Radio Greats

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He was part of the Pirate Revolution in Ireland, was controller of RTÉ 2fm and a career that's longer than the Beatles but shorter than Rolling Stones, but who is the real John Clarke?

Well he joins us on this weeks edition to talk about his radio career, which includes stories of getting the bug and working in Pirate Radio, before joining Chris Cary to work on Radio Nova and KISS FM, how after three tries to secure a place, he landed a job with RTÉ 2fm and how he got into trouble on his first show. How he became a producer with the Network and produced the 2fm Breakfast Show for 10 years. What the feeling was like when he became programme controller for the network and what the challenges were and his proudest moment. Right through to what current radio projects he has under his belt.

Why not listen to John on Kiss FM, by visiting his archive page at the Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archives.

Also listen to John present on Radio 2 from July 1986 here on Mixcloud.

And listen to John present shows on Hits Radio Ireland.

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Often dubbed the King of Hollywood on UK TV, Ross King has often been seen on our screens every morning covering news from America, but before he went Stateside, he was in our ears on the radio, hosting shows on stations that include Radio Clyde, Capital Radio and the old BBC Radio 5.

This week Ross joins Luke to share stories of his time in radio, from his early start in Hospital Radio in Glasgow and listening to Radio Clyde. How he gave up on his ambitions to become a footballer and began helping out on shows on Radio Clyde as the Saturday Boy. Getting that first show on the station and becoming one of the youngest radio presenters in the country. Being part of the playlist committee and how using the Swimming Pool during one show lead to Dead Air. Working with Richard Park, Tiger Tim and Paul Cooney. How he turned down a job at BBC Radio 1, feeling he wasn't ready. Moving down to London to join Capital Radio, before moving over to BBC Radio 5 on its launch and presenting sports show and being part of Radio 5's Olympic Coverage. Moving out to America, but continuing to associate himself with Radio presenting on Talkradio and even co-hosting a show with the Legend Rick Dees.

Find out more about Ross, by visiting his website rossking.com 

Also follow Ross on Instagram and on X too.

And listen to Ross presenting Radio Clyde's Alright, All Night from October 1987 here. (courtesy of Old Radio Recordings on Mixcloud)

We would like to extend aditional thanks to Radio Moments, Aircheck Downloads and Andy Walmsley for the additional content that was used in this edition.

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If you grew up listening to BFBS or were familiar with the various stations, then you would have most likely remember listening to Richard Astbury - who worked for the Forces Network for over 40 years. During his time with the network, he hosted a variety of shows including Pop Around Europe and covered the Eurovision Song Contest for BFBS listeners. He introduced bands like ABBA on stage in Germany and interviewed people from Elton John to Prince Philip.

Why not have a listen to this weeks edition and hear Richard share memories of his career on BFBS and Riviera Radio.

Find out more about Richard by visiting his website right here.

Also listen to Richard host Pop Around Europe on Youtube.

And listen to Richard close down BFBS Malta on March 31 1979 here at The Shortwave Radio Archive.

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Jonathan Gold has spent over three decades in the radio industry and has worked in almost every field in the radio industry, from tech-oping, producing, presenting and running several stations across the country. Some of those stations include MFM, SGR Radio, The Bay, Juice FM and Pennine FM.

In this weeks edition, Jono sits down with Luke and shares stories about his life and career on the radio. These include getting the bug and being inspired by listening to the test transmissions on Viking Radio, before landing work with Hospital Radio. Joining Radio Aire and Magic as a tech op, before presenting shows with the RSL - Energy Radio in Wakefield. Getting his first radio show on MFM, before moving around the country and why he never applied for Capital. Moving into a creative role as a producer with GWR and joining Juice FM in Liverpool. Presenting the last show on Pennine FM and then moving over to Ireland to join Red FM in Cork, before heading up to Northern Ireland and the Radio life he has led since moving back to the UK.

Why not check out more about Jono by visiting his website here.

Also why not give Jono a follow on Instagram @jonathan_goldfm.

And listen to some of Jono's airchecks and shows on Soundcloud.

We would like to extend additional thanks to Aircheck Downloads and Radio Jingles Online for the use of additional content that was used in this edition.

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Having spent four decades on radio across Scotland - Ally Bally joined Radio Tay from its launch back in 1980, and then worked his way from the production offices right through into the presentation team, hosting a variety of shows including Breakfast, Mid Mornings and Tay Talk-In.

In this weeks edition of Radio Greats, Ally sits down with Luke to reflect on his 40 year stint with the station, from how he got the bug for radio, before he left his career as a manager at B&Q to join Radio Tay as part of the sales team. What the feeling was like when he was offered his first programme and then taking over Breakfast from Mark Goodier. Presenting shows for the station and one of his memorable moments hosting Tay Talk-In. Taking over as manager of the North Scottish stations and why after 40 years with a station he had been with since it launched, it was time to move on.

Listen to these old Radio Tay Jingles on Youtube (courtesy of  djbigpete - Ally's name Jingle is around 1:21 minutes)

Also listen to Ally on Tay Talk-In from August 2011 on Youtube (courtesey of Fraser Macpherson)

The Opening of Radio Tay can be found on the Lost Dundee Facebook page

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From producing shows, to creating the sound of stations, to remixing and presenting Alternative sounds Eddy Temple-Morris is definitely someone who should be regarded as a Radio Great. Having started out in the music industry, his radio career began on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester, before he went down to London and began a established career with Radio 1, XFM and Virgin Radio.

In this weeks edition, Eddy sits down with Luke to share his stories of the radio industry. From growing up in a political household, to writing songs and playing music, before he landed his first radio job on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester. How he applied for the role of Senior producer with BBC Radio 1 and how he was responsible for changing the station sound and selecting songs for the Playlist. How he was inspired by Z100 to create the Radio 1 sound and how he piloted for a show with the network. How after a career on MTV, he joined XFM and established The Remix. Introducing us to the likes of Kasabian and others. What the real reason was behind his departure from XFM and what it was like to join the new Virgin Radio.

Why not check out Eddy on his own website at eddytm.com

And why not follow Eddy on Instagram @eddytemplemorris

Also check out Jameshyman on Mixcloud who has archived many of Eddy's XFM show The Remix

Also why not listen to this Aircheck from one of Eddy's XFM Shows from Aircheck Downloads (Broadcast Date April 4 2000)

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Steve Jenner is someone who had a dream, he always wanted to work in radio and never let that dream fade away. After many years of Sally licences and RSL's, in 2003 he made that dream happen when he and his brother launched High Peak Radio. Since then he went onto co-write a successful book Broadcast Brothers on the Radio and has gone onto present shows for Radio Caroline and Rockin' 247.

In this week's edition, Steve sits down and chats with Luke about his journey through radio. How he got the bug for the industry and how he missed the chance to present shows on Radio Trent. How he joined pirate stations around the East Midlands and the feeling of having your licence rejected felt like. What the launch of High Peak Radio was like and the launch of Ashbourne Radio and how he achieved the dream of presenting shows in America.

Discover more about Steve, by visiting his LV18 page.

And why not buy a copy of Broadcast Brothers: On the Radio of Amazon.

And check out Steve on Rockin 247

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She turned down a job at Leicester Sound to go to University in Nottingham, but from then on Amy Voce went onto achieve a successful career in radio across the Midlands with Century 106, Heart 106 and GEM alongside her partner in crime Sam Pinkham. Winning awards and hosting the successful Sam and Amy Breakfast Show for 11 years across the East Midlands.

In this weeks edition, Amy sits down with Luke to share stories about her radio career, which involved getting the bug for the industry and starting work with Leicester Sound before moving to Nottingham for University and joining Century 106. How the Sam and Amy partnership was formed and what the feeling was like taking over breakfast. Winning awards for their Breakfast show when they were at GEM and doing cover shows for BBC Radio 2 and Magic 105.4. What going national was like when they took over Breakfast on Virgin Radio, before going their separate ways and hosting solo shows and what life is like now away from the mic.

You can listen to Sam and Amy's announce they are leaving GEM here on Audioboom (courtesy of Radio Moments)

And listen to this Sam and Amy aircheck from one of their cover shows on Radio 2 here on Aircheck Downloads

Also have a listen to a collection of Amy's airchecks from Virgin Radio on Aircheck Downloads

Don't forget to check out and follow Amy on Instagram at @amy_voce

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If you regularly watch and listen to BBC News, then today's guest needs no introduction. Peter Bowes is currently the BBC's North American Correspondent and has reported on many high profile events, but prior to his career state side, he enjoyed a career on the radio, presenting shows and reading the news for Radio Tees and Piccadilly, before heading down to London to join the BBC and reading the news on Radio 1's Newsbeat.

 In this weeks edition, Peter sits down with Luke to share his journey through the radio. How he developed a bug from listening to BBC Radio 2 and gaining work experience at Metro Radio. How one of of his first reports was actually on Radio 1's Studio B15 reporting on Pirate radio. Joining Radio Tees and describing what the atmosphere was like reporting on picket lines, reporting stories and presenting shows. Moving down to Piccadilly Radio, before getting the call to join the BBC, first with Radio 4, before moving over to Newsbeat on Radio 1. Reading the news on several shows and getting the dream of teasing the Golden Hour on Simon Bates' Mid Morning Show. How the opportunity to read the news on Steve Wright's Breakfast Show came about and what working with Steve was like, before moving out to America to report on various stories.

Check out Peter's about me page here.

And why not listen to Peter talk to Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 here. 

And Don't forget to follow Peter on both Instagram and on X.

We would like to extend addition thank you's to Peter, John Foster and the team at Aircheck Downloads for the use of content that was used in this week's episode.

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Just after he turned 20, Simon Davies became the new host of BRMB's Breakfast Show, succeeding the legend Les Ross. It was seen as a bold move by the station at the time, but what is his radio story?

Well on this weeks edition - Simon sits down with Luke to chat about the 13 year career he had in radio, with aspirations of becoming a TV Cameraman he then settled on a career in radio, joining Marcher Sound and presenting and tech-oping shows which included Scott Shannon's Calling America. There is also the story of how he turned down a show on Radio Tees to take over hosting Breakfast on BRMB, how and why the Breakfast show didn't work out, moving to Drivetime and Evening on the station, before leaving in 1995 to join Radio City in Liverpool and why after 13 years in the industry, he decided to hang up his headphones in full time radio.

Since leaving Radio - Simon now runs a Web Design Business called Roodee Web Design which you can find out more here.

Also check out these Airchecks of Simon at Aircheck Downloads.

And listen to these cracking Simon Davies BRMB Jingles on Soundcloud.