The broadcaster, host of CBC Radio One’s Q, musician, and author Jian Ghomeshi discusses his bestselling memoir, 1982 (Viking, 2012), growing up, David Bowie, and more, with Joseph Planta.

1982 by Jian Ghomeshi (Viking, 2012). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: 1982

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

In this country there are some great broadcasters, some very fine ones. But there isn’t anyone at the moment who is as respected, beloved and admired; not to mention critically lauded, than Jian Ghomeshi. His CBC Radio program Q is doing tremendously well in the ratings across the country, it’s widely subscribed to online via the iTunes, You Tube and so on, he’s on the air in the United States, and there’s a television version on the CBC. He’s got that hip cred that one gets from being a member of a band, Moxy Fruvous, in fact he’s still in the music business managing Lights. But add to his list of accomplishments, credits and awards, that of author. This fall he published a remarkable memoir, 1982. I’ve been reading it, and I’ve found it profoundly moving. He’s a pretty good writer. He’s perceptive and honest in this book. I was born in 1982, so the year has some special meaning for me. For Mr. Ghomeshi, it was formative in that he was a fourteen year old trying to fit in. His parents had come earlier from England by way of Iran, and the whole confluence of culture for Jian Ghomeshi was sometimes too much to take. He wanted to be one with the cool kids, yet his skin colour, musical and fashion tastes all seemed confused and confusing to many. We’ll talk a bit about the book now, which is published by Viking. www.jian.ca is the website for more. Q is on weekdays at 10am on CBC Radio One. I am very pleased to welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jian Ghomeshi; Mr. Ghomeshi, good morning.

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