TORONTO – Canadian broadcasting mogul Allan Slaight, whose support of the country's arts scene made him a ubiquitous name at venues and events including the Juno Awards, has died.
Family friend David Ben said Monday that the rock 'n' roll radio pioneer and prominent philanthropist died at his Toronto home on Sunday at the age of 90.
The Galt-born media magnate funded many parts of the Canadian cultural industry, particularly music, and helped build up Toronto's venerable music radio stations CHUM and Q-107.
He took the helm of Global Television in the 1970s, and in the 1980s took over Standard Broadcasting Corporation Ltd., where he remained for decades. He also had his own radio broadcasting company Slaight Communications.
Slaight was also influential in sports: in the early 1990s, he was part owner of the Toronto Raptors.
The Slaight Family Foundation and Slaight Music, now run by son Gary Slaight, have supported charities related to health care, at-risk youth, the arts, international development and social services.
Organizations including the Junos, Canada's Walk of Fame, Canadian Music Week and Hot Docs have benefited from Slaight support and named awards and funds after him.
His name is also emblazoned on a Massey Hall auditorium in Toronto and the Radio Institute at Ryerson University's RTA School of Media.
