Graham's 'Webb' Page

Graham 'Spider' Webb joined Radio Caroline in May 1965, went on to become Programme Controller and later, News Director. He was one of the jocks rescued from the Mi Amigo when she ran aground at Walton in 1966. Graham left Caroline and returned Down Under after the enforcement of the Marine Offences Act in 1967. A couple of years later he was presenting the Australian end of 'Family Favourites'. Graham has also hosted many popular TV shows. These included the original version of 'Blind Date', 'Sounds Unlimited' – the world's first show featuring pop clips, and 'Graham Webb's Saturday Show'.

Spider and beetles. We've no idea who the other two guys are in this pic...

Graham had been down on his luck after being conned into a bad business deal. This is Graham's own story, May 2000.

Hi Chris and Mary,

I'm sorry I haven't replied before now but my server has been down for weeks. I've been playing musical computers, moving one to here and the other to there, but here I am now back on line and I must say I really appreciate the link. I just spent over an hour browsing your website and re-lived a thousand memories.

Please pass on my wishes and my e-mail address to any and every Caroliner.
One of our really staunch supporters died the other week... OLIVE BAKER of Ipswich. If any of the DJs remember her, say a little prayer.

I'm all right and still working for several Radio Stations along the Eastern seaboard of Australia. I help to set up Narrowcast computerised radio stations using a computer programme called SMARTSOUND, which was developed by a genius friend of mine called Phil Ward some 5 years ago. In technology terms, that's back in the Jurassic period but the darn thing is so dependable that I wouldn't use anything else. My own little Radio Station on the Gold Coast has been ticking away for the past 12 months almost unattended.

I had some recent bad luck when a former friend of mine and business partner did the bunk leaving me with $100,000 debt and a Funeral Business to learn about and run, some three hours from my home on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

All this while I'm trying to be Mum and Dad to my two young boys Jarrad and Corey who were left motherless when my wife Tina died of cancer some 4 1/2 years ago, aged 39. I just turned 64 and I was hoping I could be spending more time with the boys but that was not to be... but we'll get there, we always have.

My best wishes to you both and keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

GRAHAM "Spider" WEBB (webby@beachaccess.com.au)


W ith their late mother, Tina, Graham's sons Jarred and Corey


The following are messages of support that Radio London received for Graham when the story of his problems became public.

From Caroline's Colin Berry: (I assume by 'Keith', Colin means Keith Skues.)

Please do pass on my best wishes, Mary. Graham was the most help to me when I first began broadcasting.
We had several "speech delivery" sessions, and I will always remember his advice to "hum deeply for thirty seconds before a news broadcast".
I did get an on-air message to him when he chatted with Michael Aspel on Family Favourites many years ago.
We used to have some great drinking sessions, when I appeared with Keith at the 100 Club.

Colin Berry


From: Caroline North's David Williams

Mary,
I was very sorry to hear the news about Graham Webb which you placed on your site recently.
I spoke to Graham about a year ago (the first time in thirty years - the last time was when I was working at the BBC and we spoke on the Family Favourites link when he presented the Australian end of the programme) and he told me about his running not one, but twenty radio stations on Aussie's Gold Coast!!

As the man responsible for hiring me and giving me my first professional job in radio I am for ever grateful to Graham for that. He deserves all the support he can get.

Please send him my regards

David


From Radio 390 (et al)'s John Ross-Barnard:

Mary
Please send my very best wishes. Graham gave me a lift and a job when I needed it. I recall he was living in a flat in Knightsbridge with four girls at the time - 1965. He always was a lucky so-and-so and I wish him very well and hope - no pray - that his good fortune will return soon.
Best regards
John Ross-Barnard

PS I still have a copy of the audition tape that got me the job with him!


From John and Christine Hatt (John Aston - Radio Caroline et al)

Dear Mary,
I have just spoken to John, and he asks me say that we would be very grateful if you could pass on John's wishes to Graham. Up until the year before last, we always had an Xmas card from Graham, and when they stopped we were very concerned! We would love to get in touch with him again!

Regards,
Christine


We are sure all our viewers are impressed by Graham's courage in the face of terrible adversity. He deserves every success, and yes, we are quite sure that with his sort of determination he WILL 'get there'.

Chris and Mary would like to thank John Preston in Australia for his assistance with the photographs.


Back to 'Jocks – Lost and Found'
Home