Radio Moments - Conversations

He was the presenter who broadcast on Radio Luxembourg at its height, becoming a role model for the likes of Paul Burnett and Tony Blackburn. Once at the BBC, his daily Open House programme on Radio 2 was to attract huge audiences. 

In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations, Pete Murray tells of his life, from his younger days in film through his many TV appearances and his decades in radio from Luxembourg to LBC. He shares too his worries about his shyness and his adolescent acne, and opens up about family tragedy.

In his own words, this is the Pete Murray story.

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

Follow the 'Radiomoments-Conversations' podcast.

He was the regulator who crossed the divide to manage a station and to serve the radio industry’s trade body, only then to return to a regulatory life, as he oversaw a critical stage in the development of UK radio. 

In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Tony Stoller CBE opens up about his early life at independent radio’s first regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority, and offers his account of his time both at the industry’s then trade body and at a young Radio 210 in Reading. He shares insight too of his lengthy spell heading radio’s only ever dedicated regulator, the Radio Authority.

Tony shares his views of a changing medium in changing world, as ‘independent radio’ made way for commercial radio, and his broader perspective on the way he believes radio can make a positive contribution to society.

In his own words, this is the Tony Stoller story.

The whole 'Conversations' series can be found here. Music by Larry Bryant.

He was one of the breed of presenters who debuted professionally on the pirate stations, before transferring to Radio Luxembourg and then to Radio 1, where he famously brought the news of the new chart to school pupils in every playground across Britain on a Tuesday lunchtime.   

In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Paul Burnett tells of his grounding in Forces broadcasting; his sea-sickness on board Radio 270; and his love for his spell at Radio Luxembourg. He shares Radio 1 tales; tells of his disappointment when a Radio 2 transfer did not occur; and reflects on his Capital Gold days and life since. He talks of the programme management he’s experienced - and muses about the ephemeral nature of the disc jockey’s work.

In his own words, this is the Paul Burnett story.

The whole 'Conversations' series can be found here. Music by Larry Bryant.

He was the jobbing BBC local radio presenter who was to end up spending thirty years at Radio 2, watching the network evolve from its Light legacy to the present day. 

In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, Alex Lester tells of the eccentric early days of BBC local radio; the challenging debut for commercial radio; and the people with whom he shared his years on the UK’s biggest radio station. He opens up about the end of his Radio 2 years - and life beyond.

From crazy disc jockey names to old studio technology; vacillating management approaches to puzzling music policies. In his own words, this is the Alex Lester story.

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

Podcast the series here.

He loved the thought of a career in sound, fascinated by the pictures it could create. His early steps in radio took him to Radio Luxembourg's London studios working alongside the greats like Freeman and Everett; and his production was born from the most basic of equipment and a huge amount of creativity.  

He was to become one of the UK commercial radio industry's earliest commercial producers as ILR began in the seventies. His work at Nottingham's Radio Trent was to be recognised consistently in awards. Here he tells of radio's early days, his friendship with Fluff Freeman, his more unsettled times in the industrial strife of the era, and the generous moment he claims as the best in his life.

In his own words, this is the Alan Bailey story.

The whole 'Conversations' series can be previewed here. Music byLarry Bryant.

He inherited Capital Radio as it wrestled with the fresh challenges of a fast-changing, competitive industry and made his mark on changing the perceptions of national advertising agencies towards the medium. His commercial focus - and an acquisition spree built the industry’s biggest business which was to be the lead player in the GCap merger. 

In this hour of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’, David opens up about his childhood and his discovery of the excitement of doing the deals. He tells of his days in TV, relates his feelings as he stepped aside from GCap - and talks about life since.

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

The whole 'Conversations' series can be previewed here. Music by Larry Bryant.

His measured tones became synonymous with late night Radio 4 as presenter of 'The World Tonight'.

In this hour of 'Conversations', Robin Lustig tells of his early days in journalism at Reuters and the Observer before serving for decades at home and abroad with the BBC World Service and Radio 4.

He shares how the BBC prepares its staff for working in hostile environments; and some of the secrets of commentary on major events. He reflects too on the times where he feels the BBC may have got it wrong; his thoughts on the future for radio and journalism; and how he felt about interviewing some thoroughly unpalatable world figures.

In his own words, this is the Robin Lustig story.

(Robin's book 'Is Anything Happening' - 'My life as a newsman' is out now from Biteback publishing)

The whole 'Conversations' series can be enjoyed here. Music byLarry Bryant

This powerful voice began at Wyvern before rising with enviable speed to Luxembourg and to play a key part in Capital London’s truly dominant years. He took commercial radio’s chart to audience-leading position and assumed the Magic breakfast show for almost a decade as it too rose to rule the City. 

In this hour of ‘Conversations’, Neil ‘Doctor’ Fox tells of his father’s early reluctance to support his chosen career route -and speaks candidly about his recent ‘challenging period', and about his excitement now at life beyond.

In his own words - this is the Neil Fox story.

The whole 'Conversations' series can be enjoyed here. Music by Larry Bryant.

He was the presenter who graduated through the ranks to take his seat round the commercial radio industry table at a critical time in its history.

In this hour of ‘Conversations’, Stewart Francis tells of being on-air on the first day of LBC and the early days of Pennine Radio in Bradford, before moving to launch Hereward in Peterborough. He shares stories of how Mid Anglia Radio was built and sold - and his fascinating achievements beyond. He tells of the challenges he helped the industry to address - and how he faced his own.

In his own words, this is the Stewart Francis story.

Music by Larry Bryant . The whole 'Conversations' series can be previewed here.