S1 Ep273: Brian Redhead - Lawson - 1987
One of the great grumpy voices on The Today Programme on Radio 4, probably the most influential radio programme in the World. Newcastle-born Brian Redhead graduated from the Guardian to join Today in 1975. His partnership with John Timpson is still fondly-remembered. He died in January 1994. Hear here, his brush with Nigel Lawson, then the Chancellor.
29s Dec 18, 2011
29s
S1 Ep272: The League of Ovaltineys
The Ovaltineys was perfect 'brand integration', as today's commercial radio industry would term it. Its longevity is maybe a tribute to its efficacy. The Ovaltineys Club was founded in 1935, with branded badges and books being despatched to its eager members. Radio Luxembourg broadcast the programme which bore its name. In the days when families gathered round their sets, they'd hear the famil...
1m Dec 17, 2011
1m
S1 Ep271: Simon Bates - Kenny's Our Tune
5m Dec 17, 2011
5m
S1 Ep270: Jimmy Young - Final link
When a presenter bids farewell to his audience, it is sometimes their own will. In those cases, there is the announcement, followed by a mix of maybe some classic shows, some lazy shows, and maybe a touch of understandable self indulgence. More often, the move is at the radio station’s behest, in which case there may be no mention at all on-air although there may be the odd hint to the wise th...
1m Dec 16, 2011
1m
S1 Ep269: Jenni Murray - Announcement
17s Dec 16, 2011
17s
S1 Ep268: 1977 Radio 1 Calendar
Ah! Station merchandising. Mugs and pens of various quality have always been useful. Branded baseball caps and sweat shirts have always been a little suspect. I once had a light blue satin logoed jacket with my name embroidered on it - but this was the 80s. Forgive me. Enjoy here a bit of 1977 merchandising, as explained by Kid Jensen.
1m Dec 16, 2011
1m
S1 Ep267: Jack Jackson
Jack Jackson died in1978. He was one of the first 'disc jockeys' and his improvised chit-chat, punctuated by comedy clips was to influence both Everett and Edmonds; and as one listens to his work that much is clear. Jack was a trumpeter and bandleader, born in Barnsley. Playing in dance-bands, he eventually ended up at the Dorchester; whilst hosting a show on Radio Luxembourg. After the War, h...
3m Dec 16, 2011
3m
S1 Ep266: WABC
1m Dec 16, 2011
1m
S1 Ep265: Simon Bates - Smooth Christmas
1m Dec 15, 2011
1m
S1 Ep264: John Reith - launch of Empire Service 1932
Witness the launch in 1932 of what was to become the World’s largest radio station: the BBC Empire Service. It later became the BBC Overseas Service; and then the BBC World Service by 1965. At launch, BBC Director General John Reith did not over-promise, as this oft-played fascinating clip suggests.
8s Dec 14, 2011
8s
S1 Ep263: John Arlott - Cricket
John Arlott. The voice of Summer, purring away to create the soundtrack to a great English Summer’s day through his distinctive cricket commentary. He joined the BBC in 1946 as the Overseas Literary producer, before being invited to commentate on the warm-up games of India's tour of England. Thus began his 34 year career choosing just the right words to turn the measured pace of Willow on leat...
1m Dec 13, 2011
1m
S1 Ep262: George Elrick - Housewives' Choice
Housewives' Choice ran mid mornings from March 4th 1946 on the BBC Light Programme. Given how few music programmes existed on British radio back then, it naturally enjoyed huge audiences. Listeners principally comprised those women busy at home after their husbands had unlocked the garden gate and hopped onto the omnibus to work. The programme spun a range of lush gramophone records from Jim Re...
26s Dec 12, 2011
26s
S1 Ep261: Terry Wogan says a breakfast goodbye - 2009
Overseas radio consultants often struggled to understand the approach of market-leading Radio 2 when Wogan ruled the airwaves. No teasing, or benchmarks; and few of the mechanics associated with a successful breakfast show. The evidence of success from the daily ramblings of this septuagenarian was, however, clear to see. His broadcasting career began across the water at RTE before his first BB...
2m Dec 12, 2011
2m
S1 Ep260: Tommy Boyd - Talk Radio
5m Dec 12, 2011
5m
S1 Ep259: Andy Peebles - Medley
BBC Radio Manchester was the first home for Andy Peebles, before crossing the City to join the new Piccadilly Radio. 1978 saw his arrival at BBC Radio 1, where he spent 13 years, moving through the schedule from lates to daytimes; to his now familiar Soul programmes. Andy left Radio 1 in March 1992, taking up a host of other roles across BBC stations before moving to Jazz FM and what has now b...
2m Dec 11, 2011
2m
S1 Ep258: Gary Davies - Radio One
Another voice from the end of the bright red and blue Radio 1 era. Gary Davies was a 1979 recruit at his hometown’s Piccadilly Radio, before joining Radio 1 in 1982. In two years, he rose to the lunchtime show: ‘Gary’s Bit In The Middle’ . A generation smuggled small AM transistor radios into school so they might hear recall Gary deliver the new Top 20. 'Young, Free and Single' Gary boasted a...
1m Dec 11, 2011
1m
S1 Ep257: King Edward VIII abdication, John Reith- 1936
There are some moments in broadcasting you only get one chance to get right. For both John Reith and the King, this was one such event. It was the 11th of December 1936. BBC Director General Sir John Reith spoke on the BBC National Programme to introduce not the King, but 'His Royal Highness, Prince Edward'; given he'd discharged his final duties just a few hours previously. If one needs a reas...
7m Dec 10, 2011
7m
S1 Ep256: Chris Evans
11s Dec 07, 2011
11s
S1 Ep255: James Naughtie - Fail
1m Dec 05, 2011
1m
S1 Ep254: Chris Moyles- last afternoon show
4m Dec 04, 2011
4m
S1 Ep251: Power FM - launch 1988
In some ways, the Power FM launch was ahead of its time. Using complementary FM signals in common ownership to offer AC/Classic Hits and CHR formats. The two FM stations were, in this case, an accident of history and of two areas simply being geographically adjacent. Ocean Sound launched in October 1986, having prised the Southampton/Portsmouth licence from Radio Victory. The stations enjoyed ...
13m Dec 03, 2011
13m
S1 Ep250: Eddie Mair tease! December 2011
28s Dec 03, 2011
28s
S1 Ep249: Piccadilly News - December 1974
1m Dec 02, 2011
1m
S1 Ep248: Capital Gold - Medley
As FM became universally available at last, radio’s then regulator the IBA, gave the ILR franchisees an ultimatum. AM and FM had to be used separately if a licence holder were to retain both licences. A few stations enthusiastically began experiments in occasional splitting: Leicester Sound broadcast experiments in evening Asian programming; Clyde tried out a weekend ‘Clyde FM’ alternative to ...
2m Nov 27, 2011
2m
S1 Ep247: Alan Freeman - Tribute
The voice of Alan Freeman is recognisable within seconds; and unlike just about anyone else. Known for hosting Pick of The Pops; and for the way he used his voice as a real instrument. He made an art form of the, erm, hesitation; and naturally mastered catch phrases: ‘Stay Bright’. ‘Not Arf’. ‘Pop Pickers. Music Lovers. An Australian, he moved to Europe in the late fifties, firstly with Radio...
4m Nov 26, 2011
4m
S1 Ep246: Voice Of Peace
“From somewhere in the Mediterranean, this is the Voice of Peace. Whoever wrote that line needs a medal. Magical when delivered well. The station, operating from a ship anchored off Tel Aviv, sought to broadcast a peaceful message to a troubled Middle East. Founded by Abie Nathan, allegedly with financial support from John Lennon, The Voice broadcast from May 1973 until its closure in November...
3m Nov 24, 2011
3m
S1 Ep245: UK Theme
The UK Theme was created in 1978 at the behest of the new Radio 4 Controller. Fritz Spiegl, an Austrian-born composer, was commissioned to produce an arrangement of traditional British melodies when Radio 4 became a full UK service on Longwave. He had also been the composer of the sign-on theme it replaced 'A Skipping Tune'. It was aired around 5:54am on weekdays (later weekends) from Thursda...
5m Nov 23, 2011
5m
S1 Ep244: Paul Burnett - Radio Luxembourg/Radio 1
Paul Burnett. A familiar name through a couple of rich generations of radio. Like so many of his era, he began his radio career on board a pirate, Radio 270, before moving to Manx Radio and, subsequently, Radio Luxembourg. The huge Radio 1 became Paul’s home from 1974, later assuming lunchtime duties in 1976. There, he had the honour of revealing the latest Top 20 chart on Tuesdays, in an age ...
2m Nov 20, 2011
2m
S1 Ep243: Sing Something Simple - Light Programme/Radio 2
1m Nov 20, 2011
1m
S1 Ep242: Barry Alldis - Radio Luxembourg/One
1m Nov 20, 2011
1m
S1 Ep241: Nick Clarke - tribute (Eddie Mair)
5m Nov 20, 2011
5m
S1 Ep240: Lilliburlero
The words: 'This is London'; followed by the strains of Lilliburlero, heard with all the distortion of medium or short wave transmission is a powerful sound. 'Lily', as they call it at the BBC, has been used as the World Service in English identification since November 21st 1955. The melody was originally an Irish jig, which can be traced back as far as 1661. Its words changed across the year...
29s Nov 20, 2011
29s
S1 Ep239: A Hundred Years of Radio - Part Three of Three
In 2008, short of a decent idea to fill a festive programme on BBC Nottingham, I produced this indulgent live two hour show reflecting the history - around 100 years - of radio. Part Three of Three. Follow my #radiomoments daily on Twitter @davidlloydradio
5m Nov 19, 2011
5m
S1 Ep238: A Hundred Years of Radio - Part Two of Three
In 2008, short of a decent idea to fill a festive programme on BBC Nottingham, I produced this indulgent live two hour show reflecting the history - around 100 years - of radio. Part Two of Three. Follow my #radiomoments daily on Twitter @davidlloydradio
35m Nov 19, 2011
35m
S1 Ep237: A Hundred Years of Radio - Part One of Three
In 2008, short of a decent idea to fill a festive programme on BBC Radio Nottingham, I produced this indulgent live two hour show reflecting the history - around 100 years - of radio. Bits of audio - sig tunes - personalities - and songs sung by disc jockeys (altho I have hurriedly edited out guts of those!). Part One of Three.
29m Nov 19, 2011
29m
S1 Ep236: In Town Tonight - BBC Home Service
12s Nov 17, 2011
12s
S1 Ep235: The end of Devonair - 1994
The Radio Authority did not take away too many licences when they came up for renewal. Famously, it took away LBC's original licence; and the IBA, the Authority's predecessor, had not renewed Victory's franchise. Devonair also lost its licence; a decision which was said to stem from it reluctance to commit to separate AM and FM programming. The station had been on-air since 7th November 1980. D...
4m Nov 16, 2011
4m
S1 Ep234: Buzz FM (Birmingham) - End
Buzz FM was what the regulator, the Radio Authority, termed an 'incremental station' - incremental to the tier of established heritage stations, in this case Birmingham's BRMB. Buzz went on air in May 1990, serving Birmingham alone, with a comparatively low transmission power. It was to last but four years. The station was originally licensed to ...
1m Nov 16, 2011
1m
S1 Ep233: John Timpson - Tribute
His voice woke up the nation for some 16 years on The Today Programme. John Timpson had emerged from press to join the BBC as a reporter, recruited to the Today team in 1970. He was one of the presenters until 1976, then again from 1978 to 1986, alongside the like of Jack de Manio, Brian Redhead and Robert Robinson. John also presented Any Questions for three years. John Timpson died in 2005.
1m Nov 16, 2011
1m
S1 Ep232: Mark Goodier - Top 40
'The Chart' is a British tradition: moving it to a Sunday evening slot on the Light Programme was scheduling genius. Franklin Engelmann is credited as the first host in 1955 although, in truth, the show did not evolve into a 'chart' as such until a couple of years later. Commercial radio joined in too with great success. with its first 'pan-UK' show: 'The Network Chart'. The BBC Radio 1 chart ...
2m Nov 16, 2011
2m
S1 Ep231: 9.00 a.m. News. BBC Radio 4. 16 Nov 2011
Another great bit of classic BBC Radio 4. At 9.00 a.m. on Wednesday 16th November, a badly-behaved angle-poise lamp sought to distract the great Susan Rae as she prepared to list the latest World woes. It failed; and Susan issued a formal Corporation apology.
18s Nov 16, 2011
18s
S1 Ep230: Rowntree's Jelly commercial - 1935
An ad aired in the early days of Radio Luxembourg. 'Luxy' was an early taste of commercial radio for UK listeners. And the station had full brand integration too, not just spot ads: witness The Ovaltineys and some great Quaker Oats shows too. This is a spot though, and an impressive one. Sounds made-up. It wasn't. It was the way things really were in those 'Mother in the kitchen' days of 1935.
1m Nov 13, 2011
1m
S1 Ep229: Radio Luxembourg - Story
A dip into the rich history of Radio Luxembourg. Often referred to, erroneously, as a pirate, 'Luxy' was licensed in all but its very early days. In the 1930s, when the BBC distanced itself from entertainment, Luxembourg rose to the challenge, beaming the UK with a first taste of commercial radio. Commercial it was too, in a 21st century brand integration way. The transmitters were seized duri...
8m Nov 12, 2011
8m
S1 Ep228: Radio Trent story - Part Four
Radio Trent, from Nottingham, was the 13th commercial ('ILR') station to come on air. Launching in July 1975, it fell victim to early industrial troubles, and doubts from its regulator, the IBA, as to its ability to discharge the obligations of its franchise. The cause of those doubts were probably a result of its focus from launch at being a 'music station': it was some way ahead in its thinki...
22m Nov 11, 2011
22m
S1 Ep227: Radio Trent story - Part Three of Four
Radio Trent, from Nottingham, was the 13th commercial ('ILR') station to come on air. Launching in July 1975, it fell victim to early industrial troubles, and doubts from its regulator, the IBA, as to its ability to discharge the obligations of its franchise. The cause of those doubts were probably a result of its focus from launch at being a 'music station': it was some way ahead in its thinki...
21m Nov 11, 2011
21m
S1 Ep226: Radio Trent story - Part Two of Four
Radio Trent, from Nottingham, was the 13th commercial ('ILR') station to come on air. Launching in July 1975, it fell victim to early industrial troubles, and doubts from its regulator, the IBA, as to its ability to discharge the obligations of its franchise. The cause of those doubts were probably a result of its focus from launch at being a 'music station': it was some way ahead in its think...
23m Nov 11, 2011
23m
S1 Ep225: Radio Trent story - 1985
Radio Trent, from Nottingham, was the 13th commercial ('ILR') station to come on air. Launching in July 1975, it fell victim to early industrial troubles, and doubts from its regulator, the IBA, as to its ability to discharge its obligations. Those doubts probably resulted of its focus from launch at being a 'music station', some way ahead in its thinking from other early commercial stations. ...
1hr 32m Nov 11, 2011
1hr 32m
S1 Ep224: Eddie Mair - Fine moments
5m Nov 10, 2011
5m
S1 Ep223: Simon Bates - First Top 40
1m Nov 10, 2011
1m
S1 Ep222: BBC Lincolnshire - Launch in 1980 (+ 87 idents)
If you're going to launch a station in Lincolnshire, a peal of bells from the Cathedral is a pretty good way to do it. Nick Brunger uttered the first words on BBC Radio LIncolnshire on the 11th of November, 1980. Roy Corlett was in charge, with the signal booming from the massive mast at Belmont. Its premises were, and still are, in the former Radion cinema, built in 1939 to the design by WJ K...
2m Nov 10, 2011
2m