The archived Happenings index
November 2000 – June 2012 is here...

Archived Stories – Page 2

Blast of the Past
Enjoy a nostalgic collection of photos of USA Fifties icons, including Elvis, Roy Orbison, diners and classic cars.

USS Density bell could do with a polish!
Mary Simmons, daughter of USS Density WWII crewman Charlie Stock, went to see the ship's bell at the Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas.

"We recently visited the Fredericksburg museum to see the bell on display. The man who looked it up and told us where it was located said we are very lucky to have it displayed. He said there are 600,000 artefacts that have been donated, but only 2% are on display. We were very proud! We are still amazed that Ron Buninga was able to bring it over from The Netherlands to the shipmates. He's a good man!
 
The bell is not nearly as shiny as when Ron presented it to the shipmates, but I guess they don't have the manpower to keep it all shined up."

Right: The plaque dedicated to the 'Mighty Little D' and her crew members by their families

Full story of the discovery of the bell, its presentation to the shipmates by Ron Buninga and subsequently, to the Museum of the Pacific War.

 

Ahoy There, Batavia!
Piratical pals Paul Peters, Geoff Kemp, Ron Buninga and Ton Beeks recently visited a galleon in Lelystad in the Netherlands. The Batavia was a ship of the Dutch East India Company.
Mike on 4KQ

Down Under correspondent, John Preston writes:

"I found this picture on the Radio and Television Survivors (RATS) Facebook site. They also had a UK radio section, with six photos from 2009 and photos of Tony Windsor 'on Radio Caroline', and Tony Blackburn 'on Caroline'. Needless to say they were both pictures from Radio London! I did add a correction... it will be interesting to see if anyone notices!"
American Graffiti
John Dean:

For at least 10 years I've dipped in and out of your website – those years of WRL and SRE were just fabulous weren't they? Many congratulations on keeping it up and providing links to so many memories.
 
I've discovered American Graffiti, a French-based internet radio station that has the flavour and timbre of WRL/SRE although the playlist may be 4 – 5 years older. They are also PAMS fans!
 
I just play it for hours on end direct off my iPhone because it gives the poor sound quality of my 1960s transistor!

Andy seeks photos for 'Rogues' Gallery'
Andy Cadier, aka Martin Kayne writes:

I am seeking up-to-date pics of former Knock John pirate radio 'celebrities', including engineering staff who maintained those state-of-the art pieces of string that kept 222m on the air 24 hours a day. This is for a Facebook site dedicated to the station and the Knock John Maunsell Seafort. It would also be great to see some faces from the past as a sort of rogues' or performers' gallery. Any info about the fort is also welcome. Very best wishes Me-Hearties!

Unfortunately, the site cannot be viewed without first joining Facebook.

 

Model Fredericia
René van den Abeelen in the Netherlands, who specialises in making miniature tin models related to offshore broadcasting, has produced a limited-edition one of the Caroline ship Fredericia especially for the station's 50th Anniversary. The model will only be on sale at the Amsterdam Radio Day, March 22nd, 2014 and can be pre-ordered by email. Full ordering details at Radioships.com. René makes and sells unique miniatures reproduced in tin by a professional foundry and the models are also available as kits.

"You buy the ready-cast 'bits and pieces' unfinished. And I mean: really unfinished!" says René. "Kits are 10% cheaper and ideal if you like doing this kind of work, or if you plan to change anything on the model or paint it in the real colors."

In 2012, René completed a 15cm model of our favourite ship, Galaxy (bottom left). His website has a photo gallery showing its construction.

Hello, Darlings! Full Photo Report of Kenny Everett blue plaque unveiling and book launch
On Saturday 14th September The British Comedy Society, Transworld Books and Terence Higgins Trust co-hosted a day-long event celebrating the life and career of Kenny Everett. A blue plaque was unveiled by Cleo Rocos outside his last home, 91 Lexham Gardens, Kensington followed by the launch of his much-anticipated authorised biography, 'Hello Darlings' at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel.

Random House, the publishers of 'Hello Darlings' have launched a Kenny Everett website. It includes an amazing 87-minute collage of audio clips produced by our favourite DJ, including several from Radio London that were new to us.

For anyone who still wants to hear the famous Knees Club anthem, both 'Knees' and 'The B Side' are there 'for your listening pleasure'.

*****

Paul Rowley, below left, inteviewing Cleo Rocos for BBC radio news, writes:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures on your excellent website. You could well be my personal photographer! What a brilliant day it was.

Attached is the piece that went out on Radio 4 at 1300 on Saturday. And before you ask I am not responsible for the cue. I had written a cue for them describing him as a "broadcaster".

But clearly some (young) person in the BBC newsroom regards him as a comedian."

*****

The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame has added a photo gallery from the event.

*****

Listen to James and Barry Cryer talking to Steve Wright on his Radio 2 afternoon programme.

In Andy Walmsley's blogspot, he illustrates via audio clips how Kenny constructed a Radio One promo, when the station was still being referred to as '247'. (thanks to Jon Myer)

Click here for 4-page photo report by Mary Payne of a wonderful occasion

Taking over two years to write, and with the full support and co-operation of Kenny's family, 'Hello Darlings' is the first truly definitive account of Kenny's life and career and features contributions from his sister Cate, his ex-wife Lee, Sir Cliff Richard, Bryan Ferry, Chris Tarrant, Lord Birt, Germaine Greer, Paul Gambaccini, Barry Cryer, Rod Argent, David Mallet, Matthew Parris and David Essex.

The authors have undertaken painstaking research and Radio London assisted them with audio clips and information about Kenny's time aboard the Galaxy. We have also put them in touch with key figures from that period such as Ben Toney and Philip Birch. This is a list of interviewees, published by James Hogg on Facebook:

Cate Horgan (Kenny's sister), Lee Everett-Aikin (Kenny's ex-wife) Sir Cliff Richard, Hunter Davies, Leo Sayer, Ron O'Quinn (Kenny's roommate on the 1966 Beatles tour), Germaine Greer, Brian Cosgrove (Cosgrove Hall), Bruce Gowers (Kenny's director at LWT), Emperor Rosko, David Hamilton, Jonathan King, Julian Lloyd Webber, Ollie Lansley (portrayed Kenny in last year's biopic), Bill Wilson (Kenny's director at the BBC), Mike Quinn (colleague at Radio London), Mike Batt, Rod Argent (The Zombies), Noel Blanc (Mel Blanc's son), Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker, Lord Birt, Rupert Hine (Quantum Jump), Royston Mayoh (Kenny's last director at Thames), Chris Rainbow, Peter Hince (Freddie Mercury and John Deacon's roadie), Tim Blackmore (producer at Radio 1 and Capital), Wayne Bickerton (produced Kenny's first single), Matthew Parris (presenter), Peter Brown (Kenny's first boyfriend), John Aikin, Jess Conrad, Simon Booker (Friend and producer), Mark Lewisohn (Beatles Expert), Chris Tarrant, Bryan Ferry, David Mallet (Director at Thames), Barry Cryer, Lionel Blair, Kevin Howlett (Radio 1 producer), Jenny Hanley, Clive Warner (Engineer at Capital), Dave Symonds (Colleague at Radio 1, Capital and Capital Gold), Pete Drummond (colleague at Radio 1), Paul Gambaccini, Jim Moir (former Head of Variety at the BBC), Jo Gurnett (Kenny's long-time manager), David Essex, Sheila Staefel, Paul Burnett, Nicky Horne, Mike Vickers, Peter Young, Mitch Philstin (Steward on Radio London), Geoff Mullin (Kenny's producer at Radio 2), Russ Evans (Kenny's studio assistant at Capital Gold), David Jensen, Andy Peebles, Johnny Beerling (former controller of Radio 1), Richard Park (Kenny's boss at Capital Gold), Annie O'Neil (Kenny's producer at Capital), Kara Noble, Dave Hawkins (Big L engineer), Ben Toney (Programme Director, Radio London), Philip Birch (CEO Radio London), Dave Cash, Eric Gear (Kenny's Bank Manager and friend), Maurice Seller (Discovered Kenny), Wilfred De'Ath (BBC Producer), David Smith (former boyfriend), Paul Walker (school friend), David Briggs (Capital Producer), Richard Porter (Beatles expert).

James has also posted a link on Facebook to a montage of images and clips put together by Tony Kennedy, who attended Stillington Seminary with Kenny in the late 1950s. Tony has provided some superb photos for the book. (Thanks to Jon Myer).

Big L on SOTS again
Radio London 'the pirate station' got a mention during BBC Radio 2's 'Sounds of the Sixties' at around 0856, when Brian Matthew played Jon's 'Is it Love'. The reason for the reference to Big L was that the track was included in John Peel's final Perfumed Garden (which ran for five-and-a-half hours from midnight, August 14th 1967).
Brian did not mention that 'Is it Love' was also a DJ climber, picked jointly for Willie Walker and Keith Skues and was one of the few tracks on the final Big L playlist that Peelie felt worthy of inclusion in his show.
Another 50th Birthday
"On 30 August, 1963, a new bit of sound recording tech that was to change the lifestyle of millions was revealed at the Berlin Radio Show.
The adoption of the standard that followed led to a huge swath of related technological applications that had not been envisaged by its maker; for Philips, the unveiling of its new Compact Cassette tape and accompanying recorder was about enticing people to buy a fuss-free portable recording system." The Register.

Jon Myer writes:
"I used to have one of those forerunners to the cassette machine, a Philips EL3585, as pictured in the article. It stopped working years ago but I only got round to throwing it away recently. I still have a few of the 3" spools of tape.

There's a picture on my website of Johnnie Walker and a Caroline crew-member intently studying a cassette, taken in 1967 (or early '68) and I am wondering if it was the first one they had seen."

Alan Hardy adds:
"I had a Philips EL3585 too! I still have one of the Philips EL3300 cassette recorders, launched in 1963, although I didn't get mine until the early seventies. I remember lugging my EL 3585 and my portable radio with me on my first trip to the US to New York in 1970 so that I could record umpteen 3" reels of New York radio. How I physically managed it, I don't remember! While I was there, I visited Atlantic Records who gave me a massive pile of their latest albums and when we returned to Heathrow my suitcase had split open! Not surprising, although luckily I hadn't lost anything. My Dad wasn't best pleased though ("you and your music"!)
 
I worked as a tape development engineer at EMI from 1971-81. One of my jobs was to test and develop new and improved tape and also improved cassette shells/components. What the author of that article didn't say was the crucial role those black inner liners (in the photo of the opened cassette) played. They were called foils and their job was/is to help reduce the friction between the tape and the inside of the plastic case – improving running, fast spooling and preventing the tape from snarling up inside (which we all remember it did!). We tested loads of those foils, some impregnated with graphite and made with varying materials. I even put the foils through environmental testing to make sure they withstood extreme heat (for cassettes used in different countries and/or left in sunlight inside cars) and humidity in case they went mouldy. We had banks and banks of the EL 3300 machines and put cassettes through endless plays and fast forwarded them backwards and forwards for days on end to test their endurance. So, despite how clever the magnetic recording system was, without them and the right parts inside the cassette, the wheels wouldn't go round!

The cassette is still alive and new pre-recorded cassettes are being made, just like the vinyl revival. What's more, Saturday Sept 7th, was 'Cassette Store Day'! Maybe if we hold on to our old pre-recorded cassettes a little longer, they'll be worth money on the collectors' market?"

Webmaster's note:
'Cassette Store Day' is an International event and we particularly liked the name of one of the stores involved 'Cassingle and Loving It', in Portland, Oregon. We were less than impressed by the title at the top of the Releases list, however. Not terribly imaginative.

The Prince and the Steward
Michel Philistin, better known to Big L listeners as Mich the Steward, is a founder of the charity United Haitians in the United Kingdom.

"One of UHUK's remits is educating the United Kingdom on Haitian facts, information and sharing our culture. We do this in a variety of methods from attending schools, churches, community centres and other venues with slide shows and interactive presentations."

In this picture from the charity website, Mich is shown meeting Prince Charles.

News roundup
Part of the gates at the entrance to Strawberry Fields have been painted yellow by vandals. The original gates were replaced by replicas in 2011. (See story 'Nothing is Real')
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Courthouse News contains a feature by Robert Kahn titled 'Talk Like a Pirate', although it is not devoted to that illustrious day celebrated on Sept 19th (see story below)
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Jon Myer of the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame tells us that according to a Facebook posting, the new issue of The Oldie has a short article by former BBC producer Wilfred De'Ath, about discovering young Maurice Cole and putting him on the wireless.
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Alan Hardy spotted the news that more than a dozen Beatles albums have attained platinum or gold status for the first time, following changes to the way the BPI allocates sales awards. (Scroll down the page)
The titles affected include landmark recordings such as Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and Revolver, which all previously had received no sales certifications having been originally released prior to 1973 when the BPI introduced platinum, gold and silver award.
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Hemel Today has a photo-report on Dacorum's own 'pirate radio station'.
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David Lloyd's audio feature A Hundred Years of Radio features Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett, Johnnie Walker's post-Big L closedown speech and Tony Prince on Luxembourg, announcing the death of Elvis.

The Big Architect reaches 75
Big L's Duncan Johnson celebrated his 75th birthday with a party organised by Liza Donoghue and his many friends, who clubbed together to buy him a raised flowerbed (i.e. a windowbox on legs). (Left) Michel Philistin presents the essential gardening gift. (Photos: Mary Payne)

Duncan with Galaxy pals Dave 'Hermione' Hawkins, Ian 'Wombat' Damon and Mich. (Right) The birthday cake illustrates how the flowerbed will look after Duncan's used the watering can and a few seeds. (Photos: Chris Payne)

More photos on the Pirate Radio hall of Fame

Johnnie at the Edinburgh Fringe
Johnnie Walker was at the Newtown Theatre throughout the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, talking to a different interviewee each night. There's a special BBC News feature about his preparation for his first Fringe Festival.

Above, right: The show is promoted via a huge hoarding on a lorry

Guests included former Postmaster-General Tony Benn on August 13th (surely it should have been on the 14th) and The Independent ran a feature about the encounter, although, it's a shame about the inaccuracies, the photo of the wrong ship and some of the truly ignorant comments posted by readers.

Below, right: a fan compares a photo on a flyer to the real thing to check that he's actually talking to JW

A 4.5 star review by the Edinburgh Reporter of JW's interview with Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, reveals a couple of interesting pieces of information concerning a person whose name is, to put it politely, no longer revered as a radio hero (or any other sort of hero).
Later guests of Johnnie's were Fab Forty artists Francis Rossi (on the climber list in November '66 with his pre-Quo band the Spectres) and Kiki Dee (24th), although it's doubtful that they discussed their Fab Forty appearances, or Kiki's role in 'Dateline Diamonds'.

Wot, no Sandie Shaw?
Renowned for its pebble beaches, Brighton hosted a music-themed International Sand Sculpture Festival for summer 2013. 4,000 tonnes of sand had to be shipped into the city so that 20 artists could create sculptures of musicians from Beethoven to the Beatles and Bob Marley. Some of them had to be repaired soon after their creation, because of damage by heavy rain.

Right: Fab Forty artists Elvis and Frank Sinatra

Peel's Wall of Fame – Brighton's Full of Fab Forty Artists!
Keith Milborrow tells us:
"The Prince Albert pub in Brighton recently replaced its mural depicting John Peel in his later days at the BBC with a new version of a rejuvenated Peel in which he is accompanied by many deceased musical icons – Lennon, Zappa, Hendrix, Mercury, etc. It would have been even better if they had portrayed Peel in his Perfumed Garden days, along with Kenny Everett and perhaps even the MV Galaxy!

The I Love Brighton Facebook Page has very kindly given permission for us to reproduce this photo of the Prince Albert mural. (Click on picture to see a large version)

Left, detail of the mural: John Peel is flanked by Jimi Hendrix and Marc Bolan, two of his favourite Fab Forty artists.

14th August 2013

Kind comments from Francis Pullen:

With 14th August looming, my thoughts naturally turn to that date in 1967:

'A Day In the Life' fades to the last second and Paul Kaye's sonorous tones announce, 'Big L time is 3 o'clock, and Radio London is now closing down' and Big Lil's Sonovox theme begins its final broadcast. The radio vacuum left has never really been filled, and in some ways that's a tribute to how wonderful Big L was.

Thanks to the extraordinary commitment and dedication from you and Chris, Big L has lived on for those who were lucky enough to experience it, and for those later that can only wonder what it might have been like.

With very grateful thanks

Francis Pullen, Cambridge

To commemorate the date that "no man shall forget", Radio London has a new, 2-page collection of Chuck Blair's personal memorabilia, courtesy of Craig Prescott.

This was Mary's own farewell from Chuck's final Breakfast Show on August 14th, 1967. (Thanks to Fab Alan Field).

Skuesy and Johnnie on Radio 2
Steve Wright's guests on August 14th were Johnnie Walker and Cardboard Shoes, which the Beeb has very kindly edited out as a 10-minute feature. (Thanks to Peter Young)

Knees from the Cashman
Mike Barraclough tells us that both sides of the Kenny and Cash 'Knees' single have been uploaded to YouTube.

Dave Cash (whose patellae celebrated their birthday on July 18th) recently aired 'Knees' and 'The B Side' on his show. Mary got a mention, as did the Knees Club.

Dynamic Duo in Harwich
Keith Milborrow says:
 
"I was amused to read that Cardboard Shoes and Norman St John were sharing a stage at the Electric Palace in Harwich on 10 August. I trust by now Norman has forgiven his former colleague for the sabotaged news bulletin on Big L, when Messrs Skues and Everett conspired to substitute "rattling kneecaps" for the "blips" in the news bulletin Norman was scheduled to read during the Keith Skues Show. He managed to survive the bulletin without breaking into fits of laughter and calmly ended it (sounding slightly shell-shocked) by saying "….. in all probability there will be another news in an hour's time. This is Norman St John reporting".
 
The stunt in question took place during a one-off comedy feature called Radio Skuesreel, in February 1967. The team of Skues and Everett worked well and it's a pity they didn't do more shows together.

Some photos of the Harwich event. (Thanks to Jon Myer)
Brian Cullen's Sixties Show
Brian Cullen is bringing back the memories of 1960s music plus the sounds of offshore radio on a 2-hour weekly show called 'The Weekend Wing Ding' from August, on the following internet radio stations: Calon Fm, Radio Deeside and The V-O-P. Check site schedules for times.

Birthday Moose
Radio London's world-famoose friend, Cousin Moosie, celebrated his 9th birthday on July 19th.

His most recent claim to fame is his starring role in the March of 100 Otways video.

DJ Nattering
Many thanks to the Wombat, Ian Damon, for forwarding this photo taken at Covent Garden when he and Peter Young met for "Four hours of DJ nattering"! Ian and PY worked together at London's Capital Radio.

Pirates on Radio Roll of Honour
The names of Radio London's MD Philip Birch and 242's Richard Park are on the Radiocentre Roll of Honour commemorating the 40th anniversary of the start of licensed, land-based commercial radio in the UK. Apologies to Ian Anderson, for omitting him from the list of Wets on the Roll of Honour. Ian says:

"There were just us three from offshore on the Roll of Honour – Philip Birch (who wasn't there) Richard Park and I, although a couple like Richard Findlay have very vague offshore connections (making commercials that were used on the stations, etc). I am third from left in the group picture (behind Dee Ford who is in white) and Richard second from right (behind the simply lovely Gillian Reynolds) - book-ending the rest!"

The Roll pays homage to forty radio professionals who have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the industry. They were all presented with gold discs to mark the occasion. Philip Birch was unable to attend but on hearing that his award is to be mailed to him in California, he said, "Thank you so much, I feel truly honoured."

In the video, you'll also spot ex-offshore jocks Tony Blackburn, Dave Cash, Kenny Everett, Tommy Vance, Keith Skues, Roger Day and Nick Bailey (Capital commercials supplied by Chris Payne).

Hans broadcasts from Veronica
Radioworld reports that our friend, the media historian Hans Knot guested during a broadcast from the former radio ship Norderney in his home town of Groningen in the Netherlands. The vessel, home of Radio Veronica from 1964 to 1974, is moored in Groningen harbour. Hans was aboard the historic ship on June 1st, when Norderney was used for a remote transmission of 'Café Martini', a weekly Saturday afternoon show broadcast by Regional Radio Noord.
The Mother Road Tour

Paul Peters and Geoff Kemp who co-host the Fabulous Fifties Radio Show on Forest FM, linked with WRLR of Illinois and got their kicks on Route 66. Paul writes:

"Our Route 66 radio tour was fantastic! Here is the link to an article about us in the Radio World Magazine in the U.S.

Also, Dave Cash called us to ask if we'd be guests on his Saturday BBC across-the-south show. Poor Dave, he could not get a word in!"

Photos courtesy of Paul and Geoff

Below, left: Paul talks to a young lady from the Palms Grill, Atlanta, the last major stop; right, Geoff, WRLR Morning Drive host, Paul Lepek (right) and guest

Below, left: The Pontiac Route 66 Museum features functioning studio recreations from the golden age of radio; right, broadcasting live from the Sixties studio


Nautical Shed wins DJ Award
Chosen from 1,900 contenders, a construction with a boat for a roof won Alex Holland, aka DJ Badly, the UK Shed of the Year award. Alex acquired his roof from the boatyard in Wales where he works.
Who is Sylvia?
Nicola Davis writes:

I'm trying to find out some information about my granddad, Sidney Williamson. He was the skipper of a pirate radio ship called Sylvia in the early Sixties. I have a newspaper article about him and his crew, Barry Beresford, Andrew Dugay and Victor Vicary. Unfortunately the article is a copy with no date, but I think it must be about 1962 as I've dated it from the other articles on the page. It says they were stranded in Dunbar, East Lothian as both their engines had broken down and they only had seven shillings between them! My granddad's friend in London was trying to get them a bus engine. They were on their way to the Thames estuary where they planned to broadcast outside the 3-mile limit.

I wondered if anyone has heard of this boat and radio crew as I'd love to find out if they made it. My granddad died when I was about 3 and I lost my dad when I was 15 so have no way of finding out any info.

Jon Myer of the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame and Chris Edwards of Offshore Echoes have both kindly stepped in to assist Nicola in her search. It seems her grandfather's project was connected to GBLN – The Voice of Slough, although nobody is sure where the Radio Sylvia name comes into the equation.
Chris Edwards says:

I haven't heard of Radio Sylvia, but Sidney Williamson and others are noted in the newspaper article, which is from the Daily Sketch, 9 October 1962. I have this and a few other cuttings that I got from the UK National Archives, which refer to the boat Ellen and the GBLN project. GBLN was a breakaway from GBOK, but neither of them made it on air. I found no details of what happened to the Ellen - she didn't appear to get away from Dunbar.

Jon was unfamiliar with Radio Sylvia too, but Nicola's story ties in with his PRHoF feature In the Days Before Radio Caroline.

Please email if you have any additional information, which we will forward to Nicola.


Digital 'Help'
The Beatles' second feature film, 1965's 'Help!', has made its worldwide Blu-ray and digital release debut with six 'bonus' items, that include 1965 U.S. Radio Spots hidden in disc menus.
The digital release of the movie is available exclusively on the iTunes Store
Strange choice of Movie clip
In the USA, Jessica Rawden reviews Rhys Ifans' appearance as Mycroft Holmes in the second series of the CBS Sherlock Holmes series 'Elementary', referring to him as "Pirate Radio's Rhys Ifans" - hardly the actor's most memorable role. Quite bizarrely, included in the review is a constantly-repeating, 2-second clip of him as Gavin the Radio Rock jock.
Hauraki feature trailer and Big Celebration for Caroline
Mike Barraclough reports that the official trailer for the feature length docu-drama about Radio Hauraki, Pirates of the Airwaves, is now on YouTube.

Mike also forwarded information about Radio Caroline's 50th Birthday Party, to be held at the Corn Exchange, Rochester, Kent on Saturday, March 8th 2014. Birthday Party Website

Playing between Twelve and Three?
Keith Milborrow muses:

Having recently told you about a Radio London namesake being an Australian politician (Tony Windsor) I was amused to hear about another one on the lunchtime news recently. This time it's a sportsman called Dave Dennis! Playing between twelve and three?

Will there ever be another truly offshore radio station? The answer is definitely "no" from what I read in the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 109.

I assume this does not apply to any fully licensed and authorised radio stations operating from within a country's territorial waters.

In case you missed it
March 2010 marked 43 years since Kenny Everett left the Galaxy for the last time and this was when it was first announced that a docudrama about his life was in development for BBC4. The 90-minute production was originally to be called 'Number One in Heaven'. Writer Tim Whitnall, who won acclaim with his one-man play about the life of Eric Morecambe. He said he knew and loved Everett and that the play's working title referred to the moment he first spotted him dancing in Heaven nightclub.

Retitled 'Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story', the play was first broadcast on Sunday October 7th 2012. It is based around the relationship of Kenny and Lee Middleton, whom he married in 1969. Oliver Lansley plays Cuddly Ken, while Katherine Kelly takes the role of Lee. Radio London Head DJ TonyWindsor is portrayed by Adam Garcia. More details, including interviews with two of the cast here.

A letter from Tom Edwards was published in the next week's edition of Radio Times, praising the docudrama. "Oliver Lansley's portrayal was spot on - an actor to watch out for," he wrote

BBC 4 reshowed 'Best Possible Taste' on Thursday, June 27th, 2100 – 22.30. In Radio Times, Alison Graham describes it as, "A tender, ebullient biopic featuring a tour de force from Oliver Lansley as Everett... 'Best Possible Taste' could slip into a tears-of-a-clown cliché, but somehow it doesn't." Amazingly for RT, Alison also refers to Kenny beginning his career on Radio London.

BBC publicity photo: Oliver Lansley as 'Sid Snot'

Maunsell Photofeature
The website War History Online has posted a photofeature on the WWII Maunsell Army forts in the Thames Estuary. Their post-war occupation by broadcasters is mentioned in passing, but is somewhat superficial. None of the stations is named and nor is Reg Calvert or Oliver Smedley, although the shooting in which Calvert tragically lost his life (described as 'a scuffle') is cited as the reason for the introduction of the MOA.

Radio London suggests Manx stamps for 2014 Anniversary
On April 24th, the Isle of Man Post Office was honoured to present a set of eight stamps – 50 St Catherine's Drive – which reflect on the legendary solo career of Robin Gibb CBE.

Throughout their career, nobody could quite figure out where the Bee Gees were from. Some fans were certain they were Australian. Others would say England. When asked, Robin never hesitated, he would answer sweetly and proudly that he was from the Isle of Man. With this new stamp-of-approval, the Isle of Man returns that pride and love.
How much did the Isle of Man mean to him? Robin's last solo record, recorded in 2009, and due for release in 2013, 50 St. Catherine's Drive was given that name by Robin to commemorate his first home on the Isle. But while his voice has been stilled, it lives forever, on Bee Gees records, of course, and through his solo albums and recordings.

(Click on the photo to see a larger version of the Robin Gibb label sheet)

Radio London has suggested to IOM Post that a new set of stamps is issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Radio Caroline in Ramsey Bay, in July 2014. IOM Post has responded: "We are very grateful for your suggestion. We have added the idea to our issue file for 2014. Radio Caroline still has a very special place in the heart of Manx people."

It sounds very promising!

Lifetime Award for Barry
Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bees Gees,was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Nordoff-Robbins O2 Silver Clef awards at the London Hilton on June 28th, in recognition of his role in the chart-topping trio. The awards are a fund-raiser for the Nordoff Robbins charity which provides music therapy for adults and children.

'Days of Pearly Spencer' – a Caroline North special
On Saturday May 25th, 1800 - 0100 CET, Radio 19 broadcast John Bennett's 'Days of Pearly Spencer', a Radio Caroline North special - and it really is special!
You'll hear the voices of Carl Conway, Tom Lodge, Simon Dee, Bryan Vaughan, Ric Dane, Mike Ahern, Jerry Leighton, Martin Kayne, Graham Webb, Mick Luvzit, Noel Andrews, Don Allen, Bob Stewart, Tony Prince, Ray Teret, Jerry King, DLT, Jack Spector, Freddie Bear, Lord Charles Brown, Nick Bailey, Bill Hearne, Dave Williams and Jim Murphy.

Included are key events in the station's life such as the Fredericia sailing into Ramsey Bay and dropping anchor; the wedding, in full, of Mick Luvzit and Janet Teret and midnight on August 31, 1967 with Don Allen and the Manx National Anthem; the very last programme on RCN, Daffy Don's C& W Jamboree, March 2nd. 1968.

The years 1965-1966 are extensively featured to reflect the RCN Triple F poll of members which overwhelmingly voted these 2 years as Caroline North sounding her absolute best.

Kenny's 'Great Life' on Radio 4
On BBC Radio 4, Tuesday, 16th April, (should remain available online indefinitely) as part of the series 'Great Lives', Chris Tarrant chose one of the great pioneers of modern radio – a man born Maurice Cole in Liverpool in 1944, who became famous on television as Gizzard Puke, Cupid Stunt and Sid Snot. Kenny Everett's life was almost as bizarre as the characters he played, but it is for his work as a deejay that Chris Tarrant selects him. Tarrant was at Capital Radio for twenty years.
Kenny Everett began his career in pirate radio, from where he was sacked. He also worked for the BBC, from where he was sacked. He made one appearance on Radio 4's Just a Minute, famously talking about marbles. Other employees included Radio Luxembourg and Capital.
Presenter Matthew Parris reminisces about the Young Conservatives invitation to Kenny Everett to join them on stage in 1983 - his slogans included 'Let's Bomb Russia' and 'Let's kick Michael Foot's stick away' - while biographer James Hogg (see item above) fills in some of the details of Everett's complicated personal life. (Thanks to Jon Myer)

'Boss Jock Kindergarden' – Tommy in the USA
Full-page feature regarding the US stations where Tommy Vance made his mark in Seattle and Los Angeles.

Paul's Final Hour?
Stephen Chesney remembers another late Big L jock:

I discovered a website which gives 6 minutes 35 seconds of Paul Kaye's late night show on Radio Hallam. The date is said to be 29th September 1980. Initially he told his listeners it was his last show, but later said it was his last show of the current series. Listening to it made me sad. As you know, just 5 weeks later he was dead. I doubt whether he had any other programmes lined up either on Hallam or another station, so I felt this was probably his last ever broadcast. Paul is still missed.

Stephen also discovered on You Tube, the entire 1966 'Danger Man' episode, 'The Not so Jolly Roger!' – about a fort-based pirate radio station shot aboard Red Sand forts.


Caroline Birthday Bonanza
The last week in March is a special week for birthdays, – including the Radio London website's 14th.

To celebrate Radio Caroline's 49th birthday on March 28th, we have two Caroline specials from 1965.

On May 5th, acclaimed organist Jimmy Smith made history when he played his Hammond organ live on the deck of the Mi Amigo, with Tony Crombie and Tony Thorpe. Alan Hardy of Radio West Mid (right) talks to Tony Thorpe about that historic occasion in a Radio London exclusive interview.

Left: Tony Thorpe and Jimmy Smith, photo © Tony Thorpe

The start of 1965 brings our first feature concerning artists in the Caroline chart. The Hummelflugs were the first band to be signed by Allan Crawford's agency and they released a single written by two of the DJs.

Sonys honour Former Pirates
Two former pirates were honoured in the 2013 Sony Radio Academy Awards. Johnnie Walker and his production team at Wise Buddah Creative took bronze in the Music Radio Broadcaster of the Year category. The judges said:

"John is more than a legend of music broadcasting history, he's music itself! It would be easy to take him for granted but this entry reminded us of how excellent he is. Relaxed and informed but never showing off."

Richard Park, executive of the Global Group, who started his long broadcasting career aboard Radio Scotland's Comet, received The Gold Award for his unique contribution to UK Radio.

The Awards Ceremony was on May 13th. A complete list of winners is on the Radio Academy website – but no matter what the papers say (and several of them have) gold award-winner Danny Baker was not axed by Radio London. BBC London must take the blame for that.

Lunch with the Admiral

Chris, Mary and Moosie were recent lunch guests of Robbie and Stella Dale at their lovely home in Lanzarote. They are enjoying their retirement and told us, "We both enjoyed a bit of anoraking through those old radio days."

Photo: Robbie Dale




Keep on Rockin' – 65 Years of Pirate Radio
Seton Hall University's award-winning radio station WSOU 89.5 FM Pirate Radio is celebrated its 65th anniversary this year. The New Jersey station commenced broadcasts on April 14, 1948.

Junior Erin O'Grady, who will be station manager for the 2013-2014 academic year, said that WSOU is "unique because it operates like a real radio station in the New York market" and continues to be a major part of the airwaves in the area. "We are one of the most listened to rock stations in the Tri-State Area," she said. "We love rock and our listeners love rock. We plan to keep it that way for a long time to come."




Dave Dennis on SOTS
It was a big surprise to hear the B-side of 'Yes Virginia...' Dave Dennis (aka Neil Spence)'s Christmas Fab Forty entry requested on R2's Sounds of the Sixties for 16/03/13. 'Little Boy Lost' is a pretty dire track, worthy of a Top Ten placing in the World's Worst Wireless Show, but at least the request meant that both the Double D and Radio London got a mention. TW gets credited on both sides of the single as the songs' co-author.

Recent Photo of Mick
Gord Lansdell, the Editor/Webmaster of Northwest Broadcasters and Vancouver Broadcasters kindly forwarded a recent picture of Mick Luvzit. It was taken by Rhiannon Coppin in May 2011 at a local media luncheon known as the 'RPM Lunch' (for Radio Performers' Membership) sponsored by veteran Vancouver broadcaster Red Robinson. The lady with him is Vancouver broadcaster Casey White.
 
Gord also sent a link to an audio clip of Mick at CKLG in 1984


Ringo: Peace & Love
The Los Angeles GRAMMY Museum, in cooperation with Ringo Starr, debuted a major new exhibition, Ringo: Peace & Love on June 12, 2013.
Exhibits include a couple of drumkits played at famous gigs, his Sgt Pepper suit and the cape he wore in 'Help!' It's also interactive and visitors will be able to take a drum lesson with Ringo.
The exhibition goes on tour to selected US cities in 2014.

REM Island Restaurant Restoration
REM-Island was built in 1964 outside territorial waters in order to avoid Dutch broadcasting legislation. Constructed completely out of steel, the 262-foot-high structure rests on 6 columns. It housed radio and TV broadcast stations, but it only lasted four months before federal police took over the island, dismantled it and brought it back to the shore.
The historic tower has been renovated into a cool building that stands on stilts over the water and offers amazing 360-degree views over the NDSM Wharf and the center of Amsterdam. REM-Island houses a restaurant on two floors, office space and a large open terrace situated on a former helicopter platform. Access to the platform is provided via a steel footbridge on the shore that guides visitors through the enormous construction.
To ensure the island retained its original atmosphere, Concrete Architects preserved and renovated original features including footbridges, signal lights and railings. They even included a lifeboat.

A slideshow depicts the building as it is now.

Poptastic – Tony's 70!
Tony Blackburn celebrated his 70th birthday on January 29th 2013 and a week later on Wednesday 6th February the Radio Academy London Branch hosted Poptastic! Tony Blackburn's Life on Air.

Photos and audio of the sell-out event are posted on the Radio Academy website, plus the 'happy birthday' video clip recorded specially for the occasion. There's also a RadioTalk podcast Tony Blackburn at 70.

(Left) Arnold whispers a new joke as Tony arrives for Pirate BBC Essex 2009. (Photo: Jacqui Lazellé)

(Right) Tony repeats the joke to the crowd. Arnold has not been seen since. (Photo: John Sales)

John retires after amazing 55-year broadcasting career
Down Under correspondent John Preston spotted that John Kerr was retiring from Sydney's 2UE. His final show was Sunday 27th January.

September saw John clock up 18 consecutive years behind the 2UE microphone and was honoured in Sydney with a special tribute dinner.

Of course, John spent one of those 55 years gaining experience on 242 Radio Scotland. He was one of the intrepid DJs aboard the Comet when she had to be towed round the very northern tip of Scotland to a new anchorage - a trip that they very nearly didn't survive!

John was back in the UK in 2007, for the Radio Academy Celebration of Offshore Radio and to participate in the Pirate BBC Essex broadcast from the LV18 where he broadcast overnight to the folks back home. No doubt he was delighted that this time, the lightship would not be going anywhere. (Thanks to our 'Down Under' correspondent, John Preston)

Left, John on the LV18 tender with Ray Clark, who points out that if he continues to broadcast for the same number of years, he'll be 88!


That French Documentary – tattooed human flesh and topless girls.
Is there really an offshore radio connection?

Robert Eade's query has generated so much interest that we have given it its own page!


Sunday night is Pirates NIght
Keith Milborrow reports

On Friday, 4th January, 2013, Roger Day finished his stint on the weekday evening show on BBC Kent, networked across BBC local stations in the South. There were several treats in store for Pirate Radio fans in his last daily programme – many mentions of his days on SRE and a brief extract of an RNI Station ID 'on Medium Wave, Short Wave and VHF' voiced by Twiggy himself. Included in his final playlist were many songs with appropriate lyrics (Harry Chapin's WOLD for example) and four offshore anthems:
 
Caroline – The Fortunes; We Shall Overcome – Pete Seeger; Green Grass – The Ventures (his old theme tune) and Man of Action – Les Reed
 
From the following Monday, January 7th, all BBC locals were obliged to carry a 'Local Radio England' programme (Swinging, eh?) in Roger's old time slot. Roger continues to be networked on the same local stations, but for just two hours on a Sunday evening,1900 - 2100 (following Dave Cash's 2-hour show). You can also hear Roger's webcast via his website

Better news for Cardboard Shoes, however. His BBC contract has been renewed and his Sunday night programme on BBC Norfolk has been extended to three hours, 2200 - 0100.

Radio Times for 2nd to 8th February carried a 2-page feature (Pages 122-3) on BBC local radio and its readers' revolt against the cutbacks. Roger Day got to voice his feelings as did Julia Allen, co-founder of the campaign to save Roger's show and Gerald Main of BBC Essex. Roger told RT he was, "Sad for the listeners who've been let down again."

'Pirate Jock' – "apart from sex, drugs and rock 'n roll, there are fires, sea sickness, a jail cell and a Force Twelve hurricane"

Jack McLaughlin may have solved a Christmas present/ gift token problem. He writes:

My book 'Pirate Jock' has just been published by Kennedy and Boyd of Glasgow. They also published 'When Pirates Ruled the Waves', the excellent factual account of some of the Pirate Stations including Radio Scotland, by Paul Harris.

Unlike Paul's book, 'Pirate Jock' is a 'light fictionalisation' of the actual events surrounding the launch and first year of 242. It's a tongue-in-cheek account of what actually happened - though some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent. As someone who was on the Comet on the first day and also the last, I feel well-qualified to tell the story, despite having taken a couple of liberties with the timeline.

At 400 pages long and with more than 60 pics, the book's quite a read. The aim is not just to appeal to the 'pirate anoraks', but to anyone who was a fan of Pirate Radio and also to the younger generation, who must wonder what all the fuss was about.

Full details and an author profile are on Amazon.co.uk. The book is also on sale at Waterstones and other leading bookstores

A follow up book, 'Pirate Jock in Southern Waters' has already been commissioned and will be published next year. This covers my time on Britain Radio, 270 and 390 before returning to Radio Scotland for the closedown. We are already in talks with a major film producer here in Scotland.This will be entirely different in feel to the Boat that Rocked – set in the glorious Firth of Clyde as opposed to the grey English Channel. Having worked in both places, I know which one I prefer!

Pirate Jock has been dedicated to the memory of T V Shields the man who started Radio Scotland. Without Tommy's vision and steely determination, the story would not have been possible.

Congratulations on an excellent website which keeps memories of Pirate Radio fresh in people's minds.

Kind Regards, Jack Mc Laughlin
The Telegraph picks Radio Seagull
Mike Terry has forwarded this message from Sietse Brouwer

A big thank you to England's Telegraph newspaper which hasnamed Radio Seagull its internet radio station of the month. This is what the Telegraph wrote:
"As if to prove that the spirit of Sixties-style pirate broadcasting never really died, this charming music station broadcasts from a ship moored in Harlingen Harbour in the Netherlands. Prog rock is the predominant flavour, with plenty of Genesis, Pink Floyd and the like; but genres as diverse as UK blues, world music and jazz also get a look in."

Radio Seagull is an ongoing project, forever moving forward. As always, your requests, dedications and comments are very welcome.
 
Sietse, Stevie and the crew

Dave Dennis Swings!
David Lloyd's 'Radio Moments' has a short clip of the Double D – recently a Fab Forty star with 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' – recorded in June 1966. It also features one of the station's favourite groups, the Chantelles.

Just in time for Radio London's 48th birthday, December 23rd, there's a clip of the station's test transmissions from the previous day.


The Best of Luck, Steve!
Steve Scruton, one of the main brains behind Pirate BBC Essex, has left the station after 24 years. He cited an outstanding memory as meeting HM The Queen during her Harwich visit, when members of the 'pirate' broadcast team were invited to attend. His last programme was on Dec 31st and the 1400 to 1600 afternoon show has been taken over by Mark Punter. Steve's main plans for the future are to travel, but he has not ruled out returning one day to work for the BBC.

(left) Steve attempts to keep Rosko in hand during the 2009 Pirate BBC Essex broadcast.
'Twiggy' not 'Trickery'
Wout van Wijk from the Netherlands has been hunting for a track from a 1967 Caroline Countdown of Sound. He writes:

In the Caroline chart of 21st January 1967, #50 is 'Beautiful Dreams' by Trickey. I never can find the single, so I think it must be: 'Beautiful Dreams' by Twiggy (Ember S239).
Is that correct?

The Twiggy single was certainly issued that month and I have not found any release at the time called 'Beautiful Dreams' by another artist. I'm sure Wout is right and that whoever complied the chart must have misheard the artist's name. Thanks to Wout for his input. The Countdown of Sound for 21/1/67 has been amended.

Colin Wilkins has since informed us that the track is available along with other Twiggy tracks on a 28-track cd called 'The Girls From Ember'. Also on this CD are several tracks by 'Avenger' Tara King, aka Linda Thorson, plus the infamous Mandy Rice Davies and 'Miss X' - Lionel Balr's sister Joyce, in the guise of Christine Keeler! – Mary

Overhaul for the Norderney
Amsterdam-based Oranjewerf Ship Repair is overhauling the legendary 63-year-old Radio Veronica vessel Nordeney. Full story here. John Preston also spotted the story Down Under. (See Hans Knot's newsletter)
Older Archived Stories – Page 1 | Next Archived Stories – Page 3
Archived Obituary Section here

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