"Bruce Allen, the high-profile Vancouver music-manager who guided the careers of such multiplatinum acts as Bryan Adams, BTO, Loverboy, and Michael Bublé, has filed his last Reality Check.
For 17 years the brash, outspoken Allen could be heard five times a week on CKNW with short, precise rants that rarely went longer than two minutes.
News of the cancellation came via a tweet sent out by Allen's daughter Claire.
"Today marks my dad's final Reality Check on CKNW," Claire Allen tweeted. "A short-sighted decision by my former employer, but nonetheless, I'm proud of my dad for speaking his mind for the past 17 years."
"You may not have agreed with him," she added, "but his commentary helped create a much needed dialogue about important issues in this province."
In his final Reality Check, Allen took a few parting shots at the current state of his home city before adding: "I hope that we had a few laughs, a few head shakers, and a few fist pumps."
More news here:
Bruce Allen Hands Presidency of His Talent Firm to Paul Haagenson | Billboard Canada
"With Haagenson stepping into the presidency, the company signals a new era of leadership while maintaining Allen’s guiding presence as chairman."
Bruce Allen's website: BRUCE ALLEN TALENT
Manager for Jann Arden, Anne Murray, Michael Buble, Bob Rock, Dave Pierce, the offspring.
BRUCE ALLEN BIOGRAPHY - 2022
For more than fifty years, Bruce Allen has been a cornerstone in the Canadian entertainment industry, guiding the careers of musicians, producers, and sports figures.
After leaving UBC, his love of Music took precedent and in 1966 he formed a booking agency that controlled most of Vancouver's live music in clubs, high schools and universities by the early 1970’s.
In 1973 at the request of Randy Bachman, he took an interest in the fledgling band Brave Belt, which morphed into Bachman-Turner Overdrive, thus beginning his notable career in artist management. With Allen at the helm, BTO became one of the most successful bands of the 1970’s topping the charts in the U.S. and the UK, and setting attendance records in Canada, the U.S. and Japan.
Allen repeated this feat in the 1980’s with the pop-rock band Loverboy, who sold twenty million records and earned eight Juno awards under his tutelage and is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
It was during this same time period that he brought the talented and energetic Bryan Adams into his fold. Following the simple formula of hard work and endless touring, Allen continues to guide Bryan through an enormously successful career that includes fifteen albums. Adams’ albums contained more than a dozen chart-topping singles, with total sales exceeding 65 million worldwide. Adams has achieved #1 status in over 40 countries and toured on six continents. Adams’ single “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” still holds the record for the longest streak atop the UK charts at 24 weeks.
As country music skyrocketed in popularity in the 1990’s, Allen turned his sights toward Nashville taking on a young Kansas native named Martina McBride. With Allen on her team, McBride would become a major country artist, scoring six #1 singles and winning the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year award a record four times.
In 1996 Allen took over management of Canadian legend Anne Murray, breathing new life into her career and returning her to the U.S. and Canadian charts and platinum sales.
In 2003 he added Michael Bublé, a Burnaby native, to his roster. A mere one year later, Bublé won a Juno for Best New Artist and saw his self-titled debut album nominated for Album of the Year. In the eighteen years since, Bublé has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Junos and sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.
In 2008 Allen added award-winning songstress Jann Arden to his management roster. In her 28-year career to date, Arden has had 17 top ten singles, recorded 12 albums and received 8 Juno Awards. Arden is also a best-selling author and actress, starring as a fictionalized version of herself on “Jann”.
Allen also guides the career of renowned record producer Bob Rock (Metallica, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé, Motley Crue, 311, The Offspring, Jann Arden). In 2012, Allen added Emmy award-winning arranger/producer Dave Pierce to the roster. Pierce has orchestrated music for Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel, Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, and the hit Broadway musical “Come Fly With Me”. As well as music for the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
Recently, famed punk band The Offspring, approached Allen to help reinvigorate their career. The Allen team sprung into action with the band hitting the charts with 6 Top 5’s and 10 Top 10’s globally.
For 13 years Allen was a member of the CMA (Country Music Association) Board. In 2008 he was named to the CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) Board of Directors and remains on the Board to this day.
His enthusiasm for sports also brought about relationships with Olympic medalist Dale Walters; NASCAR driver Chad Little and the 2004 Olympic Medalists, for women’s curling, Team Law. He also managed wrestler Bret “the Hitman” Hart during his WWF tenure.
Although his heart belongs in Vancouver, Allen has contributed his time and talents to international causes as well. In 1985, he spearheaded Canada’s response to the Ethiopian famine crisis, bringing 52 famous Canadians together for Northern Lights for Africa, a recording project that raised millions with the song “Tears Are Not Enough.” His charity efforts earned him praise from the artistic and civic communities.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
2019 – Best Entertainment Talent Agency - Canadian Business Awards
2012 – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
2010 – PNE President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
2008 – Honour Roll award from The Music Managers Forum – Canada
2006 – CCMA Leonard T. Rambeau International Award
1995 to preset – Country Music Association Board of Directors
2001-2008 – Jewish Community Centre Sportsman Dinner Board of Directors
2002-2003 – 2010 Winter Olympic Bid Committee Board of Directors
2002 – Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal
2001 – Canadian Country Music Association’s Manager of the Year
2000 – Inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame “Starwalk”
1997 – Pacific Music Industry Award – Industry Builder
1996 – BC Business Magazine - Entrepreneur of the Year – Pacific Canada – Services Category
1992 – Performance Magazine – International Achievement Award
1991 – Industry Hall of Fame Award –The Record
1987 – Manager of the Year – The Record
1987 – Walt Grealis Hall of Fame Award for outstanding achievement in the music industry (CARAS)
1986 – Man of the Year – Vancouver’s Brotherhood Inter-Faith Society
1986 – February 4th – Bruce Allen Day – proclaimed by Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt
1985 – Manager of the Year – Billboard Magazine
1985 – Manager of the Year – The Record
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