David Hamilton Leaves the BBC

Dec 04, 2014, 02:29 PM

Few DJs enjoyed such high daytime ratings as David Hamilton recorded in the mid-1970s when, due to yet another round of belt-tightening at the BBC, his afternoon show went out on both Radio 1 and Radio 2. In December 1977 he moved across to a Radio 2 only show. By the mid-80s it was billed as ‘The Music Show’ and was perhaps the only weekday programme to feature outright pop music of the day at a time when the station’s music output could easily mean listeners hearing The Beach Boys followed by the Band of the Coldsteam Guards. Even so David left the station, and the BBC, citing “geriatric” music policy. Here’s the end of David’s final show on Friday 19 December 1986, with a lovely understated sign-off.