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 Luxembourg, before joining the BBC. On those early BBC recordings, he sounds peculiarly English. He also spent some time in his later career with Virgin Radio.

It’s easy to mock what he did, and ‘Smashy and Nicey’ did, in a good-natured sort of way. But his act was a clever one; and he was the true master at what he did. His timing on the chart rundown over ’At The Sign of the Swinging Cymbal’ was always impeccable. He showed a generation how to do it.

He was beautifully self-deprecating; and known as truly one of the nice guys.

Here Alan is, in the early sixties, on ‘Pick of The Pops’ on the BBC Light Programme.

Fluff died in November 2006.

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