Dal - Honours and Awards

Order of Canada Citation

Dallas "Dal" Murray Richards, C.M., O.B.C.

"A clarinetist, saxophonist, arranger and conductor, he has spent a lifetime

entertaining people with his dance band music, not only in British Columbia

but throughout Canada. His high-profile image in the music world has

benefited many fund-raising initiatives, particularly the Variety Club,

and he is one of the province's biggest boosters"

Some 'Fun Facts' about Dal

The Panorama Roof

As most Vancouver residents know, Dal Richards still holds the record for the longest continuous dance band engagement in Canadian history.

Dal and his Orchestra performed for 26 consecutive years at the Panorama Roof Supper Club of the Vancouver Hotel from April, 1940 to August, 1966, and was featured in over 2,000 coast-to-coast CBC Radio broadcasts.

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)

Dal also holds the record for the greatest number of years entertaining at the PNE. This August 2007 marks Dal's 68th consecutive year performing on the bandstand at the PNE.
For info about Dal at the PNE,
CLICK HERE

Empire Stadium

Dal and his Band had the honour of opening Vancouver's Empire Stadium, as Vancouver hosted the British Empire Games. It was on that day, May 6, 1954, Britain's Roger Bannister ran a mile in less than four minutes for the first time in history and Dal Richards was there with his band!

Other Honours

Big Band Boom

The documentary Big Band Boom examines the life and music of Dal Richards, the West Coast's "most beloved band leader" as well as the incredible longevity of his record-holding orchestra. It takes a romantic look at Canada's big band past, and celebrates the phenomenon of the big band and its influence on the present music and entertainment scene.

Big Band Boom won a silver medal at the 1998 U.S. International Film and Video Festival in Chicago.

2006

    * Recognized by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association with his own street art mosaic “The Swing of Things” located on West Georgia Street outside the
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

2005

    * Awarded the 'Freedom of the City' by Vancouver City Council, the highest honour the City of Vancouver can bestow. This award is reserved for people of exceedingly high merit and requires unanimous support from Council.

* Named the 'Honorary Doorman' of 2005 by the
Vancouver Doorman's Association

    * Inducted into the BC Lions Wall of Fame at BC Place,
honouring his work as producer and musical director for the
BC Lions Football Club half-time shows from 1955-1980.

2004

    * Honoured for 65 consecutive year entertaining at the annual PNE Fair with his own commemorative oak and iron bench situated opposite the PNE's main show stage. The bench has been dubbed
'The Best Seat in the House'

2003

    * Awarded the Order of British Columbia

    * Received Tourism Vancouver's Lifetime Achievement Award

2002

    * Received the Queen's Jubilee Award

    * Awarded an inaugural Spirit of Vancouver Award from the Vancouver Board of Trade

2001

    * Received an Honourary Doctorate from the
Opening Learning University

1999

    * Received an Honourary Doctorate from
the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

1995

    * Appointed to the Order of Canada

1994

    * Presented with the City of Vancouver's Civic Merit Award

1993

    * Received Variety International's Presidential Citation

1992

    * Inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame