Radio anoraks are dangerous things. Especially the old ones. Now then, a typical old style radio anorak will love and worship any radio station that
Category: Radio
Chris Moyles: 5 more to go
The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles starts his 5th to last show tomorrow (Monday) at 6:30am. By Friday it’ll all be over
Proof the radio anoraks are sick in the head
A curious thing just happened. For a little while I thought I’d found a timeslip or a worm-hole into the past. You see, I was
Will the foamers force AM transmitters to stay on?
How will the BBC protect itself from the mad protesting brigade of foamers? They are highly organised and have networks barking out to letters pages
The day the cult religious broadcasts died
August 19th, 1989 is 23 earth years ago. Sigh. It’s also a radio anorak anniversary to be marked with black armbands (but only by radio
Jack off about radio station imaging
I recently wrote about how radio station bosses have deliberately destroyed the public enjoyment of the work of the radio DJ (here). The ultimate purpose
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
Radio station bosses teach listeners to hate radio DJs
Jack FM is a music-radio format devised in America and, owing to our lack of originality in the UK, copied in its original form wholesale.
Time to switch off wasteful TV ‘broadcasting’
There seems to be a bit of wailing and banging of heads out there within the radio and techie anorak fraternity about the idea put
Radio on the TV
“People just don’t listen to the radio via their TVs!” That’s something I’m told on a regular basis by people who really need to get
Don’t fear the songs
I don’t go on about it, but I own one and a half internet radio stations. I started off helping out and so owning a
Wot no Liverpool pirate radio?
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 curse of interfering ‘ex-pat’ mentality
Despite having spent most of my grown-up life in London, and most of my childhood in a mixture of Ghana, South Wales, and in and
The Chris Moyles Show will reign until September
In early 1997 I blogged about Chris Moyles, saying: Must say a word or two about Chris Moyles’ Late Bit on Capital 95.8 FM in
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
Where are the real Radio Caroline ‘fans’?
Once upon a time radio audiences were measurable in their millions. This would include the audiences for offshore radio stations like Radio Caroline. Certainly during
The first law of Tony Blackburn
There are some things in this world that are scientific constants. Night follows Day follows Night follows Day. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn,
How to start a pirate radio station in London
At almost any location in London, and any time of day, even the deafest of FM radios will be able to hear between 30 and
Gemma Cairney is your annoying little sister
So. You’re been out all night doing some serious partying. You reach home and are in serious need of chill out time. The world needs
The ghost of the Euronet non-Party
Ok, here’s the thing: A lot of people have asked to hear the world famous Euronet non-party broadcast from 1992 that I last spoke of
Hit the road, Jack
Whilst radio presenters dress up in ill-fitting posh frocs and pat themselves on their backs at the rather incestuous ‘Sony Awards’ (a kind of really cheap
How old we were 20 years ago on Euronet
Well then. If you read my previous missive about Euronet, the radio station THEY wouldn’t allow to party (here), you’ll have noted that I didn’t
THEY wouldn’t let Euronet have a party
I was asked recently to recount the concept behind a broadcast Euronet made over Christmas 1992. (I’ve spoken about the satellite radio station Euronet before
The start of BBC Radio England
I was very glad to read that the BBC Trust has made the first few steps towards the establishment of a Radio England, a radio
It’s time to cull BBC local radio
I originally published this back in October last year… The idea that BBC local radio might cease to do much more than relay Radio 5Live
It’s time to close analogue radio
Finally nearly all the old fashioned analogue TV has gone. There’s only a couple of areas left, Northern Ireland and Newcastle. They’ll be gone by
BBC Radio Merseyside can’t work their volume controls
What has happened to production values in BBC local radio? Well, I assume they once had them! BBC Radio Merseyside is the regional station based
Could Radio Caroline return from a ship at sea?
I read with interest that some men who wear armchairs want to re-start Radio Caroline back in the North Sea as a pirate radio station.
Laser 558, the last fun radio station
A gazillion years ago (well, back in the mid-1980s) there were two radio stations operating from ships in the North Sea. There was the old
Capital Radio heads in One Direction
When Harry, the one who had all the hair, from the X-Factor created band One Direction did the ‘thank-yous’ at the Brit Awards he put his
Euronet was bloody good fun
I don’t keep recordings, picture or memorials of things long gone. So, I have nothing to remind me of the year long 1992 to 1993
Radio for communities of interest
I’ve spoken before about my personal definition of community radio (here). Well, community-access radio. But, I might be slightly wrong by not being completely inclusive.
What is the point of community radio?
Back in the 1970s, I was the man behind a year long pirate radio experiment. We were attempting a weekly broadcast of “community-access” radio. “Community-access”
James Delingpole eats Bacon
Here’s what happened. Richard Bacon has a talk ‘show’ on BBC Radio 5 Live. Last week he interviewed James Delingpole. Until mid-April 2012, you can
Scott Mills and Chris Moyles
Things are always changing at BBC Radio One. That’s what makes it interesting and ‘new’. It’s what it has to do in order to be
Get the global warming religion bias out of TV news
At the moment, I seem to be very angry with the eco-loonies behind the global warming religion. My reasoning is that it is because of
Never more than a minute away from music
Nobody human knows why, but somewhere along the way, the programmers of commercial music radio stations decided they were scared of the music they played.
Steve Conway is 25 years old
That annoying Steve Conway has been at it again. I’ve reported in the past about how I have been a sufferer of Steve Conway Envy,
Why aren’t they listening to Radio City?
I do an unscientific bit of radio research. I can’t help it. I’m an anorak, so it’s in my genes. Whilst most humans are oblivious
Flashback Friday: 1997, part 2
I have been blogging since before the word blogging was invented. Before Google was around, before Facebook, before Youtube, before Myspace, yes, I was blogging.
Flashback Friday: 1997, part 1
I have been blogging since before the word blogging was invented. Before Google was around, before Facebook, before Youtube, before Myspace, yes, I was blogging.
Radio presenters talk in lumps
Why do people on music-radio talk in lumps? Why are they so afraid of the songs the radio station plays? Where does the research say
The Twisted Radio Caroline
I’ve discussed before how there are a largely mentally abnormal folk who are fans of Radio Caroline. They are also known as ‘anoraks’. Indeed, these
Guess who owns the Ross Revenge
Radio enthusiasts or ‘anoraks’ won’t like my revelation much, but during the course of this article I will be stating quite categorically who owns the
Fearne’s phone fears
An interesting side comment by Fearne Cotton on her radio show led to a barrage of texts and emails agreeing with her. She revealed in
The decline in radio studio operational standards
When I was a lad in radio I was taught that your headphones were the most important tool you had. Not only would you hear
The day Steve Conway realised he was one of THEM
I’ve spoken before about my Steve Conway Envy (here). From the results of a search across England’s England it would appear that I obesses about
The concept radio show
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
What makes radio grate in Liverpool?
Apparently there’s a conference today in Liverpool, to discover what’s ‘great’ about radio in Liverpool. Well, of course, Liverpool only actually has five station based
Climategate 2.0: The BBC bias exposed
It is traditional during times of conflict, that the state media be used to propagate a hatred of the enemy. It is important that those
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
Old radio anoraks are not dying fast enough
I can’t help it. There’s a devil inside me. It forces me to poke old radio anoraks with a stick. I really can’t help it.
Radio Caroline plays the hits
I’ve mentioned before how confused and angry radio anoraks get. Well, the older ones mainly. They spontaneously combust if they are faced with anything modern.
Would the last radio anorak please turn out the light
It probably was a very long time ago, but it doesn’t feel like a long time ago, that the people I now only know via
I think I might have chucked Chris Moyles
I guess I could be menopausal. It must be me. It must be. Today rather than listen to any more of the Chris Moyles breakfast show
Five reasons why listeners think DJs are unfriendly
1) The fact that the DJ/presenter doesn’t talk to or with them, but talks at them, using a lot of very silly phrases that the
How to start a pirate radio station in London
At almost any location in London, and any time of day, even the deafest of FM radios will be able to hear between 30 and
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.
Yes, it’s time to cull BBC local radio
The idea that BBC local radio might cease to do much more than relay Radio 5Live has been conveniently leaked into the world of muttering
Stop radio station programmers being willy obsessed
The people who run commercial music radio stations aren’t the same as the people who potentially listen to them. If they were, then they’d stop
Iain Dale gets it right about Liverpool being ghastly
Most people in the North-West won’t have heard of Iain Dale before. He’s not a leftie or a hat tipping sycophant going on and on
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,
I time travelled to listen to Radio Caroline in 1966
This week, to keep in touch with my inner anorak self I spent some time (well, 45 minutes) listening to a 45 minute recording of
OMG! It’s August the 14th!
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
What is an Anorak?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to read it and see if it
Radio Caroline to be refloated
What exciting news I just heard; Radio Caroline is going to be refloated. Well, more precisely, part three of Radio Caroline is going to be
The case of the RICKMOBBING of Liverpool Street Station
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Will the BBC leave the loony employees behind?
I’m not anti-BBC. I believe it should be there. I am a consumer of a lot of its output, and I reject the idea that
The final death of presented music radio
It’s taken a decade or so before music radio finally realised it was time to stop pretending it had presenters and that they were important.
Fear of Mono
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Chris Moyles is going on and on
Last week it ‘leaked’ to the world that Chris Moyles had signed an extension to his contract with the BBC, and one assumes Radio 1,
Goldierocks early morning bears
Sam Hall is the newest try-out or signing to BBC Radio 1, and she’s been sitting in for Dev on the Early Show. The Early
Stop radio station programmers being willy obsessed
The people who run commercial music radio stations aren’t the same as the people who potentially listen to them. If they were, then they’d stop
Why do commercial radio presenters bother speaking?
Nobody listens to a word they say. In fact, as soon as the speaking starts, they tune to something else. I have been in cars
Tony Blackburn understands radio
I’ve said before how I have a pathological hatred of oldies. Not old people, the music. Well, maybe old people as well, but this is
The Bible/Torah and Homosexuality
On her American radio show recently, homophobic Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus18:22, and
Mehdi Hasan gets told the truth about Climate Change
I’m sure Mehdi Hasan is a very nice bloke, but I just don’t like him. I can’t help it, but there is something about his
How to start a pirate radio station in London
At almost any location in London, and any time of day, even the deafest of FM radios will be able to hear between 30 and
Yes, it is time to close BBC Local Radio
The idea that BBC local radio might cease to do much more than relay Radio 5Live has been conveniently leaked into the world of muttering
Radio Caroline capitulated with the authorities in 1964
Watching the mentally afflicted radio anoraks who are suggesting that Radio Caroline appearing on the UK Radioplayer system is dancing with the devil, cow-tailing to
Christopher England -v- Radio Caroline
This is all about Christopher England, so it’ll be a fantastic read. Handsome, plus the voice (and looks) of a god. There is quite a
Tribute from Libya
I continue to spend 7 or 8 hours of my life every evening glued to Tribute FM, a contemporary English speaking radio station broadcasting from
The Offshore Pirate Radio Ship Challenge
The phrase “put your money where your mouth is” is often sneered at people who have made pronouncements about something. After careful consideration I’ve decided
A tribute to Tribute
I guess this is my overdue tribute to Tribute FM. Tribute FM is an ‘illegal’ or ‘pirate’ radio station in waiting. However, unlike such stations
The all newly launched South London Radio
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Background radio -v- Foreground radio
RAJAR is the name given to the organisation that gives random people a diary and says, “Hey, stick these pretty stickers in the bits over
AM fades and buzzes but Radio Caroline wants it
(Guest Author: Peter Moore) [In response to Christopher England’s article “Pirate Radio Ship Ahoy?” (here)] Chris makes his points well, as ever and yes, Pirate
The World Ends on Saturday
PREPARE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD. I can unexclusively reveal that Judgement Day is here. WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE ON SATURDAY MAY
Pirate radio ship ahoy?
As you know, I scan the olde worlde ‘anorak’ discussion boards and fora as well as those used by the folks involved in today’s thriving
Why I hate old songs
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
CB Radio makes a comeback
It seems hard for da yoof to imagine, but there was a time before we had constant and instant communication through things like Facebook, texts
Ofcom 87.7, home of the hits?
Sounds like an ideal time for a raid! Londoners have a choice of a hundred or so radio stations. They don’t know it of course,
Isle of Man International Broadcasting Madness
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
The rise of the Dementoraks
(Guest Author: Peter Moore) I am glad that Christopher England has reopened this discussion [about radio ‘anoraks’](here). It enables me to explain some things and
Most radio anoraks are mad. Fact!
Many many many words have been written via this whole England’s England blog place about radio ‘anoraks’. Most of them by me, but a few
The decline in radio studio operational standards
When I was a lad in radio I was taught that your headphones were the most important tool you had. Not only would you hear
My Steve Conway Envy
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
On The Buses with Radio Caroline
(A guest article from Peter Moore) My Word Chris, that is a BIG subject you have opened, with your comments on [Radio] Caroline devotees and
Old Radio Caroline -v- Radio Caroline being old
I recently listened to 30 minutes of Radio Caroline and reported back (here) that my experience led me to label the station as the player
The Radio Caroline Facts
This comprehensive article is written by Peter Moore in response to my own article describing Radio Caroline as a ‘rock oldies’ station (here), and originally
England's England 