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55 Years ago this week, a young energetic hospital radio presenter walked into a BBC Studio in Rochester and began his first ever show on BBC Radio Medway. His name is Colin Slade, and from then on he went onto achieve a career on radio stations across the country including Radio Hallam, Fortune 1458, Gemini AM and Radio Exe.

In this weeks edition, Colin sits down with Luke to share stories of those 55 years - from joining Radio Medway and interviewing the likes of Chicory Tip, Queen and David Frost and how he was turned down multiple times for both Radio 1 and 2. How he met Keith Skues and Johnny Moran and joined the launch team of Radio Hallam. Interviewing some high profile people, including Dame Edna and lending equipment to Def Leopard. Working on stations across Yorkshire and Manchester, before moving down to Devon to join Gemini AM, being part of the launch team on Exeter FM, before returning to Radio Exe after a period in politics.

You can listen to Colin every Sunday Evening on Radio Exe

Also listen to the opening of Radio Hallam on Radio Moments

Listen to Colin present on Fortune 1458

And hear this Aircheck from 1997 on Gemini AM on Aircheck Downloads

Also listening to Colin celebrate 50 years of his radio life here: https://www.mixcloud.com/andy-walmsley2/colin-slade-50-years-on-the-radio/

We would also like to extend additional thanks to both Paul Bromley and Dave Nightingale for supplying content that was used in this edition of Radio Greats.

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His voice is so recognisable at both Breakfast and at Night time,  but in a career that has spanned over four decades, Nigel Williams is no stranger to radio, having enjoyed a career on stations including County Sounds, Radio City, Chiltern, Virgin 1215 and London's Heart 106.2, he now hosts Breakfast on Jazz FM.

In this weeks edition, Nigel sits down with Luke to talk about his radio career. From getting the bug for radio and being inspired by Capital Radio. Joining the launch team for County Sound and seeing the rise of some of the eighties biggest acts. Moving up to Liverpool to join Radio City, how giving a tour lead to a job at Chiltern. Taking on his first management role with The Superstation, joining Virgin 1215 and becoming a Rock presenter. How he moved over to Heart 106.2 and became a fixture with the Late Night Show for nearly a decade, before going freelance and how he got the Breakfast job on Jazz FM.

You can find out more about Nigel by visiting his website here: https://www.njwilliams.com/

Also follow Nigel on Instagram: @jazzfmnigel

And on X: @lovenigel

Also check out Nigel Williams at Aircheck Downloads 

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Whether you know him as Le Président or Boscoe or even Michael Joseph Pasternak. For the last six decades, Emperor Rosko has brought spontaneous energy to radio station across the globe. From beginning his life in the United States - he went onto achieve a career on stations from Radio Caroline, Radio Luxembourg, Radio Monte-Carlo and achieved National stardom on BBC Radio 1. 

In the first episode of this final series, Rosko sits down with Luke to talk about his life on the radio, from developing the bug whilst his Dad was producing films, to joining radio station in the American forces. Before acquiring his licence to work on radio stations, broadcasting in French on Radio Monte Carlo and Radio Luxembourg and getting fired for playing Dancing in the Street during the Student riots. Joining Radio Caroline and how Derek Chinnery recommended him for Radio 1. Becoming a national name with the station and why after nearly 10 years he decided to head back to the states.

You can find out more about Rosko by visiting his website here: https://www.emperorrosko.net/

Also you can hear airchecks and shows of Rosko on both Radio Rewind, a site dedicated to Radio 1 material: https://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio1/rosko_page.htm

And the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame: https://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/djsq2r.htm

Plus a collection of Airchecks at Aircheck Downloads: https://aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=rosko&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC

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Diana Luke hailed from Canada and started her radio journey as a Guest on Radio Hallam, before she landed a gig as the Late Night Host on Viking FM, from there she forged a career on stations that included The Superstation, Jazz FM, BBC GLR and Boom Radio.

In the last in this series of Radio Greats, Diana sits down with Luke to share stories of how her love for Radio began and how a round table discussion on Hallam lead to a career on Viking FM. How she dealt with being a late night presenter on the station and dealing with a stalker. Moving down south to join The Superstation and what it was like to launch Jazz FM. Working for BBC GLR before working for VIVA, BBC Local Radio and Real Radio and how David Lloyd invited her to join Boom Radio.

You can find out more about Diana by visiting her website here https://www.dianaluke.org/

Also Listen to Diana on Boom Radio every weeknight Monday-Thursday here https://www.boomradiouk.com/diana-luke/

Thank you to Aircheck Downloads and Andy Warmsley for the use of content.

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For nearly four decades, Steve Randall has worked on stations around the country - from a career on stations that included Metro Radio, TFM, Fox FM, Power FM, Ocean FM, The Breeze and Spire FM, he now hosts the podcast series Radio Creators.

In this weeks edition of Radio Greats - Steve sits down with Luke to share stories about his life on the radio, from getting the bug for radio and volunteering at Radio Cherwell, before sending demos off to every station in the country. How he joined Metro Radio after initially turning it down, enjoying nearly a decade in the North of England on both Metro and TFM. Turning down a job at Invicta, before moving South to join Fox FM and then later to Power FM. Working in Radio Management on Andover Sound and The Breeze, before leaving for Jack FM. Working on Spire FM before it became GHR Salisbury and how the idea of Radio Creators came about.

You can listen to Radio Creators right here https://radiocreators.com/

And Follow Steve on X here @steverandallUK

Thank you to Steve and Aircheck Downloads for the use of Content.

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For five decades - Steve Jones has enjoyed a National portfolio in both television and radio. Having Presented the successful "Pyramid Game" on ITV, he has enjoyed a radio career from BBC Radio 1 and 2, Radio Clyde, LBC and Talksport.

In this weeks edition of Radio Greats, Steve sits down with Luke to talk about his five decade career on the radio, from a career in music, before landing a job at BBC Radio 1. How he got rejected from Capital, but went onto be a launch presenter for Radio Clyde, and how he worked with the likes of Richard Park and Donald Dewar, moving down to London to join Radio 2 and fronting Early Breakfast and covering the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, before embarking on a TV career with The Pyramid Game and joining LBC and Talksport.

A Big Thanks to Andy Walmsley, Robin Carmody, Fred Bunzl, Radio Rewind and Aircheck Downloads for the use of content.

You can watch Steve in preparation for Radio Clyde's launch here https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/T0158/74958728?fbclid=IwY2xjawL0qhNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBPZVVtWFhKY3FSZERERm5yAR4JZM6bSk8BToukcBzz0kwhBuw5puiYmalvNWlQbCC2C-r9JspAd_sb8lc-GQ_aem_DAD-9p_PLl5g0enqn--SnA

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Howard Pressman has been one of South Yorkshire most recognisable presenters for nearly four decades in the world of Radio, having presented shows on Hallam FM, Magic AM and a near 20 year career on BBC Radio Sheffield. More recently he has been presenting Sunday Mornings on Radio Essentials Sheffield.

In this weeks edition, Howard reflects back on his four decade career from getting the bug at a young age, before getting the job on Radio Hallam and presenting shows including Breakfast and Drivetime, briefly moving up to York to join Minster FM, before returning back to Sheffield to present Breakfast on Magic AM. Leaving commercial radio and entering the BBC with Radio Sheffield. How it felt after nearly 20 years to leave the station and what was going through is mind during that last link, before taking a year off and joining Radio Essentials Sheffield.

Howard currently presents Sunday Mornings on Radio Essentials Sheffield and South Yorkshire where you can listen to him here https://www.radioessentials.co.uk/on-air/howie-on-the-radio/

Listen to Howard's final link from Radio Sheffield on Aircheck Downloads right here https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/uk-airchecks/bbc-radio-sheffield/2020s/howard-pressman-nov-3rd-2023-132

Thank you also to aircheck downloads for the use of content.

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You may have heard his voice on commercials and introducing television programmes - but before he began his career as a Television Announcer and voice artist, Graham Bannerman began his career in radio, having presented shows on stations that included Radio Orwell in Ipswich and Essex Radio. He also achieved National recognition, presenting show for BBC Radio 1 for a six month period.

In this weeks edition of Radio Greats, Graham sits down with Luke to share his Radio journey - which involves listening to Radio Luxembourg and Noel Edmonds on Radio 1, to joining Radio Orwell and working his way from the production side into presenting. How he got the gig on Radio 1, and presented the first show from Egdon House, before moving onto a career on Essex Radio and voice imaging and setting up his own company.

You can check out Graham's website here https://grahambannerman.com/

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After winning a contest to be a Radio DJ on BRMB back in 1993, Toni McDonald has gone onto achieve a career in radio across the Midlands and the South of England in both presentation and production - working for stations including Southern FM, Heart 107, Severn Sound and BBC Local Radio.

In this weeks edition, Toni sits down with Luke to share stories from her three decade journey in the radio world, from getting work at BRMB, to working in research for both Capital and Chrysilis, presenting shows on Southern and and Severn Sound and how she went from Broadcast Assistant to presenting shows across the BBC in Staffordshire, Shropshire and Hereford and Worcester.

Big Thanks to Toni and Aircheck Downloads for the use of content.

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Having enjoyed half a century in Radio across Ireland and the UK, Declan Meehan has earned the title of a Radio Great, from a career in both Pirate Radio, National Radio and Local Radio he has worked on some flagship stations including RTE 2FM, Capital Radio and East Coast FM, where he has hosted the Mid-Morning show for 31 years.

In this weeks edition of Radio Greats, Declan sits down with Luke to share his radio journey, from getting the bug listening to Radio Caroline, BBC Light Programme and Radio Luxembourg - to joining the Pirates with stations including Radio Vanessa and Big D, to joining the national broadcaster RTÉ and being part of the launch of RTÉ Radio 2 and how Breakfast was not all how it was. Returning to the Pirates with Sunshine and Radio Nova, before moving to the UK to join Capital Radio. Turning down a return to RTÉ to join the rival Century Radio and how he's stayed on East Coast FM for the last 31 years.

Big Thanks to Radio Jingles, RTÉ Archives, Aircheck Downloads and the Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archives for the use of content in this episode.