A Tribute to Johnny Canton

The year 2016 ended with the Twin Cities losing one of its most durable radio voices Johnny Canton who passed away from a stroke at the age of 75.

Canton came to the Twin Cities in 1966 to handle the late morning shift on Top 40 powerhouse WDGY before moving to WCCO-FM (later WLTE) in 1977.

In 1978, Canton would begin his association with Twin Cities bowling when he became the host of KSTP-TV's highly rated Bowling for Dollars.  He replaced Tom Ryther, who was let go by the station and went on to NBC owned WKYC-TV in Cleveland.

Canton would also do many commercials for the Twin Cities group Neighborhood Bowling Centers in the early 80s.  The group was formed after KSTP-TV blacked ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour due to lack of interest airing movies and a show on Indian At.  But Canton and the group bought airtime on the station and restored bowling to the Twin Cities airwaves.

Also in the early 80s, Canton would be the host of another local bowling show, a revival of Bowlerama.  The show originally was seen on WCCO-TV where among the hosts was long-time anchorman Dave Moore. Bowlers won prizes by making various combinations with the least being dinner for two at a local Red Lobster and more valuable prizes would be awarded on each season's final show such as a trip to the home of Twins Spring Training, Fort Myers.

This post will wrap up with Canton's signoff at the end of each Bowlerama episode as a way of paying homage to a man who promoted the sport of bowling to the Twin Cities. Go bowling.