Fans and colleagues share their love and memories of Arthur Black
Long-time CBC Radio host and humourist Arthur Black died Wednesday at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island, B.C., only a few months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 74.
Black, often noted for his warmth, knowledge and levity, wrote on his blog in January about being diagnosed with what he called "the Mike Tyson of cancers."
- 'You felt he was on your side': Longtime CBC Radio personality Arthur Black dies at 74
- Listen to Shelagh Rogers's 2010 interview with Basic Black host Arthur Black
Black hosted Basic Black on CBC Radio for 19 years. The show ended in 2002 when he retired, but at that time it was still one of CBC's most popular variety shows with an audience of about 600,000 every week.
Following news of his passing, fans and colleagues from across Canada shared their memories and feelings about the radio legend.
"Humour plays close to the big, hot fire, which is the truth" EB White. This is something Arthur Black knew instinctively. Dear Art. You are missed RIPArthurBlack.
—@RogersShelaghGoing to miss the visits with Arthur Black. Last note I had from him earlier this week included a joke... and a reminder to go hug someone right now. Thanks for the laughs. <a href="https://t.co/Xfo2X0WA4t">pic.twitter.com/Xfo2X0WA4t</a>
—@madelinegcbcArthur Black was a giant of <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcradio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCRadio</a>. His warmth remained long after he retired. A mensh, a wit, full of heart and empathy. I'm always inspired by how much he brought to our Saturday mornings. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BasicBlack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BasicBlack</a>
—@notrexmurphy>>> My brush with the late great Arthur Black. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rip?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rip</a> <a href="https://t.co/WNvfGEzKwq">pic.twitter.com/WNvfGEzKwq</a>
—@musicbaumI'm guessing Arthur Black introduced a lot of people to the joys of <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcradio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcradio</a>. <a href="https://t.co/jy1rGT46HS">https://t.co/jy1rGT46HS</a>
—@vzieglerGoodbye Arthur Black. Thankyou for being funny, sharp, decent and 100% Canadian. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/basicblack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#basicblack</a>
—@StephenFearing<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BasicBlack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BasicBlack</a> was a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/radio?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#radio</a> staple. Arthur Black always gave us an interesting mix of stories, interviews, music and commentary. A true <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canadian?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canadian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/icon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#icon</a> silenced. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArthurBlack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArthurBlack</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheArtOfBasicBlack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheArtOfBasicBlack</a> <a href="https://t.co/zIK1Z28ZQC">https://t.co/zIK1Z28ZQC</a> <a href="https://t.co/7yjeuw4PuN">pic.twitter.com/7yjeuw4PuN</a>
—@dnsyl57Sad to learn about Arthur Black. His hilarity made many road trips more tolerable while fighting my little brother in the back seat. RIP
—@greenteacorbArthur Black was a truly wonderful person. He brought a lot of light to many people and influenced many more. He will be missed and always remembered with a smile.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gratitude?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gratitude</a> <a href="https://t.co/ihu9UN4ZPg">https://t.co/ihu9UN4ZPg</a>
—@lucky_buddArthur Black was gracious enough to speak at a student journalism conference that I organized at <a href="https://twitter.com/Camosun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Camosun</a> several years ago. Condolences to his family and his colleagues at <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcnewsbc</a>.
—@erinmball<a href="https://twitter.com/cbcradio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcradio</a> RIP Arthur Black - You gave us lots of memories & laughs. Arthur played a song I Co-Wrote - "Makin' Music on Mercier" on his show after I won his National Name the Millennium Decade Contest. I also attended a humour writing seminar he presented in Thunder Bay <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/zzM7SGx7e6">pic.twitter.com/zzM7SGx7e6</a>
—@TaleFinnSo sad to learn Arthur Black has passed. He was so lovely. We met in 2004 during a dog-sled outing in SSM, ON. When I mentioned (glumly) that I was moving to Winnipeg he beamed, told me I would LOVE Winnipeg, that it was a vibrant and artistic city. Infectious positivity. RIP
—@anitadaherSo sad to hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/tompowercbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tompowercbc</a> that Arthur Black has passed away. Basic Black (and the Hum Line) on <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcradio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcradio</a> were a big part of my Saturday mornings driving around with my mom as a kid. Hearing that theme music brought back a lot of memories.
—@jamirundleMany remember the hilarious mnemonics he used to remember the postal code for CBC's Toronto headquarters: "Make Five Wieners, I'll Eat Six" and "Vacuum Six Basements, Four Attics, Too" when he moved to the West Coast.
I still miss Basic Black 16 years after it left the air. RIP Arthur.
—@dave_ingsIn honour of Arthur black, I promise that if you "Make 5 Wieners, I'll Eat 6."
—@disco_hits