Jewish religion anoraks are to blame for confusing today’s radio anoraks. Easter moves about from year to year owing to their fetish for celebrating their
Category: Radio
BOAT! Radio Caroline North BOAT!
There’s a radio futurologist out there who hates me. Well, ‘hate’ is probably a strong word. Or maybe it isn’t. Well, whatever his emotions are,
Radio the way it should be?
So, as I mentioned, proper programming started on Thursday (3rd April) at 9am from pop-up Radio Caroline North. It started with John Dwyer, the main
Radio Caroline North Report #4
Here we go with a summary of the fourth day of me sitting as an armchair critic of Radio Caroline North. This is all that
Radio Caroline North Report #3
Another summary of my observations and public pronouncements about Radio Caroline North. These are from Wednesday, 2nd April: 09:15: Well, here we are at day 3
Radio Caroline North Report #2
So, this is from Tuesday, April Fool’s Day, and is a summary of what I witnessed and reported on day two of Radio Caroline North:
Radio Caroline North Report #1
Here’s the first of the daily reports from Liverpool about the progress of Radio Caroline North, a ‘pop-up’ 28 day radio service broadcasting from Birkenhead
Peter Moore speaking of Radio Caroline North
Radio Caroline operates via radiocaroline.co.uk and is the same organisation that has control of the radioship Ross Revenge, the last home of Radio Caroline at
Radio Caroline North 2014 LIVE reports
For the world famous Christopher England rolling updates of news about the 28 day broadcast from Birkenhead using the callsign “Radio Caroline North” you need
Radio Caroline Hits 50
I’ve no idea who Rob Hadgraft is. (Apologies for that Mr Hadgraft!) However, Rob has produced a most interesting blog version of the events of
Old offshore radio DJs living for ego strokes
From time to time I watch as these every increasingly old and frail gentlemen shuffle about at memorial services. Some services are held every year,
When will Radio Caroline North start proper programmes?
Radio Caroline North. We’ve all heard the non-stop muzak. We’ve all seen them on the telly pretending they are broadcasting from a ship. But when
#SELFIE Earworm
I get got by earworms. You know, the tune or the song, or the phrase from a tune or song that gets stuck in your
But, This IS Liverpool
So, for some strange reason, the holier than thou brigade of Liverpool (most of whom don’t actually come from or live in Liverpool) are dissing
Mansize Radio is Alright Mate
I get bored very easily when it comes to ‘music radio‘. This causes me to seek out the cool and unusual to listen to, whilst
Hating BBC Radio 1
Has daytime BBC Radio 1 managed to get rid of all the old people who were listening? I think it has. It must have been
More Blue Jam
I recently anoraked on about Chris Morris‘s adventurous Blue Jam here. Blue Jam was one of the last concept or ‘mood’ radio shows, evah. Subsequently
Radio Caroline North returns
Driving past one of the best radio stations in Liverpool and looking in through the cool inviting window that gives direct vision of the main
We need new Blue Jam
Maybe I don’t realise it but I am potentially sounding like a long haired dinosaur rock enthusiast. Lovers of ‘progressive rock’ will lament the passing
TV and radio in Liverpool
So, it’s 10 o’clock at night and you have arrived in Liverpool. How can you use TV and radio to get an idea or two
Radio City’s local lies
There seems to be some debate about the pros and cons of a radio station originating programming in the area it is broadcasting to. This
One radio station for your life
Every decade or so, both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 upset their cling-on audiences. Both stations have a remit as to whom they
Raising money and creating awareness for the MPS society
Time for me to be a bit serious. I spy on people via social media. Facebook usually gives me an insight into other people’s private
LBC goes national again
“LBC” was the first ever commercial radio station operating in the UK. Well, in London. Indeed, it actually was the ‘London Broadcasting Company‘. Today, after
Why do old people hate new music?
When I was young I was trying to make sense of all around me. I discovered music and I discovered radio. Radio brought me that
Pete Price’s gay aversion therapy
So, I was listening to Pete Price on Radio City the other night. Pete is a 67 year old gay man who hosts a Sunday
Death by Smooth Radio
I don’t listen to Smooth Radio. I’m far too young to want to listen to 30 safe dreary oldies being played over and over again.
Where’s DAT?
So, there I was just sitting there when along came a bunch of words from a man who is a hero of mine. The words
Awful old records on BBC Radio 1
It started as one an hour. Within a week it became two an hour. That’s two too many. I’m talking about the invasion of old
Mark Dean is a Radio Caroline North hero
For whatever reason, last night on BBC Radio Lancashire, which is simultaneously broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester, the Monday to Thursday Late Show (10pm to
We need to stop our obsession with North America
The British TV and radio news, the British press and the British entertainment industry is dominated by North American products. Quite often the lead headline
How odd is Radio England UK?
So, a radio station using the name ‘England‘ has got to be cool, right? ‘England‘ is such a good name. No? Erm, well I’ve been
Sexual predator anoraks
A lot of people who had their 15 minutes of fame back in the 1960s or in some way worked within sniffing distance of the
The Borg jukeboxes remain sterile
The pirate stations know what you know, when it comes to radio. The BBC knows what you know, when it comes to radio. The BBC
Who are ‘The Borg’?
‘The Borg’ is a name given to the large corporate groups who operate a ‘portfolio‘ of networked non-adventurous commercial radio services or ‘brands‘. But, why
Commercial radio is disappearing
Commercial radio, licensed commercial radio, has just celebrated its 40th birthday. There have been many, notably only those who work, once worked, or wish they’d
Is there too much samey internet radio?
Being a sad old radio anorak, most of my only ‘Friends’ on Facebork are also sad old radio anoraks. And, I’ve noticed something that’s happening
Happy Birthday to the happy happy sound of Radio 1
On this date back in 1967, BBC Radio 1 was born. Happy Birthday, Radio 1. 46 years old, and still sounding like a modern teenager.
The day they killed LBC
Today is a sad day. A very sad day. For today I was forced to say goodbye to LBC. Forever. Today LBC radio was switched
Ronan O’Rahilly
I recently wrote a tongue in cheek article about Radio Caroline. However this, in contrast, is a very sombre few words on a very related
Radio Caroline Extra Extra, read all about it
It is compulsory for me to mention Radio Caroline at least once every few months, so as I listen to Carmen Allgood‘s excellent Indie Music
Sara Cox limbos out of Fearne Cotton’s way
Fearne Cotton returns to Radio 1‘s mid morning show this week, leaving Sara Cox with nowhere to go. Sara Cox exits Radio 1 and it’s
Don’t Be Beastly About AM Radio
(A guest article written by Peter Moore) This is for you, England; Don’t Be Beastly About AM radio. Well Christopher, AM radio was used in
Time to switch off all AM radio transmitters
I hear that another major German broadcaster is shutting down all its AM transmitters, and France is about to clear the AM broadcast band. Why
Old Guard Radio
Is one of the problems with radio in this country, the simple fact that those in charge of it are too old to be in
OMG! It’s August the 14th … all over again!
I’m an anorak’s wet dream, I am. Jeeez. Spare me. It’s August the 14th. Noooooooooo. Back in 1967 this was the day that all the
Do children operate Liverpool’s CityTalk?
London has the very impressive talking radio station LBC, owned by Global, and able to broadcast debate and discussion 24 hours a day, using quite
Jingles jangle Radio 2
Years ago, I was very very stupid. As a symptom of my stupidity I used to collect jingles. Radio identification jingles. Yes. I know. Whilst
More radio redundancies on the way
I’m not stuck in my ways. I’m not old. But I am very sad. Jack FM has announced that it is going to expand its
Zombies surround my car
I sat in the car for a couple of hours with the radio blaring out. Rather than the superior DAB I’d normally be listening to,
Radio Caroline’s promise of performance
(A guest article written by Peter Moore) (Responding to my award-winning commentary about Radio Caroline fans here.) Hold On Christopher, you are on a bit
Radio Caroline obssessives still haven’t faffed off
What is wrong with these people? Some while ago I delicately described the Radio Caroline obsessives – for ease of identification let’s call them ‘mad
The saddest Radio Caroline legacy = the anorak
One of the saddest legacies of the offshore pop pirates of 50 years ago is the radio enthusiast known as an ‘anorak’. Whilst the modern
Radio 1 Chart Show? STFU!
My, oh my. Not since the era when the BBC Radio 1 Sunday Chart Show (4pm – 7pm) would suddenly grind to a halt and play
Radio Caroline: WHY? but then WHY NOT?
(A guest article written by Peter Moore) Your assessment of Caroline (here) is ‘sort of’ correct. I will not delve in to the LA thing
Radio Caroline obsessives need to faff off
Once upon a time there was a radio station called Radio Caroline. It closed down. Then it came back and closed down many more times.
The broadcasting pioneers didn’t have Media Degrees
People end up being where they are more by accident than design. A lot of the people who are the living success stories around us
LBC-ing you
I’m pretty sure I wrote about this before when it was first announced, let me have a look. Nope, can’t find it using the wonderful
What is the point of a radio anorak?
I can understand somebody being interested in historical radio broadcasting. I used to be. Somebody with a hobby that includes trawling the past for recordings
That critical Big L review
In a previous article, or, ok, maybe two (here and here), I declared my love of Steve and Suzy, the Sunday morning duo on internet
The pretend Voice of Peace
On May 19th it will have been 40 years since the Israeli propaganda radio station, Voice of Peace, started broadcasting. Thankfully the station only lasted
Sunday morning’s with Steve and Suzy
I have ‘anoraked’ about Steve and Sue before. Oh yes, I have. Both on this fine blog and elsewhere, I have had to declare my
Why aren’t there any revolutionary pirate radio stations?
Broadcasting radio without a licence can be fun, although of course you shouldn’t try this at home. As long as technically your transmissions are not
Radio North Sea International, the voice of terrorism
Radio anoraks are so easily led and have been fodder across the years for some pretty outrageous ripping off and false beliefs. To this day,
The lack of local radio in Liverpool
Once upon a time, many many moons ago, Liverpool had its own radio stations. In 1967, the BBC, not wishing to provide one just for
My local pirate radio station hates modern music
Some while ago I penned a piece about how radio station’s should almost be for life (here). They should ‘capture’ the youth of the day
The offshore radio future for Radio Caroline
I recently wrote about offshore radio and Radio Caroline being the last ever offshore radio station (here). Peter Moore from Radio Caroline made the following
Offshore pirate radio, never say never
I was reading this conversation on Facebork, as Facebork is almost always the best place to go to watch real people having actual conversations about
What was ‘Loving Awareness’?
The words ‘Loving Awareness’ have featured on Radio Caroline broadcasts for nearly 50 years. Radio Caroline devotees will sign letters and e-mail with some reference
Commercial speech radio
There are often excuses from the commercial radio sector for their complete inability to provide any form of commercial rival to BBC Radio 4. This
Save the James Whale
Global Radio, the owners of the last remaining talking radio station in the UK, LBC 97.3 (FM in London, and around the country via DAB),
Hope by radio
As a talking radio listener, I quite often listen to Pete Price on Radio City / City Talk (Sunday – Thursday 10pm – 2am). And,
A radio station for life
Every decade or so, both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 upset their cling-on audiences. Both stations have a remit as to whom they
My life with Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn is a radio DJ who has been there all my life. I actually remember him on the offshore radio station Radio London (‘Big
The radio showreel that never can be
‘Showreels’ are quick 2 to 5 minute long edited highlights of a person’s talent. A great ballet dancer’s showreel will be edited highlights of her
Real Radio Talent
Here’s an interesting one. A response to a recent article of mine lamenting the lack of talking radio in the UK, especially from the commercial
In memory of Liverpool’s City Talk Radio
It was exciting before the franchise was won. Liverpool was going to get another commercial radio station. The incumbents, Bauer Media, who owned the heritage station Radio
Where are the radio stations with talkie bits?
My search for radio that I can listen to continues. I’m looking for a radio station that combines current music with a medley of lots
Listen to Steve and Suzy on Sundays
I don’t see Sunday mornings that often. I tend to emerge from my sleeping pit in the afternoon. However, when Sunday mornings have to be
Wot no talking radio?
Back in the days when music radio was still in the hands of the creatives rather than a badly programmed computer, eccentricity was allowed to
Why do radio stations pretend they aren’t networking?
There aren’t many radio stations left that aren’t broadcasting a ‘programme’ coming from a central studio and ‘networked’ across all the country. This is especially
What they said about Christopher England #2
In my last article I mentioned that a spontaneous collection of pronouncements about Christopher England recently appeared on a message board infested by old radio anoraks.
The Price of Pete
So, there’s this local celebrity called Pete Price. His main exposure to the people of Liverpool is via a week-night late-night 4 hour phone-in via
Awful old records on Radio 1
It started as one an hour. Within a week it became two an hour. That’s two too many. I’m talking about the invasion of old
Graham calling
Here’s a nice easy read from Graham Brown‘s blog. Graham is a radio anorak who has somehow ended up living in Orkney. Because the BBC
Radio Caroline’s Massive Announcement
There are a number of fora and places to go for radio industry enthusiasts. These places are ideal for the dwindling number of radio industry
How broken is the BBC?
The BBC is a strange institution. It should be brilliant. The concept is a good one. But the BBC is broken. In the words of
Stop these bastard Segues
The ‘segue’ (pronounced ‘seg-way’) when applied to songs on the radio used to mean carefully playing one song after another with them intermingling as one
A radio station for life
Every decade or so, both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 upset their cling-on audiences. Both stations have a remit as to whom they
The legacy of Euronet
I’ve mentioned before the satellite radio station “Euronet” which I programmed back in 1992/1993. Remember? No? Well it’s all here. What a fantastic radio station.
Most community radio is doomed to fail
Recently, a ‘community’ radio station for Southport spent a week or so broadcasting as a pirate. Dune FM lost its broadcasting licence, after being dogged
Pirates still rule the waves
Have I mentioned before that I own one-and-a-half radio stations? Well, I do. They are internet radio stations playing variations of dance music (what other
Wot no pirate radio for Liverpool?
Coming from London, a city within which it is perfectly normal for over 60% of the radio stations available to be unlicensed, my move to
The saddest Radio Caroline legacy = the anorak
One of the saddest legacies of the offshore pop pirates of 50 years ago is the radio enthusiast known as an ‘anorak’. Whilst the modern
The long wave goodbye to Long Wave
The BBC operates an outlet of Radio 4 on 198kHz Long Wave. In the recent cut-back announcements, mention was made of running the facility down.
Nick Grimshaw isn’t too grim
So then. After a week of Scott Mills holding the fort, Monday arrived and at 6:30 in the morning #teamgrimmy took the reins trying to
Culling the over 30s from Radio 1
The axing of Chris Moyles from the breakfast show came as a response to the need to attract a younger audience. BBC Radio 1‘s remit
Post traumatic breakfast show syndrome
Arthur Scargill. Now there’s a name from the past. But, I seem to recall reading somewhere, ages and ages ago, that when the miners’ strike
The long non-song after a few songs
Many years ago before the mp3 was invented and the ability to ‘segue’ songs (play them one after the other with no silence inbetween) became
The Chris Moyles Show: gone but not forgotten
So, that’s it then. The era of ‘The Chris Moyles Show‘ being the Radio 1 breakfast show is now a fixed point in history. The
England's England 