Radio Moments - Conversations

No station will ever rule as BBC Radio 1 did through the 70s, 80s and into the 90s. Despite being, for decades, on AM only, the Corporation’s reluctant pop channel soared to victory in those halcyon red, white and blue days under its Controller Johnny Beerling. Few presenters of that era failed to send a tape in to Johnny in the hope of a plum gig. 

In this episode of ‘Conversations’ from #RadioMoments, Johnny tells of Radio 1's first day; his early days in overseas radio; and his tentative steps as a Technical Operator, rising to control the Nation’s biggest radio station. He tells of his appointments and his firings, his hopes and his low moments.

In his own words, recorded in his sunny, windy North Yorkshire garden, this is Johnny’s story.

Read more in Johnny's book, 'Inside Radio 1', available at http://www.johnnybeerling.co.uk/

There is only one Steve Allen. This irreplaceable talent has entertained on LBC since the late seventies, and his distinctive act has become part of the UK’s rich radio tapestry. In this hour, hear Steve speak openly about his early days and emotionally about his time at the United Biscuits Network. He tells too of LBC’s early life and about listener response through the changing years. 

Fresh from being honoured with the Arqiva Gold Award for his services to commercial radio, this is Steve’s story – in his own words.

This is another episode of the Conversations series. Hear more from 'those who made a difference' at https://audioboom.com/playlists/1307245-conversations

Fascinated by the new local commercial station in his home town of Bradford in the ‘70s, Roger was eager to play his part in that young Pennine Radio. The BBC then swiftly called, taking him first to Lincolnshire and then to BBC Radio Northampton, where his voice delivered the station’s first news bulletin.

In this edition of ‘Conversations’, Roger Mosey tells of his rise through the BBC ranks, from Editorship of PM and Today through to heading BBC 5 Live, running the highly-regarded Olympics coverage and taking his place around the BBC top table in what turned out to be its most challenging spell.

Speaking from his new home, as the Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, this is the Roger Mosey story - in his own words.

Roger’s book ‘Getting Out Alive’ is an insightful read - and available now, published by Biteback.

An hour of insight into the life of a man who’s been involved in creating radio for around half the medium’s popular life. 

Tim Blackmore joined the BBC as an eager tech-op in 1962, when he recalls recording on shellac disc rather than tape machine.

In the producer role, he helped to launch Tony Blackburn’s breakfast show, as the BBC reluctantly carved out Radio 1 and 2, going on to produce a generation of big names at Radio 1. He reflects on the crazy 60s days – and opens up about his later challenges in programme production and management. He offers his personal impressions of Everett; and tells of his fondness for the presenter he managed for decades – Alan Freeman.

Tim tells of life as one of Capital Radio’s earliest Heads of Programmes; and as a successful independent producer.

He’s a man who loves the music on which radio depends. He helped the radio and music industry forge a closer relationship; created the seminal series ‘The Story of Pop’; and launched the Radio Academy as its first Director.

In his own words, this is the Tim Blackmore story.

He was one of a small breed of football commentators who came to define the commercial radio approach to football coverage in the UK. Partisan, passionate – and hard-working. His commitment to the industry – and to the City of Birmingham – has now lasted thirty five years. 

Here, he speaks of his early days at a young BBC Birmingham through to learning his trade at BRMB - and arguing the toss with his incoming boss, Richard Park. He relates stories of the great times, tells of his personal struggles and shares the raw conviction of his radio philosophy.

This is more than just a tale of a sports broadcaster, it is the inspiring story of local boy done good. “People like us don’t have cars”.

In his own words, this is the Tom Ross story.

Tom's book is now out - and a compelling read. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Games-Gone-Autobiography-Tom-Ross/dp/1780915292

(This edition of Conversations draws largely on material originally produced by David 'Salty' Salt.)

To broadcast across the UK on BBC Radio 1 and 2 simultaneously on medium wave, long wave and FM - at a time when commercial radio was barely underway - generated huge audiences for the affable David Hamilton. In this hour-long edition of ‘Conversations’, David tells of his early break on Forces radio overseas and his days at the Light Programme through to the giddy days on Radio 1 and a reluctant move to Radio 2. There are stories galore too from into his time in commercial radio – and his current work on ‘The Wireless’ from Age UK. 

In his own words, the words of a hard-working true veteran, this is the David Hamilton story.

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

Few individuals can lay claim to having been present at the birth of UK commercial radio, and also being there at the launch of Hallam, Mercia and in the early throes of Viking. Ian Rufus was.

In this edition of the Radiomoments ‘Conversations’ series, Ian reflects honestly on his decades in the business. He tells of LBC’s troubled first year, its industrial strife and its journalists going unpaid – and his time at the helm as the earliest commercial radio mergers were staged. He tells of insider share dealing, regulatory obstinacy – the birth of the network chart show - and his proudest moments.

In his own words, from his redundancy from press - to his spell at the helm of one of the UK’s biggest radio groups, this is the Ian Rufus story. Ian died in May 2016.

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