Peter Gzowski
Encyclopedia
Peter Gzowski, was a Canadian
broadcaster
, writer
and reporter, most famous for his work on the CBC
radio show Morningside
. His first biographer argued that Gzowski's contribution to Canadian media must be considered in the context of efforts by a generation of Canadian nationalists
to understand and express Canada's cultural identity. Gzowski wrote books, hosted television shows, and worked at a number of newspapers and at Maclean's Magazine. It is estimated that he conducted 27,000 interviews as host of Morningside. Gzowski was known for a friendly but at times somewhat gruff interviewing style.
, a prominent engineer, Gzowski was admitted to Ridley College
in St. Catharines, Ontario
. He attended the University of Toronto
but never graduated; he was later awarded 11 honorary degrees. Midway through university, he took time off to work for the Timmins Daily Press
. During his last year, 1956–57, at the U of T, he edited the student newspaper The Varsity
. In the spring of 1957, he became city editor of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald. After a few months in Moose Jaw, he was hired by the Chatham Daily News. In September 1958 he joined the staff of Maclean's
magazine. When he was 28 he became the youngest-ever managing editor of Maclean's.
His first regular radio show was Radio Free Friday, 1969-1970. In 1971 he became host of radio
the CBC's This Country in the Morning
. From 1976 to 1978 he hosted the television show 90 Minutes Live
on CBC Television
. In 1982 he returned to his former morning radio program, which had by now been renamed Morningside
, where he remained until 1997. He returned to Moose Jaw, to host his last episode of Morningside from the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort
.
Gzowski died of emphysema
in Toronto in 2002. He had defended his smoking by saying that the taxes on his cigarettes would more than cover any increased health costs his smoking would cause. However, at the end, he publicly acknowledged that he was wrong, and that his recent healthcare expenses dwarfed the taxes he had paid.
Gzowski was divorced from his first wife, Jennie Lissaman, from Brandon, Manitoba, whom he met while residing in Moose Jaw and with whom he had five children (Alison, Maria, Peter, John and Mick). He was survived also by two common-law partners, Jan Walter and Gillian Howard, whom he called his "Partner for Life." Gzowski was the father of a son, born in 1961, from an extra-marital relationship.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and reporter, most famous for his work on the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
radio show Morningside
Morningside (radio program)
Morningside was a nationally broadcast Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio from September 20, 1976 to May 30, 1997. It was broadcast from 9AM to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday...
. His first biographer argued that Gzowski's contribution to Canadian media must be considered in the context of efforts by a generation of Canadian nationalists
Canadian nationalism
Canadian nationalism is a term which has been applied to ideologies of several different types which highlight and promote specifically Canadian interests over those of other countries, notably the United States...
to understand and express Canada's cultural identity. Gzowski wrote books, hosted television shows, and worked at a number of newspapers and at Maclean's Magazine. It is estimated that he conducted 27,000 interviews as host of Morningside. Gzowski was known for a friendly but at times somewhat gruff interviewing style.
Life and career
A descendant of Sir Casimir GzowskiCasimir Gzowski
Sir Kazimierz Stanislaus Gzowski, KCMG , was an engineer who served as acting Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1896 to 1897....
, a prominent engineer, Gzowski was admitted to Ridley College
Ridley College
Ridley College is a co-educational boarding and day university-preparatory school located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, 20 miles from Niagara Falls...
in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in Ontario, Canada, with 97.11 square kilometres of land...
. He attended the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
but never graduated; he was later awarded 11 honorary degrees. Midway through university, he took time off to work for the Timmins Daily Press
Timmins Daily Press
The Timmins Daily Press is a newspaper in Timmins, Ontario, which publishes six days a week. It is notable as the first paper bought by press baron Roy Thomson, who would eventually own more than 200 newspapers including The Times...
. During his last year, 1956–57, at the U of T, he edited the student newspaper The Varsity
The Varsity (newspaper)
The Varsity is one of the main student newspapers of the University of Toronto. In publication since 1880, it is the second-oldest student newspaper in Canada....
. In the spring of 1957, he became city editor of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald. After a few months in Moose Jaw, he was hired by the Chatham Daily News. In September 1958 he joined the staff of Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
magazine. When he was 28 he became the youngest-ever managing editor of Maclean's.
His first regular radio show was Radio Free Friday, 1969-1970. In 1971 he became host of radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
the CBC's This Country in the Morning
This Country in the Morning
This Country in the Morning was a nationally broadcast Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio from 1971 to June 27, 1975. Peter Gzowski was the host from 1971 to 1974.-After the show:...
. From 1976 to 1978 he hosted the television show 90 Minutes Live
90 Minutes Live
90 Minutes Live was a Canadian television late-night talk show, which aired on CBC Television from 1976 to 1978. The program aired weekday evenings at 11:30 p.m....
on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
. In 1982 he returned to his former morning radio program, which had by now been renamed Morningside
Morningside (radio program)
Morningside was a nationally broadcast Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio from September 20, 1976 to May 30, 1997. It was broadcast from 9AM to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday...
, where he remained until 1997. He returned to Moose Jaw, to host his last episode of Morningside from the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort
The Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort is a 4 star , hotel located in downtown Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. The resort features a roof top indoor/outdoor mineral pools, and is connected to Casino Moose Jaw. In 1910, drillers looking for oil hit the hot springs that service the hotel, remains...
.
Gzowski died of emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
in Toronto in 2002. He had defended his smoking by saying that the taxes on his cigarettes would more than cover any increased health costs his smoking would cause. However, at the end, he publicly acknowledged that he was wrong, and that his recent healthcare expenses dwarfed the taxes he had paid.
Gzowski was divorced from his first wife, Jennie Lissaman, from Brandon, Manitoba, whom he met while residing in Moose Jaw and with whom he had five children (Alison, Maria, Peter, John and Mick). He was survived also by two common-law partners, Jan Walter and Gillian Howard, whom he called his "Partner for Life." Gzowski was the father of a son, born in 1961, from an extra-marital relationship.
Honours
- 1974, 1985, 1987 ACTRA AwardACTRA AwardThe ACTRA Awards were first presented in 1972 to celebrate excellence in Canada's television, film and radio industry. Organized and presented by ACTRA, the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists, which represented performers, writers and broadcast journalists, the Nellie statuettes...
s for the best host-interviewer on radio - 1981 - National Magazine Award for his profile of Wayne GretzkyWayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
- 1982 - Became host of MorningsideMorningside (radio program)Morningside was a nationally broadcast Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio from September 20, 1976 to May 30, 1997. It was broadcast from 9AM to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday...
on September 6. - 1984 - Honorary Doctor of LettersDoctor of LettersDoctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
, University of New BrunswickUniversity of New BrunswickThe University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in... - 1986 - Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
- 1988 - Honorary Doctor of Laws, Trent UniversityTrent UniversityTrent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
- 1997 - International Peabody AwardPeabody AwardThe George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
for broadcasting - 1997 - Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical SocietyThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
- 1998 - Companion of the Order of Canada.
- 1999 - Appointed ChancellorChancellor (education)A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of Trent UniversityTrent UniversityTrent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
, a position he held until his death - 2002 - The Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy was funded by the federal government and named in honour of Gzowski's work in promoting literacy in Canada
- 2003 - Gzowski College at Trent UniversityTrent UniversityTrent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
opens in honour of Peter Gzowski - 2006 - The Peter Gzowski Festival of Stories http://www.festivalofstories.ca
- 2006 - Georgina Public LibrariesGeorgina Public LibrariesGeorgina Public Libraries is a library system operating under the Town of Georgina Department of Leisure Services in Keswick, Sutton and Pefferlaw Ontario, Canada...
renamed their Sutton Branch the Peter Gzowski Branch
Facts and Figures
- ScottishScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
post-rockPost-rockPost-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band MogwaiMogwaiThe word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
use an audio recording of Gzowski's interview with Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
in the song Punk Rock, the first song from their album Come on Die YoungCome On Die YoungCome On Die Young , is the second full-length studio album by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 29 March 1999 by Chemikal Underground.-Overview:...
. - Gzowski co-wrote the song, "One Single River" with Ian TysonIan TysonIan Tyson CM, AOE is a Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for his song "Four Strong Winds". He was also one half of the duo Ian & Sylvia.-Career:Tyson was born to British immigrants in Victoria in 1933, and grew up in Duncan B.C...
. The song - advocating Canadian unity - was performed by Ian and SylviaIan and SylviaIan & Sylvia were a Canadian folk and country music duo which consisted of Ian and Sylvia Tyson, née Fricker. They began performing together in 1959, married in 1964, and divorced and stopped performing together in 1975.-Early lives:...
, as well as by Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and The BandThe BandThe Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
in their 1967 "Basement session."
By Peter Gzowski
- The Sacrament: a true story of survival
- A Peter Gzowski Reader
- Game of Our Lives
- Morningside Papers
- New Morningside Papers
- Fourth Morningside Papers
- Fifth Morningside Papers
- Latest Morningside Papers
- The Morningside Years
- Cabin at Singing River: Building a Home in the Wilderness with Chris Czajkowski
- Friends, Moments, Countryside
- The Private Voice, A Journal of Reflections
- Peter Gzowski's Spring Tonic
- Peter Gzowski's book about This Country in the Morning
- The Great Canadian Literary Cookbook with Kim Lafave
- Total Gretzky: The Magic, the Legend, the Numbers
- Unbroken Line
- Celebration of Peter Gzowski
- The afterword for New Canadian Library edition of The Incomparable Atuk by Mordecai RichlerMordecai RichlerMordecai Richler, CC was a Canadian Jewish author, screenwriter and essayist. A leading critic called him "the great shining star of his Canadian literary generation" and a pivotal figure in the country's history. His best known works are The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Barney's Version,...
About Peter Gzowski
- Peter Gzowski: An Electric Life by Marco Adria, ECW Press, Toronto, 1994.
- Remembering Peter Gzowski: A Book of Tributes by Edna Barker and Shelagh RogersShelagh RogersShelagh Rogers, OC is a Canadian radio broadcaster. She is currently the host of CBC Radio One's The Next Chapter.Rogers grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. She was the "Head Girl" at her high school, Lisgar Collegiate Institute. She played in the Ottawa Youth Orchestra and was a spare on the Reach for...
- Aleksandra Ziolkowska "Dreams and Reality," Toronto 1984,
- Aleksandr Ziółkowska "Kanada, Kanada..." Warszawa 1986
- Peter Gzowski: A Biography by R.B. Fleming, Dundurn Press, Toronto, 2010.
External links
- CBC obituary: 'Broadcasting's Mister Canada' by Martin O'Malley and Blair Shewchuk
- New York Times obituary
- CBC Digital Archives: Days to Remember
- CBC Digital Archives – Peter Gzowski: Voice of Canada
- CBC Calgary site contains tributes to Gzowski and audio files of the last Morningside show
- Order of Canada Citation
- 'Peter Gzowski and the Canadian Conversation' by Marco Adria
- 'I Remember Peter Gzowski,' by Steve Holt