The Booming Voice of K-Tel Records

STORY BY: Linda Washington
YEAR: 1970
LOCATION: Winnipeg, MB

Bob was the original voice of K-Tel, the record company that everyone remembers from the 1970s and 80s. The company was established by Phil Kives in Winnipeg, and soon expanded into an international record label. Bob didn't speak any other languages, so he only recorded North American commercials for K-Tel. He and Phil would do 5-6 at a time, sometimes on scripts full of hand-written notes and words added on the fly. Bob then slips into character for the camera: "K-Tel presents 24 happening hits!" Thanks for sharing, Bob. NOTE FROM KIDOONS: We were saddened to hear of Bob's death later in 2016, after a fight with leukemia. We are honoured to still have his story to share with Canadians.