William J. “Bill” Brady (1932-)

William J. Bill Brady

Year Born: 1932

Year of Induction: 1996

Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame

Brady, William J. “Bill” (1932- )

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Bill Brady’s colourful and impressive career in radio broadcasting, which started in 1949, took him to several top stations in Ontario, principally in the role of ‘the morning man’. Recognized in the profession as an innovator of telephone call-in shows, it was in the mid-fifties that Bill developed this then-unique form of programming in Canadian broadcasting.

In 1964, Bill returned to London, Ontario, the site of an earlier conquest, when he joined CFPL as a radio on-air personality and television host.

In 1983, Bill was appointed CFPL-Radio general manager; in 1986, vice-president and general manager; and in 1993, he assumed the position of President of Blackburn Radio Inc. which operated CFPL-AM/CFPL-FM, London, and to which had been added CFCO-AM, Chatham, CHYR-FM Leamington and CKTY-AM/CFGX-FM in Sarnia. On October 6, 1995, Bill was appointed Senior Vice-President of The Blackburn Group Inc., which also owned the London Free Press.

Bill Brady’s commitment to volunteer work in the London health care community is widely-known. He served as a chairman of the board of University Hospital and London Health Association; co-founded Transplant International (Canada); a vice-president of the board and member, Executive Committee, the John P. Roberts Research Institute (London), as well as being involved in many other worthy community organizations over the years.

In 1990, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario, and in 1991, was awarded the Order of Canada.

Industry-wise, Bill served as a president of the Central Canada Broadcasters Association.

In 1996, William J. Brady, C.M., LL.D. was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – December, 1996