Comments on: Martin Streek: This Charming Man

By: Milhouse Brown

Milhouse Brown — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:05:36 +0000

You are truly missed
Happy Birthday whereever you are

By: Gary W

Gary W — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:58:12 +0000

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

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:19:16 +0000

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.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:19:04 +0000

By: Shiv

Shiv — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:50:40 +0000

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!

By: Cori

Cori — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:14:49 +0000

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.

By: Rob Gibson

Rob Gibson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:38:53 +0000

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???

By: David J Carter

David J Carter — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:23:13 +0000

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

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:23:28 +0000

Well done Allan. well done. Martin – take care…

By: Ray F

Ray F — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:19:17 +0000

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.