by Feeney, Paul
The famous Radio Luxembourg, broadcasting on 208 metres on the medium-wave band, was one of the earliest commercial radio stations broadcasting to Britain (1933–92); it helped pioneer modern radio presentation styles and kick-started the careers of many well-known radio and television celebrities. The 1960s presenters and disc jockeys included such names as Pete Brady, Tony Brandon, Paul Burnett, Dave Cash, Simon Dee, Noel Edmonds, Keith Fordyce, Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman, Stuart Grundy, Jack Jackson, David Jacobs, Brian Matthew, Pete Murray, Jimmy Savile, Tommy Vance, Jimmy Young, and Muriel Young.
It was the wealthy Irish entrepreneur, Ronan O’Rahilly, who freed us from the shackles of BBC Radio and Radio Luxembourg when he launched Radio Caroline, the first UK offshore commercial radio station, on that Easter Sunday morning in 1964. It was the day that British radio broadcasting changed forever, and it happened in the sixties! Soon, lots of different offshore pirate radio stations were starting up and broadcasting from sites all round the British coastline: Radio Atlanta, ‘Wonderful’ Radio London (Big L), Radio Sutch (later became Radio City), Radio Invicta (later became King Radio and then Radio 390), Radio Pamela, Radio Essex (later became BBMS), Radio Scotland, Radio York/Radio 270, ‘Swinging’ Radio England and Britain Radio. The pirate radio stations had huge numbers of listeners and they made high street shopping come alive, with shop staff all over the country tuning in and forcing customers to listen at full volume. It was great for kids to grow up listening to those early pirate radio stations. They became one of the main components of the ‘swinging sixties’.
By 1966 there were many commercial radio stations transmitting to different parts of the country, and that year a national opinion poll found that 45 per cent of the population was listening to the offshore stations and Radio Luxembourg. However, some of the offshore stations weren’t successful and had to close down, while the others were eventually forced to shut when the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act came into effect at midnight on 14 August 1967. This paved the way for BBC Radio to split its old BBC Light Programme into two services, thereby launching Radio 1 and Radio 2 in September 1967 – although not before hiring several of the most popular pirate radio disc jockeys to front the new pop music radio shows. Of course, being on the BBC the disc jockeys were reined in a bit and could no longer say whatever they wanted, as they had done on the defunct pirate stations. Kids moaned that the new BBC Radio 1 programme didn’t play as many records as the pirate stations and there was now too much irrelevant chat, but the good news was that there were no advertisements on BBC Radio.
Many of the 1960s pirate radio disc jockeys went on to achieve greater fame following the demise of offshore radio. These include: Tony Blackburn, who was the first disc jockey to be heard on Radio 1 when it was launched on 30 September 1967, Dave Cash, Simon Dee (d.2009), Kenny Everett (d.1995), John Peel (d.2004), Emperor Rosko, Keith Skues, Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart, Dave Lee Travis, Tommy Vance (d.2005) and Johnnie Walker.
BBC Radio Programmes
Listening to radio was very popular throughout the 1960s, and although BBC Radio lost a proportion of its listener audience to offshore radio stations from 1964–67, the BBC still had a lot of well-liked radio programmes on the air. Not all were popular with the young, but the BBC did broadcast an enormous variety of comedy, drama and music programmes. Here is a selection of popular BBC Radio shows of the 1960s to stir the old grey cells:
Until the arrival of offshore pirate radio in March 1964, Radio Luxembourg was the only English-language commercial radio station that could be heard in the UK. This Radio Luxembourg annual came out in 1964.
Any Answers? (1960s–present): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4 in 1967. Broadcast on Thursdays, listeners were invited to add their comments to the views expressed in the previous Friday’s Any Questions? programme.
Any Questions? (1948–present): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 2 in 1967. Broadcast on Friday and repeated on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday at 1.15 p.m. A topical debate programme, chaired by Freddie Grisewood (1948–67) and David Jacobs (1967–83), in which a panel of four politicians and other public figures answered questions put to them by a studio audience.
The Archers (1951–present): BBC Light Programme, BBC Home Service and BBC Radio 4 from 1967. ‘An everyday story of country folk.’ First main broadcast was in January 1951. This is the world’s longest running radio soap, now broadcast on BBC Radio 4. According to the BBC’s press office in 2006, it remained BBC Radio 4’s most popular non-news programme. In the 1960s, the story revolved around the Archer family of Brookfield farm near the village of Ambridge. Much of the action took place at the farm or in The Bull pub in the village. Some of the main early characters were Dan and Doris Archer, Jack and Peggy Archer, Phil Archer, Jack Woolley, Tom and Pru Forrest, John Tregorran and, of course, that old favourite – ‘Well me old pal, me old beauties’ – Walter Gabriel. Who could ever forget the happy-go-lucky ‘maypole dance’ theme tune entitled Barwick Green?
Beyond Our Ken (1958–64): BBC Light Programme. This comedy show was the predecessor to Round the Horne (1965–68); it starred Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Barry Took and Eric Merriman wrote the scripts together up until the end of series three, then Barry Took left and Eric Merriman stayed on to write series four (October 1960) to series seven (November 1964), when the series ended. Douglas Smith played the very formal announcer.
The Billy Cotton Bandshow (1949–68): BBC Light Programme, transferred to Radio 2 in 1967. The dreaded shout of Billy Cotton’s ‘Wakey! Wakey!’ each Sunday afternoon sent a shiver down every child’s spine – and it was repeated on Wednesday evenings. This music and comedy show, presented by the larger than life bandleader, Billy Cotton, also featured Alan Breeze, Doreen Stephens and Kathie Kay. Its lifespan indicates that it was very popular with listeners, but it’s unlikely there was ever a poll done of children’s views.
Breakfast Show, Radio 1 (referred to in the 1960s Radio Times magazines as The Daily Disc Delivery) (1967–present): BBC Radio 1, 7–9 a.m. each weekday morning. Presented by Tony Blackburn from 30 September 1967 to 1 June 1973, and always referred to by him as The Tony Blackburn Show. It was the first show to be broadcast on Radio 1 when it went on air in 1967, and the first complete record to be played on the show was Flowers in the Rain by The Move, one of many songs synonymous with the 1967 ‘Summer of Love’ and the ‘Flower Power’ period. The Breakfast Show was the most prized slot on BBC Radio 1, and still is today.
Breakfast Special (1960s): Radio 2. Broadcast each weekday morning 5.33–9 a.m. Presented by Paul Hollingdale with resident bands, singers, and records. Live music at half-past five in the morning!
Children’s Favourites (1954–67): BBC Light Programme. Every Saturday morning Derek McCulloch (Uncle Mac) would play a selection of children’s record requests. Starting each programme with the words, ‘Hello children, everywhere!’ McCulloch presented the programme until 1965, after which several presenters, including Leslie Crowther, presented the show until the launch of Radio 1 in 1967. Then it was renamed Junior Choice with Crowther as its first presenter until Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart took over in 1968.
Children’s Hour (1922–64): BBC Home Service. Broadcast from 5–6 p.m. on weekdays. Filled with stories, plays and drama serials, as well as informative talks, children’s newsreels and competitions. Featured presenters included Derek McCulloch, ‘Uncle’ Arthur Burrows, ‘Auntie’ Violet Carson, Jon Pertwee and Wilfred Pickles. Popular serials included Jennings at School, Just So Stories for Little Children, Sherlock Holmes, Worzel Gummidge and Winnie the Pooh. News that the programme was to end in March 1964 was met with a flood of letters to the BBC, a ‘save Children’s Hour’ campaign and was even questioned in the House of Commons.
The Clitheroe Kid (1957–72): BBC Light Programme, transferring to Radio 2 and Radio 4 in 1967. This was a long-running situation comedy programme, featuring the diminutive Northern comedian, Ji
mmy Clitheroe, who played the part of a cheeky schoolboy. Amazingly, Jimmy Clitheroe was 50 years old when the show finally ended in 1972.
The Dales (see Mrs Dale’s Diary).
Does the Team Think? (1957–76): BBC Light Programme, transferring to Radio 2 in 1967. Broadcast on Sunday afternoons and repeated on Monday evenings. It involved McDonald Hobley in the chair and a panel made up of Jimmy Edwards, Ted Ray, Tommy Trinder and Leslie Crowther.
Easy Beat (1959–67): BBC Light Programme. Sunday mid-morning show produced and presented by Brian Matthew; it was recorded before a live audience at the Playhouse Theatre, just off Trafalgar Square in London. It featured the Johnny Howard Band and Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen. Many famous bands and artists appeared as guests on the show, including Bert Weedon, Cilla Black and The Beatles. The growing success of pirate radio from 1964 onwards caused listening figures to drop and Easy Beat was finally axed when BBC Radio 1 was launched in 1967.
Family Choice (1967–70): BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. Weekday 9–10 a.m. record request show. Gay Byrne was one of its regular presenters.
Family Favourites (1950s–1980): BBC Light Programme, transferring to Radio 1 and Radio 2. A record request show with Michael Aspel linking friends and relatives around the world with their favourite records.
Gardeners’ Question Time (1947–present): BBC Home Service, transferring to Radio 4 in 1967. Broadcast on Sunday afternoons with Franklin Engelmann as the question master and a panel of experts to answer gardening questions put by members of the public.
Have A Go (1946–67): BBC Light Programme. A travelling radio quiz, hosted by Yorkshireman Wilfred Pickles, the first BBC newsreader to speak with a broad Yorkshire accent. Accompanied by his wife Mabel, Wilfred took the programme to church halls all round the country, challenging ordinary people to ‘have a go’ and answer quiz questions for cash prizes. With ‘Mabel at the table’, Wilfred coined several catchphrases, including ‘How do, how are yer?’, ‘Are yer courting?’ to the younger contestants, and ‘Give ’em the money, Mabel!’ when they won, but all contestants were given the money anyway. Harry Hudson was the resident pianist in the early sixties and Eric James took over in 1966. The theme tune was Have a Go, Joe by Jack Jordan.
Housewives’ Choice (1946–67): BBC Light Programme. A popular record request programme for women at home during the day, but it was mainly men that presented the shows, with the most popular presenter probably being George Elrick, known as ‘The Smiling Face of Radio’. He would sign off each show with the words: ‘This is Mrs Elrick’s wee son George saying thanks for your company – and cheerio!’ The signature tune was In Party Mood by Jack Strachey.
The Jimmy Young Show (1967–73): BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2, and Radio 2 (1973–2002). The Jimmy Young Show was on each weekday morning at 10–12 a.m. in the sixties; a show in which Jimmy played records, sang songs, greeted guests and spoke to people on the phone.
Junior Choice (1967–82): BBC Radio 1. A Saturday morning show of children’s record requests first presented by Leslie Crowther. It replaced the old BBC Light Programme’s Children’s Favourites when Radio 1 was launched in 1967. Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart took over in 1968 and was the show’s host until 1980, when Tony Blackburn replaced him. By then the show was seen as somewhat old fashioned and The Tony Blackburn Saturday Show replaced it in 1982.
The Likely Lads (1967–69): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 2 in September 1967. Radio adaptation of the television comedy series created and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes as Terry Collier and Bob Ferris. The sitcom show followed the friendship of two working-class young men in the north-east of England, in the mid-1960s. These episodes were originally made for television in 1964–66.
Midday Spin (1960): BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. On each weekday at 12–1 p.m., various disc jockeys presented the show and played the latest records.
Mrs Dale’s Diary (1948–69): BBC Light Programme, transferring to Radio 2 from 1967. Renamed The Dales in 1962, this was the first post-war daily weekday soap on British radio. It centred on the fictional life of Mrs (Mary) Dale, the wife of a doctor (Jim), and her family life at Virginia Lodge in the fictional London suburb of Parkwood Hill in Middlesex. A new episode was broadcast each weekday afternoon, with a repeat the following morning. Ellis Powell played Mrs Dale up until 1963 when Jessie Matthews replaced her. This was essential comfort listening for kids off school sick.
Music While You Work (1940–67): BBC Light Programme. This half-hour show was broadcast each weekday morning and afternoon. For many years it featured a different live band or orchestra playing a non-stop medley of popular tunes, but pre-recorded material was introduced in 1963. It was one of the programmes that were axed when the old BBC Light Programme ended in 1967 and Radio 1 was launched. Its signature tune was Calling All Workers by Eric Coates.
The Navy Lark (1959–77): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 2 in 1967. One of the longest-running comedy radio shows ever. It was a send-up of the Senior Service (Royal Navy – oldest of the British armed services), and was about life aboard a fictional Royal Navy frigate called HMS Troutbridge. The 1960s cast included Stephen Murray as Lieutenant Murray (Number One), Leslie Phillips as Sub-Lieutenant Phillips, Jon Pertwee as Chief Petty Officer Pertwee and other characters, Richard Caldicott as Commander Povey, Heather Chasen as Wren Chasen and other characters, Ronnie Barker as Un-Able Seaman ‘Fatso’ Johnson and other characters, and Tenniel Evans as Able Seaman Taffy Goldstein and other characters. Laurie Wyman devised the series, and Tommy Reilly and James Moody composed the signature tune, Trade Wind Hornpipe. This show was thirty minutes of essential comedy listening every Sunday – ‘Left hand down a bit!’
Paul Temple (1938–68): BBC Light Programme, transferring to Radio 4 in 1967. Based on the novels by Francis Durbridge, this fictional amateur detective, with the aid of his wife Steve, solved all sorts of crime mysteries. Several actors and actresses have portrayed the Temples over the years, but Peter Coke and Marjorie Westbury played the lead roles in the 1960s. This was another great mystery serial that had children captivated. The theme music, inspired by the rhythm of a train journey, was Coronation Scot by Vivian Ellis.
Pick of the Pops (1955–72): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 1 in 1967. A pop music programme based on the UK top-twenty singles chart. The show’s best-known presenter, Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman, took over from David Jacobs in 1961 and stayed until the programme ended in 1972. The signature tune for the show was At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal by Brian Fahey and his orchestra.
Radio One O’Clock (1967–70): BBC Radio 1. Monday live music show presented by Rick Dane, with Johnny Howard and his band and regular singers Laura Lee, Danny Street and Tony Steven. There was always a guest artist or band.
Record Round Up (1948–68): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 from 1967. Former bandleader turned disc jockey, Jack Jackson, created this unusual pop record show where he interrupted pop records with excerpts from comedy monologues by comedians such as Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart. In the 1960s he recorded the radio shows from his home in Tenerife. His was the first fast-moving zany pop show on British radio, and was said to have inspired later presenters like Kenny Everett.
Round The Horne (1965–68): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 2 in 1967. This comedy show was created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, and was the successor to Beyond Our Ken, which ran from 1958–64. It starred Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick, Bill Pertwee and Douglas Smith. Popular sketches included Fiona and Charles, featuring Marsden and Paddick, and Julian and Sandy, featuring Paddick and Williams as two flamboyantly camp out-of-work actors. The fourth series, in 1968, was the last to be broadcast. A fifth series had been commissioned, but was abandoned after Horne’s unfortunate death from a heart attack in February 1969.
Saturday Club (1958–69): BBC Light Programme, transferring to BBC Radio 1 in 1
967. A live pop music show presented by Brian Matthew every Saturday morning. It was essential listening for kids of all ages – that is if you weren’t at Saturday Morning Pictures. The show included interviews with guest artists and pre-recorded live performances, as well as record requests and new releases. The programme followed on immediately after Children’s Favourites, which meant that lots of young kids also got hooked on the show. Many home-grown pop stars of the day appeared on the show, including The Beatles (they appeared ten times during the early sixties), the Everly Brothers, the Bee Gees, Dusty Springfield, the Searchers, Jimi Hendrix, Manfred Mann, the Small Faces, Cream, The Who and many more. The cheery welcome of Brian Matthew’s ‘Hello my ol’ mateys!’ was a familiar greeting that could be heard in every hairdressers and barbers shop throughout the country each Saturday morning, with hairdressers everywhere reaching to fine-tune their radios for crystal-clear reception. The theme tune was Humphrey Littleton’s Saturday Jump.
