The Wind Blows The Hardest At The Top Of The Mountain
By Claudio Aprile
When it comes to remaining genuine in what might be called the “performance culture” of media, I’ve often felt that those in the public eye have a tough row to hoe.
The competitive nature of the TV-media scene puts a lot of pressure on a person who, to put it simply, is like any other human – with typically human flaws, fears and insecurities. You are encouraged to be aspirational and to maintain a stance of power and control, while those you trust continually remind you that “you have this incredible opportunity,” or “do you know how many people want to be where you are?” – and my personal favourite, “you now have a platform.”
What’s remarkable about Rick Campanelli is how untouched he seems by the madness of the professional world he inhabits. From the first moment you meet him, it’s clear that the man you’ve watched on the screen is the real thing. Fondly nicknamed “Rick the Temp” during his early days on MuchMusic, he has this innate ability to make everyone around him feel at ease.
Yet like so many other public figures, beyond the charismatic television persona lies a deeper, more nuanced story. Campanelli had to navigate the pressures of a television career during a time when his personal life was turned upside down. However, this story is not about failure, nor is it a fluff story about fame; it’s about a man who realized his aspirations and faced his challenges with grace and sheer determination.
Rick grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the youngest of four siblings in an Italian-Canadian household. From a young age, he had a natural talent for making people laugh. He aspired to a life beyond the Steel City and never shied away from hard work, landing his first job in grade seven delivering the Italian newspaper Corriere Canadese. In high school, his passion for music overshadowed his academic pursuits. He would borrow his older siblings’ vinyl and listen to the music of The Eagles, Queen and The Police. He spent hours curating mixtapes and hosting imaginary radio shows in his bedroom – perhaps foreshadowing his later career.
As a student at Brock University in 1994, where he was majoring in physical education and minored in fine arts, he entered MuchMusic’s contest search for who could be the perfect temp. The challenge was to write 25 words on why you are the right fit for the job. (Writing any more than 25 words would instantly disqualify you.) He secured the position and “Rick the Temp” quickly became a fan favourite, going on to interview top musicians and entertain audiences nationwide.
Rick brought genuine enthusiasm to every moment. He wasn’t just a host; he felt like a friend that was as excited as his viewers to meet the artist behind the music. When I asked him about some of his memorable interviewees, he cited Dave Grohl and Anthony Kiedis. Both rockstars were personable and friendly, and Rick adds that Kiedis was always spontaneous so you never knew what was going to happen.
Campanelli was a part of the golden era of MuchMusic, a time when the network was really about the music, still untouched by reality television or corporate agendas. The station’s VJs were like ambassadors of what was cool and relevant in the cultural zeitgeist.
Rick credits mentors like Steve Anthony, Master T and Erica Ehm for paving the way for him, and has an admirable “no regrets in life” philosophy. From his point of view, you only get one life to live, but if you live it to the fullest, one is enough. He quotes a favourite quip of his dad’s: “The mountain isn’t going to move for you; you have to go to the mountain.”
As MuchMusic evolved, so did Rick. The eternal “Temp” spent 11 years at MuchMusic, eventually establishing himself as a versatile broadcaster, and made a lasting impression on the station’s legacy. After leaving MuchMusic, he moved on to host shows like ET Canada and solidified his status as a household name.
As Rick’s career skyrocketed, so did the pressures of fame. Inherently a shy person, he battled with the challenges of fame and his public image. The quick pace of life and the pressure to constantly remain “on” can so easily get to you, and by his late twenties, he found himself turning to alcohol to cope with those feelings. This dark period was further compounded by the pain of divorce, which added a profound sense of loss to an already overwhelming time. What started as a way to deal with stress soon became a heavier burden. Rick realized that this was something that was going to get in the way of who he wanted to be, and with the help of family and friends, he began the journey to eliminate alcohol from his life.
It’s often true that the struggles you face in your own life make you a more empathetic person to others, and this was clearly true for Rick. He began speaking openly about his journey, flaws and all. There is strength in vulnerability; his candour inspires many others in similar positions.
While Rick shared these struggles with me, I thought about how beautifully layered and complex people can be. His honesty resonated with me on such a profound level. We all live in a world that is filled with augmented images and misleading content that leaves us feeling confused and often inadequate.
Off-camera, Rick is a devoted husband and father of three. In his spare time, he told me, he likes to spend as much time as possible with family, doing absolutely nothing or everything depending on the day. He credits his wife, Angie, for supporting him through some of the darkest times in his life. Today, he is involved in charitable organizations that include World Vision Canada, SickKids and Food4Kids.
Rick has cemented himself as a cultural icon, representing a golden era of Canadian pop culture. He currently serves as a host on CHFI-FM Toronto and Breakfast Television. And soon, we’ll be able to hear his story in his own words, as Rick is writing a memoir about his life and career. He is also joining Best Side Magazine as a celebrity contributor, and I will be honoured to call him a colleague. Rick is truly an inspiration and a reminder to chase your dreams – or as his dad would say, run to the mountain and climb it.
