Radio Moments - Conversations

By David LloydSociety & Culture Arts Performing Arts

Radio Moments - Conversations episodes

July 21, 2019 86: David Arnold - composer and conductor
He emerged from modest roots and being a jobbing musician to become the brains and inspiration behind some of the UK’s most familiar media anthems.

In this hour of ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ David Arnold tells of his childhood hopes and dreams when he began to appreciate and study music – and about the surprise and chance of his early opportunities. As a composer, conductor, arranger and producer, he shares the story of pitching for the first Essex Radio jingle package and how it opened the door to providing station jingle packages for many of the early commercial radio stations and, for a while, the majority of BBC local radio work. He gives insight too into US jingle production, with the singers whose voices became so familiar on stations around the world He opens the lid on the thinking behind TV news themes, sig tunes such as Big Breakfast and Live and Kicking – and of his proud enduring work for Classic FM.

He tells too of intriguing jingle briefs - and about how the creative work of a composer can sometimes sit uneasily alongside the suited world of those who pay the bills.

In his own words, this is the David Arnold story.

Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the podcast for this ongoing series.

Theme music for this podcast by Larry Bryant, illustrative music within from David Arnold.
53 min
June 25, 2019 85: John Revell - Producer, presenter and executive, Virgin, Radio 1.
He was the programmer, producer and radio executive who began peering through the studio window at Radio Top Shop - and ended up programming the first national pop/rock station in the UK and witnessing the rise and challenges of Chris Evans first-hand.

In this hour of Radio Moments Conversations, John Revell tells of his radio life. He shares stories from the launch of the BBC’s pioneering days at GLR in London; and working on the Super Station which brought the UK its first major taste of daily networking. John opens up about being the first programmer proper wrestling with the launch of the original Virgin Radio; and his encounters with some of the UK’s biggest stars in the early days of their radio careers.

'Johnny Boy' shares the story of his transfer to a cautious Radio 1 to produce the new breakfast show with Chris Evans; and its untimely end; before helping to pull off the deal to snatch Virgin from Capital’s hands as it’s acquired by Ginger. Then - as Virgin changes hands again - John gives his perspective on Chris’s high-profile departure.

In his own words, this is the John Revell story.

Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series. Music by Larry Bryant.

1 hr 1 min
June 16, 2019 84: Simon Cole - Presenter, programmer, entrepreneur - BBC local, Piccadilly, Unique, 7digital
He was the drama student who aspired to be a Radio 2 producer - but emerged as a key commercial radio innovator and business leader as the industry began to find its feet, make money and exploit new technology.

In this hour of RadioMoments Conversations, Simon Cole tells of the opportunities and frustrations of BBC local radio - before moving to produce and manage programming at Piccadilly, where he pioneered commercial content and built PPM before leaving to found Unique Broadcasting; a move prompted by Owen Oyston’s acquisition of Piccadilly. He shares his role in the stories of commercial inventory bartering, DAB, Audioboom, One Word; and 7digital, where he was chief exec until Spring 2019.

Simon opens up about those who have inspired him; the pain of corporate deals; the lessons of entrepreneurship; and outlines his view of a wholly disrupted future for the business of radio.

In his own words, this is the Simon Cole story.

Hear the whole ‘RadioMoments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series. Music by Larry Bryant.

58 min
May 24, 2019 83: John Rosborough - Northern Ireland programmer
Clutching a soldering iron, he arrived in commercial radio at the launch of Downtown Radio, in troubled times in Northern Ireland, rising to lead the station’s programming for an era.

In this hour of ‘Radiomoments Conversations’. John Rosborough tells of his childhood dreams, the early days at Downtown Radio, building the studios, hosting early shows - and the challenges of the station’s newsroom in unprecedented times. He tells the story of his graduating through the programming ranks, its first jingle package, the varied programme schedule, early regulation and, ultimately, becoming a station for the whole of Northern Ireland – and splitting frequencies. John talks too about Irish radio heritage, winning radio licences – and his subsequent management roles at Citybeat, U105, Belfast 89 and life since.

In his own words, this is the John Rosborough story.

Hear the whole ‘RadioMoments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series. Music by Larry Bryant.

56 min
May 03, 2019 82: Stuart Linnell - Mercia, Hallam and BBC local presenter and executive
From hospital radio to a leading role in a fast-changing commercial sector and then back on-air with the BBC, Stuart Linnell’s fifty years of radio make a fascinating story of sport, music presentation and management in a colourful radio age.
In this hour of ‘RadioMoments Conversations’, Stuart tells of his early days at BBC Radio Birmingham, before moving to commercial radio to help launch Radio Hallam. A transfer to the new Mercia Sound followed, where he rose to PD and then an ever- growing Managing Director role. He tells of the characters in commercial radio’s early days and the successes and frustrations of the earliest steps in industry consolidation. Back on-air at the BBC, Stuart reflects on Auntie’s changes over the decades and on his final lengthy spell at BBC Radio Northampton.
In his own words, this is the story of Stuart Linnell MBE.
See all the episodes of RadioMoments Conversations here; and podcast the series here.
1 hr 1 min
April 12, 2019 81: Richard Allinson - Capital, Radio 2, Magic presenter
He graduated straight from uni to a huge career at Capital and Radio 2.

In this hour of #radiomoments Conversations, Richard Allinson tells of his nervous days in university radio before arriving at Capital where he sat alongside the greats of the day who shared their wisdom. He shares the battle for London supremacy and his recollections of the stars he bumped into during his 17 year spell. A transfer with Radio 2 followed, where he hosted lates - and many of the key dayparts. He tells too of his pride in his independent productions, his contribution to BFBS and the World Service, his time in BBC local radio - and those occasions in life where radio is suddenly no longer the most important thing. Now at Magic – he tells of the art and effort of daytime music radio.

In his own words, this is the Richard Allinson story

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

59 min
April 09, 2019 80: Paul McKenna - Topshop, Caroline, Chiltern, Capital, Radio1
Few radio presenters enjoy a hugely successful career in broadcasting before going on to achieve even more in a second life.
In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Paul McKenna shares his journey through radio’s most treasured posts – on to becoming an internationally renowned hypnotist, behavioural scientist TV broadcaster and best-selling author.
He tells how his curiosity of the pirates and his love of listening to Capital led to him entertaining shoppers with Radio Topshop before realising a dream onboard the offshore Radio Caroline. Then, during a spell at Chiltern, an interview was to change the course of his life.
Paul tells of his admiration for Richard Park for whom he worked at Capital in London, before being hired by Radio 1. He was to grow closer to his idols – here and in the US - and he opens up about his times with Kenny Everett.
Alongside his high-profile radio work, audiences to his theatre performances were growing too, prompting him eventually to resign from Radio 1 to pursue his second career. This has culminated in his becoming Britain's bestselling non-fiction author, having sold 3 million books in 3 years; and his TV shows and live appearances are witnessed by hundreds of millions of people in 42 countries. Nevertheless, as is clear in this hour, his shameless and humble anorak love for radio endures.
In his own words, this is the Paul McKenna story.
See the whole ‘Conversations’ series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.
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54 min
April 09, 2019 79: Peter Griffiths - BBC producer
The boy from Wales whose dad recommended a BBC career – and who was to emerge as the production brain behind some of the UK’s most historic programmes and broadcasts.
In this hour of #radiomoments Conversations, Peter Griffiths tells of his 1970s days training as a BBC studio manager for network radio and the World Service before graduating to produce Woman’s Hour - and to the Radio 4 presentation and continuity production team.
His love of sport took him to the sport and outside broadcast department where he also began to use complementary skills in coverage of major ceremonial events. He shares the secrets of arranging and crafting commentary and of working with the leaders in the field.
Peter opens up about the challenges at the launch of the original BBC Radio 5 – and during a period of controversial Radio 4 change.
As Nelson Mandela was freed from prison, Peter helped teach radio production skills in South Africa – in a period he describes as the most significant in his life - and he created an award-winning powerful documentary on the Soweto uprising.
He talks too about working with John Peel on the creation of ‘Home Truths’; and gives the inside track on the coverage of the funeral of Princess Diana.
In his own words, this is the Peter Griffiths story.
See the whole ‘Conversations’ series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.
58 min
April 09, 2019 78: Tommy Boyd - Magpie, Southern, Talk Radio UK, BBC local radio
From a spell at BBC local radio whilst at teacher training college, he was to become a household name on children’s TV and one of the UK’s most distinctive radio broadcasters.
In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, the inimitable Tommy Boyd tells of his early days in BBC local radio and LBC - and how he quickly realised a childhood ambition in landing a top job in kids TV at Thames with Magpie. He opens up about the complex times at the original Talk Radio UK – how his programme’s reputation grew - and how that spell there ended.
Tommy tells too about his time at Southern Sound and back in BBC local radio and Talksport. Hear also how he feels about radio management, regulators, callers, industry uncertainty – and about his good luck and those individuals who encouraged him along the way.
In his own words, this is the Tommy Boyd story.
See the whole Conversations series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.
1 hr 2 min
April 09, 2019 77: Chris Tarrant - Capital presenter
The man who started out doing the silly bits on regional TV and graduated to a 17 year stay on the UK’s then most influential commercial radio station – plus hosting one of the World’s most influential TV quiz shows.
In this hour of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Chris Tarrant opens up about how he fell into the world of commercial radio, and then how he was appointed to the helm of Capital breakfast in London. He tells of how the programme evolved – his relationship with his boss - his questions about the endless meetings which often surround breakfast shows – and how it felt being effectively responsible for the Capital share price as the programme started to own London. He talks too of how Who Wants to be a Millionaire was devised and delivered – and shares his fears about the stroke he suffered on a journey back from Bangkok.
In his own words, this is the Chris Tarrant story.
See the whole Conversations series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.
57 min