Radio Moments - Conversations

She was the first female programme controller of a commercial radio station, launching Radio City in her home town of Liverpool in 1974.

In this hour of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations‘, Gillian Reynolds tells of those pioneering days. Hear too of the radio listening which accompanied her youth and helped to form her views of what makes great radio. Those views have been expressed eloquently and with good humour in her role as radio correspondent, initially in 67 for the Guardian, and in later years for decades in the Telegraph.

In her own words, this is the Gillian Reynolds story.

(Pic thanks to the Brian Jones Radio City tribute website http://www.citygold.me.uk)

Few presenters manage to pull off both radio and TV. Peter Levy has.

In this hour of ‘Conversations’, he tells of his early radio days, soaking up the heady atmosphere at a young Radio City and the launch days of Pennine in Bradford and Radio Aire in Leeds. Enjoy the tales of his cautious early steps into BBC local radio, and find out exactly why he was first chosen to deliver a TV news bulletin, before becoming part of life in East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire now with the daily Look North programmes.

Peter tells too of visionary leadership; the challenges of mastering both media; and the importance of devoting time to appointing and coaching tomorrow's talent.

In his own words, this is the Peter Levy story.

The heady Blur/Oasis days of the 90s should have been a perfect time to be running a station for passionate young music fans across the UK. It turned out to be altogether more complex, however, for Radio 1, as its new Controller grasped the challenge of returning this huge station to its roots. 

Whilst that spell often serves to define Matthew Bannister, this sixty minute #RadioMoments ‘Conversations’ sheds a broader light on his other achievements. Hear of Matthew's formative years in BBC local radio; the re-formating of BBC London; his talent discoveries; the strategic work which helped to pave the way for a more aligned set of radio services; and why he didn’t really want to be DG.

Working now again at the coal face, witness too the clear passion with which he attacks his current on-air commitments.

In his own words at last - this is the Matthew Bannister story.

Chris Carnegy persuaded his way into Portsmouth’s Radio Victory as a student, little knowing he’d witness the sudden end of its life, as its franchise became the first to be whisked away by the regulator. 

He later emerged as a leading light in its replacement, Ocean Sound. Having established the successful Spire FM in Salisbury and playing a key role in the Local Radio Company, Chris acquired the reputation as a much-admired individual who knew the secrets of running great local radio businesses with high quality programming at the right cost.

In this hour of ‘Conversations’, Chris tells proudly of his successes; honestly of his frustrations; and shares insight into his more recent projects at the BBC and beyond. In his own words, this is the Chris Carnegy story.

In the Midlands – and beyond, a welcome from every music radio station has been extended for decades to Bob Hermon, a record plugger with an enviable reputation - and a mantelpiece full of much-deserved awards. 

Bob moved quietly into the music industry as commercial radio began, moving the ranks in a fast-changing world at CBS and Sony, before rolling as an independent more recently. He is well-known as both servant and true friend to the music and radio industries for his knowledge, understanding, honesty and efficiency. In this edition of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Bob tells of the radio industry he’s witnessed through the years and relates tales of artists he’s helped deliver to BBC and commercial stations for over forty changing years.

In his own words, this is the Bob Hermon story.

She owned one of Radio 4’s most quietly recognisable voices. As she gulped an emotional farewell at the end of her late night announcing shift in 2012, Alice Arnold walked off into another chapter. 

In this edition of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Alice recalls her roots on stage, her love of radio drama and her voyage through decades at Radio 4, as continuity announcer, newsreader on the flagship news shows, and, of course, immaculate presenter of the Shipping Forecast. In this hour, she shares her secrets of delivery; and volunteers rich stories of those BBC characters who influenced her along the way.

In her own words, this is the Alice Arnold story.

See the whole Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

Podcast the series here.

Renowned for his spell on-air and at the helm of Radio Luxembourg in its final powerful era, this is the story of a man who built his early reputation as a performer - and at the decks in the dance halls - before climbing the rope ladder to his first radio shows on board Radio Caroline. In this hour of #RadioMoments ‘Conversations’, he tells of his love for music; his enthusiasm for the art of the ‘disc jockey; the loss of Elvis; his challenges as a programmer; and his hunger now still to achieve yet more. 

In his own words, this is the story of your 'Royal Ruler', Tony Prince.