Radio Moments - Conversations

No station will ever rule as BBC Radio 1 did through the 70s, 80s and into the 90s. Despite being, for decades, on AM only, the Corporation’s reluctant pop channel soared to victory in those halcyon red, white and blue days under its Controller Johnny Beerling. Few presenters of that era failed to send a tape in to Johnny in the hope of a plum gig.  In this episode of ‘Conversations’ from #RadioMo...

There is only one Steve Allen. This irreplaceable talent has entertained on LBC since the late seventies, and his distinctive act has become part of the UK’s rich radio tapestry. In this hour, hear Steve speak openly about his early days and emotionally about his time at the United Biscuits Network. He tells too of LBC’s early life and about listener response through the changing years.  Fresh fro...

In the eighties, he progressed from Ipswich’s Radio Orwell to become one of commercial radio’s youngest programme directors as Ocean Sound was born. Against the odds, he then won the Lincolnshire licence and, at some personal risk, established that stand-alone major station in the teeth of bitter recession. Lincs FM was to be the foundation for a growing network. When a competitive licence bid did...

Fascinated by the new local commercial station in his home town of Bradford in the ‘70s, Roger was eager to play his part in that young Pennine Radio. The BBC then swiftly called, taking him first to Lincolnshire and then to BBC Radio Northampton, where his voice delivered the station’s first news bulletin. In this edition of ‘Conversations’, Roger Mosey tells of his rise through the BBC ranks, fr...

An hour of insight into the life of a man who’s been involved in creating radio for around half the medium’s popular life.  Tim Blackmore joined the BBC as an eager tech-op in 1962, when he recalls recording on shellac disc rather than tape machine. In the producer role, he helped to launch Tony Blackburn’s breakfast show, as the BBC reluctantly carved out Radio 1 and 2, going on to produce a gene...

He was one of a small breed of football commentators who came to define the commercial radio approach to football coverage in the UK. Partisan, passionate – and hard-working. His commitment to the industry – and to the City of Birmingham – has now lasted thirty five years.  Here, he speaks of his early days at a young BBC Birmingham through to learning his trade at BRMB - and arguing the toss with...

To broadcast across the UK on BBC Radio 1 and 2 simultaneously on medium wave, long wave and FM - at a time when commercial radio was barely underway - generated huge audiences for the affable David Hamilton. In this hour-long edition of ‘Conversations’, David tells of his early break on Forces radio overseas and his days at the Light Programme through to the giddy days on Radio 1 and a reluctant...

He was the slim pirate who, after dramatic days at sea, ended up being voted one of the UK’s top disc jockeys, before returning, via Luxy, to be the first voice on Piccadilly and in the early days of many other stations the UK’s nascent commercial network. Here, Roger Day speaks of those pioneering days – his successes and his regrets. In his own words, from 1966 to the present day, this is the Ro...

John Myers was the no-nonsense Northerner from humble roots who rose to head some of the UK’s largest radio stations and emerge as a key figure in UK radio, respected by many across the whole sector. In this hour-long ‘Conversations’ he spoke openly of his life: from his early roadshows and the days at BBC Radio Carlisle and a young Red Rose Radio; through to his role on the ground as he grew the...

Few individuals can lay claim to having been present at the birth of UK commercial radio, and also being there at the launch of Hallam, Mercia and in the early throes of Viking. Ian Rufus was. In this edition of the Radiomoments ‘Conversations’ series, Ian reflects honestly on his decades in the business. He tells of LBC’s troubled first year, its industrial strife and its journalists going unpaid...

He was the dog breeder who became Nottingham’s most famous radio presenter. Speak to anyone over 50 in the City and they’ll remember Dennis. When he died in 1996, the streets of Nottingham were lined for the procession to his funeral. Dennis McCarthy hosted ‘the Sunday Show’ and ‘Afternoon Special’ for a large proportion of his 28 years with Radio Nottingham – programmes still recalled fondly to t...

He disappointed his parents with his determination to pursue a career in the nascent BBC local radio; created London’s GLR to critical acclaim albeit reduced audiences; and was part of the mid 90s dramatic moves to re-invigorate BBC Radio 1. Since, he headed the Radio Academy and, amongst his work as an indie, produced several acclaimed series for the BBC. In his own words, this is the Trevor Dann...

From his beginnings as a young press journalist, Ralph Bernard rose through the radio ranks as a programmer, and then senior executive, to lead what became the UK’s largest radio group. He played a key role at GWR in early consolidation, brokered the deals which brought Classic FM to air and headed GCap in challenging and conflicted times. From his triumphs to his disappointments, this is the fort...

This is the story of the lad who grew up to pirate radio who went on to play a leading role in the sound of UK radio for a generation. In this hour of RadioMoments Conversations, Steve England tells of how he ended up on-air in the complex second wave of offshore pirate before moving to Piccadilly where he started to further his interest in jingle production. He then opens up about the Alfasound j...

From  a lucky traineeship through to managing the purchase of that very station and its neighbours three decades later, via the creation of UK brand-led radio. In this hour of 'Radio Moments - Conversations', Phil Riley opens up about his personal roots - and tells of his journey to BRMB. His business school spell in New York, prepared him for his first programme directorship as he created the new...

Hear from the man who steered Signal in Stoke through its first couple of decades, rising quickly from breakfast show host to Programme Director. As industry consolidation advanced, John Evington also tells of his spell under Kelvin MacKenzie as Group PD of the Wireless Group. His early days are recalled too, from the magical moments in Manchester at the Piccadilly Radio of the 70s to the ill-fate...

In this hour, Ron tells of his formative influences - his days at Broadcasting House  and of the early vulnerable days for BBC Local Radio in Sheffield and Nottingham. He offers insight into the challenges of commercial radio in the early 80s, illustrated through his tales of the regulator, the trade body, the personalities at Trent, and the Company’s subsequent expansion. He tells too of the regi...