Radio Greats

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Often cited as Mr Lancashire. John Gillmore, better known as Gilly has been one of the counties most recognised faces and voices of the radio industry. From a four decade career which has included stations such as Red Rose, The Bay and BBC Radio Lancashire.

This week Gilly sits down with Luke to share stories about his radio journey, from getting the bug and listening to the launch of BBC Radio Merseyside, to creating adverts for various radio stations and reading out announcements in his job at the local Co-Op. Getting his first gig on Red Rose Radio and hosting shows with the station. Joining the AM Red Rose Gold from its launch and working with some of the finest voices in Radio including Jon Culshaw, John Myers and Bob Stewart. Moving over to the rival station The Bay in 1998, before joining BBC Radio Lancashire in 2005, where he hosted shows for nearly 18 years.

Check out Gilly on Facebook and follow Gilly on X: @Gillylancs

Read this article about Gilly from Lancashire Life

Also listen to Gilly's final show on BBC Radio Lancashire on Aircheck Downloads

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As Downtown Radio celebrate five decades of broadcasting across Northern Ireland, in this weeks episode of Radio Greats - it is the turn of Owen Larkin, who has spent four decades working across stations in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland. From a career on Pirate stations, Local and National Radio, from Stations including Century Radio, LMFM, Citybeat and Classic Hits 4FM.

In this weeks episode, Owen sits down with Luke to share stories of his four decade career, from working on the pirates. Stories include working on stations that include North East Radio, Kiss FM and ERI Cork. Working with some big names, describing studios and falling asleep on air. How he joined Ireland's first National Station Century Radio and worked with some of the biggest names in Broadcasting, leaving to join LMFM before finding work on CityBeat in Belfast and being part of the launch team of Classic Hits 4FM. To finally ending up on Downtown Radio - just in time for the stations 50th Birthday.

Why not listen to Owen on Downtown Radio every weekday between 1 and 4PM.

Also check out some brilliant archives of Owen on the Archives of The Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

Listen also to some archives of Owen presenting shows for KISS FM.

And watch Owen chat to Shane Filan and Louis Walsh on Citybeat here on Youtube.

And listen to Owen present Early Breakfast on Century Radio from September 1989 on Aircheck Downloads.

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From starting her career helping out and assisting presenters on Invicta Radio to winning awards and presenting shows across America - Caroline Feraday radio career has taken her full circle, from working on stations including Capital Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio London and KCLU-FM, where she has won countless awards.

In this weeks edition, Caroline sits down with Luke to share her radio journey, from an emotional time at school and becoming fascinated with the radio, to a journey that began at both BBC Radio Kent and Invicta. Joining Capital Radio in London, initially as the Flying Eye Presenter, before landing her own show and becoming the stations youngest DJ. Moving into speech radio with BBC Radio 5 Live, before leaving to go to LBC. Returning to BBC Local Radio, before moving out to the USA and presenting shows for  KCLU-FM and winning countless awards.

You can find out more about Caroline, by visiting her website.

Also follow Caroline on Instagram @caroline_feraday.

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Probably one of the South's most recognised radio names, Alex Dyke is probably best known for hosting the successful phone in show on Isle of Wight Radio for over 18 years, but he has also presented shows on stations including Radio Luxembourg, The Gold AM, BBC Radio Solent and Wave 105.

In this weeks edition, Alex sits down with Luke to chat about his radio career. Some of the stories include listening to Fluff Freeman countdown the charts on Radio 1 and Djing at the local youth club, getting talked down by the careers officer, before starting out with work on Radio Victory and Radio Solent. Working as head of commercials for Radio Luxembourg, producing demo's for the sales team and presenting shows from London. Joining the Gold AM whilst trying out for Radio 1 and Capital Radio and loving every minute of it. Moving over to Isle of Wight Radio and presenting the mid morning phone in show for over 18 years, giving opinions and challenging callers. Interviewing Simon Dee and what producing his show. Joining BBC Radio Solent after presenting a stint out in America, presenting the late show across the whole of The BBC South Network and presenting podcasts. Presenting shows for Wave 105, before moving into the world of freelance.

Check out Alex's Facebook page here

And follow Alex on X here @ALEXDYKE1

Check out Alex at Aircheck Downloads

And also check out Alex's youtube page Alex Dyke: My Life On VHS

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Often cited as one of the North East's most influential people. Graham Robb has been a successful entrepreneur and political campaigner for over three decades. However prior to his success in business and politics, Graham was a successful radio presenter in the North East of England - hosting shows on Radio Tees, BBC Radio Cleveland and Century Radio.

In this weeks edition, Graham sits down with Luke to talk about his career in radio, from getting the bug and listening to Radio Tees from the launch and becoming enthused by the world of radio. How he joined the station at 16 and was one of the countries youngest radio presenters. How he overcame a dilemma with his driving test and a backup show. Presenting the late show on the station and how an interview with then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher lead to him embarking on a political journey. How he joined BBC Radio Cleveland, and presented shows on the network - before joining the launch team of Century, before leaving the world of radio behind to focus on his business and political career.

Check out Graham's business here Recognition PR

Also check out this interview Graham gave to The Northern Echo 

We would like to extend a thank you to John Foster and the Team at Aircheck Downloads for the use of content that was featured in this episode. This episode is also dedicated to Stu White, who has been an avid follower of the series since it began.

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Often dubbed as "one of the most familiar faces and voices in Irish broadcasting", Dave Fanning has enjoyed a stellar career for over the past four decades. Having cut his teeth on Pirate Radio, he went onto achieve a career hosting shows on RTÉ 2fm, Virgin 1215 and RTÉ Gold.

In this episode, Dave tells Luke about his life from getting the bug for Radio and tuning into stations such as Radio Luxembourg, Radio Caroline and BBC Radio 1. How writing for a Magazine lead to a presenting job on Pirate Radio in Ireland and presenting shows for Radio Dublin and Big D. How during his time with the Pirates, he discovered a little unknown band called U2. Joining RTÉ Radio 2 from its launch in May 1979 and hosting the The Fanning Sessions. Introducing Ireland to bands like The Cranberries. How he made a condition with Richard Branson about joining Virgin 1215 and how he was not tempted by a career in the UK. Presenting shows for RTÉ Radio 1 and moving over to RTÉ Gold.  

Listen to Dave every weekday evening on RTÉ Gold

Also check out some of the Fanning Sessions on Mixcloud including this interview with Phil Chevron.

And follow Dave on Instagram and on X.

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If you grew up loving local radio in the 1980's and 1990's and were crazy for radio jingles then you may be familiar with the legendary sound of Alfasound. But a lot of those sounds were created by one man who is an encyclopaedia of radio - and that man is Steve England. 

In this episode, Steve sits down with Luke to share stories of growing up in an entertainment family. Listening to the pirates at his home in Kent and going out to work for Radio Caroline and Radio Atlantis. Returning to the UK and joining Piccadilly Radio, and working in production and getting a first taste of jingle producing - the dream and delight of going out to America to visit and see how JAM Jingles were created. Starting up Alfasound, before producing jingles under his name in 2000. What starting a community radio station was like and how he returned to the airwaves with Boom Radio.

You can find out more about Steve by visiting his official website here.

Also you can find Steve presenting Friday evenings on Boom Radio.

Discover more about Steve, including several recordings and a biography here on the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame.

Also listen to these amazing Piccadilly jingles from Radio Jingles Online.

And listen to these jingles and airchecks from Aircheck Downloads: Both Steve England and Alfasound.

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Having begun her career with The Paper Dolls, Susie Mathis fell into the world of radio by pure accident. Having started off as one of Phil Wood's Angels. She went onto achieve a career on Piccadilly Radio, becoming one of the first females to host a Daily programme on Independent radio and also one of the first females to be in recipient of a Sony Radio Award.

In this weeks edition, Susie sits down with Luke to share her radio memories, how she fell into the industry and how she took to it like a pro. How she always stood up for Manchester and got heavily involved in charity activities. How she moved over to BBC Radio Manchester, and presented shows on Radio 2 and had a stint on Top of the Pops. Presenting shows on Lite AM and returning to radio to host a Saturday Breakfast Show on Boom Radio.

You can find out more about Susie by visiting her website

Also you can listen to Susie every Saturday morning on Boom Radio

Also listen to Susie present her Boom Radio show on Aircheck Downloads

And follow Susie on Instagram

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He is one of Ireland's most established and well recognised personalities, having presented Dempsey's Den on RTÉ and created the famous Zig and Zag. This weeks guest is none other than Ian Dempsey.

As Ireland celebrates 100 years of the radio, Ian sits down with Luke to share his stories of radio in the Emerald Isles. From listening to Radio Luxembourg and BBC Radio 1, to working in Pirate radio. Joining RTÉ Radio 2, and becoming the stations youngest voice. Presenting a variety of shows before taking over the Breakfast Show for nearly 10 years. Moving over to Today FM, and presenting Breakfast for 27 years, interviewing celebrities and bringing on successful features including Gift Grub. And what it is like to have the Number 1 show on a commercial radio station in Ireland.

You can listen to Ian every Weekday Morning on Today FM

Also check out Ian's page on the Irish Pirate Radio Archives

And have a listen to some of Ian's Airchecks at Radio 2 on Aircheck Downloads

Also don't forget to follow Ian on Instagram.

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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.