Now streaming for free via TVO Docs, the documentary focuses on the alternative spirit of the GTA station that made waves in the '80s and '90s before being rebranded as 102.1 The Edge. There are interviews with Rush’s Geddy Lee, Metric's Emily Haines, Sum 41's Deryck Whibley and more.
A new documentary is unpacking the rise of CFNY, the influential radio station born in the suburbs just outside Toronto.
CFNY: The Spirit of Radio focuses on the “golden age of radio in Canada," known as one of the first modern rock radio stations to have a major impact on the airwaves. After being acquired by TVO Docs, the documentary premiered in Canada on Jan. 6 and is also streaming for free via TVO and on YouTube (below).
Directed by Matt Schichter, CFNY: The Spirit of Radio chronicles the launch of the radio station in 1976, born in Brampton, Ontario and popular in Toronto. The station went on to become one of the most influential punk, new wave and alternative radio channels across Canada — and globally. In the '90s, the station went through a rebrand, becoming 102.1 The Edge.
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“CFNY played a pivotal role in shaping Canada’s music landscape and influenced alternative music culture near and far,” says Alexandra Roberts, commissioning editor at TVO Docs.
CFNY: The Spirit of Radio was produced by Matthew Campagna for U.S. streaming service HighballTV, along with Alan Cross, Barbara Hall, Chantal Jackson, Ivar Hamilton and Scot Turner as executive producers — all of whom have made an impact on the Canadian music scene.
The hour-long documentary features interviews with some of the country’s biggest disc jockeys and rock artists reflecting on the personal and creative impact of the radio station including Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Emily Haines (Metric), Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent), Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division), Jim Kerr (Simple Minds), Lol Tolhurst (The Cure), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Deryck Whibley (Sum 41) and more.
The doc also features a notable interview with Geddy Lee of Rush, whose classic 1980 song "The Spirit of Radio" was directly inspired by CFNY. The Permanent Waves track was the brainchild of the band’s former drummer, Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020.
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“Neil was listening to CFNY a lot when he was driving home after the sessions," Lee shares in the doc. “He started reeling in his mind about what radio used to mean to us. It should be an expression of whoever is sitting in the seat and what their tastes and interests are.”
The film maintains its hometown roots, including an original score penned by Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning and Ohad Benchetrit. The tracks were recorded at several recording studios, most notably Abbey Road, EastWest, Grant Ave and long-running Toronto venue El Mocambo, which was recently sold after former owner Michael Wekerle defaulted on debt.
Many have recognized the importance of CFNY in budding punk, new wave and alternative scenes, including legendary DJ David Marsden, who spoke to Billboard Canada in 2023 about reviving the station's spirit in his NYTheSpirit online project.
