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A very young radio personality, Doc Harris.

Photo from Doc Harris Instagram

Farewell, Doc Harris

By Joe Leary

Published 12:04 PST, Fri November 22, 2024

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The local radio airwaves lost a legendary voice last month with the passing of Doc Harris. Born Gilbert Auchinleck in 1948, ‘Doc’ began his decades-long radio career in Victoria in 1966, before a series of moves that took him back east before returning home to Vancouver and CKLG in 1973 as Gil Harris.

Three years later the moniker, ‘Doc Harris’ became a fixture in the city on a number of radio stations, including Rock 101; 97 KISS-FM; CKNW 98 and Richmond’s then Oldies station, 650 CISL.

50-year Vancouver broadcast veteran Stirling Faux goes back to the early days with Doc in Ontario. “He was on-air at CKSO Sudbury when we first met,” recalls Faux, afternoon host, WAVE 98.3 FM.

“I was a student at Laurentian University, working part-time downstairs at CKSO TV, and, with the help of Doc & Gary Russell, began making demo tapes in my off hours for program director George Johns to critique.

“I would finish my TV shift at sign-off and go upstairs and play radio for several weeks with Doc & Gar giving me tips and tricks on how and what to do and when.

“Eventually George gave me a break on the radio, (Nov. 15, 1970) on an all-night show and then hired me full time the next day – for the princely sum of $320 per month.

“Doc was making more, but not a lot more and we decided that two could live much better than one and got a really cool 2-bedroom apartment together for about a year. It was a lot of fun”.

Doc Harris was known for his booming voice; a lightning-fast wit and a series of characters and commercial parodies that made his radio show “must listen”.

Faux and The Doc would eventually reconnect on the West Coast.

“Doc headed home to Vancouver and six months later I got a call from Frank Callaghan at CKLG offering me noon to 3, based entirely on the recommendation and encouragement of Gary Russell and Doc Harris”.

“When my wife, Carole and I arrived in Vancouver; Doc proudly showed off his hometown and took us around everywhere to find a place to live.

“It was going to be either Lions Bay or White Rock and we settled on the Rock.

“Doc was living in an apartment in the West End and it was action-central for many of us on CKLG. His sound system alone was worth a visit as often as possible. The amazing part was he didn't get evicted. I guess his neighbours liked the music.

“CLKG was quite exciting in those days. Roy Hennessy was our Morning guy and the lineup was stellar with the likes of Michael W. Morgan, Dan "The Bear" Williamson, Greg Collins, Kerry Marshall, Don Stevens and Gary Russell on our roster – a terrific team who welcomed me warmly.

“The work was joyful. It was still the time of "AM Radio Wars", in this case, CKLG vs. CFUN. Competition really does make you better and we loved the 'battle'”.

Over his lengthy career, Doc Harris often joked that he was fired from almost every radio station in the Lower Mainland; something he wore as a badge of honour.

Additionally, Doc gained new generations of fans for his various voiceover/narration gigs over the years for the animated series like Dragon Ball Z, My Little Pony and numerous video games including Hulk and Aegis Defenders.

Doc Harris passed away on October 5 at Vancouver General Hospital surrounded by family and signed off peacefully to the gentle strains of Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon.

I had the good fortune of working with Doc at CKLG and stayed friends for over 45 years. Faux holds him in very high esteem.

“Over his long career, Doc ran into many in radio management who were in one of two camps: they either really 'got' him or they just pretended to,” he says.

“He was fearlessly funny and angered more than a few listeners with his wit and relentless criticism of authority figures. When I was fired for the first time a Toronto program director told me, in this business you're really not worth your salt until you've been fired at least 3 times."

“I felt only slightly better but found the info useful and if that's the case, then Doc was a truly worthy member of our business, having been fired – well let's just say "More than 3 times" – and damn proud of it too”!

The impact of Doc’s immense talent is considerable.

“He was a rare radio guy who would have had bleachers erected and tickets to his shows sold, if he could, unlike most of his colleagues who valued the privacy of our creative zone.

“His many fans are still trying to figure out some of his favourite sayings and slogans.

“His peers simply appreciate a creative force that couldn't, or wouldn't, be stopped.

“He loved his work and we all knew it and encouraged him every step of the way. There will be Doc stories being told by all of us for many years to come.

“Our business is a better place because of his influence.

“We were lucky to have him.”

Rest in Peace, Doc.

X-@reallyjoeleary • Instagram@joeleary