S1 Ep374: Galaxy 105 - The End
The last words in the life of Galaxy 105, Number One for Dance & r'n'b in Yorkshire. The station was launched as Kiss in February 1997, under an EMAP brand licence, before changing abruptly to Galaxy two years later upon acqusition by Chrysalis Radio. This was the period when the station pulled off the feat of both being fresh, young and credible; whilst retaining its audience as they grew old...
2m Mar 11, 2012
2m
S1 Ep373: Beacon 303 - Launch medley
The early commercial stations seemed to fall into two camps : those with BBC DNA; and those with the music radio gene. No prizes for guessing which found more regulatory favour. Beacon launched in 1976 from Wolverhampton - the last in the first (or potentially only) tranche of commercial stations. Unlike all others, it faced significant early commercial competition from its close neighbour BRM...
7m Mar 11, 2012
7m
S1 Ep372: Fosseway Radio - Tests
Fosseway Radio in Hinckley was part of the Lincs FM Group, although its origins pre-dated the Lincs involvement. Launched on November 1st 1998, the station broadcast to South West Leicestershire. Programmed at the outset by Paul Robey as almost a full time station at launch, like so many other stations its scale and the economic climate suggested the wisdom of later efficiencies. Fosseway beg...
1m Mar 09, 2012
1m
S1 Ep371: Roger Moffat - Light Programme End + Hallam
It's good to be on-air when things are happening around you. There were hundreds of nightly closedowns from the BBC Light Programme; but this was the most poignant. Its last. As the BBC prepared to number its networks in 1967, the Light Programme split into Radio 2, and a part time Radio 1, It was left to announcer Roger Moffat do the honours and read the peaceful last rites of a service which...
1m Mar 08, 2012
1m
S1 Ep370: Round the Horne
It is strange listening to this, reminding oneself that it began when gay sex was illegal. Round the Horne began in 1965 on the Light Programme, later on BBC Radio 2. Although it lasted for just three years, the memories remain. Barry Took and Marty Feldman were its creators - and its stars Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. The name ‘Round the Horne...
1m Mar 07, 2012
1m
S1 Ep369: Radio 210 - Launch
It’s a bit like the Carphone Warehouse not really selling carphones any more. Or ad agency WPP being in advertising rather than its eponymous business of Wire & Plastic Products. 2-Ten FM in Reading was a contradiction of a name, given the station had long since stopped broadcasting on 2-Ten; and when it had, that was on AM. 8 March 1976 saw the station crackle on air, with the help of Arthur...
54s Mar 06, 2012
54s
S1 Ep368: Viking Radio, launch - 1984
Viking Radio, from Hull, was one of the second tranche of commercial stations, launched in 1984 as part of a network which was growing in a juddery fashion, as governments oscillated, commissioned reports; and had a good old think. Ian Rufus of BRMB fame prepared the ground, with Roger Brooks assuming control after launch. Someone really ought to do a study of ‘first songs played’ and any corre...
4m Mar 06, 2012
4m
S1 Ep367: Radio Two - Spring 1986 line-up
42s Mar 04, 2012
42s
S1 Ep366: Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy
42s Mar 04, 2012
42s
S1 Ep365: Dr Anthony Seldon on Any Questions
A delightful clip from 2nd March 2012 edition of 'Any Questions' on BBC Radio 4. One guest, Dr Anthony Seldon, head teacher at Wellington College is asked about the selection of Engelbert Humperdinck to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. Anthony suggests he thinks the singer may be a little younger than the audience know him to be.
1m Mar 04, 2012
1m
S1 Ep364: Keith Skues medley
Keith Skues is an impressive member of the small club of broadcasters who played a part in both the adolescence and maturity of UK pop radio. Born in 1939, his early days in the medium which became his home were in uniform at the British Forces Network in Cologne in the late fifties. Keith joined the renegade Radio Caroline in its early days, before moving onshore to Radio Luxembourg; and then...
2m Mar 03, 2012
2m
S1 Ep362: Heart is Coming - 2009
If one sought to create a vibrant UK commercial radio sector, maybe one would not, as they say, start from here. The UK joined the party very late, with the first 'official' stations not launching until 1973, by which time commercial radio was well-established in more sensible countries around the world as part of the advertising ecology. The next hurdle was the piecemeal approach to rolling o...
2m Feb 27, 2012
2m
S1 Ep361: Radio Caroline - The end of Mi Amigo
Whilst governments did their bit to bring an end to the pirate radio ships, it was Mother Nature which caused the most significant pauses in the life of Radio Caroline, the station which had launched the UK's inexorable drift into a tardy pop music radio era. On 19th March 1980, the Mi Amigo broke anchor in a storm and drifted into shallow water. Whilst the crew pumped out water from the leaki...
3m Feb 27, 2012
3m
S1 Ep360: John Humphrys - Tease!
So, the BBC trails department mulls over the best way of selling in a Radio 4 programme. The concept is painstakingly-written by talented hands. The words are carefully delivered; and mixed alongside pithy quotes. The production is then scheduled at peak time. All goes according to plan, until the promo is aired in Today on February 27th 2012. New boy Justin Webb, even volunteers a bit of enth...
18s Feb 27, 2012
18s
S1 Ep359: Chris Cary- Spangles Muldoon - Caroline
3m Feb 27, 2012
3m
S1 Ep358: Listen With Mother - Balls
3m Feb 27, 2012
3m
S1 Ep357: Jonathan Wolfert on Midweek 26 Feb 1986
If there is one station on which one would never expect to hear jingles; it is dear BBC Radio 4. Elements which even smell a little like the 'branding' thing attract the green ink brigade. Promotions for forthcoming programmes? Tusk. There used to be a few theme ('sig') tunes on the station: remember the twiddly-twomp old PM theme tune from the rotary knobs at the Radiophonic Workshop; or that...
11m Feb 25, 2012
11m
S1 Ep356: Radio Humberside - Launch
To say that BBC Radio Humberside launched on 25 February 1971 would be almost correct. This was the seventies: Ford Cortinas; parka coats; Mint Cracknels; and power cuts. Auntie rose to the occasion and allowed the station to come on air prematurely to announce useful snippets of news, as Paul Heiney recalls fondly in this audio. From launch proper, the station broadcast from premises above a p...
4m Feb 25, 2012
4m
S1 Ep355: Corrie - Pants - radio 4
10s Feb 23, 2012
10s
S1 Ep354: House of Commons - First broadcast 1975
The rulers of our land did not rush into letting us hear what they were up to. Reith, when DG of the BBC in the twenties, thought it might be a good idea for listeners to hear their elected members speak. It was so logical that it was unthinkable. Thirty years later, when they opened the new Commons Chamber, they wired up microphones, just in case. MPs accordingly rushed into things. Well, the...
11m Feb 23, 2012
11m
S1 Ep353: One Direction - Capital/ Radio 1
1m Feb 22, 2012
1m
S1 Ep352: Moray Firth Radio - centenarian
Moray Firth Radio from Inverness launched in 1982. Whilst a small operation, it covered a huge geographic area. The unmistakable and highly-respected Thomas Prag led the station, a former BBC stalwart. Tom became an elder Scottish radio statesman in due course, being wisely appointed to the then regulator, the Radio Authority. His legacy remains to this day on the station, now in Bauer hands. ...
43s Feb 22, 2012
43s
S1 Ep351: Britain Radio - launch
Britain Radio was one of the cluster of 1960s pirate radio stations, most of which were moored on ships just outside UK territorial waters. This one was based on-board the 'Laissez Faire'; and the vessel's name suggested its hopes. Replete with Light music, backed by dollars, and fuelled by American formatics, Britain Radio launched proudly in 1966; becoming Radio 355 in early 1967, amidst all...
31s Feb 20, 2012
31s
S1 Ep350: Raymond Glendenning
The voice of sport for a generation. Raymond Glendenning’s distinctive tones were heard on the Country’s biggest fixtures for almost thirty years. Eighteen years on the FA Cup; and the 1962 World Cup. Not just football either: you would also hear him on racing commentaries, tennis and show jumping. He was up for it. Raymond’s last commentary was heard in 1964; and he died ten years later.
25s Feb 20, 2012
25s
S1 Ep349: Adrian Van Klaveren on 5 Live Move
58s Feb 20, 2012
58s
S1 Ep348: Chris Moyles - Medley
It is clear the Chris Moyles love as radio is as huge as his show opener jingle. He is a pure radio guy, just as Tony Blackburn is. Chris made his way up the commercial radio ladder, falling off a rung from time to time. From Luxembourg to Aire and the Pulse; from Signal to the various Chiltern stations. In 1996, the call from Capital came; and the switch to Radio 1 a year later. Around the s...
4m Feb 20, 2012
4m
S1 Ep347: Alistair Cooke - Letter from America
How many broadcasters start hosting a programme aged 38; and continue hosting the same item until they are in their nineties? Alistair Cooke began his weekly ‘Letter from America’ despatch in 1946 (then called ‘American Letter’) on what was then the BBC Home Service. The series was intended to enjoy a short run, rather than the 2,869 editions it did. It stemmed, ironically, from a reverse of t...
2m Feb 18, 2012
2m
S1 Ep346: Terry Wogan - First Weekend Wogan
Terry Wogan left his Radio Two breakfast show ‘Wake up to Wogan’ at the end of 2009. He’d begun his second reign on the early shift as an accomplished broadcaster. He left as a national treasure. Terry returned to Radio 2 in February 2010 to a weekend show in front of an audience: ‘Weekend Wogan’. Hear here the opening of that first edition. Whilst 30,000 people sought a place in the audience...
2m Feb 14, 2012
2m
S1 Ep345: Opportunity Knocks - Radio Luxembourg
Opportunity Knocks was one of the early TV talent shows, a distant relative of X-Factor. Acts were judged by the ‘clapometer’, a process which would likely not pass muster with the regulators nowadays, but it all seemed harmless enough. Despiter its name. Not least because the studio audience vote was not counted. Hey, that’s like the judges on X Factor too. The show had begun, though, on radi...
1m Feb 13, 2012
1m
S1 Ep344: KFM - launch
KFM was one of the so called ‘incremental’ local stations, as they were ‘incremental’ to the tier of ‘heritage’ stations. It was envisaged they would carve out a different audience either by virtue of their localism or their format. KFM was also one of a number of such stations which were reformed ‘pirates’, securing a licence to broadcast legally. It began broadcasting to Stockport on 17th Feb...
2m Feb 13, 2012
2m
S1 Ep343: Ed Stewart - Radio One - Junior Choice
Just like you can tell someone’s age by the Blue Peter presenters they remember; just ask about the radio programmes they recall, and you’ll get a similarly useful steer. If you are slightly younger than a ‘Children’s Favourites’ listener, you’ll likely fondly remember ‘Junior Choice’. The programme’s ‘signature tune’ was ‘Morningtown Ride’, updated from its predecessor’s ‘Puffin’ Billy’. ‘Da ...
19s Feb 12, 2012
19s
S1 Ep342: 2 MT - Captain Peter Eckersley
How would radio stations sound now if the engineering and IT staff did all the broadcasts, rather than presenters? I suspect that the audio levels would be better at least. But, that is how it started really, almost ninety years to the day as I write this. Just as those who assembled the text on early web pages were techies, so were the early broadcasters. 14th February 1922 saw the launch of...
8m Feb 11, 2012
8m
S1 Ep341: Kiss 105, launch - 1997
Kiss 105 launched at, well, 1.05 on Valentine's Day 1997. The station was then owned by Faze, which also owned Kiss 102 in Manchester. It had a brand licence agreement for the 'Kiss' name with EMAP, which operated London's Kiss 100. In 1999, Faze was bought by Chrysalis for £17.6m; and the Kiss stations were re-branded Galaxy, a name already used by Chrysalis in the South West. To say the re-br...
2m Feb 11, 2012
2m
S1 Ep340: Saga 106.6 FM - Medley
Saga 106.6 FM was the second station to be launched in the Saga stable. Targeting the over 50s, it had been a sure-fire winner for the East Midlands licence. The station was managed by Ron Coles, of solid Nottingham radio stock. Ron had been at BBC Radio Nottingham in its early days; managed Trent in its most influential times; launched Radio 106; and here he was back again with this calmly-la...
4m Feb 10, 2012
4m
S1 Ep339: Talk Radio Test Transmissions 1995
Talk Radio UK was the final one of the three new national commercial radio licences, after the commercial sector was, at long last, awarded some national frequencies. Two were on AM and only one on the precious FM band. The one on FM could play music. But only if it wasn’t pop. So, Talk Radio UK began on the 14th February 1995. For the pedantic, the station really began late the previous night...
3m Feb 09, 2012
3m
S1 Ep338: 5WA launch story - Mostyn Thomas, 1923
Radio in Wales began with 5WA in 1923, based in Cardiff in premises above a music shop, and broadcasting on 850 kHz. Mostyn Thomas, a world renowned baritone, tells here of how he sang Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) on the opening day – the first Welsh words heard on radio.
1m Feb 09, 2012
1m
S1 Ep337: James Alexander Gordon
James Alexander Gordon is best known for his perfect delivery of the classified results on 5 Live; and Radio 2 before that. A little like the Shipping Forecast, the rhythm is almost poetic. Enjoyable to listen to even if the words have little relevance. Although JAG was not the originator of the rise and fall intonation; he is a master. Here, he offers a brief insight into his performance.
56s Feb 08, 2012
56s
S1 Ep336: Radio City - Tom Edwards
In the 60s, a flotilla of pirate radio ships floated out to the North Sea to bring pop music to a 60s Britain. Some stations, though, hopped onto things other than ships. Screaming Lord Sutch alighted on Shivering Sands Towers to create, maybe predictably, Radio Sutch. The towers were seven miles off the Kent coast and had been built for Forces' use in World War II. Radio Sutch became Radio Cit...
2m Feb 07, 2012
2m
S1 Ep335: Robin Scott - First Radio 1 and 2 Controller
Robin Scott was the first Controller of BBC Radio 1. That’s a dream post for anyone, let alone to have been the first in the chair. So, it was Robin who launched Radio 1 - and indeed 2 - in 1967, by chopping the Light Programme in half. And, in a John Myers sort of way, he was the first voice on air too. A reluctant BBC had been tugged into the Swinging Sixties by a flotilla of pirate radio shi...
3m Feb 06, 2012
3m
S1 Ep334: Death of King George VI, JOhn Snagge - 1952
The dramatic middle of the twentieth century demanded just the right voice to deliver its momentous announcements. Luckily the distinctive tones of John Snagge were on hand. John was born in 1904 and his first radio gig was running Stoke-on-Trent's new station, 6ST. It’s true that his entry to the BBC was lubricated by his dad, who happened to be a judge who knew the right BBC folk. But - he tr...
53s Feb 05, 2012
53s
S1 Ep333: Dale Winton - Trent - 28th Nov 1983
Dale Winton arrived at Trent with the objective of becoming a star. He was yet another of a talented bunch from UBN, the successful station broadcasting to the United Biscuits factories; back then a key training ground for a young commercial radio industry. Dale's first Trent show was aired on 6th August 1977. Dale graduated through the schedule, eventually ending up at a fitting home mid-morn...
25m Feb 05, 2012
25m
S1 Ep332: Les Ross - brmb - 18th Jan 1989
Commercial radio is sometimes criticised for not cultivating great national personalities; but that’s hardly surprising, given its whole structure was driven, in the main part, by local stations. That does not mean it has failed to produce some personalities who have commanded their markets. One is Les Ross. It would waste characters to say he is a Brummie, but, well he is. He was not present ...
17m Feb 04, 2012
17m
S1 Ep331: Leicester Sound - launch
1983 was an interesting time in commercial radio. Leicester's orange Centre Radio was the first commercial station to fall completely owing to financial difficulties. Nearby Trent offered a rescue package but it was turned down; and the transmitters fell silent. Not before a package of pre-emptive Leicester Sound jingles had been recorded. The franchise was then re-advertised by the then regula...
2m Feb 04, 2012
2m
S1 Ep330: BBC Radio Nottingham - early phone-in
I guess it is tough to prove, but it is believed widely that the first UK 'phone-in was heard on BBC Radio Nottingham. It appeared as part of a programme called 'What are They Up to Now?'. This audio, sadly, is not of that programme; but it is still clearly a very early use of 'phones on-air on Radio Nottingham. The presenter sounds deliciously amazed not only at hearing the call on-air, but a...
52s Feb 03, 2012
52s
S1 Ep329: The Pips - Medley - Greenwich Time Signal
The pips signal the start of so many great moments in radio. A pause amidst the energy. A grave announcement. A simple sound amongst the complex. Silence separated. The tones have been sounded since February the 5th 1924; an idea of good old John Reith, who was not averse to precision. The Astronomer Royal, Sir Frank Watson Dyson, sorted out some mechanical clocks in the Royal Greenwich Observ...
4m Feb 02, 2012
4m
S1 Ep328: Gillian Reynolds - on Radio City
Radio City launched in October 1974, the UK's 9th Independent Local Radio station. Based originally on Stanley Street in Liverpool, rather than up the great St. John's Beacon. Gillian Reynolds was its first Programme Controller. Speaking here in 1998, she tells of her pioneering early days, learning from her few colleagues around the country. Gillian is now a radio critic, journalist and broad...
1m Jan 31, 2012
1m
S1 Ep327: Ken Bruce - Rob Brydon - April Fool
Ken is a trusted pair of hands every morning on BBC Radio Two. Ken worked for BBC Scotland (and its predecessor Radio 4, Scotland); and has hosted shows for the World Service. He joined Radio Two in 82, graduating to his own excellent weekend late shows two years later. Breakfast beckoned, as Wogan left the schedule for the first time; but, frankly, taking over from him is a tough call for anyo...
2m Jan 31, 2012
2m
S1 Ep326: Keith Davies/Science Museum - Marconi
Thanks, Guglielmo Marconi. We don’t say that often enough. It’s largely thanks to him, we are all on the air. In fairness, he was building commercially on the work of others over the previous 50 years: familiar names from your Physics lessons like Hertz and Faraday. He was born in Italy in 1874; and just like the Bransons and Sugars, he was a chap who found his own path. In his messy attic, he...
1m Jan 30, 2012
1m
S1 Ep325: Man in Black
Something here from the ‘golden age’ of radio. And this is creepy. In 1943, the BBC had a horror series called "Appointment With Fear", presented by Valentine Dyall. He was actually an actor who successfully invented and portrayed a character called ‘The Man In Black’; a dark storyteller, with a menacing tone. So, in 1949 it was fitting that ‘The Man In Black’ should get his own series. Most of...
56s Jan 30, 2012
56s
S1 Ep324: Mansfield 103.2 - Launch
2m Jan 29, 2012
2m