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Let me start with this: Martin Streek was the most charming dude I ever met.
He could turn it on like THAT, no matter what the circumstances. There wasn’t a person on the planet that Martin couldn’t win over within minutes. He had a savage wit and an ultra-quick mind. No wonder he had been trying his hand at stand-up comedy. If by the grace of geography he’d have been born in LA, he would have had a three-camera sitcom on CBS years ago—probably after hosting Weekend Update on SNL for two years.
The guy lived to make people laugh and to entertain. He was energized by groups and crowds and absolutely fearless about interacting with anyone. Small wonder he made a career of being a nightclub host at places like NRG, Fever, the Kingdom, the Phoenix, Whiskey Saigon, Joe and Velvet Underground. If you ever went to any of these clubs over the last 20 years, you danced to Martin’s beat.
I first met Martin in the fall of 1986 when I got the all-night shift at CFNY—which, for the current generation, was the original name of 102.1 the Edge. At the time, he was running something called the CFNY Video Road Show, which travelled from school to school, college to college and university to university playing video dance parties. (I know, I know: it sounds so quaint now, but back in the day, it was a big deal.) CFNY announcers like me hosted; Martin drove the truck, played the videos and looked after the road crew.
We covered a lot of Ontario together, including a gig where I fell off the stage in mid-sentence at a school in Shelbourne. Or the time we came across the gangs armed with butterfly knives at an inner city school. Or the post-show 3am chowdowns at truck stops and hotdog stands. I can honestly say that Martin was the first member of the staff to make me, this scared, naïve mullethead from the Prairies, feel welcome in Toronto and part of the ultra tight-knit CFNY family.
I often admired and even envied Martin’s Peter Pan existence, something that I told him many times. While everyone around him grew up and got old, Martin always seemed to be 22 years old. He never lost that enthusiasm that most people outgrow halfway through their third decade. “How,” I asked, “Do you do it?” Martin would just shrug and smile.
Trust me when I say that Martin never did anything by halves. When he committed to something, whether it be a band, an activity, a cause, a project or a sport, he did it to the absolute extreme. These passions included (but not restricted to) the following:
• Snowboarding (Especially at Whistler)
• Skateboarding (He’d even skate to work.)
• Following Tool around North America (I’m sure he was on a first-name basis with Maynard.)
• Getting so close to Nine Inch Nails that he got text messages from the band
• A variety of charities that required much time and effort.
• School visits (He was often first to volunteer.)
• Organizing parties (He did an office Christmas party and that involved booking live entertainment.)
• Running (He went from not being able to run around the block to doing 10K)
• Healthy eating (In the last three years, he shamed me with his devotion to nutrition)
• Skydiving (No, seriously. He liked jumping out of planes.)
• Halloween costumes (One year, he showed up at work dressed up as the Scarface movie POSTER. You had to see it to believe it)
• His cat, Steve, who stayed with him for 20 years. When Martin had to finally put him down, it was the most painful thing he had ever had to do. He took three days off work.
When I was program director of the Edge, I invited Martin to become part of our music committee. After all, he was on the front lines in the clubs at least three times a week. He actually saw crowd reactions, so it would stand to reason that he have input into what the station played. So every Wednesday, he’d attend our music meetings to offer his opinion on what songs should be added to the Edge playlist. His opinions were strong and his arguments often very persuasive.
When I left my post at the Edge in the summer of 2008 to join another part of the company, I went from being Martin’s friend and boss to just being his friend again. And over the next year, because we were still in the same building, we ran into each other often.
The last time we spoke, we were at the Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction show back in June. We joked and laughed and argued about the NIN set list and whether or not Jane’s was going to play "Ted, Just Admit It." He seemed strong and in good spirits. When I slipped out just as the encore began, I slapped him on the shoulder and gave him a smile. He smiled back. I had no idea that would be the last time I’d see him alive.
And yes, Martin also had his demons. They’re none of your business.
Wherever he is now, I’ll bet that he’s on a snowboard with 100 inches of fresh powder on a 10,000 ft run in front of him. At the bottom is his literary idol, Hunter S. Thompson, waiting with a pitcher of fine gold tequila.
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244 Comments
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Well said, Alan. He will be missed.
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i will never forget the office christmas party that martin booked the comedian for – that one is stored in the memory banks.
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Really nice.
It’s a sad day.
Hope all his friends and family are doing well.
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I woke up to this sad news by my dad telling me this story since he works for chorus entertainment also…………….
EVERY time I ever crossed paths with Martin in Toronto at the edge or at a concert on the street or in the bar he ALWAYS hade time to chat music / life etc. REALLY nice guy.
Ill miss hearing his voice on the radio, his humour his spirit…………….
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Beautiful, succinct and honest. Thanks for this insight Alan…for what it’s worth, we’re all going to miss him. All the best.
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Thank you for posting this. It’s nice knowing a little more about the man who spun the music we loved for so many years. My sympathies to you and everyone who was close to him.
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As a fan, thank you for this.
RIP Martin.
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Martin…. I met this wonderful witty guy on more then 1 occasion he was truly a man in my eyes….chorus radio lost one of the good guys…
r.i.p. sexy leg guy… (our joke) gonna miss emails and your voice on radio
rest in peace…in the only heaven I believe in
*ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN* -
As always Alan your writing is awesome. Martin made great contributions to the Toronto music world and was always with many of us as we grew up. His demons are none of our business and I hope he is enjoying this tool and NIN tunes as he snowboards down the hill…
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That was just beautiful Alan. Those words will bring me comfort in this time of saddness. I have listened to Martin for many many years and it is just so sad to think that his voice will no longer be heard
Thanks for your wonderful writen words.
Avital
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thank you for sharing. All of us old schoolers are shocked and saddened. His interest in music seemed parallel to my own and I have to say I will really really miss not only his voice but his spirit.
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This is the most fitting and touching tribute that I have read about Martin Streek. While I never had the good fortune of meeting him personally, his presence is clearly missed.
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I knew Martin. He was a fan of my band Frailfragment
I went to the Edge102 for 2 years straight, almost every Thursday chatting. And he was a familiar face for me and many others at The Phionex, for years.Being interviewed and played on air numerous times by Martin was an honor because- I looked up to him, respecting his musical tastes, and learned to trust his understanding in good music. He was a true music hero, that took music not for the politics behind it, but for the raw entertainment of the art. He was honestly bias!
He was honest that way.MARTIN STREEK IS A REAL MUSIC HERO.
I am saddened and shocked.
Thank you for being a fan of mine and trying to help.
I will never forget you.
I hope this isn’t true.
Your Friend,
Len -
I listened to him for a long time when I was growing up in Etobicoke to when I moved to London and I would listen half way in between on my trip as well as other DJ’s including Alan Cross. I know he was an amazing personality and that is what made it enjoyable to listen to him. I looked forward to it. My thoughts are with his loved ones and I hope that he can RIP.
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Alan,
Eloquent and informative as always. Thank you for taking the time to share your intimate perspective with us…we’re richer for it. Martin will be missed.
Z
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So well done, a fitting tribute on a very difficult day. I’m sorry for your loss.
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I couldn’t believe the news. I was just recently there visiting John in production and we were just talking about him and how he’ll miss using his voice in spots. But man, I remember volunteering along side him at The Pheonix during my internship at AM640 and what a great guy. He will be deeply missed…
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Thank you for sharing this but more for not sharing what is none of our business. It is awesome that you don’t devalue his memory in the name of the public’s “right” to know. My deepest sympathies to those of you at the edge and to his family at this time.
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thanks for writing this. cheers to Streek.
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Alan this is a beautiful article, clearly you appreciated and respected Martin. Thanks for letting us, his fans and yours, get to know him a little better. This city is mourning an awesome guy. I only hope he knew how much he was valued by us.
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You did him proud. Thanks Alan.
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I know This was on the Edge site but Martin Really would want you to check this out.
This is a playlist Martin would want you to hear: Depeche Mode – Black Cellebration New order/orgy – Blue Monday Nine Inch Nails – Dead Souls Nirvana – Lake of Fire Duran Duran – The Chuffer Sisters Of Mercy – More KLF – 3AM Eternal Sublime – Smoke 2 Joints Ministry – AllDay & Over The Sholder Tones on tail – Go Placebo – Pure Morning THe Verve – the Drugs don’t Work Pop Will Eat Itself – Def Con One, XYZ & wize up Suckers Chapterhouse – Mezmreized The Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds Frank Black – Headache Jesus & Mary Chan – Reverence & Just Like Honey Echo and The Bunnymen – Bring on the Dancing Horces, The Cutter& lips like sugar Depeche Mode – Two Minute Warning Simple minds – Changling Mobile – out of My head I Mother Earth – Rain Will Fall & Levitate DeLaSoul – Me Myself and I The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry & 100 Years Talking Heads – Road to nowhere Bush(X) – A Lonly Place Tricky – Overcome & ponderosa Faith No More – We Care A lot & Last Cup of Sorrow Slipknot – Duality DelTheFunkyHomoSapian – Mrbobalidum Pendulum – PropanNihgtmears St.Etten – Only Love can Break your heart The Doves – There Goes your Fears The Clash – Armagedion Time & Guns Of Brixton FatBoySlim – WonderFull Night HotChip – Tranamission Joe Jackson – stepping Out Underworld. – Rez cowgirle Joydivison – Atmosphear DepecheMode – Leave in Silence & Shake the Desise Peter Bjorn & John – nothing To Worry about Passion Pits – A little Secrect Tool – Opiate David Bowie – I’m afraid of Americans Smashing Pumpkins – landslide & Eye The Smith – there is a light that never goes out Dead Can Dance – the Carnival is Over & ubiquidious Mr Love grove The White Lies – Death & Fairwell to the Fairground & To Lose My Life Bjork – Human Behaviour Radiohead – Talkshow host Cypress hill- Dr Green Thum Stone Roses – One Love A Tribe Called Quest – Left My Wallet… & Award Tour Lamb- Gorecki& Gabrial PWeI – Games without Frontears Robyn – With Everyheartbeat Disturbed – Voices Enjoy Oh and Further Reading any Hunter S Tompson & Dr.Seues’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmass and That Kirt Cobian book I think its called heaveyer than Heaven Or some thing. Let Martins Memory be the Music he brouhgt to us in his “groundbreaker” and live to airs and 9:30 covertunes Thankyou for EverythingI can’t belive I forgot Haunted When The Miutes Drage – By Love And Rockets And Bela Lugosi’s Dead Bauhaus Kiss Them For Me – Siouxsie & The Banshees Tower Of Strength& Deleverance – The Mission Discusteen – Teenage Head Stripped – Rammstein Walking In My Shoes – Depeche Mode Are”friends”Electric – Gary Numan The Witch – The Cult FetaComple – Curve I Walk The Line & Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash Kinda I Want To & Ringfinger – Nine Inch Nails Sorry I forgot find them and listen it would make him happy
I Miss You Bro
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I’ve worked with Martin off and on for the last 8 years. I can’t profess to be very close to him, but he was a charming, witty and sometimes intriguingly dark man. I’m sad that he felt that this was the the only answer for the demons he faced. I hope he’s at peace now and that he sleeps well….
It already isn’t the same.
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I’ve been listening to CFNY “The Spirit Of Radio” since I moved to Ontario from the Peg, in 1984.
The good fortune was mine to be able to have radio personalities like Martin Streek spin the tunes for me to enjoy over the years.
Seems like 102.1 “The Edge” is falling apart rather quickly lately, but its nice to know that the good guys like Martin, will always be remembered. Unfortunately, he had to check out way too early.
Alan – your words are as usual, spot on. Well done.
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Your talent for weaving words together and painting mental images is incredible Alan.
I know Martin would feel honoured at the way you eulogized him. He was a GREAT talent and one of Canada’s finest broadcasters, he will be missed by millions.
You will forever be in our thoughts Martin, rest in peace.
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“And yes, Martin also had his demons. They’re none of your business.”
Amen, and Amen. No one’s business but his own. He should be remembered for what he gave to us all, nothing else. -
Beautifully stated. I’ll never forget him.
-k. -
As eloquent as ever, you did summed up Martin perfectly. Thank you for those beautiful words about Martin. Remembering him the way you described him will help his fans a lot.
After moving to the States a decade ago, I can still hear his voice in my head, “live-to-air from The Phoenix” just like it was yesterday.
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Thank you. That is the best obit I’ve read so far. I’ve been sad all day, even though I haven’t talked to him in over 10 years. We had some good times back in the early to mid 1990′s and he impacted my life for the better.
You’re always able to articulate things so well Alan, thank you again.
My condolences on your loss.
x
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thanks for writing this alan.
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Thank you for writing this for us who are fans of Martin’s. You were certainly right about the charm factor, as someone Martin’s age, he made me feel great about going out to enjoy my favourite music at Velvet Underground. I got to feel cool just for knowing him since he was so uber-cool. The first time we met we played pool and he gave me a firm but friendly handshake and introduced himself. He regaled us with stories about my favourite bands such as taking Depeche Mode up the CN Tower – they had never been up so high and were a little freaked out. He always greeted me with a smile, gave me a shout out on the radio which impressed my kids, replied to my e-mails, played my favourite songs so that I could dance to them and never failed to make me laugh. He influenced my music tastes for years and I am very grateful for that. The Edge will not be the same and I don’t know if I can ever listen to it again other than to your shows Alan. It will be too painful to realize why he’s gone. The last time I saw him, I got a great sweaty hug at the end of the night – Thanks for so many wonderful memories Martin – you are so sadly missed.
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The entertainment industry,radio in particular has lost a pioneer. His time at CFNY in the early years was a match made not necessarily in heaven but a wonderful match none the less.
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A beautiful written tribute Alan. I remember when Martin helped champion CFNY playing the Chemical Bros… he was a huge fan of Tom & Ed’s. He was charming and had a wonderful smile. He will be missed.
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Very well said. Martin was one of the people who made The Edge worth listening to (along with you yourself, Alan). I’ll certainly miss him.
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I had the pleasure of spending time with Martin on several occasions. He was a great person living life how he wanted. Alan, it is a great tribute to a great man, thank you for that.
Deepest sympathies to his family and he will be greatly missed. -
Well said Alan.
RIP Martin.
LM -
I guess it is true. You can die from a broken heart. Cheers to you Martin, Thanks for the great nights
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I hadn’t seen Martin in over 10 years. I used to call him a friend when my band was doing well and we frequented CFNY in the mid-90s.
I saw him about 5 months ago at an event. I didn’t have to introduce myself, he walked right up to me, shook my hand, called me by name and told me it was good to see me.
It was a shock to hear the news today. He will be missed by many people and members of bands in Toronto.
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Well put Alan.
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The last of “the edge” I knew and loved has died… and Tool loses another soldier.
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The last of “the edge” I knew and loved has died… and Tool loses another soldier.
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Beautiful tribute for a beautiful man. You knew him better than most Alan and I’m sure your heart is aching now.
The memories are there to heal. Although they may hurt to think of now, they are what will get you through this.
His legacy will live on in this city and beyond. He was a brilliant mind & a kind soul. He was and will remain to be a legend.
You will be missed brother! Rest peacefully now and forever.
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What a beautiful tribute. I always loved listening to him on the radio. He always seemed like a nice, friendly guy, especially when he was hosting from the clubs. I wish i had had the chance to meet him in person. Its so sad that this has happened. He will be missed very much.
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another sad day in the history of rock!
Beautifully written Alan, it’s nice to know the man behind the voice, he will be missed.
Props to the rocker who gave me my first NIN tickets! -
well done Alan! RIP Martin
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Lovely tribute, Alan.
So sad and difficult to comprehend. I wonder if Martin had any idea that he meant so much to so many people. If he didn’t, would knowing have changed anything?
Keep him in your heart for awhile.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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Like so many I too have been sad since we heard. Today I celebrate my wedding anniversary with a most wonderful man and our beautiful daughter. As I glance through all the wedding pictures I remember fondly “This Charming Man” as he shared in our special day as “The other Best Man” standing up for my groom and myself while many of the CFNY Family looked on and shared in our joy. Thank you Martin and all the special people that are still in our life today, forever and always. Love to you Alan and the lovely Mrs. Cross.
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he will be very missed. I am very sorry for everyones loss, it is a sad day in music history.
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A class act every part of the way, at the club or on air…. Hard or alternative he always would kick it… An excellent individual and talented entertainer. Sad to see him go.
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That was beautifully put, he was a great man and will be missed! R.I.P Martin
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Great tribute,
Being from the generation that still remembers CFNY, for their cutting edge, opening up the ears and minds of a generation to music that was more than just factory spinned music from record labels. Music that was on the fringe and that challenged the listeners to expand their musical tastes.
When you listened to CFNY you felt part of a culture that was ready to explode mainstream and Martin was the Pied Piper of our generation leading the way which gave an honest, genuine, trust to the listener to stay listening to what he was going to play. He’s One of a Kind.
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He certainly “Came early…” – I just wish he’d “stayed late”.
Sorry to you for losing your friend Alan, and I’m sorry for all of us who’ve lost that voice… victims that we are of his success in making us feel ‘a part of’ his eager thirst for life.
…of demons, we all battle our own. The testament to Martin was that he could have had a legion of help in his fight if he’d thought to ask.
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thanks alan for a fitting tribute to the incomparable martin streek. i’m gonna miss him.
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My condolences Alan.
Great tribute. Though I hope the Edge does something bigger to honor MS.
i think it would be quite a turn out.
what a sh*t this discovery is after watching the MJ memorial. Bummed.Let’s keep the light on.
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beautifully written Alan. growing up I used to listen to the Edge all the time and I was soo comforted when Martin, you and Dave kept working here after all this time. I love how Martin spoke his mind honestly and was an open minded person. I really liked that about him. and I always looked forward to hearing him on the weekends. ever since I started listening to the edge back in 1996 when I was 8 or 9 (I’m now 21) I always loved listening to Martin and hearing all the things he had to say. and more recently I had to chance to talk to him through email and he was always so nice and kind. he loved music. I dont think he could ever move on and work at another station than CFNY and for that I respect him a lot. he was a great man and I feel honoured just for being able to talk to him. he used to send live to air promos and I will always regret not meeting him at a live to air because I always thought he would work at the Edge forever and took advantage of that to a certain extent. I hope the Edge keeps being the best station in Toronto and never fades away or dies because I seriously don’t know what I would do without the edge. It’s been such a big part of my life. The changes that were made were unfair and stupid. Martin Streek and Barry Taylor were by far everyone’s favorite DJs at the Edge that they needed to listen to the Edge for. they were the reason why so many people listened to the Edge. I remember when I was a kid and always wishing I could be at the live to air but I was too young and then when I was of age I took for granted that he would be there forever and didn’t end up going. I sent him many emails however and I think he enjoyed getting them and would always reply or leave me a shout on the radio or talk about the email on air. He was one of the legends of the edge. and I hope you, Alan, and Dave will never leave the Edge either. Martin Streek didn’t deserve to be fired and neither did Barry. Tons of musicians owe a lot to them. They impacted many lives. I hope Barry can work at the Edge soon or can be an A&R rep or work at a Satellite radio station whatever makes him happy because Barry has always liked good music and I doubt he would change to chum fm or anything. But Ill really miss listening to Martin on the weekends. forever. may he rest in peace and my condolences to you Alan and all his colleagues, friends, family and especially his mother if she’s still alive because he would always talk about her. he loved her. I hope she’s doing alright. thanks for writing this though Alan. Rest In Peace Martin. you died too soon.
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thank you so much for not feeding any fires.
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Well said Alan. I met Martin several times – he helped me and a colleague promote our photography exhibit a couple of times, some chit chat now and then in the clubs, nothing major – but it was always a bit of a thrill for me. I have a photo of Martin at my high school for one of those dance road shows (and yes, we loved it!). I discovered CFNY at around the same time Martin started at the station, so 20 years I’ve been listening, and have always appreciated that Martin has been around for all of that time. I’m really going to miss hearing him on the radio – particularly Sunday nights and the old school tunes. It just won’t be the same anymore. With all of the Big Name passings recently, this has been the one to hit me where I live. He’ll be missed. *sad*
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i waited all day for your blog. You did not disappoint. He had a good friend in you. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.RIP Martin
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Thanks for writing this, Alan. I, too, never met Martin, but enjoyed his work on The Edge. Clearly, he brought some joy to a great many of us. Shame that all of that joy couldn’t have sustained Martin through his struggles.
Here’s a wish for peace to Martin and all of those who are hurtin’ right now.
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Fitting tribute to a true gentleman.
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Great tribute just wondering where Alan was in May when they let Martin go?? Perhaps he did not have a say in the decision, going to bat for his friend may have helped.
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Martin,
Thanks for all the great times at the kingdom. You were the soundtrack to my weekend every weekend.
We’ll all miss you..lots of love.
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Very well said Allan.. very well said.
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Thank you Allan for once again setting the world straight. Martin’s demons are none of our business.
Rest in Peace Martin.
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I met a then long-haired Martin in the mid-90s. He was DJing at an alternative bar in Toronto named Catch 22 (now closed).
I was really digging White Zombie at the time and I asked Martin if he would play a cut off their new disc.
He said he didn’t have the CD on him but that it was in his car.
Martin then jumped down from the elevated DJ booth, ran out of the club, ran back through the crowd, and up to his booth in time to mix in White Zombie’s song More Human Than Human without missing a beat.
That’s how I choose to remember Martin.
A really nice guy and a great DJ who loved music and his listeners.
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he will be sadly missed…I remember the Whiskey and Phoenix days…great times. Excellent tribute Alan…
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Alan – what you wrote was perfect. Nice words. Take care, Martin. Hope that you are at peace.
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Everybody stop writing. Alan has captured everything we need to know about M.S..
Enough is enough and that means YOU EyeWeekly and NOW.
I keep thinking of one line from Harry Chapin’s sappy radio song, W*O*L*D:
“Feeling all of forty-five, going on fifteen.”
Unfortunately, too much of a reality in a demographic-driven industry. But, like pros, everybody in radio knows the deal.
And for the t**ts calling for a boycott of Corus, Chorus, Bore-us, etc…..I know you’ve watched “The Corporation” a thousand times and Noam Chomsky is your hero and you took two semesters of poli-sci: grow up and you may one day find the kind of fufilling work that Martin did.
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Such surprising news. Thanks for the kind words, Alan. It helps close a chapter.
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Alan,
Thank you for such an eloquent memorial.
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Alan thank you for giving us a glimps of Martin Streek we might not have known. Out of all the articles I have read today this one truly memorializes him the way he deserves to have it done.
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I have only been thinking of the fond and happy moments I have had the honour to share with Martin…he was so kind and generous. I will never forget him and may he rest in peace. My heart goes out to his family and closest friends.
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I feel like I know Martin a little bit more now. Thank you Alan for giving us an insight to Martin, and for staying out of areas no one but Martin needs to deal with. We’ll all miss a great personality.
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Thank you. ‘Nuff said.
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We lost my 45 year old brother-in-law (my husband’s beloved brother) 16 weeks ago to suicide. My heart aches for those Martin leaves behind. He was a tremendous talent who was in a very dark place; one we may not ever be able to understand. What a beautiful tribute this is; I’m sure it is comforting to Martin’s family to read such kind words. I am so sorry for their loss. My family is in such a profoundly painful place right now; I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I’m so sorry someone else must walk this journey.
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We lost my 45 year old brother-in-law (my husband’s beloved brother) 16 weeks ago to suicide. My heart aches for those Martin leaves behind. He was a tremendous talent who was in a very dark place; one we may not ever be able to understand. What a beautiful tribute this is; I’m sure it is comforting to Martin’s family to read such kind words. I am so sorry for their loss. My family is in such a profoundly painful place right now; I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I’m so sorry someone else must walk this journey.
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Very nice words Alan. A friend’s older brother introduced us to the Edge via Martin’s Sunday Night retro live to air shows, we would sit up all night by a campfire and talk about going to the club one night to see him live, to us he was the coolest. We kept this tradition for years and listening to him on Thursday nights was a reminder of those times and always brought a smile. Rest in peace Martin.
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There were two people that made listening to the radio interesting for me – those were Martin and yourself, Alan. It seems very fitting for me to read about Martin through you.
Well written and I’m sorry for your loss – you can easily tell by this piece how much this amazing man meant to you.
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This is nice Alan. I met Martin for the first time at my high schools Friday night high 1 hour north of Toronto in 1989-1990 I think I spent a minimum of 2-3 nights per week for 10 years with Martin and the best music anyone could feel (because you don’t just hear it) I will miss Martin and as one of my friends said, “with his passing we are also mourning the loss of our own past.
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Thank-you for putting into words what i have been struggling with all day. Joe Strummer Has someone really cool to hang out with now.
Peace. -
A lovely tribute, Alan. The video roadshow was a big hairy deal when I was in high school, then I graduated onto the Whiskey Saigon days…Martin’s was the voice of CFNY and of my youth.
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The music I listen to today is and was directly impacted by what I heard on the radio (thanks to Martin) 15-20 years ago as a teenager in suburban Toronto. This past weekend in fact I found a tape that I had made from the radio on a CFNY Saturday night. Strange. RIP Martin, you will be missed…
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Alan you are as eloquent on a blog as you are on the radio. Well put and appropriate in these fffd up times.
He will be sadly missed…….P.s You forgot his dancing skills… he could cut a mean rug.
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I partied every friday with the amazing man at Kingdom…I’ll never forget the halloween costume of him and two other girls dress in a gold bikini!! So hot!
I’ll miss this man and this brought a tear to my eye!
Love you Duder!!!
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Thank you Alan. I grew up listening to him, danced at The Velvet for the past couple years to his spinning and have won countless things while listening to the Thursday 30 and being “caller 7.” I met him at a poker event I worked at and he never forgot me when I would call and say I was “Poker Mike.” This tribute makes it clear what a good person he was and why he always remembered me. I will miss him.
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I worked every Sunday with Martin for a year and a half or so and he was always friendly and quick with a joke or a funny story, especially the one about Al Jourgensen and the booze can (a Martin classic). I think I’ll remember him best dressed up as Hunter S. Thompson from last Halloween…he was making me laugh so bloody hard all night at Velvet…
He will be sorely missed…
Well written Alan…
thank-you
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Alan – Thank you for posting such a thoughtful tribute. I think I can speak for many when I say that Martin carved out a little spot in all of our lives throughout the years. I have many great memories of heading to Kingdom almost every Friday to rock out to his sets… he will be greatly missed.
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I always liked listening to Martin’s show on Sunday Nights, especially after he would play a Clash song and back it up by calling them the “best band of all time” RIP Martin
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Thank you Alan for a beautiful tribute.
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i first met marty in 87 or so when he came to our school for a roadshow. my girlfriends and i all took a shine to different members of the “crew” and i fell for mr streek…that long hair, beautiful eyes and ability to make you feel like you were the only one in the room…seems like a lifetime ago. i recently became reaquainted with him via facebook and was back and forth with him online yesterday …had me thinking about music and how it gets you back to a place in time in your history…his final status was jarring and raised questions…i wish i asked. i will miss this man in a way i wouldn’t think possible considering how remote our connection was…thanks for the blog alan…
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Having been someone who “danced to his beat” – thank you for the memorial. I am shocked and he will be missed. “There is a Light that will never go out”.
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Wow, as usual, you really have a way with words Alan. It’s always a pleasure to listen to you on the radio. You’ve really said some nice things here and I am sorry for the loss of your friend. He will be missed by us listeners.
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That playlist reads like a chronology of my youth.
I first met Martin Streek when the CFNY Video Roadshow came to my high school (Port Credit Secondary) for one of our dances. The next time I met Martin I was working at a club in Mississauga called Alcatraz run by my friend Mike X. Martin was doing the video thing, and I supplemented the visuals by sitting on the roof of the DJ booth providing a live video feed of the crowd that Martin could cut to whenever he wanted. The next time I met Martin I was working at Whiskey Saigon doing lights for Mike X on the second floor. Now Mike also worked with Martin, Paul and Ivan on the main floor for the live to air show on Sundays and, well since I was an employee I had free reign and always a mittfull of drink tickets. I became friends with Martin during this time and he was the kind of guy you just wanted to be around. Not only was he a charmer like Alan mentioned, but it always seemed like really good things just sorta happened when he was around. Well I stopped working at Whiskey and we sort of lost touch for years until one day I saw him on Queen Street. Martin recognized me immediately and it was as if no time had passed since we saw each other last. This is the kind of man he was. Always had time for a friend, always greeted you with a warm smile and firm handshake, and never ever forgot who you were. This is the Martin I will remember. This is the Martin I will miss.
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Alan, this is well said. I cannot claim to know Martin well nor yourself. My experiences with Martin were limited to weekly meetings at the Kingdom on Friday nights as were my meetings with you at Sanctuary on Thursday nights. Yes my experiences go that far back.
He was always very personable and very endearing to all. He was always willing to impart his knowledge with others as I felt he wanted to share the secret he knew so you could experience the joy that he had upon discovering it too. For this I am grateful and will miss the opportunity to cross paths with him again. A powerful voice has been silenced however his memory is strong within each of us.
Unfortunately I have to disagree with one statement of yours and that is “And yes, Martin also had his demons. They’re none of your business.” I don’t mean to be confrontational however you have created an empire and following based on digging into the facts and sometimes dirt and demons too. I have come to depend on it. Others depend on you for it. I have for years. I’ve looked forward to waking up to you and the OHNM show on a Sunday morning to start my day. It has been a tradition for me.
I know that this one has hit closer to home than most. However I am probably not alone when I say we want to know. Maybe now is not the right time as we need to observe his passing and celebrate his life. Right or wrong I still want to know for whatever uncontrollable reason.
Martin here’s to you and the joy you brought to others! For this I would like to dedicate Life Is Beautiful by Sixx:AM in your memory!
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Thanks Alan, for a casual yet dedicated listener of 102.1 since the CFNY days, next to yours Martin’s voice was the identity of the station. All us casual listeners had was his voice, but during this very sad time, you’ve given us something more, a glimpse into his soul.
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Martin was a dude and always at any event anywhere , anytime treated me like I was a long lost friend.There was nobody quite as genuine in the whole industry…worldwide…period.I feel blessed I knew him. That brither will be missed terribly.
much love -
An eloquent memorial, for a wonderful man. Thank you Alan. Martin will never be forgotten.
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I could hear your voice loud and clear every word I just read Alan. You are the one personality from this station whose word would have come from many years with Martin. At Fever, The Kingdom, Whiskey Saigon, you and Martin were who we followed for the best toons and coverage. Not like we didn’t already miss him or the day’s of playing pool with him upstairs at the Kingdom, it just seems so definite now. Loosing Martin is truly like loosing a piece of my 20′s. Thank you for the words that brought a smile to my face. My heart goes out to everyone who was close to him.
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Thank you Allen.
That was beautifully written.
RIP Martino… -
Thank you ,Alan. RIP Martin
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Bravo.
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Thanks for posting this. As a thirty something Torontonian, I spent many an evening at Martin’s differents clubs, or just listening at home. You knew it would be the same music everytime. New stuff mixed in with the eventual run of Ministry, Tool and Rage. As the Edge slowly fades into irrelevance (to my peers at least who love the Spirit), it was always great to hear Martin’s voice on a Saturday night. It might have only been for a minute now and then, but it is still awesome. We don’t get to “stay late” anymore, but now… wish we could go one more time. Keep it solid Martin. That’s how I will remember you.
Shape up Edge… you are losing a generation to internet radio and podcasts who play relevant music with out dumbed down talk. Martin was your connection to what once worked. Well done.
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thank you for this. as a listener of cfny since the 80′s, martin’s voice was a constant that i seemed to have taken for granted would always just be there. his unmistakable voice can still be heard in my head saying ‘live from…’
kudos to you alan for guarding his personal torment as if it were your own. -
Perhaps I will have an outpouring another day. I will speak of the time I got to spend with Martin, some of the most memorable and influential years of my life.
But that will not be today. Martin was more than a friend to me, he was a brother.
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I had the opportunity of working with Martin when he became the host of Guys Garage on the sister station am 640. On air during our first show, Martin explained that he wasn’t really a big car guy, then went on to tell me that one night on the 401 during a snow storm he pulled on the emergency brake just to see what would happen. He was a car guy.
Very few people put it out there as honest as Martin, I will miss him -
Martin was also a phenom on the billiards table…there wasn’t a game he couldn’t win no matter how bad it might have looked.
Thank you for the tribute Alan.
More importantly, thank you for the memories Martin. -
I too started listening to CFNY back in the mid-80′s when I came to Toronto to attend UofT. My older sister told me it was the cool station, and yes I was hooked.
If anyone is interested, there are some Youtube clips up of Martin Streek. Quite frankly I had to go there before I could match the name and the voice – and it took all of a second. Now just close your eyes, and you’ll be transported back. People have remarked on Alan’s wit. Well, doing this on a Monday and tramping all over MJ’s memorial (or getting lost within the coverage)… hrmm, maybe that was Martin’s last joke. Or maybe he just wanted to be the next big celeb to follow Billy Mays. Turning 45 myself this year, makes his death even more poignant. I’m sorry Martin you took this way out. -
Takes someone who could call Martin ‘friend’ to write it like it was, is and should be. Thanks Alan for never being at a loss for words, especially when they are needed the most. Many of us on these sites only knew the DJ and never met the man. You actually KNEW him and by all accounts, he would have been someone I would have liked to call ‘friend’. Sorry for your loss.
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Beautiful little piece there Alan. I only experienced Martin for the short period of last year (2008) as an Aussie living in TO with my Canadian girlfriend, and what an amazing personality he really was, and so great to listen to and just be in the presence of at Edge events, etc…
A tragic loss. R.I.P Martin.
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I only had the pleasure of knowing Martin through emails. He always played my tunes, and was all for our little group of 40ish moms coming to the Velvet to have some fun. I sponsored Martin for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, for $49 on May 4th. May 4th was my brother Karl’s 49th Birthday. Karl passed away in Dec/07. Martin emailed me right away to thank me, and played a tune in Karl’s memory that Sunday night. Martin, if you meet my brother Karl, I know you will like him. He’s cool. Give him a hug for me, and tell him Peter was mad he couldn’t go to Offspring concert with me(6 yrs old). We know there’s a helluva band in rock n roll heaven, and now they have a great DJ to go with it. God couldn’t have picked a better dude to spin the tunes. You will truly be missed.
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Thank you for focusing on Martin as a person and for having the grace and respect to tell people that his personal life is NONE of their business.
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Thank you for focusing on Martin as a person and for having the grace and respect to tell people that his personal life is NONE of their business.
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To all those who have met the man, and those like us who have just heard the man. We all feel the man. We should always feel him.
Thanks Alan!
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I am truly saddened. I’ve listened to Martin’s voice for years and I will really miss hearing his musings in the future. Safe journey Martin…
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Alan, Thank you so much for your kind sharing during your time of grief. You always understood that “we” are your community and that we really just love the music and the gifts of energy, passion and the next discovery that you, the Great DJs, give us. I will always consider Martin in that category. Whether I danced on his floor or listened to his voice on the radio, he inspired me.
I am sure that the overwhelming response may be some comfort for those who knew and loved him well.
One more voice, one more listener.
Thank you,
Heather
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Brilliantly put!
I am in shock to hear this news and deeply saddened.
Everyone has their demons and kudos to you for saying NONE of your business.
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Martin Streek and you are my CFNY … even though I left Brampton/Toronto years ago, I still listen via internet from the Yukon.
A wonderful tribute Alan. Sunday nights are not the same anymore, nor is there a chance they will be again. Martin most definitely is already being missed.
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I met Marty at Gord’s in St. Catherine’s back in 94 and have to agree with you, he was an astonishingly charming guy that I grew to love over the past 15 years. He’ll be sadly missed.
Thank you for a fitting tribute Alan. -
Wonderfully said. Truly a sad time. Will miss hearing his voice. May you rest in peace while listening to Pretty Hate Machine!
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Yes Allan, I do agree with you! I have been a very avid listener to both your shows for a long time now. I often communicated with Martin and got to know him that way. Unlike most people, I was privilaged to find out some of Martin’s demons and I do wish he would’ve consulted me before making his fateful decision as we would’ve got through this together. Today was a profoundly sad day.
I will never forget Martin and his inspiration (I used to listen to him Sunday nights as I am a big retro (English Invasion) fan).
Thank you Allan and R.I.P. Martin.
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MARTIN WILL BE MISSED GREATLY!! Mr.Cross put it perfectly. I am sure he has it cranked up to 11, and is still rockin out hard. You did so much for Punk Rock, you left behind a legacy my man.
See You Again, Rest Easy and Much Love.. -
CFNY, Martin Streek and yes you, Alan, defined my teenaged years coming up in Ajax Ontario and later Toronto. Some of my fondest memories involve listening to that station and finding out about the greatest new and old music out there, or getting in (kinda underage…) to Martin’s nights at the Kingdom. He was always such a bright light, full of energy and passion for the music. Though I couldn’t say I really knew him personally, I’ll never forget that he always played Japan whenever I requested it and provided me with the fabulous soundtrack of my youth. My deepest sympathies for your loss, Alan and Toronto. He will be missed.
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Wonderfully said. Truly a sad time. Will miss hearing his voice. May you rest in peace while listening to Pretty Hate Machine!
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There is noone that can put it better than Alan Cross. You are truly a gem yourself. After reading blogs and news articlesit put a damper on the celebration of his life. Your words are a breath of fresh air and Im sure Martin would be very proud. Good Job Alan.
R.I.P Martin.
DC
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I am more stunned and saddened by this news more than everything else that has happened over the last the last couple of weeks. This man did have an impact on my life, he supplied the soundtrack to my teenage life. We had the video dance party at my high school in 1986 in Whitby, hell I still have a Modern Rock CFNY licence plate frame. I always listened to Martins opinion with intent, most of the time it mirrored my own. One item in particular, we both agreed on, and I know this for a fact, he spoke it on air and off was this; the most intense, life changing concert moment happened at Exibition stadium on a very cold November night, lights went down and U2 started their Joshua Tree tour. He was there, I was there.
Martin, I hope you are at peace, sleep well. -
perfect. lovely. thank you.
i’m also certain that Martin and a certain Mr.Strummer are having a laugh, and yapping and sharing music…bless.
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I GREW UP A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM MARTY. ONE NIGHT IN THE LATE EIGHTIES I WAS HAVING YET ANOTHER OUTDOOR BASH ON MY 3 ACRE PROPERTY IN SUBURBAN OAKVILLE. I THINK IT MUST HAVE BEEN AROUND MIDNIGHT THAT MARTY SHOWED UP IN THE TRUCK HAVING JUST DONE A CFNY ROADSHOW. WELL SEIZING THE DAY HE PROCEEDED TO SET UP THE ENTIRE ROADSHOW RIG [PA SYSTEM, HUGE SCREEN, ETC] VIRTUALLY BY HIMSELF. A GOOD PARTY BECAME A FANTASTIC PARTY. THERE WAS NO LIMIT TO MARTY’S ENERGY. THERE WAS NO LIMIT TO WHAT MARTY WOULD DO TO MAKE EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING FEEL SPECIAL. THERE WAS NO LIMIT TO WHAT MARTY WOULD DO TO KEEP THE PARTY GOING AND MAKE IT BETTER. I HAVE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINS AND I’VE BEEN IN THE WIND AND I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE MARTY. IF YOU LOVED MARTY – KNOW THAT HE LOVED YOU MORE.
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Alan, and all you fans, are great. I grew up with CFNY – always it made me feel like I belonged. Martin was no small part of it all. I’d love to light a candle amongst kindred spirits, so if anyone knows of some sort of public memorial… (I’m sitting here on the couch, next to my girlfriend, hoping she doesn’t realize how close to tears I am.) Martin, you’ll be greatly missed.
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Alan thank-you for your insight into this charming man.
Martin thank-you for your passion for music and a wonderful soothing voice we will all dearly miss. Rest in peace. -
You can tell how long a person has been listening to 102.1 by whether they call it the Edge or CFNY. To me, it’s CFNY to this day.
Martin Streek, along with Dave Marsden, Live Earl Jive, Maie Potts, Pete & Geets and you, Alan, defined CFNY’s new music in Toronto from the early 80s to today. They shaped my early days in this city and formed the basis for the music I have listened to from that day to this.
To think that one of these influences is no longer with us, saddens me greatly and maked me feel just that little bit older and less than I was yesterday.
My most sincere condolences to Martin’s family and all his friends at CFNY. He will be missed, indeed.
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Glad I got to read this today. At least we’ve still got you, Alan.
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Lovely words Alan.
Goodbye Martin.
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Lovely words Alan.
Goodbye Martin.
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Lovely words Alan.
Goodbye Martin.
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I’ll miss skateboarding with him and the Skate Geezers on our early Sunday morning rides through the streets of T.O.
Well written and so elouquent Alan.
You and Martin helped turn me and so many other indiviudals my age, on to music that mattered. From the punk roots of the Clash and the Dead Kennedys, to the early nineties Seattle grunge scene, to the bone crunching melodies of NIN, Ministry and Tool….. I am forever gateful.Peace be the journey Martin Streek
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Wonderful words Alan,
goodbye Martin. -
Wonderful words Alan,
goodbye Martin. -
thank you so much for your words alan…. i will miss the man that showed me all the music i love… the two of you created the soundtrack for me and so many of my friends in or youth and until now… i hope the best for you and everyone at the station during this difficult time…
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I was watching the news tonight and heard of Martin’s passing and I was in shock. You Alan, Chris Shepherd and primarily Martin were the soundtrack and the voice of my youth. Clubs like The Diamond/Phoenix, Go-Go’s/Whiskey Saigon/Joe’s, The Big Bop, Catch 22 and RPM are where I spent much of my youth. I continued and renewed my passion for retro nights until only recently at Velvet. Hearing Martin on the radio or dancing to his beats in Velvet would always bring me back to me younger days. Martin was always gracious and made you feel welcome whenever you made a request no matter how busy he was. A big part of my youth has passed away with him. I am truly saddened with his passing and hope that I can pay my respects to him somehow. I am not sure if there is a memorial service open to the public or not but I would like to pay my respects to the man. It is none of our business about his demons as we all have some somewhere. As another person said earlier I wonder if he knew how people really loved him and what an inspiration he was too many of us and if that would have helped. I can’t believe this. I had been planning on going to Velvet soon just to hear him play. Again, a big part of my youth has died with his passing. Some of our innocence has been lost and our mortality has hit a little closer to home. You will be missed Martin. May you RIP. My heart felt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. You will truly be missed.
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I was watching the news tonight and heard of Martin’s passing and I was in shock. You Alan, Chris Shepherd and primarily Martin were the soundtrack and the voice of my youth. Clubs like The Diamond/Phoenix, Go-Go’s/Whiskey Saigon/Joe’s, The Big Bop, Catch 22 and RPM are where I spent much of my youth. I continued and renewed my passion for retro nights until only recently at Velvet. Hearing Martin on the radio or dancing to his beats in Velvet would always bring me back to me younger days. Martin was always gracious and made you feel welcome whenever you made a request no matter how busy he was. A big part of my youth has passed away with him. I am truly saddened with his passing and hope that I can pay my respects to him somehow. I am not sure if there is a memorial service open to the public or not but I would like to pay my respects to the man. It is none of our business about his demons as we all have some somewhere. As another person said earlier I wonder if he knew how people really loved him and what an inspiration he was too many of us and if that would have helped. I can’t believe this. I had been planning on going to Velvet soon just to hear him play. Again, a big part of my youth has died with his passing. Some of our innocence has been lost and our mortality has hit a little closer to home. You will be missed Martin. May you RIP. My heart felt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. You will truly be missed.
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I was watching the news tonight and heard of Martin’s passing and I was in shock. You Alan, Chris Shepherd and primarily Martin were the soundtrack and the voice of my youth. Clubs like The Diamond/Phoenix, Go-Go’s/Whiskey Saigon/Joe’s, The Big Bop, Catch 22 and RPM are where I spent much of my youth. I continued and renewed my passion for retro nights until only recently at Velvet. Hearing Martin on the radio or dancing to his beats in Velvet would always bring me back to me younger days. Martin was always gracious and made you feel welcome whenever you made a request no matter how busy he was. A big part of my youth has passed away with him. I am truly saddened with his passing and hope that I can pay my respects to him somehow. I am not sure if there is a memorial service open to the public or not but I would like to pay my respects to the man. It is none of our business about his demons as we all have some somewhere. As another person said earlier I wonder if he knew how people really loved him and what an inspiration he was too many of us and if that would have helped. I can’t believe this. I had been planning on going to Velvet soon just to hear him play. Again, a big part of my youth has died with his passing. Some of our innocence has been lost and our mortality has hit a little closer to home. You will be missed Martin. May you RIP. My heart felt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. You will truly be missed.
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Nicely done Allen… a respectful eulogy for Martin. Made me crack a smile while trying to deal with such very sad news.
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Martin was part of my music collection as a teenager. Listening to his show was always a pleasure. Thanks Mr. Cross for a well spoken Tribute. RIP
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i googled martin streek because i wanted to go to a place and post a comment and see if this was actually true, but i find out that it is and that he really isn’t here. i heard it yesterday morning on q from jian ghomeshi before his sonic youth set, and i turned it to the edge and they were playing lots of nin, tool, rage, etc…but i didn’t hear anyone say anything about it and i had to go downtown anyways so i planned to go to the edge and apologize to adam (who sounded shattered yesterday morning), which i did…but he wasn’t working at the time and everything looked same old at the edge, but it was weird being there and just learning that he had died. i’ve been listening to cfny since i was 6 years old but not constantly for the past couple of years so like a lot of people i didn’t know he had gotten fired. i guessed what had happened, because there seemed to be a lot of dead air/people covering for them/new dj’s on air…so i was a bit confused about what was really going on. martin streek always made time to talk to me and give me advice and hear my nattering on about random shit and about my life long struggle with depression, and he really helped me/reinforced that i should follow my heart if i was into art instead of going into something i didn’t like. when i was in my car accident and not sleeping for about 2 years plus, although i hardly ever slept either way, he was always just a phone call away. he was involved in the city and would keep you in the know about things that were happening. he always gave the best shout outs and allowed us to promote things on the show even if he didn’t know us. he played records from dudes who just handed him demos, and he was just a great supporter and educator of music. i always had the best conversations with him. i remember being in grade 6 or 7 and being downtown taking some pics for my photography class, and i went to a spot he had suggested was good to capture lots of local kids skateboarding or bmxing, riding and doing tricks, having fun, and i went, and i saw him from behind skating on his board…which i would see a couple of times randomely while in the city. i got to meet him and actually show him that the girl he always made time for was a real person.over the years as i got older and since he made me feel like a comfortable member of the edge community, i have seen him on different ocassions in the city and it was always easy to talk to him and start up for last conversations. we had some great debates/disagreements which always ended with us finding common ground, and HE ALWAYS REMEMBERED ME…maybe he was good at pretending or something but he always knew who i was, which i thought was kind of amazing since my own bro’s and my family memeberd forget me all the time
…yeah but he always remembered me and i will him. i am blessed to have known him even just a little and he was blessed to have lived. i can’t imagine that he won’t be doing everything he loved to do. it’s so hard. he was such an awesome giving dude. he shared himself. i’m so sad and distraught about this. RIP martin. you were really loved. we thank you for being there for us. my condolences to his girlfriend and his family and friends. i posted that from the mike website. thanks for this mr. cross. everything in that was the truth and that’s also how i knew him to be, plus plenty more. i remember i used to call in to the edge as a kid (real under ager lol but i know good music) and i think he always knew he was talking to a youngster so he entertained me i guess, which i am greatful for, and i used to complain that i couldn’t go to any of the clubs he did live to air at because i obviously wasn’t anywhere near legal (i would win stuff from the edge and have to turn it down), and i remember he said well your time will come one day and you can come out with the rest of us and have fun, but i explained to him that my parents were real sticklers, and although he told me that a time will come when i would have to make my own decisions and my parents would have to live with that, he never once told me to sneak out and disobey my parents. he actually listened to me. he was such a good guy and gave of himself. i’m so glad that for the past 13 plus years i have gotten to know martin streek as a person. he was a part of my life. i’m so sad. i used to think something like this would happen, but i mean he always had positive things to say to me and had me thinking way different than i normally am. i have a lot to be thankful for to him for helping me out, even though he didn’t need to do it, even though i was a stranger at first, even though i wasn’t a friend or family. but he always knew who i was and remembered me. i can hardly type all this without crying. i wanted to get into radio because of him, but i decided to take his advice a couple years back and follow my heart and follow my dreams. the guy inspired me. gosh. this is really hard. i can’t believe this is real. i hope i can deal wi
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oh and before i forget, it helps writing this stuff, he was my first at a lot of stuff. i mean i can’t even count how many bands/musicians i got introduced to because of martin. i have this diary thing i got from my brother that i would write down all the live to air/overnights/all the shows he did i wrote down every band that i could and would always go and research them so i became a consumer of music. man. he’s touched my life and so many others. i miss him. it’s been really odd not hearing him on the radio even. i’m not going to see him around when i go into the city…i hope he’s somewhere riding his board and listening to the cure,nin,kyus,tool etc…he did as he preached. he really did
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Well said, Alan. And yes, who could forget those Hollowe’en costumes?
We will all miss this charming man.
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I listened every Sunday in University while studying. You are as much a part of degree as ECON, BUS & MATH.
You are missed. RIP
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Great insight on the man behind the mic. I have listened to him on radio for many moons, and seen him weekly at Fever and The Kingdom back in the days. Although I never knew the man, I would say that radio has lost an iconic figure. He will be missed.
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I am going to miss Martin even though I had never met him….I spent my Thursday evenings and weekend evenings with him for the last few years…I am really saddened by the circumstances that surround his death. Someone’s greed for the amighty buck can cause lives to shatter! Why Why…IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT!!! (bring back Barry Taylor)
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Tragic. Met Marty a few times alone with you Alan at NRG. Remember, the guy that knows Crackers. (your first time in a bar in the Peg) Condolences to all his loved ones. RIP man.
Mike.
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Thank you for writing this; it brings a smile to the heart. Martin’s energetic presence will be dearly missed.
Alan; both you and Martin have always been THE definitive spirit of CFNY, and always will be.
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Martin truly was a Spirit of the Radio
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When I was 19 I remember going to the phoenix for the first time and hearing his voice and saying to my friends, “hey its that guy from the radio” instantly excitement would take over and you felt like your night was a little more fun knowing that the radio was broadcasting.
I will never for get this moment…
at the time my friends brought me out to the phoenix and I didn’t feel like going, I was sitting along the walls sipping my beer watching my friends dance with girls having a great time but like I said I just wasnt into it that night. Then that deep voice came over the speakers “ladies grab a guy, guys grab your lady and hit the dance floor”.It was then at that moment that I felt my hand grabed by some girls soft, gentel touch which pulled me away from the wall which had felt like I had been stuck too all night. “Change by Deftones” came on and that was it.. We danced together all night and after went out for coffee and started on what would turn out to be an amazing 5 years with my new wife.
Thank you Martin
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Thank you for a great tribute to such a great talent. I started listening to CFNY and Martins shows when I first moved to Toronto nearly 20 years ago. I was a regular at Whisky Saigon sunday nights where I thoroughly enjoyed Martins performances. So much so that I have continued listening occasionally online from my home now in St. John’s. The combination of his knowledge of music and charisma made for many very entertaining nights. It is sad how you take certain things for granted. I find myself now wishing I had listened more often in recent years. His unmistakable voice is my most vivid memory right now. Thank you Martin for many great years of entertainment…you will be missed.
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What a great tribute to one of the voices of our musical generation. A fine job, Mr. Cross! (especially the none of your business part – so very true).
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Beautifully written Alan. I listened to Martin for many years and always admired his energy and commitment to the bands he loved. I have never seen a bigger NIN fan! He will be missed by many.
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Beautiful words Alan, thank you.
Martin and I grew up together on Glamworth Crescent, both social misfits at the time. Years later we used to laugh at how far we’d come from the suburbian plebs. I hadn’t seen Martin for a few months, the last time I saw him and we spoke at length actually was at a documentary surrounding the punk scene in the late 70s and early 80s, rather fitting it seems. I will miss my friend and comrad – I felt like we were part of the same team.
Hey Alan, as a note aside, I have an old ratty CFNY “the only one” t-shirt that pre-dates the spirit
Also, if you could send me any details concerning a memorial or funeral I’d greatly appreciate it, and, at the very least send my condolences to Robbie and his Mom.Peace
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that has to be the best closing line any one can give to a snowboarder…ever!
the endless powder run in front of you with a finish line holding so much promise
he’s in a better place, by the sounds of it.. that is heaven! -
What a shock. It’s still hard to believe. Beautifully said Alan. I’m sorry for everyone’s loss.
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I am old enough to remember CFNY before it became the Edge and I remember the video road shows, I used to go the Phoenix and Whiskey Saigon and I am greatly saddened by Martin’s passing. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and to you Alan, a heart felt thank you for a moving and beautifully written good bye.
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As many, I was very sad yesterday and couldn’t accomplish anything at work or at home. Yes, Martin may have had his personal demons, most people do. Did any of his close friends/family know of them? Even if he didn’t ask for help, was this the real reason for his “restructuring”? He really was an iconic personality, and I think the ‘upper management’ at the Edge are to blame for taking away his life. All these comments on everyones blogs, shows that work to some people is more than just a job. Music and (unfortuanately) 102, was Martins life. How unfair to take that away from someone who was so obviously talented and loyal not only to his profession, but also to his employer. I knew Martin from CFNY and will miss him along with probably a million people. I hope he will get some personal peace from ‘his demons’, but I will always blame the Edge for taking Martin away from all of us. There really is no reward for doing your best, is there.
Condolences to you and your collegues, Alan, but I am no longer an ‘Edge fan’. -
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Nothing I can say that you or anyone on this list hasn’t already said with pride. Martin’s playlist was the soundtrack to my weekends, listending to the radio throughout my teenage years and twenties (and then a whole night of all-night retro while doing bloody homwork on a Sunday night). Even now, while sitting at home on the job a Friday or Saturday night, if I wanted a mix of high-energy and songs I don’t get to hear in regular play at the station anymore, I’d flip on the Edge at the Phoenix or Velvet Underground. While everything at the station seemed to get watered down over the past 8 years (and we got older), his special contribution remained to keep the edge “edgy”. These days, it was only Martin’s club night song selection of oldies from the past 30 plus years, and your shows that make the station even remotely listenable now that we’re in our thirties. It’s a level playing field now – the old Edge is officially dead now that Martin has left for good. Here, take the ball back, and let’s see what the station does, moving forward, to remain significant and unique without guys like Martin.
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As saddened as I am to hear of Martin’s passing, it’s amazing to read the testimonials of the people who met him and were touched by his warmth and charm. I greatly enjoyed his natural on-air personality before I ever met him. And, on the few occasions that I got to break bread with him, he was extremely polite and entertaining when he didn’t need to be! Thanks Martin for being a true original and an inpiration to so many people!!!
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Thanks for the wonderful tribute, Alan.
Hey Mar, I hope you are shooting stick up in heaven. You’ll have lots of time to practice to win the next one, I’m not coming to visit anytime soon.
Wish you had the chance to meet my daughter, you’d be proud.
AMF
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Anything I could say has already been said and said well. I will miss Martin.
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Thank you for your contagious enthusiasm Martin… you will be missed.
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Great words Alan – about a really great guy. Leaves me with a good feeling about Marty and his charming ways – thanks.
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I have been listening to Martin Streek for a long time, just like everyone.
I’m not going to miss the way Martin DJ’d because I wasn’t a big fan…however, Martin Streek was a Toronto icon. I find it sad that it took so long to hear about this news. I find it sad that Corus Entertainment doesn’t make more of an announcement and tribute to Martin. The only thing that Allan could have done was leave this *blog* for everyone to read. This man was an iconic part of the Toronto nightlife for almost 30 years. And I wish all his family, friends and fans to know that energy cannot be created nor destroyed and Martin Streek had some serious energy. Martin, I hope that your demons are laid to rest, but know that regardless of what nightclub or radio station is being listened to, not hearing your voice will make it all seem a lot emptier. -
I had the pleasure of spending a night with Martin at the Phoenix while interning with Corus last year.
He came to speak to our class on behalf of our teacher and Corus producer John Vercillo. He was an amazing speaker and a great guy to talk to . I was supposed to meet at the front doors but he came in through the back and we had a good laugh of that. After speaking with him a bit after the class he invited me and my bf to come down to the Phoenix one night with him after we said we were interns. It was a great night and he was a charm to work with. I remember listening to him when I started listening the the edge when I was 13.
I will truly miss Martin and wish I got to know him better and I would have loved to work with him more. He was a great Jock and man and will always be remembered as such.
Miss you Martin <3
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What a beautiful tribute. He deserves to be remembered and celebrated for all of the good times that he gave us. I miss him.
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When I think back to when I started really getting into music it was when Martin was on, I thank you. Your somone who spread great times and joy to the masses so you will be always alive in the hearts and soul of so many.
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When I think back to when I started really getting into music it was when Martin was on, I thank you. Your somone who spread great times and joy to the masses so you will be always alive in the hearts and soul of so many.
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I moved to California from Toronto in 1997 after growing up in the area. I listened to a lot of radio in that time, hopping around between The Edge and Q107 depending on my mood.
Of all the Toronto DJs I came to know in that time, Martin Streek is the only one whose name and style made enough of an impression to leave clear memories from those years of my youth. When I think of Toronto radio, his is the voice I still hear.
Safe journies, Martin.
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Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to a unique man. I grew up listening to Martin on 102.1, and dancing to him at clubs. Your tribute has helped me know more about the man…….we miss you Martin, have a great afterlife!
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Very eloquent Alan, you put into words much of what we all knew. martin Streek was one of a kind. I moved south when I was in college, and tuned into 102.1 as it was the up’n coming music, not the same old garbage that the format dictated up north. Matin introduced me to a few new styles of music, and to this day I will freely admit that my best memory of him was listening in the car while driving back from Kitchener to Lindsay to the live play from the Kingdom. It made the ride not to monotonous, and I tuned in every trip, and there were many.
Martin, you will be missed, you were the last bastien of the OLD School that I still listened to, until your unwarranted departure. RIP, may you find eternal peace kicking it up a notch with the music scene on the other side!!!
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From Martin’s live-to-airs that made many a dull night so much better, to accommodating my step-son for a school project 2 years ago, M.Streek was a first class dude. I’m not a big proponent of suicide as it’s a tad selfish, but I fully understand that we’re all master of our domain and can choose when and where to get off this train. It’s too bad Martin chose so soon and at such a young age. You’ll be missed man (you knew that when you made your final facebook post)
For old time sake, one last song intro from friday night in girlington. I can hear Martin’s voice while writing this.
(club music faint in background throughout)
It’s friday night and we’re live at the kingdom…..
Coming up we have some Rob Zombie and Nine Inch Nails….
Right now though, it’s the Chili’s with suck my kiss….
You’re listening to the greatest radio station on the planet….
102.1 The Edge -
Thank you for posting this excellent tribute. He will be missed.
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Thank you Mr Cross.
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Thank you Mr Cross.
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Thank you Mr Cross.
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I started a business 2 years ago. I forgot what its like to look for a job. Without my business I would be lost.
Imagine being clipped out of your job after more than 20 years. Where would you go? How could someone turn their back on someone so harshly. And don’t tell me I dont know what Im talking about. I heard how much this hurt from his own mouth. Corus didn’t even replace or offer to replace his work in another town.
The radio business is a harsh mother f***er.
102.1 The Edge is probably 90% of why he took his life. Shame on you.
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I started a business 2 years ago. I forgot what its like to look for a job. Without my business I would be lost.
Imagine being clipped out of your job after more than 20 years. Where would you go? How could someone turn their back on someone so harshly. And don’t tell me I dont know what Im talking about. I heard how much this hurt from his own mouth. Corus didn’t even replace or offer to replace his work in another town.
The radio business is a harsh mother fucker.
102.1 The Edge is probably 90% of why he took his life. Shame on you.
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This was a great window into the live of someone I never knew personally, I feel like I now know the type of man he was. So sad!
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After listening to Martin’s voice over the CFNY airwaves for many years and spending a lot of my misspent youth running up to the DJ booth at Kingdom to request songs, I always felt that although I didn’t personally know Martin other than to say Hey, I still felt like I knew him and that he knew me. He played the songs I requested and even managed to play the ones I hadn’t realized I wanted to hear until they started. He always seemed approachable and willing to talk about the music. Although I stopped listening to the station years ago, I still tuned in when I could to the live to air Sundays from the Velvet Underground. He was an amazing DJ and as many have said, his playlists defined my 20′s and heavily influenced my music collection. Thanks for the tribute Alan and most importantly, thanks to you Martin for being the voice in my head bringing back all those memories. You will not be forgotten.
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I miss you buddy….
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I met Martin when he snuck me into a Video Road Show at a school I didn’t attend. I was tapping on the gymnasium door waiting for someone to let me in. Much to my surprise I was knocking on the door behind the DJ booth. Martin waited for a perfect opportunity to open the door enough without getting me caught. My friend and I wiggled our way behind the crates of vinyl. That was 21 yrs ago.
Throughout the years Martin and I had mutual friends, worked together Wednesday Alternative nites at NRG/Kingdom, bumped into each other at Fever, raves and booze cans.
I’ve been out of the country for 10yrs. When I came back and heard Martins voice over the radio it was really one of the first comforts of home. There will now be a void in my life, a close comfort that Martin took with him and a silence that I will have to live with.
You will be missed my friend.
Debra xo
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Thank you, Alan. Rest in peace, Martin.
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Thank you! Alan I knew we could count on you!
The Edge has not been the same since you stopped being Program Director.. and will not be the same.
I have missed Martin since he disappeared from The Edge.. and have been so saddened by this news. Life is so precious..
Once again Thank you! -
Not much more to say that hasn’t been said. Let me repeat, thanks Mr. Cross.
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Thank you. Martin was part of my growing up; he was only a few years older than I am. Too young. I miss his Sunday night voice.
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Mr. Cross,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection. It’s the best thing I’ve read about the man’s life thus far on the many reports on the internet. Let me clarify, it’s the best out of the two good ones (EYE article) and many bad ones that I’ve read.
I also remember the persuasive power of Martin Streek, as I would listen to his live from the Phoenix retro show and would say with him, on cue, after recapping a set with a Clash song, “Best band of all time”. It feels like a little bit of the Toronto I grew up with and actually liked has died with him.
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Mr. Cross,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection. It’s the best thing I’ve read about the man’s life thus far on the many reports on the internet. Let me clarify, it’s the best out of the two good ones (EYE article) and many bad ones that I’ve read.
I also remember the persuasive power of Martin Streek, as I would listen to his live from the Phoenix retro show and would say with him, on cue, after recapping a set with a Clash song, “Best band of all time”. It feels like a little bit of the Toronto I grew up with and actually liked has died with him.
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Martin was an awsome dude. He got me through many a weekend with his music. I would like to put forth the idea of creating one last set list in his memory. I’d like to suggest “Passive” by A Perfect Circle. Although Martin was seldom passive, it was co-written by two of his favourite musicians, Trent Reznor and Maynard. Rock In Peace! Miss ya pal!
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What cfny once meant to me is now gone. It is now just a regular radio station.
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What kind words so beautifully written; I’m sure Martin is smiling at you Alan.
Martin will be sorely missed, may he RIP. -
From the countless clubs he DJ’d at, to skateboarding with him *inside* the Dundas Street office once, to shooting stick together @ NRG between sets, to late nights @ Catch 22 on his nights off – he was alive and out there and the heartbeat of better music in this city.
You are and always will be, a brother – in our souls and in our ears forever.
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Perfectly perfect, Alan.
Martin really did set my life to music for many years, and whether it was dancing all night at Whiskey Saigon or listening to the Thursday 30, his music influenced me. Though I didn’t know him well, I’m glad I had a chance to meet him, go to his house parties, do shots in the DJ booth, even shoot some pool with him at Whiskey from time to time. He really is quite a guy.
Charming is right. Martin, you will be missed. -
I am still stunned. Everyone who posted above stated it all so well – how Martin, Alan and Chris helped define a music era that spanned decades and in doing so shaped a large swath of my life. It feels like a piece of me just vanished to who know’s where.
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Thanks Alan.
I only met Martin a handful of times in person, but I enjoyed his sets in the clubs and listened to him on the radio so many many times over the years that he felt like a friend.
Another sad day for music.
Thanks for all the fun nights Martin – they’ll be missed.
Safe journey.
Bannon -
Thanks Alan,
Nice job. I’ll miss him too. Lots of nights dancing at Whiskey Saigon years back. He was always awesome, always approachable, always friendly and enthusiastic.Thanks again
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Beautifully written, Alan.
RIP Brother Streek
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Thank you for your words. My sympathies to his family and close friends. We all feel the loss. I will remember…too much
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I think one of my favourite memories was a live to air he did on Christmas eve when in between the sets he read “Twas the Night before Christmas”. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you Alan for a wonderful tribute to Martin. -
This is a beautifully written tribute to Martin. I was so shocked to hear the news and will truely miss an icon of Toronto’s music scene. For almost 20 years I’ve been listening to Martin on 102 and enjoyed the time spent expanding my mind to new music. I’ve been busy the last few months planning my wedding so I hadn’t always had time to catch him on the air, so unfortunately never knew he was let go. Now with this news I’m not sure if I can listen again. My thoughts are with all his family and friends at this time, rest in peace Martin.
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Well over the last few days I’ve been beyond angry and upset at the powers that be (Corus and company) for stripping the soul out of Martin, cfny and frankly a part of myself. Did they really think that the listeners would just forget and move on? Did they not realize that the house would crumble without the foundation on which it was built? Sure there was no big stink at first… Because no one knew he was gone. Like myself, I’m sure most of the public just figured Martin took a night off, or was on vacation. What a sneaky thing to do to such loyal listeners and to him. Most of us had been living WITH cfny all our lives. He had no chance to say goodbye to us.
Martin had many tatoos of things he loved. One of them was cfny spirit of radio. On the Edge website just after he was fired there was not a shred of evidence that he even existed. No inkling of how much of himself he gave to that station over the last 20 years. How do you think that made him feel?
Martin loved his job, his music and his life. How can you separate your passion from your job when your passion IS your job? I realize that radio is a business. But it means nothing when you are the one affected. It makes me feel so sad and hopeless to see creativity, integrity and professionalism replaced by the bottom line($$$) and mainstream mediocrity. I’ve lived it personally in such a bad way in my own industry(TV). My position was eliminated last year, but I was fortunate to land on my feet.I first met Martin at a roller rink named Revolution in Scarborough where he was doing a live to air and I was helping out djing. After that I spent all of my 20′s hanging out with him mostly at Whiskey Saigon on Sundays and more memorably at the Joker on Thursday nights. We would always talk about boarding and there would always be some crazy story about how he tamed the mountain or how the mountain tamed him! Like everyone else has said you were his number one friend and just shooting the s**t was an adventure. I think most of have been hit really hard because of how good to us he was. We all felt like best friends and when ever we saw each other it would be an event. “HEY! What’s up Brutha’!!!” A few Martinisms that will always stick with me…
“We are live here at the Kingdom in Girlington.”
“That was Block Rockin’ Beats by Chemicals Brother.”
“This one’s going real late.”
“Kicking of the set was Smack my bitch up by Prodigy Prodigy.”Like a growing giant star you grew and grew to reach so many of us. When you imploded you brought us all with you.
Godspeed good buddy. And thanks for making all of us feel so important.
J.
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Growing up on Martin Streek’s Thursday 30 and his live-to-air-club-night-broadcasts as the sountrack to my youth, I was very fortunate to win an opportunity to become an Intern at Edge 102 in the summer of 2002.
When I first met Martin Streek I couldn’t believe how young he was, or so i thought. He seemed to be the perfect extension of the Ideal Edge listener… Edgy, razor-sharp, hip, hedonistic, Personable, Passionate and maybe his best quality: that eternally youthful glow.
One night on the way back from Edgefest, Martin and I somehow got into a deep political discussion that lasted the entire bus ride from Barrie to Toronto. Others kept their silence but I suppose we both had alot to say and continued to do so while others backed away and just listened…So there we were, on that Edge tour bus full of other veteran Edge staff;
It was legendary live-to-air host and one of the most recognizeable voices in Toronto radio, Martin Streek VS. little ol’ me; this young, naive, brand new intern who had barely been there a month.
With the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorism still a very heated topic, we disagreed on many points but the Iconic party-host and Thursday 30 presenter Martin never once made me feel small or wrong or out of place. And in the end when we finally arrived back at Yonge n Dundas. He looked deep into my eyes and thanked me for a great chat. That was when I gained a new respect for this man who was not only an awesome radio host. But a socially-conscious, intelligent and respectful man of integrity.
I left the Edge that fall to go travelling but after I returned to Toronto in 2007, I would continue to bump into him in around Toronto every few months and he always greeted me with a big smile, enthusiasm for what ever we were discussing and that classic Martin Streek zest for life.
That is why I have been so saddened and so completely gripped by this news since I first heard it about 48 hours ago…
Such an unbelievable shock that this well-loved, highly-respected, incredibly talented, eternally youthful, voice of a generation could be gone from us so quickly, and not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in his darkest hour.
102.1 The Edge, the spirit of Radio as it was once known, has now lost the last vestige of the spirit it once spawned.
I still cant believe that Martin Streek has died. I guess that means 102.1 as we knew it has died. I will never be able to listen to it again without thinking, feeling and hearing the ghost of Martin Streek.
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Growing up on Martin Streek’s Thursday 30 and his live-to-air-club-night-broadcasts as the sountrack to my youth, I was very fortunate to win an opportunity to become an Intern at Edge 102 in the summer of 2002.
When I first met Martin Streek I couldn’t believe how young he was, or so i thought. He seemed to be the perfect extension of the Ideal Edge listener… Edgy, razor-sharp, hip, hedonistic, Personable, Passionate and maybe his best quality: that eternally youthful glow.
One night on the way back from Edgefest, Martin and I somehow got into a deep political discussion that lasted the entire bus ride from Barrie to Toronto. Others kept their silence but I suppose we both had alot to say and continued to do so while others backed away and just listened…So there we were, on that Edge tour bus full of other veteran Edge staff;
It was legendary live-to-air host and one of the most recognizeable voices in Toronto radio, Martin Streek VS. little ol’ me; this young, naive, brand new intern who had barely been there a month.
With the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorism still a very heated topic, we disagreed on many points but the Iconic party-host and Thursday 30 presenter Martin never once made me feel small or wrong or out of place. And in the end when we finally arrived back at Yonge n Dundas. He looked deep into my eyes and thanked me for a great chat. That was when I gained a new respect for this man who was not only an awesome radio host. But a socially-conscious, intelligent and respectful man of integrity.
I left the Edge that fall to go travelling but after I returned to Toronto in 2007, I would continue to bump into him in around Toronto every few months and he always greeted me with a big smile, enthusiasm for what ever we were discussing and that classic Martin Streek zest for life.
That is why I have been so saddened and so completely gripped by this news since I first heard it about 48 hours ago…
Such an unbelievable shock that this well-loved, highly-respected, incredibly talented, eternally youthful, voice of a generation could be gone from us so quickly, and not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in his darkest hour.
102.1 The Edge, the spirit of Radio as it was once known, has now lost the last vestige of the spirit it once spawned.
I still cant believe that Martin Streek has died. I guess that means 102.1 as we knew it has died. I will never be able to listen to it again without thinking, feeling and hearing the ghost of Martin Streek.
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Growing up on Martin Streek’s Thursday 30 and his live-to-air-club-night-broadcasts as the sountrack to my youth, I was very fortunate to win an opportunity to become an Intern at Edge 102 in the summer of 2002.
When I first met Martin Streek I couldn’t believe how young he was, or so i thought. He seemed to be the perfect extension of the Ideal Edge listener… Edgy, razor-sharp, hip, hedonistic, Personable, Passionate and maybe his best quality: that eternally youthful glow.
One night on the way back from Edgefest, Martin and I somehow got into a deep political discussion that lasted the entire bus ride from Barrie to Toronto. Others kept their silence but I suppose we both had alot to say and continued to do so while others backed away and just listened…So there we were, on that Edge tour bus full of other veteran Edge staff;
It was legendary live-to-air host and one of the most recognizeable voices in Toronto radio, Martin Streek VS. little ol’ me; this young, naive, brand new intern who had barely been there a month.
With the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorism still a very heated topic, we disagreed on many points but the Iconic party-host and Thursday 30 presenter Martin never once made me feel small or wrong or out of place. And in the end when we finally arrived back at Yonge n Dundas. He looked deep into my eyes and thanked me for a great chat. That was when I gained a new respect for this man who was not only an awesome radio host. But a socially-conscious, intelligent and respectful man of integrity.
I left the Edge that fall to go travelling but after I returned to Toronto in 2007, I would continue to bump into him in around Toronto every few months and he always greeted me with a big smile, enthusiasm for what ever we were discussing and that classic Martin Streek zest for life.
That is why I have been so saddened and so completely gripped by this news since I first heard it about 48 hours ago…
Such an unbelievable shock that this well-loved, highly-respected, incredibly talented, eternally youthful, voice of a generation could be gone from us so quickly, and not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in his darkest hour.
102.1 The Edge, the spirit of Radio as it was once known, has now lost the last vestige of the spirit it once spawned.
I still cant believe that Martin Streek has died. I guess that means 102.1 as we knew it has died. I will never be able to listen to it again without thinking, feeling and hearing the ghost of Martin Streek.
-
Growing up on Martin Streek’s Thursday 30 and his live-to-air-club-night-broadcasts as the sountrack to my youth, I was very fortunate to win an opportunity to become an Intern at Edge 102 in the summer of 2002.
When I first met Martin Streek I couldn’t believe how young he was, or so i thought. He seemed to be the perfect extension of the Ideal Edge listener… Edgy, razor-sharp, hip, hedonistic, Personable, Passionate and maybe his best quality: that eternally youthful glow.
One night on the way back from Edgefest, Martin and I somehow got into a deep political discussion that lasted the entire bus ride from Barrie to Toronto. Others kept their silence but I suppose we both had alot to say and continued to do so while others backed away and just listened…So there we were, on that Edge tour bus full of other veteran Edge staff;
It was legendary live-to-air host and one of the most recognizeable voices in Toronto radio, Martin Streek VS. little ol’ me; this young, naive, brand new intern who had barely been there a month.
With the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorism still a very heated topic, we disagreed on many points but the Iconic party-host and Thursday 30 presenter Martin never once made me feel small or wrong or out of place. And in the end when we finally arrived back at Yonge n Dundas. He looked deep into my eyes and thanked me for a great chat. That was when I gained a new respect for this man who was not only an awesome radio host. But a socially-conscious, intelligent and respectful man of integrity.
I left the Edge that fall to go travelling but after I returned to Toronto in 2007, I would continue to bump into him in around Toronto every few months and he always greeted me with a big smile, enthusiasm for what ever we were discussing and that classic Martin Streek zest for life.
That is why I have been so saddened and so completely gripped by this news since I first heard it about 48 hours ago…
Such an unbelievable shock that this well-loved, highly-respected, incredibly talented, eternally youthful, voice of a generation could be gone from us so quickly, and not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in his darkest hour.
102.1 The Edge, the spirit of Radio as it was once known, has now lost the last vestige of the spirit it once spawned.
I still cant believe that Martin Streek has died. I guess that means 102.1 as we knew it has died. I will never be able to listen to it again without thinking, feeling and hearing the ghost of Martin Streek.
-
Growing up on Martin Streek’s Thursday 30 and his live-to-air-club-night-broadcasts as the sountrack to my youth, I was very fortunate to win an opportunity to become an Intern at Edge 102 in the summer of 2002.
When I first met Martin Streek I couldn’t believe how young he was, or so i thought. He seemed to be the perfect extension of the Ideal Edge listener… Edgy, razor-sharp, hip, hedonistic, Personable, Passionate and maybe his best quality: that eternally youthful glow.
One night on the way back from Edgefest, Martin and I somehow got into a deep political discussion that lasted the entire bus ride from Barrie to Toronto. Others kept their silence but I suppose we both had alot to say and continued to do so while others backed away and just listened…So there we were, on that Edge tour bus full of other veteran Edge staff;
It was legendary live-to-air host and one of the most recognizeable voices in Toronto radio, Martin Streek VS. little ol’ me; this young, naive, brand new intern who had barely been there a month.
With the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorism still a very heated topic, we disagreed on many points but the Iconic party-host and Thursday 30 presenter Martin never once made me feel small or wrong or out of place. And in the end when we finally arrived back at Yonge n Dundas. He looked deep into my eyes and thanked me for a great chat. That was when I gained a new respect for this man who was not only an awesome radio host. But a socially-conscious, intelligent and respectful man of integrity.
I left the Edge that fall to go travelling but after I returned to Toronto in 2007, I would continue to bump into him in around Toronto every few months and he always greeted me with a big smile, enthusiasm for what ever we were discussing and that classic Martin Streek zest for life.
That is why I have been so saddened and so completely gripped by this news since I first heard it about 48 hours ago…
Such an unbelievable shock that this well-loved, highly-respected, incredibly talented, eternally youthful, voice of a generation could be gone from us so quickly, and not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in his darkest hour.
102.1 The Edge, the spirit of Radio as it was once known, has now lost the last vestige of the spirit it once spawned.
I still cant believe that Martin Streek has died. I guess that means 102.1 as we knew it has died. I will never be able to listen to it again without thinking, feeling and hearing the ghost of Martin Streek.
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After a couple of days searching for a decent article on Martin’s death I finally find it here… I don’t need to search any longer. I knew you’d do Martin’s untimely and unfortunate passing justice. Alan, I hope you will turn this to a one hour tribute on The Ongoing History of New Music. I can hardly believe that I’ll never hear his voice coming through the airwaves again. I’ll truly miss him and I’ll miss the nick names he had for bands like The Red Hot Chili Willies. Martin has joined the great gig in the sky… I can hear him emceeing now. He will live on in my thoughts and every time I hear The Clash and his other favourite bands. Peace.
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An amazing tribute to an amazing person…I will miss his voice on the radio and was saddened by the news of his passing. The Edge would not be where it is today without him… RIP Marty
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Thanks, Alan, for writing such a well written tribute to Martin. I have always loved listening to Martin right from the beginning. I could never get enough of hearing him on the radio back when it was CFNY. I remember listening to him from the Pheonix and Whiskey Saigon and always loved the music he played. He made my musical tastes what they are today. I have been a listener of 102.1 for over 20 years and I just have to say that now it is nothing compared with what it was back then, and now we have lost another of the great ones. I will miss him, and I thank him for the 20 years + of bringing excellent music to the people!
RIP Martin, and I am sure you are spinning the tunes up there right now!
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Hi all,
This poured out of my fingertips and into a Facebook note in one take last night. Please feel free to share it.
Blessings,
BrianMartin taught me how to say “nice” in a completely new and different way. His intonation, intention, and intuition resonate thru that word every time someone today imitates it. Martin had a captivating, dynamic presence whether on the airwaves, in a DJ booth, in privacy on the streets with his longboard,or on the slopes of Whistler BC.
Listening to and working alongside the likes of David Marsden, Chris Sheppard, Earle Jive and Mae Pauts, Don Berns, Dani Elwell, Scot Turner and Pamela Blair, so many of the Toronto broadcast radio alumi we now count, and grieve with as friends, Martin and I collided into friendship many decades ago. It was somewhere between The Phoenix or Whiskey Saigon. Or maybe it was both. Or neither. Either way, I have lost count of the nights…take your pick. It was an unholy triumvirate occupying DJ booths all over downtown in so many ways, on so many levels! Me, Martin, and Dwight; Me, Martin, and Johnny; Me, Martin, and Trevor… And the Jagermeister, the Cuervo Gold, the fine Columbian…wait, am I mixing this up with a Steely Dan track!? Well let me tell you, Martin lived that song…he lived his life at 18, with no hesitation.
It was Martin who encouraged me to buy my first car. I was worried about financing it. We had just finished talking about people we knew in the club scene who lived beyond their means. On credit. Indefinitely. Martin said : “Go for it. Just do it man, you’ll find a way.” I can still remember the conviction he named that with. And I did, because he really meant it, and he really did it. I can remember watching him longboard down Sherbourne to the Phoenix. He ripped it up. Martin wasn’t one of those nervous nellie skaters – he was right out there, surfing the asphalt like he owned it. He rocked tight jeans and leather pants. Pipes to envy. And then when he caught the snowboarding bug, Dwight was right there with him, and I was green with envy at those two, heading to Blue, Tremblant, St Anne on a moment’s notice. Then Whistler, then Alberta…it was galling, infuriating, but man, was that guy living life and going for it.
We lost touch when I went back to China, but I listened to his show from my office in Hong Kong on Monday morning, as it was still night in Toronto. Martin’s love of things Asian kept the fire of friendship burning, and kept us in a conversation that could be resumed at any point, at any time, as if no time had passed. We talked about the Mainland. We talked about Thailand. We talked about beaches. We walked the talk. Martin was as good a listener as he was a talker. His intent gaze, his quick wit, and his retention of amazing detail was second to none. He was fast. He “got it”. And he diddn’t mince words. His opinions, out there. His beliefs, bang on. His way – his and his alone. Martin laughed loud, but rarely last. It was a wicked, sinister laugh, unmistakable in a noisy room or the background of a DJ booth. Martin’s laugh still echoes in my mind.
I counted Martin as a guy who had “made it”. I remember chilling after a full night at Joker, with the boys at his condo downtown. I remember catching a ride home in his freezing cold 70′s era Mercedes. I remember checking out his latest snowboard with admiration and slight envy. I remember listening to him from the comfort of my living room just a few weeks ago, reveling in the fact that after so many years, he was still in radio and still on the air at 102.1. He gave me hope that I too could have a career in voicework, because he was exemplary in his timing, mark and post hitting, and inflection.
As much as the world changes, things change, people change, Martin was one person who seemed to stay the course. But even the unchanged changes, and Martin too changed, making a decision that shocks, stuns, and bewilders his family, friends, colleagues, and the many thousands of people that “knew” him.
Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi Is Dead” plays in my mind’s jukebox. Martin loved that song. “Do you hear that? The music, the sound, do you hear it?” Tis’ Martin’s signature.
Good bye Martin.
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Hello,
Is there anybody in there
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home
Come on now
I hear you’re feeling down
I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again
Relax
I’ll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurtsThere is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I’ve got that feeling once again
I can’t explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numbO.K.
Just a little pin prick
There’ll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it’s working, good
That’ll keep you going through the show
Come on it’s time to go.There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
And I have become
Comfortably numb.RIP Martin – I listed to you for your full tenior at The Edge – you made a difference in more ways than one.
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Thank you Alan for this amazing tribute. My top three DJs list has always included both you and Martin. Best reasons I loved CFNY (back in the day) and kept 102.1 The Edge on my presets. Thanks for sharing your memories.
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Alan:
A deeply moving article about a man that represented a generation of new music Alt rock fans. Martin Streek represented not one but three generations on his many-notched belt across Canada. I don’t think anyone could’ve stated your article and feelings better. As a link to one of the very things that define a generation, the loss of Martin from our lives bears a great sadness, and I applaud you for being one to write an article that focused on all the things that we are represented by with his place in this world, and keeping away from a tabloid centrefold perspective that focused on his personal demons.
For that, I think all of us who have been touched by Martin’s life in all measures, from the most mundane to the most defining, extend the warmest of thanks for expressing those things that meant so much to us and that were the things that Martin truly meant to us.
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Thank you Alan. I credit you and Martin with anything resembling musical taste that I now have. I hope that he is at peace and my condolences go out to his family.
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Very nicely put Mr. Cross.
His genuine personality and intelligence seemed to shine through the radio. He truly was one of the finest and will be missed by many.
Thoughts go out to his family.
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Am I the only one that’s angry?
Angry at Chorus for letting him go, and angry at Martin for his decision.
I will miss his voice terribly.. His sense of humour, and his knowledge. Thank you Alan for this, I think we all needed it…
He kept me company while stranded on the 401, in a tow truck, waiting for a tow truck..
But I’m angry at the circumstances and angry he made the choice to end his own existence. He deserved better, and I think we as his fans did too.
Martin, we are better for knowing you, but I wish you knew how big the hole you would leave when you left and I wish that would have been enough to change your mind.
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this is my second comment to this…it has been a few days and i have had time to digest what has happened. i have also realized that people like marty aren’t that common and when you have folks like him in your life, you need to let them know how important they are. i have spent the last little while letting a few other “marties” in my life know how important they are to me. i have pasted below an entry from my own blog and hope that a few other people let their ‘marties” know you like their shoes.
cool shoes
i recently had an acquaintance of mine commit suicide. the shock is slowly wearing off and i am coming to terms with the fact i will not have the opportunity to be in touch with him again and that there were many things i wanted to share with him. with that said, i have decided that i don’t want to be in this situation again-one where i never got the chance to say what i really wanted to say to someone, let them know how much i liked them, admired them, enjoyed their company, simply felt blessed to know them. it got me wondering why this happens. i am one who will quickly comment on how cool a stranger’s shoes are or how beautiful their child is, but i am not sure if i tell the people that really matter how i feel about them. i think i get too embarassed about putting those sorta feelings out there. sad really, but i am sure i am not the only person who feels this way. i don’t mean for this to sound as trivial as it does but it is something looming over me right now. so, if you receive an email from me in the near future and i say i like your shoes, or your kid, have no fears, nothing bad is going on with me, i just wanted to let you know you are important to me for a reason.and marty, i liked your shoes.
btw… marsbar is outstanding tonight.
n x
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this is my second comment to this…it has been a few days and i have had time to digest what has happened. i have also realized that people like marty aren’t that common and when you have folks like him in your life, you need to let them know how important they are. i have spent the last little while letting a few other “marties” in my life know how important they are to me. i have pasted below an entry from my own blog and hope that a few other people let their ‘marties” know you like their shoes.
cool shoes
i recently had an acquaintance of mine commit suicide. the shock is slowly wearing off and i am coming to terms with the fact i will not have the opportunity to be in touch with him again and that there were many things i wanted to share with him. with that said, i have decided that i don’t want to be in this situation again-one where i never got the chance to say what i really wanted to say to someone, let them know how much i liked them, admired them, enjoyed their company, simply felt blessed to know them. it got me wondering why this happens. i am one who will quickly comment on how cool a stranger’s shoes are or how beautiful their child is, but i am not sure if i tell the people that really matter how i feel about them. i think i get too embarassed about putting those sorta feelings out there. sad really, but i am sure i am not the only person who feels this way. i don’t mean for this to sound as trivial as it does but it is something looming over me right now. so, if you receive an email from me in the near future and i say i like your shoes, or your kid, have no fears, nothing bad is going on with me, i just wanted to let you know you are important to me for a reason.and marty, i liked your shoes.
btw… marsbar is outstanding tonight.
n x
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Alan…
Thanks for the insight into parts of Martin Streek that most of us never knew. I went out of my way to make sure I heard his shows. They were real entertainment from someone who had a passion for the music….you could feel his energy..almost tangible. He wasn’t arrogant about his knowledge. He wanted the entire audience to understand the music…the people…the stories. I will not judge him for his actions. That was his choice. I don’t have to agree with it.
But I would like to say ‘Thanks Martin…good tunes..good times…rest well”. -
Thank you Alan for your beautiful tribute. I barely knew of Martin prior to his tragic demise, but I certainly know him better now after reading your memories. What a loss.
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Thanks, Alan. This is the best homage to the man I have found.
We will all miss him.
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Living in the middle of nowhere it is often difficult to get enough reception to tune into CFNY. Some night’s I would be standing on chairs, wrapping antena’s around whatever I could to listen to Martin Streek. When it was impossible I’d get in my car and go for a drive to find a spot where reception was better. I dug that dudes vibeand I will miss him.
That was a wonderful tribute to Martin.
Thank you Alan Cross.Rest well Martin.
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Wow, this is sad news.
I grew up listening to CFNY. It was the soundtrack of my teens and 20s. The only station that mattered in the day.
When my friends and I would go to the live-to-airs (Phoenix, Whiskey Saigon etc…) I always remember whenever I had a chance to get to the DJ booth, Martin would always greet me with a smile and a “coming up soon, brother!”. Truly a class act. Martin’s voice, Alan’s voice and of course the wonderful voice of Dani Elwell (whose Alternative Bedtime was the soundtrack to my evenings of studying) will always be imprinted in my brain.
I moved out west, first to Calgary, and now live in Vancouver (Brother Bill/Neil Morrison has a show on CFOX and it’s comforting to hear his voice for some reason too, a memory of my younger days back home, also Freddy P appears sometimes!) so I haven’t listened to 102 much lately, except when visiting home. Sad to hear it’s lost the “edge”…
Alan, great tribute.
To those close to Martin, friends and family, I offer my deepest condolences.
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I grew up listening to Martin on the radio, and having the pleasure of attending Whiskey, Kingdom and Phoenix when he was there.
I will miss him, and I feel a part of me is now gone. Whenever I hear an alternative song now, he comes to mind. I can still here is voice.
What an amazing person, who you could see, had passion for his job and a true genuine love of music.
To my favorite DJ- you will be so missed. To CORUS-> Shame on you for not listening to your audience, you are there because of us and I will never listen to you again.
RIP Martin
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This is just shocking. As a long time listener to CFNY ( ok the Edge ) from way back in the days of Pete and Geets, Freddy P etc to the current on air personalities Martin was exciting to listen to. Next to Alan Cross Martin he stood out as a knowledgeable and entertaining dj. He was one of the few I always looked forward to hearing not only his words but his voice.
Alan your tribute was a great tribute to a great man. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
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Well done Allan. well done. Martin – take care…
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Thanks for giving me more insite about the king of guy martin was… He is in a better place now & one day we all get to have our drink with him & our many others we all have lost on the otherside…. God Bless
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I am truly shocked at this news. I had met Martin on 3 or 4 occasions and he was always such an up beat “pleased to meet you” type of guy. I have been listening to CFNY since the days of Bev and Earl in the morning. The Sunday jaz show.
I am deeply saddened that Martin ended his life this way. Could he find no one to turn to, did no one see this coming? All the people in his life and he couldn’t turn to anyone??? -
Alan, let me start with this: You have always had a rare eloquence. Thank you for giving us a personal glimpse of This Charming Man behind the mic.
As so many others have said, Martin – and you Alan – were the voices of our weekends for many of the best years of our lives. I have since moved to Calgary, but frequently travel back to Toronto and Martin’s voice always, somehow, just tasted like home. He took a piece of all of us with him, and I ache for those who knew him. Thank you for sharing some of your stories.
I saw Martin at clubs, heard his voice every week, but never formally met him. I so wish I had. If I ever do have the pleasure of meeting Martin in the next life – “not too soon though” – I will be charmed, I’m sure.
Peace, brother.
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Just came back from holidays and heard the news about Martin. I started listening to CFNY in 1985 when they were broadcasting over a small strip mall in Brampton. Martin had such an engaging voice. We grew up together Martin. We danced, we laughed, we shared passion for music and people. So sad that your contribution has come to an end. You had so much more to give. We introduced our kids (ages 14 & 12) to you and they have been listening faithfully for years. You truly were a LEGEND. It’s a shame that your employer did not see the potential that you had for engaging new listeners and encouraging the old time listeners that there is still something new and exciting out there. Kudos to you Allan and Bookie as well. (Here’s hoping they don’t ruin you and try to pull the wool over our eyes again).
Martin, a selfish act that has left us and your family hurting, but you will still be remembered as being an influential member of the Toronto Music Scene. I hope you have found peace brother! We are still looking for ours. You are sadly missed by generations! -
Very well put Alan, The Smiths reference, everything just perfectly put and very appropriate. Martin will be dearly missed by us all – he was the voice of the city and had a personality as big as a city.
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Very well put Alan, The Smiths reference, everything just perfectly put and very appropriate. Martin will be dearly missed by us all – he was the voice of the city and had a personality as big as a city.
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Wow. I mean WOW. I mean EFFING WOW!!!
Im ashamed to admit that I have clearly had my head in the sand so to speak, because it was only tonight driving home that I realized it had been a while since Id heard Martin doing the Thursday 30. I geuss Ive been watching too much CNN and not paying enough attention to local news… So Icheck the internet (Wiki) and discover hes gone… I mean really GONE.. (((This is a BIG shock to me… Let me give you some background… I am one of those people that Allan speaks of above… A true gen Xer…Im 37, so I remember The Original Spirit of Radio CFNY, the Video Roadshows (Much did them too), Chris Sheppard, and of course Martin Streak. So Martin has been part of my universe for over 20 years… These were my formulative years, and the Edge (CFNY) has always been MY radio station… MY music… (As was probably the case for all the 30 somethings that attended the Depeche Mode concert that came through town a couple of weeks ago). Oh and I was at the DM concert promoted by CFNY in 1989 too….
I met Martin at the Kingdom in Burlington once about 15 years ago, he was playing pool with a Big Cowboy hat on, and I remember thinking “heres a creative and eccentric sorta dude” but talk about very confident, polite, and charismatic.
I saw him again a couple years ago at the 300 Spartans movie premier, he was sat in the row behind me, I never spoke to him on that occassion and now regret it… I just recall hearing his voice (which carried… as you would expect) and I knew right away who he was… I said to my friend “dude, thats MARTIN STREEK”.
I cant help but think that finding out he has gone will make my listening experience with the Edge less personal, less intimate, all of the voices now sound so young (20 somethings), and it seems the last person (other than Allan) that I could/can connect to is gone…
Whom ever made the decision to remove Martin from the Microphone should be ashamed of themselves to be honest. CFNY was Martin and Martin was CFNY…. I think his actions prove this…. With Martin’s passing, the soul of CFNY has gone as well (in my opinion)… Sigh…
No one did it better on Toronto radio than Martin… I hope you are in a better place my friend…
Maybe the Edge will smarten up and go after Chris Sheppard…
Sadly,
Gary -
You are truly missed
Happy Birthday whereever you are
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