Radio Moments - Conversations

This is the story of a man whose career grew from hospital radio roots to enjoy one of the longest commercial radio careers on national radio.

In this edition of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Russ Williams tells of his debut on a new Southern Sound before being lured north to a booming Metro Radio. A call from Richard Park secured Russ’s appointment at Capital, before he transferred to the launch of the national AM station, Virgin 1215. After years on breakfast with ‘Russ n’ Jono’, an enviably long spell on mid-mornings began.

In this hour, Russ tells of his influences, life at the National Broadcasting School, his favourite programme directors and of what life was like during the frenetic Chris Evans spell at Virgin.

In his own words, this is the Russ Williams story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

To launch a radio station means you’ll never be forgotten. This is the story of the man who launched the first national commercial radio station in the UK. 

In this edition of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Nick Bailey tells of his early days in pirate radio before travelling to work in Australia and Hong Kong. He then relates tales of the pioneering early days of the unexpected success which was Classic FM - and of the ensuing twenty-five years at the station.

In his own words, this is the Nick Bailey Story.

Hear the full Conversations series here, Music by Larry Bryant

He is the determined pirate radio disc jockey who won and kept a seat in Parliament. 

In this hour of #radiomoments Conversations, recorded in his Commons office, Sir Roger Gale tells of his dreams of becoming an actor which led to climbing the side of the Radio Caroline ship in before helping to set up pirate Radio Scotland and Radio 270. He relates the tales of life as a reporter at a young BBC Radio London before being called to help create the sound of new BBC Radio 1 news programme ‘Newsbeat’. After a spell at Today on Radio 4 and with both BBC and commercial children’s television, he went on to fight a Parliamentary seat – and eventually to win the one he has retained since 1983.

Roger is the person who sat on the edge of the law who went on to help make it; the journalist who once asked the questions who now answers them; and the performer who went on to vote against the broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings.

In his own words, this is the Roger Gale story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

On walking through the door as a typist for the Light Programme, little did she know that one day she’d be trusted to whisper a word into the ear of the nation on the famous Today programme. 

In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Sue MacGregor CBE tells of her journey through South African radio on to the BBC’s World at One, Woman’s Hour and Today. She relates rich stories of a bygone BBC age, the risks she took as a journalist and the famous Today chemistries.

In her own words, this is the Sue MacGregor story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant

From aspirations of being an actress, she emerged as the award-winning contributor to a programme which was to guide Londoners through their emotional headaches in the ‘70s and ‘80s – and served to define a genre. 

In this edition of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Anna Raeburn tells of her early days editing the problem page of Woman magazine which led to her famous ‘Anna and the Doc’ days up the staircase at Capital’s Euston Tower - and then to her time at the then new Talk Radio UK. A gifted communicator, she talks about her voice – and of radio’s truths.

Anna shares too the influence of her parents in her chosen career and the personal turmoil which equipped her to empathise with the troubles of others.

In her own words, this is the Anna Raeburn story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

Podcast the whole series here.

He rose from the ranks of hospital radio to run a national commercial station – and be part of the BBC strategic team which established the Corporation’s current direction. 

In this hour of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Paul Robinson tells of his early days on-air at Metro, a station which told him his presentation was ‘too glossy', to an enjoyable spell down the road at Radio Tees. He shares his Mercia days and then the management spell at Chiltern’s growing group before graduating to the post of Managing editor at Radio 1 -and then on to the BBC’s strategic arm. Paul tells of the challenges at a troubled Talk Radio and about his life beyond.

Amidst some decent pointers on people management and leadership - this is Paul Robinson - in his own words.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

Podcastthe whole series.

This is the story of the man whose wind-up calls were to set him up for becoming a nationally known broadcaster. 

In this hour of Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Steve Penk tells of his nervous beginnings at a young Piccadilly Radio in Manchester, and of the last-minute negotiations as he chose his first London gig. He relates the full story of the famous Tony Blair wind-up call; and of how he picked up the reins painfully from Chris Evans at Virgin.

Steve also opens up about radio ownership and the Revolution experience – and about his life beyond in creating the Wind Up Channel and Radio Dead.

In his own words – this is the Steve Penk story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

The life story of a broadcaster whose career has spanned more than fifty years is worth hearing. 

In this episode of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Tony Blackburn tells of his love for the medium to which he has devoted his life. Tony shares his happy childhood and his radio influences; his learnings from the pirate days; and his lengthy spell on BBC national and local radio. He speaks about launching Radio 1 – and opens up about the advice which has steered him through a lengthy career. In his own words – this is the Tony Blackburn story.

Hear the full Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.

Few broadcasters begin their radio career with an afternoon show on Radio 1. Pat Sharp did, before dashing off to Radio Luxembourg and back again. 

In this hour of Conversations’, Pat Sharp tells of how his early breakthrough happened and how he felt when he realised his ultimate dream - daytimes on Capital Radio in London. He tells too of his success abroad, his hits, jingle collecting - and of STV’s Fun House, which helped even more people appreciate his distinctive hair style.

In his own words, this is the Pat Sharp story.

Enjoy the whole 'Conversations' serieshere. Music by Larry Bryant.