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Has Svenn found the Olga Patricia? Radio England expert Svenn Martinsen writes from Norway: At last we seem to have come nearer the solution around the many questions surrounding the "The Radio Rose of Texas", the Olga Patricia, as my research in this matter has had significant progress. I am pleased that one of my many correspondents, Ben Miller of the publication Bay Weekly, Chesapeake Bay, Reedville, VA, found the story so far to be so interesting he wrote a magazine article about it. I am very pleased of Ben's well-written and interesting article. I hope it will bring forward even more information. |
The Day the Beatles became Fab Chart-toppers A new exhibition follows the Beatles around Liverpool on Tuesday 19th February, 1963. London photographer Michael Ward had been commissioned by 'Honey ' magazine to capture the band in their hometown. At the time, he had no idea who they were. He also had no notion that as he snapped away, the charts were being compiled. The Fab Four's second single Please Please Me would later that day be confirmed as their first number one. Ward's Beatle photographs can be seen at London's Square One Gallery until 4 March 2008. If you have £450 to spare, a limited-edition boxed set of the photos is also available from Genesis Publications. Full story here. |
Teenage Epitaph A tombstone now marks the final resting place of John Peel in St Andrew's Church, in Great Finborough, Suffolk. The former Perfumed Gardener John, who died in October 2004, had specifically wanted his epitaph to bear the words "Teenage kicks are hard to beat", the first line of his favourite Undertones' song. John's widow Sheila revealed to the Daily Telegraph that the family "wouldn't have dared" put any other inscription on it! She explained that the delay was partly due to having to allow the ground to settle for a year before a stone could be placed on the grave. "Then it took a long time to find a traditional type of York stone I knew John would like. I didn't want to have anything modern. A stonemason friend did the work." The Telegraph feature cites other epitaphs and is asking readers to contribute their own preferences. (Thanks to Jon Myer) |
Eddie has a lot to answer for!
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My Hometown
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Burn Baby Burn! 91.7 FM KOOP, a community radio station in Austin, Texas has been torched, allegedly by disgruntled volunteer broadcaster, Paul Webster Feinstein. Feinstein told police he was upset because his chosen playlist for his overnight internet jazz programme 'Mellow Down Easy' had been amended. KOOP has suffered two previous fires in the past two years, the first of which was ruled accidental. The second, which forced the station to move to a new location, was caused by a malfunctioning heating system in nearby premises. The unfortunate station is now back on the air. See full story on MSNBC and Life imitates Rex Bob Lowenstein Thanks to Fab Alan Field |
Beam us up, Wack! 'Across the Universe' first appeared in 1969 on the album No-One's Gonna Change Our World, sold in aid of the World Wildlife Fund. "Well done, NASA," said Sir Paul McCartney. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul." The spacecast is also a fitting tribute to the crew of the space shuttle Columbia, as February 1st was the fifth anniversary of the tragic loss of the craft. Links: Story on BBC News; NASA website; 'Universe' lyrics; No Rock and Roll Fun.com |
In other Fab Four news... The hotel is close to the Cavern Club mark II and many Liverpudlians must be furious to think that neither the original Cavern nor Brian Epstein's music store were regarded as worthy of preservation for posterity. Links: Story on BBC news; Shannon's personal site ; Hard Day's Night website |
Duncan's on the cover of... Duncan says: There were times in those days when the Galaxy was referred to as more than a boat, which would include some colourful adjectives when uttered by certain individuals!" Thanks to Duncan and Jon Myer. |
Websites devoted to Fab Forty Artistes Mark's site: Tony's site: |
'Pop Britannia - the Sixties' |
Rod Allen (Rodney Bainbridge) The Fortunes' own website has announced the extremely sad news of the death of their founder Rod Allen, aged 63, after a short illness. Rod (second from left) leaves a wife Margaret, a son Leigh, a daughter Sharon and three grandchildren. His family were with him when he passed away at his home in Coventry. Rod had been fronting the Fortunes as their lead vocalist and bass guitarist since they began playing in Birmingham in 1963 and they are still a massively popular act. The band, of course, is renowned for its offshore radio connections. They recorded the Radio Caroline signature tune (their second single) and were managed by Radio City's owner Reg Calvert, until his death in June 1966. (See Tom Edwards' contribution, below.) The Fortunes were also members of the Knees Club and joined at Wycombe Town Hall in February 1966. Rod was member #86. The Fortunes played at a 2004 reunion in Southend celebrating the 40th anniversary of the launch of Radio Caroline. Caroline North DJ Gord Cruse, who attended the reunion from Canada, said he was thrilled to be able to sing along with the band to his station's song! He took a Fortune's CD home with him and plays it regularly when on the road. Rod's band spent many weeks in the Big L Fab Forties in 1965 and 1966 and reached the Top Ten four times. They first arrived in July '65 with 'You've Got Your Troubles', which peaked at #2 and spent 7 weeks on the chart. The Fortunes returned in October with 'Here It Comes Again' and were resident for another 7 weeks, peaking at #3. In January '66, 'This Golden Ring' hit #4 and saw the band enjoy another six weeks in the Fab Forty. When 'You Gave Me Somebody to Love' was released, they were obliged to share the #5 slot in the Radio London chart with another version of the song by Manfred Mann. The Fortunes were back in the Fab Forty in September '66, with 'Is It Really Worth Your While' and they enhanced the final Fab, 6th August 1967, with 'The Idol', charging straight in at #18. Songwriter Chris Andrews, wrote in the Fortunes' website book of condolences (which is open to all): "The music business has lost one of the all-time great voices. The best version of any of my songs was the Fortunes' version, of 'Our Love Has Gone'. Rod's voice had so much feeling. He will be missed so much." The website states that the Fortunes intend to carry out Rod's wish that they should continue to perform. They will find this a heartbreaking experience, as will their loyal followers, but somehow they will manage to follow the showbiz tradition of 'the show must go on'. Colin Nicholls (who kindly scanned the 'Caroline' single, right,) writes: Tom Edwards writes: It was sad about the death of the Double D, Dave Dennis too. He was cremated in nearby Grantham and had I known in time, I would have gone to pay my respects. Two bits of my past are gone now. That saddens me as it has done so many others.
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David Neil Spence (Dave Dennis) With great sadness, we announce the death in December 2007, of Dave Dennis, who was with Radio London from the launch in December 1964 and stayed for two years. The funeral took place at Grantham Crematorium on Monday January 7th. A full obituary, report of the funeral and tribute page, which is still receiving contributions, is here. |
Tony O'Reilly Hans has included an obituary for Tony in his January 2008 newsletter (see below). Rob Leighton |
New Grandson for Steve Here are some photos of the "newest addition" to our ever-growing family. Our daughter Heather gave birth to a son at 12:55am on January 06, 2008 weighing in at 8 pounds 10 ounces. Both mother and son are doing very well. The baby's name is still not 100% finalized but most likely to be either Noah, or Jackson Samuel Roberts. Needless to say both Grandparents are extremely well and are very pleased with their New Year's gift. Pictured, is granddaughter Lily, cradling her new brother. |
A Camping Stove that plays discs!
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New Additions to Offshore Echoes' Themes I'm in the process of updating my offshore themes web pages, and have found some themes that were on our missing list: Freddie Ryder, studio engineer and at Caroline House - and pop singer - released a number of records in the 1960s. This is one of them: Ian MacRae's theme: Caroline Cash Casino theme: I got the above fairly cheaply from www.gemm.com who also have some other missing themes, although most are more expensive. |
Ronan was Speechless! There has been some speculation as to why Ronan did not give an acceptance speech when he was awarded his Radio Academy Fellowship. However, when the Radio London webmasters offered their congratulations to him, Ronan admitted that the award had left him speechless! He seemed both amazed and amused at the subterfuge that had been used to get him to attend the Patrons' Lunch without his discovering the true reason behind his invitation, and likened it to a CIA operation! See a full list of new inductees on the Academy's website. |
Ronan with Johnnie |
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Many thanks to Martin for the pics. |
A Great Christmas Special Here's some nice feedback from the Oldies Project Christmas Special. Between Friday, December 21st and Monday December 24th, The Oldies Project played over 1,000 UK single releases from 1967, in their Christmas Special 'The London Sound - the final months'. (Download the playlist here.) Below is a very enthusiastic message of thanks, received from Peter Sevenster in the Netherlands. Dear Chris & Mary and all involved with Oldies Project,It's the time of the year to pass my compliments to the Oldies Project team. You bring happiness and lot of enjoyment in my home with all those fabulous tunes throughout the day. Especially the "Back from the watery grave" and the "Forty years ago" specials are really outstanding! I've listened as much as possible to the 1967 special and I can hardly wait for the FAB 40s starting again in January! Let's face it, this is not just nostalgia, but DISCOVERING the real sixties! What a lot of great obscure tunes I hear for the first time. Especially for me as a dedicated Sixties lover, these songs should have deserved more attention in those days. Therefore the Top 40 lists then should have been extended to a Top 100 survey to give these forgotten songs the chance to get their rightful place in the lists! But it's great they get the recognition now instead of long been forgotten, thanks to Oldies Project! I herewith like to wish you all the best for 2008. And keep up your great work for many years to come! |
'Pirates Waive Goodbye...?'
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