PIRATE RADIO: Why we do what we do, by Rosko
Posted by Radiocafé on 01 Jun 2010 at 9:58 am |
Category: 4. Soul Sounds, 1. General Music
In a few short years, analogue radio as we know it will vanish into the ether, becoming white noise and making way for the brave new world of digital broadcasting. The pops, crackles, whistles and hiss that have lived with me for so long will disappear forever. Most of all, it is the Frequency Modulated band, the soundtrack to my generation, that will be most sorely missed when it eventually disappears, never to be heard again. Looking back on things, it’s been one hell of a journey.
But first (as they say in… Continue reading
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People often ask me where the original idea for Soul Unsigned came from. The answer is that it started with a packet of Nestle breakfast cereal… Rewind to 2003, and I’m doing the Sunday morning shop with Mrs Soul Unsigned. Something catches my eye on one of the cereal packets.
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Unfortunately I have just heard that my dear friend Danny Street has just passed away. Danny had been in poor health for some time. I had the pleasure working with Danny for many years. We would speak on the telephone at least once a week ever since he went back to his native Scotland. Danny and I both used to say “We wouldn’t have to come back for laughs.” He will be greatly missed by his many friends and admirers. As a performer and a man, Danny ticked all the boxes. What a… 
Do you remember when albums contained the deadly skull and crossbones warning symbol “home taping is killing music”? This was one of the biggest myths of the day, as it was home taping that actually kept a lot of the music alive at all.
I think there is a place here at Radiocafe for young talented singers (I mean people who would like to sing / record and write good songs) to have their say. Although the great song writers of the past had the first crack at writing popular songs for wonderful singers there are in my opinion young people around today who are equally talented. When I was starting out in the business the BBC was a great supporter and developer of young talent. Because Radio 2 changed its music policy that path is now… 
The BBC has published the results of its 2009 consultation on audience views on Radio 2 and 6 Music. The good news for many of us is that it recognises that Radio 2 is not serving the needs of older listeners. It also highlights that music from the 40s, 50s and 60s are no longer sufficiently featured in Radio 2’s programming.
If you reviewed the radio listings of the Radio Times for the first week of May back in 1986, the options for those who prefer their music on the soulful or funky side would have been as follows: Sunday at 9pm, Robbie Vincent (having moved on from BBC Radio London) with a 2 hour slot on Radio 1; Jeff Young (replacing Robbie on London), with a lunchtime Saturday show; and… that was it. Commercial radio didn’t fare much better either: Greg Edwards soldiered on with his Soul Spectrum on Capital Radio; and… 
Radiocafé is proud to present the definitive list of some of the broadcasters, presenters and other individuals who have made a wonderful contribution to the popular music cause. Sadly, many of these individuals are no longer with us, but their memory will live on for many years to come. We hope you agree that their excellence deserves to be celebrated, as each of them made it to the top of their chosen field and have brought pleasure to so many of us. If there is anyone who you feel we have missed off this… 
The sad death of Malcolm Laycock represents the final chapter of one of the most sorry stories in the recent BBC’s history. Last night (15 November, 2009) it paid tribute to the broadcaster by repeating part of a show of his from April. It was introduced by Clare Teal, the young personality who replaced him a few months ago. She announced that “the word presenter somehow does not do justice to talent like this”, and indicated the high esteem in which the BBC held Malcolm Laycock.
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
10 November 2009: We are sad to learn that Maclolm Laycock passed away on 8th November 2009. Malcolm was one of the finest broadcasters, and has been greatly missed from the airwaves since his recent departure from BBC Radio 2. We are so very sorry to hear of this news, as Malcolm was a true gentleman and pioneer of the dance band cause. We were fortunate enough to meet him a few years ago, which was a privilege for us. There were few broadcasters with his vast knowledge and experience and we wish to… 
BBC radio currently fails to offer anything for a large and significant population: older listeners. While music preference should be independent of age, it is evident that the BBC provides handsomely for the youth audience: they get Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6 Music and the BBC Asian Network. And while Radio 2’s offering is aimed at the over-35s, much of the music offered is in fact aimed at attracting a younger audience. Much of it is completely unattractive to the over-70s.
Few broadcasters are more fondly remembered than Ray Moore, who entertained millions of listeners for years with his regular early morning show on Radio 2.
It always amazes me when I stumble across a pile of lovely old records in second hand shop. I’ve found loads of classic Capitol years Sinatra, loads of great 80s soul music, heaps of Nat King Cole and many a classic rarity lurking in an unsuspecting crate - all usually looking like they have never actually been played.
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