By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter

Local radio personality Wayne Stevens may have hung up his hat, but retirement hasn’t dulled his wit—or his knack for making people laugh.

“Boring,” he jokes when asked how he’s handling life off the clock, his trademark humour shining through even as he settles into a slower pace. For years, Stevens, was a household name associated with local media, and it seems he’s not ready to let the spotlight go just yet.

Stevens, whose real last name is Bobaljik, grew up near Walkerville and was deeply connected to Windsor’s Italian neighbourhood. “I grew up at Moy and Erie – so much so that I didn’t realize I wasn’t Italian until I was 12 years old…but, all my friends were,” he laughed.

He attended De LaSalle Catholic School and Walkerville Collegiate, spending countless hours in the Ottawa Street area. As a kid, he fondly remembers catching the Erie St. bus for seven cents and heading downtown to see a movie at the Vanity Theatre for just a quarter.

Stevens, now 77, began his radio career in June 1969 at CFCO in Chatham. It was a fantastic place to learn the ropes. “I started directly out of high school. I was very, very fortunate. I was 20 years of age at the time…I had no job,” said Stevens. “I made an audition tape in Leamington at CHYR, sent it off to CFCO in Chatham, and they hired me. I spent nine years there working my way up from the production department to weekend and overnight shifts playing MOR/country music.”

Stevens says it was the perfect entry-level gig, spinning records by Jerry Vale, Andy Williams, and Johnny Cash. “There was no pressure…and no money,” he laughed. “We were allowed to do pretty much what we wanted.”

That relaxed format let Wayne try new things. “That loose format allowed me to pitch the idea of interviewing famous celebrities,” he explained. “And they went for the idea… back then, interviews with those celebrities were unheard of on small-time radio like CFCO.”

This began a journey of hundreds of interviews – from Tim Conway, Tony Randall, Telly Savalas, Carroll O’Connor, Johnny Carson, and more. And, it all happened before the internet: “You really had to dig to get to these celebrities lined up and on air. There was no googling to see who an agent or publicist was. You built up a contact list, maintained those relationships and worked to get a foot in the door at many of the larger television studios,” explained Stevens.

He remembers connecting with celebrities like Tony Randall and Karl Malden. “Getting to know some of these celebrities on a personal level was a thrill. I got to know Tony Randall and Karl Malden quite well. They were both so nice to me.” Years after meeting Malden, Stevens sent him a letter just to say hello – and Malden was so touched, he called into the station to catch up while Wayne was on the air that afternoon.”

“It’s moments like that you never forget,” he shared.

Over the years, Wayne also emceed countless live shows, sharing the stage with Bob Newhart, the Righteous Brothers, and the Beach Boys, among others.

In 1979, Wayne joined AM 580 CKWW, where he would remain on air for a record-setting 28 consecutive years. At the time, the station was located in the Viscount Hotel on Ouellette Avenue before moving to the Pedler Building on Cabana Road and eventually to the legendary Big 8 studios at 1640 Ouellette.

“My first show on WW was called ‘Contact’ and I found it challenging to do. It was a show which ran in the 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. slot,” he explained. “I was supposed to concentrate on local issues; however, by the time my show started, the news makers of the day had already been interviewed during the morning shows, and often I had to scramble for content at the last moment.”

He sheepishly admits to one embarrassing regret: Mike Drakich, owner of the old Top Hat supper club, asked Wayne to interview an up-and-coming comedian as a favour.

“I did the interview, ran it on air, and then promptly erased the tape… that personality was comedian Billy Crystal,” he laughs.

Another show, “The Exchange,” featured two hosts debating the day’s hot topic. “One day I was preparing to debate with Al Pervin, the program director at the time, about a serious topic. I went first and presented my case for several minutes. When it came Pervin’s time to rebut, he cracked the mic and quipped, ‘Who cares. I’m Al Pervin.’ Once I regained my senses, we both busted up on air.”

A major change for Stevens was the station’s switch from talk to ‘Music of Your Life.’ “I thought that’s the kiss of death for me… It’s over,” he explained. “I was pleasantly surprised when the station took off. We had a large number of American listeners, and we came in about 15th in the ratings in the Metro Detroit area. A big deal for a 500-watt station.

During that time, Wayne worked with legendary Detroit radio personalities like Jim Davis, Don Alcorn and Tom Shannon. “Working with Tom was an honour. He shares that he still talks with Dick Purtan on a regular basis.

He was also thrilled to learn that other Detroit-based broadcasters were fans of his on-air work, including Dennis Neubacher and legendary Tigers sports announcer Ernie Harwell.

“I’m a huge Tigers fan!” Stevens shared.

He also maintained a close friendship with Cam Gardiner, known as ‘Mr. Windsor,’ until Cam’s passing in 2021. “We were the best of friends, and I miss him dearly,” he shared.

Wayne recalls the two being so loud during show prep in “the pit” that they’d sometimes be asked to leave.

For 25 years, Stevens hosted the local Easter Seals Telethon on CBC TV and continues to give back as a volunteer emcee and assists at the Essex Food Bank. “When some of the young volunteers at the food bank ask me who I have interviewed, I name off a list of old school celebrities, and they look at me like…who? They’re waiting to hear names like Pink and Justin Bieber,” he jokes.

Wayne and his wife Electa enjoyed winters in Florida, summers at the cottage in Goderich, and trips to Wawa, Electa’s hometown. They eventually sold their Forest Glade home and now live in McGregor.

“McGregor…It’s small, so small that we take turns being the town drunk…By the way, next Thursday is my turn,” he laughs.

They are parents to son Eric and wife, Megan and grandparents to Jacob and Quentin. Despite some vision issues, Stevens says his health remains good.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career… they say if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life, and I can attest to that.”