needle requirements on radio. Watt, formerly one-half of Smile Records, along with Dave Coutts, suggested he quit bitching and invest some of the substantial broadcast profits in a development fund for new recordings.

Roman took the idea back with him to CHUM, the idea took hold, Rogers signed on, as did Standard Radio which folded its own Canadian Talent Library (CTL) holdings into the new FACTOR organization. Second in command at CTL was none other than Heather Ostertag. Back in 1982 the Foundation started with an annual operating budget of $200,000. Today, the budget stands at $18 million.

He started off as a kid from Saskatchewan, who got his start  in his home town of Swift Current with CKSW, moving to CHAT-AM/TV in Medicine Hat, to Winnipeg’s CKRC and CFRW, and to Edmonton’s CHED before arriving in Toronto where he quickly became a popular on-air personality with CKFH. In 1965 Allan Slaight hired him at CHUM.

Over the years, Roman has held many important positions at CHUM Limited. In 1974, he was appointed Program Director of CHUM-FM. Ten years later, as Operations Manager, he directed the re-positioning of CHUM-FM as an Adult Rock radio station, in  1996, he was appointed Vice-President Industry Affairs, CHUM Limited, and in 1999 assumed the added responsibilities of Vice-President, Digital Radio Operations.

When, At 3PM on May 7, 2000 1050 CHUM signed off after 44 years of being a rock ‘n’ roll station and became The Team 1050, it was Roman and Bob Laine who got to choose the last tune that would be spun on-air before the format flip. The selection was easy: It was “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley – the first song played when CHUM signed on at 6 a.m., May 27 1957.

In the audience Tuesday there were many longtime acquaintances.In an earlier era,

1050 CHUM sign-off with Bob Laine

before Cancon legislation, Duff Roman was a record, the man behind Roman Records.   One of the label’s best sellers  was “Brainwashed” by David Clayton-Thomas and the Sheas. DC Thomas, a street fighting kid in his day, and an internationally known singer today, was there to pay homage. In all of 15 seconds, he paid the man who helped him get his start the highest tribute: “Duff Roman was my first manager. I have had many, many managers since then. But Duff is the only one who is still my friend.” The audience broke up with laughter.

Roman’s long time mentor and master, the late Allan Waters, was in the room by way of his widow Marjorie, and oldest son Jim who spoke about the longtime friendship these two had, and about how no decision was made about the CHUM Group without consultation with Duff.

Perhaps the best summation said about the man was spoken by another former FACTOR chairman and record man, Jim West, who earlier had said: ““Duff Roman has given so much of himself to our industry. A music man and a gracious ambassador to the cultural industries at large, Duff has taught us all how to mix fun, politics and policy to our mutual benefit. A true class act – he’s my number one radio man!”

He was and is a gracious and humble man, and he told the assembled audience on Tuesday that although he was retiring from his position at CHUM, another unspecified chapter is about to unfold. Among those attending the farewell reception were former broadcast associates: Ross Davies, Benji Karsh, Geets Romo, Chuck McCoy, Dave Charles, Bob Laine, Gord James and the other great back-room operator at CHUM – J. Robert Wood.

Opening the event, country singer Alex J. Robinson performed two songs from her forthcoming album – “Into the Sun”, and “Possibilities” – and finished with a cover of  “Smooth Operator,” requested especially for Duff by the staff at FACTOR.

Duff Roman was and is a great friend to the Canadian music industry. A man who balanced the minutiae of regulatory filings, corporate politics, mentoring talent and endlessly providing clarity and common sense in times when passions ran high and reason seemed illusive. He was and is a man gifted with uncommon dignity and professionalism. A great orator, and at one-time a powerful voice over the air, his style, eloquence, wit and knowledge will be sorely missed.

Hats off to one of the industry greats, Mr. Duff Roman.