June 2002 (last month's is here...)

Quote of the Month:
Jonathan Ross, on BBC Radio Two, 1st June 2002 – talking about the lack of view from the studio windows: "Call that a window? That's the slit where they fired the arrows from, in the days when Radio Caroline used to try and invade us!"

Graham Hughes

The Sad Passing of The Who's Bass Player, John Entwistle by Chris Payne When I was at school in South London, you had to be a Mod or a Rocker. The fact that most of us were too poor to own, let alone old enough to ride, a two-wheeled form of transport, other than a pushbike, didn't come into it. (For our distant readers, Rockers rode motorcycles and Mods rode scooters – Lambrettas.) You had to either love or hate the Who – that labelled you as a Mod or not. Proclaimed as the bad boys of pop, with their extremely loud gigs, raucous music and anti-social antics, they were firmly believed to be a threat to society. Maybe they were. As age takes its toll on all of us, no matter what we do to prevent it, it's interesting to contemplate the fact that the school playground was the place where the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Who (in that order) were discussed until there was nothing more to say. This was until a new record came out, or a hotel room was trashed – not by the Beatles, of course! I was a fan of the Who, but admit that I lost touch with their music years ago, as I'm sure did many people. They all turned out to be nice blokes in later years, and I wish I'd had a chance to meet them. Finding that yet another of my heroes has passed on, makes me want to play some of their records again, if only to try and remember what all the fuss was about. Oh, and listen carefully to the bass. www.johnentwistle.com has a guest book in which you can leave a tribute, although the site does not seem to allow visitors to view any of the previous entries. BBC report here. CNN report here.

Daltrey and Townshend decide: "The Show Must Go On" The two surviving original members of the Who, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, have made the difficult decision to continue with their US tour as a tribute to their friend and the contribution he made to the band. Thirty-five years ago this week, (Fab Forty July 2nd, 1967) the Who's single, 'Under My Thumb/The Last Time' had been elevated to Radio London Disc of the Week. The band had recorded the two Stones' songs as a protest against the impending imprisonment of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, following the infamous drugs bust at Richards' home. In the summer of 2002, the newly-knighted Sir Mick and the boys have gone to Canada to rehearse for their North American tour, which kicks off in Boston on September 3rd. Thirty-five years ago, the Beatles were #1 for the second week running with All You Need Is Love. In the summer of 2002, a US tour called A Walk Down Abbey Road – A Tribute To The Beatles, has kicked off in San Diego, with musicians, Christopher Cross, Jack Bruce, Mark Farner, Alan Parsons and Todd Rundgren.

OK, it was me! As I don't have a computer (I use TV email and Internet) the site counter doesn't register immediately you log on to a site. There is a slight delay, but by process of elimination,(you have identified 49999 and 50001) I logged on immediately after 49999.

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Is This The End Of Internet Radio From The USA?

Bad news folks. The Librarian Of Congress cut the performance royalty rate for webcasters in half yesterday. That sounds good when you say it, until you learn that the formula is still per song / per listener, instead of a rate based on a percentage of revenue like the long existing ASCAP & BMI fees. The result? For traditional stations (terrestrials) that simulcast online, no change. For internet only stations (like Radiopoly WILL be), the fee will be half of what was originally proposed, or 0.07 cents per listener, per song. Doesn't sound like a lot, I know, but it adds up very fast. The difference for the vast majority of webcasters (you know, all the people that AREN'T Yahoo, MSN, AOL, etc) is a rate that represents only about 100% of revenue instead of about 200%. Oh joy.

Just when you think someone in Washington has the nerve to be fair to a fledgling industry, they get sucked in by the massive vacuum inside the beltway. If you feel so inclined to write to your representatives, tell them the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) MUST be amended NOW, to COMPLETELY ELIMINATE a performance royalty fee for webcasters. While you're at it, ask them this: "How could it possibly make sense that webcasters, who are executing the same business model (and actually improving on it) as terrestrial broadcasters are subject to a per performance royalty that does not exist (and never has) for terrestrial broadcasts?"

Kick ass and take names, John

Pirate radio from BBC Radio Cumbria

BBC Radio Cumbria will take listeners back to the golden days of radio later this month - by broadcasting from a ship!

In an ambitious, week-long project, Val Armstrong and Paul Braithwaite will present the mid-morning show live from the historical ship Phoenix, as well as from five land-based locations along the Cumbrian coast.

Phoenix is one of three tall ships which promise to be a major attraction in and around Whitehaven harbour this summer. Paul, Val and the team will follow the progress of the ship's crew as they continue their Able Seaman training programme.

The broadcasts will explore the county's maritime heritage, featuring a range of local characters and music with a nautical theme. There will also be a chance for listeners to win tickets to sail on one of the ships in July.

Mid-morning presenter Paul Braithwaite says: "It's a dream come true. I've always wanted to try being a 'pirate radio' disc jockey - and this means we can broadcast from a ship without breaking the law!"

Val Armstrong, who normally presents the afternoon show, says: "The best part of this job is getting out of the studio and meeting our listeners. The tall ships will attract thousands to the coast, and I can't wait to be there with them!"

The week of programmes, broadcast daily from 9.00am to noon, will be as follows:

Monday 24 June - Whitehaven Harbour
Tuesday 25 June - St Bees - car park next to the lifeboat station
Wednesday 26 June - Dunmail Park, Workington
Thursday 27 June - Silloth Harbour
Friday 28 June - Maryport Marina

Little Guys unite to find out who's really listening to the radio

Five radio stations have formed their own trade association to fight for a fairer system of measuring radio audiences in the UK.

The Little Guys Radio Association - made up of talkSPORT, Sunrise Radio, Premier Christian Radio, Spectrum Radio and Club Asia - is campaigning for electronic measurement to be introduced in favour of the existing diary system operated by the radio's single currency, RAJAR. To that end, it supports the creation of an independent survey based on electronic meters by The Wireless Group, owners of talkSPORT.

LGRA members feel disenfranchised by existing trade bodies, which operate in the interests of the Big Boys and claim that smaller radio stations are short-changed under the current RAJAR ratings system - and consequently lose badly-needed advertising revenues - in the following ways:

* The diary system - relying on respondents' memories - favours the large, heritage stations with huge marketing budgets that can raise awareness and encourage misattribution.

* Small samples under-report ethnic and niche stations and under-estimate smaller stations' reach.

* Diaries discriminate against ethnic minority respondents, who may not have English as their first language, in a way that meters do not.

A metering system would deliver faster, more accurate ratings information for the stations that need it most - the smaller stations for which the RAJAR system was not designed.

Dr Avtar Lit, Chairman of Sunrise Radio, says: "The Asian community is grossly under-represented in the RAJAR survey and the audience figures for stations such as Sunrise Radio have been under-reported under the diary system for many years. We have been campaigning for years that the Asian community should have more diaries in the RAJAR survey.

"Only when electronic measurement is introduced and only when the Asian sample is properly represented in a survey will the true size of Sunrise Radio's audience be revealed. That's why we've joined LGRA and we welcome other disenfranchised broadcasters to join us."

Advertisers, media agencies and research groups that back the campaign for change are being invited to join as Associate LGRA Members.

Thanks to the Radio Newsletter - www.ukradio.com. We haven't found a website for The Little Guys so far. Come on guys, we wanna know what's going on!

talkSPORT recently commissioned their own test surveys. Kelvin MacKenzie, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Wireless Group which owns talkSPORT, says: "How can the RAJAR results be so out of whack with the two other surveys? This is yet more evidence that RAJAR's diary system is short-changing talkSPORT and many other smaller stations."

talkSPORT, is one of 54 radio stations available on Sky Digital. 15,000 Sky digital viewers responded to the survey, which was carried out by specialisting, the Digital Audience Research Service. Details here.

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Brian Wilson at the Royal Festival Hall, June 10th, 2002
Concert review here

Right: Castaways half-way up the stairs at the Festival Hall: Roger Day, Peter Young and Tony Rivers

Tony Rivers led the Castaways, Roger Day was a 'castaway' when the Mi Amigo was towed into Amsterdam and PY 'cast himself away' from the Mebo II as fast as possible, when seasickness got the better of him.

PY and Roger Day were both employed as JDs (Jammie Dodgers) at the United Biscuit Network. Wonder if the factory produced ships' biscuits?

Fab Footnote: Tony Rivers and the Castaways were at #33 in the Fab Forty for 25th April 65, with 'Come Back Baby'.

Pauline Miller and I had met Tony at the Brighton Festival of the Sixties, 1999, and I was surprised and flattered that he remembered me. It then occurred to me that he probably recalled my psychedelic Sixties outfit more than its wearer!

Tony has a great website where jingle freaks can download cuts recorded especially for Mike Read. The site also features a FAB collection of Tony's personal photos.

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Brian and Bruce Both Hit Sixty
Brian Wilson celebrates his sixtieth birthday on June 20th, 2002. The Beach Boys' Fan Club reports that the official website, BrianWilson.com has an online guestbook, with birthday wishes received from around the world, including from members of Brian's family. The deadline for adding messages is June 18th, after which the greetings will be compiled into a birthday book to be presented to Brian on the day.

The Fan Club site also has a link for sending good wishes to Bruce Johnston, who hits sixty a week later, on June 27th.

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279 Platform to be christened 'Caroline Island'
It's official - Paul Rusling, Chief Executive Officer of Isle of Man International Broadcasting PLC, has confirmed that the platform to be constructed to house the Crossed-field Antenna and transmitter for the 500kW station with the working title MusicMann 279, will be called Caroline Island. The platform will be located about 5km off the Island, in Ramsey Bay, not far from the original anchorage of Radio Caroline North.

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Hit Me Otway, One More Time! The Otway Hit Campaign is now moving into top gear, with an excellent new website, containing press information and downloadable graphics. The Home Page features a clock counting down the seconds to the 'Hit Moment'. In his latest newsletter, John says: "I've found it hysterically funny that almost anyone the remotest bit connected with the music business has looked horrified when I've explained that I'm letting the fans pick the song.... I've discovered that people who actually buy records are not trusted by managers, record companies, publishers or musicians to pick the record they would most like to buy. Apparently they would prefer to be told!"

Read the whole story in the Radio London Otway section where you'll also find the latest gig list.

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Euroradio 6th July 2002 – Welcome on board the mv Mi Amigo
France Radio Club and Offshore Echoes' annual event Euroradio 2002 takes place in Calais, France on Saturday 6th July 2002, Starting at 2.00pm local time. The venue is the Terminal meeting room (top floor of car ferry building).

This year the theme is the famous radio ship mv Mi Amigo, the stations which transmitted from her and the people who were involved.

Guests confirmed include:

Fred Bolland - one of the key figures behind the offshore radio scene since the 1970's, with Caroline, Delmare, Paradise, Monique, Laser, Nannell

Steve England - whose radio career, and experience with jingles, date back to Radio Atlantis and Caroline in the 1970s

Howard Rose - better known as Crispian St John on board the Mi Amigo and Mebo II, and as, Jay Jackson on board the Ross Revenge

Paul Rusling - Paul Alexander on Radio Caroline, and nowadays Executive Officer of the Isle of Man International Broadcasting Company

In the evening there will be a special Euroradio dinner, including wine, in the private dining room of the Terminal restaurant.

Euroradio 2002 costs £26 including dinner, or just £6 for the afternoon (without dinner). Full details of travel, hotels and Calais maps will be sent with bookings, and hotel rooms can be arranged in Calais.

For bookings, and further schedule, visit the Offshore Echoes website, or write to: Offshore Echoes, PO Box 1514, London W7 2LL, England.

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The Second Erkrath Radioday, Sept 21st, 2002
Organiser Jan Sundermann reports that the event is scheduled from 12.00 noon to 20.00 hours in the rooms of the Observatorium of Sternwarte Neanderhohe at D-40699 Erkrath. Topics to be covered:

RNI – the original and the RSLs
Radio Caroline and Radio Marabu
Why music radio on shortwave?
New community radio and special event broadcasting regulations

Entrance fee is 7 EURO (3,50 EURO for Caroline Support Group members)

Preliminary registration or information from: Jan Sundermann. Address: Millrather Weg 74 , D 40699 Erkrath Or call Freddy Schorsch at 0211 - 248813 (after 20.00).

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Big L's Final 40 Minutes...

Hi Chris & Mary

I wonder if you are interested in putting this link on to your site. It contains the last 40 Minutes of Radio London closing down on the 14th August 1967 (sad day). Real Player is needed to play the link.

www.radio95.freeserve.co.uk/67.ra

Keep up the good work on the site.

Take Care, Ray Andrews

This is a long shot, I know, but I'm trying to find out if anybody remembers a land-based pirate station in the Potteries called Boss Radio. This would be 1966 or thereabouts on 213 metres MW. The station broadcast at weekends in the winter for an hour at a time, noon till 1.00pm, while in the summer it went out between 6.30 and 7.30 weekday evenings.

It may have been a bit amateurish, (they didn't seem to know how to cue up records), but it was rather exciting for pop radio nuts like myself, [the station] being local AND unlicensed. The deejays were a couple of characters called - wait for it! - 'DS, the Man from Thrush' (clearly a 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' fan) and 'Count Dracula' (whose theme was 'Monster Mash' by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett; the first time I'd ever heard that record). Later they were joined on tape by my mate John who masqueraded under the 'nom de wireless' of 'Sexy Steve Summerfield' along with a girl he fancied called 'Wendy Watt' and someone else whose name escapes me. Probably a good job!

They even had some home -made ropy jingles, a few of them later furnished for them by me courtesy of my Grundig tape recorder. I was about 14 at the time and alerted my pal to Boss Radio's existence when we met up at school in the week. Because he was rich, he had sufficient equipment to put some shows together with his pals in Cheadle (Staffs). That meant that he could then pass his tapes on to them with his shows. The station did have a mailing address in North Staffs, possibly in Trentham. I did write to them but can't exactly remember those details now.

The station relied on tapes of the current chart hits - lifted no doubt from 'Pick Of The Pops' on Sunday afternoons. No voice-overs on that show, as I recall, so easier to record cleanly! They added records of an older vintage from their own collections. Lots of Shads, Duane Eddy, early Beatles and Beach Boys. My mate did actually show me a couple of pictures of their studio - a purpose-built unit containing a rudimentary console, a tape deck and a Dansette turntable pillaged from a record player. All a bit 'Radio Sutch' really!

It was a bit of fun really but I'd still like to find out a bit more about it. I wonder if any of your site's visitors who lived up that way that way ever listened in? I know that from that point on, I fantasised about setting up my own station. It never happened, but it was nice to think about it at least. And I never did find out who the deejays really were, except that the name Dave Steele keeps coming into my mind, though I don't really know why.

"Another page of fantastic colour photos from Eric Jay plus some pictures of the Shivering Sands fort being built during the Second World War – and there is some great station memorabilia. There are also three more chapters from Tom Lodge's Radio Caroline story and I have added even more audio. Hope that lot keeps you entertained for the next month."

Given some of what we heard in the hearings last week on CSPAN, I think that listeners were very influential in this situation. Now for some palatable royalty rates and we can get on with inventing the future.