Dan Laxer - host biography

What's the best thing about living in Montreal?
The People.  Hot town, summer in the city... Jazz Festival... "The Mountain"... Old Montreal at night... Oh, and did I mention The People?

Most memorable moment in your radio career?   
Right here, right now.

Favorite person you interviewed and why?  
Yvonne Johnson (at the time the only Native woman in Canada serving a life sentence for murder.  She thanked me for being respectful.).

Pete Best.  "In the past 40 years," I asked, "how many times have you told this story?" I asked.  "I don't know," said the former Beatle, "I'm just glad people are still interested in hearing it."  "Are you kidding?!" I said, incredulous.  "You're one of The Beatles, man!"  We wrapped.  I turned off the tape player, and Pete Best said to me: "Thanks, Dan.  You're a gentleman."

John Byner (he liked my impressions of The Ant & the Aardvark), Jann Arden (She played a song for me, which I still have on tape, before it ever made it to a CD), comedian Norm Crosby (he got up and left when he'd had enough).

Other than Montreal, where else would you love to live someday? 
New York City.  Or Florida... when I'm old.

When you have friends visit Montreal from elsewhere for the first time, what's the one thing you insist they see/do?  
Hang in Old Montreal at night, wind their way through the artist alleys, dip in and out of the various clubs, and chill in the cool night air of Jacques Cartier Square.

What's the weirdest job you've ever had? 
Scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins while the owner yelled at his wife in front of all the customers.  I lasted a week.  The one lesson I remember: "you do not romance ice cream."  Whatever that means.

Favorite Hobby/Pastime? 
Spending time with my kids, playing guitar, reading, writing, yoga.

Favorite magazine? 
Don't have one.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?  
To fly... and see through walls.

Favorite television show of all time? 
All in the Family; it was groundbreaking for its time, and outrageously funny.  And Lost, of course.  I'm addicted.

TV Show that you'd most like to appear on, and why? 
Desperate Housewives.  The weather's always nice.

Famous person (living or dead) you'd most like to have lunch with? 
Depends.  Who pays?

If they made a movie about you, what actor would you like to play you?     
I feel that, on some level, Kevin Spacey really knows me, y'know?  On the other hand, Johnny Depp'd be great as me.  Of course Felicity Huffman's a great actor, and she's already shown she can play a man, so...

What's your #1 pet peeve? 
Inconsiderate drivers, especially where babies in strollers are concerned.

Whom do you admire the most?  
That's easy.  Whoever pays for lunch.