Ray Moore - Campaign For Real Music

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LEGEND PROFILE: Ray Moore

Posted by Radiocafé on 22 Nov 2009 at 10:09 pm |
Category: 6. Other Music, 1. General Music

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.

Ray looked after the 5 to 7.30am slot throughout the seventies and eighties in his uniquely special way. He was one of the highlights of radio, even managing to make travel forecasts and sports reports entertaining.

Common Moore references included “Gatport Airwick”, “Moore’s ‘Orse”, “Old Moore’s Alma Nag” (a pun on the name of his beloved wife, Alma) and referring to a fellow broadcaster, “the Truckers’ Flussey” (Sheila Tracey).

Part of his appeal came from the fact that he was a very good (and if necessary) serious broadcaster. For years he carried out a dual role, his Liverpool accent entertaining in the mornings, while Ray’s more “proper” BBC voice was reserved for continuity announcements throughout the seventies and into the eighties. He was also the voice behind Come Dancing, Miss World and of the Eurovision Song Contest, in which we got the best of both worlds, both Ray’s “best BBC voice” and Ray the supreme entertainer.

He also featured on a number of other shows for Radio 2, such as his Monday Movie Quiz, and interviewed a number of leading artists, including legendary singer Johnny Mathis.

In the late 1960s he presented “String Sound”, featuring the BBC Radio Orchestra. The show continued for a further two decades, with a string of popular broadcasters: Radio 2 favourite Bill Rennells, current early morning presenter Sarah Kennedy, plus Jean Challis and Hilary Obsborne all presented this show. The show came to an end around the same time as Ray passed away. The station subsequently changed direction, and one wonders if Ray was still with us if much of the charm of Radio 2 of old would still be too.

But it is the morning shows that so many of us recall, and miss. It really was worth waking up an hour early just to hear Ray, as he managed to create a special, funny, radio world of his own which his many devoted listeners loved to be part of. Many will recall “O’ My Father Had A Rabbit”, the funny little poem he used to read out from time to time, which he later released as a UK record, all proceeds going to the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. It went to number 24 in the UK charts:

“O’ My Father had a rabbit
And he thought it was a duck
So he stuck it on the table
With its legs cocked upHe mixed a bowl of stuffing
And left it on the shelf
But when he came to stuff the duck
The duck had stuffed itself”Terry Wogan said of his record “It makes the Floral Dance sound like Wagner’s ring cycle”.Each of Ray’s shows was a magical performance, but Ray never used a script and just about all of his witticisms were ad-libs. As Ray once commented, “do you think I’d write this rubbish down?”.We would love to hear more of Ray again, and a repeat some of his fantastic early morning shows would be something many of us would love to hear. A short clip from 1987 is available in the links section to the right of this page, which provides a small taster of the magic that was Ray Moore. If anyone has retained any recordings of Ray Moore’s shows we would love to hear from you - please click here to contact us or leave a comment.Today’s radio is not the same without Ray. The likes of him may never pass this way again, but his memory will live on among those who were caught under his spell, for a very long time.

Listen to Ray here!

We have uploaded a full hour of wonderful Ray from 1984, which was kindly supplied by one of his fans. This is available here for a limited time only. Doesn’t this bring back the memories of quite how brilliant Ray was? Oh how we miss the great man.

Radiocafe
January 2008

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67 Responses to “LEGEND PROFILE: Ray Moore”

on 22 Jan 2008 at 7:32 pm 1 stuart Aldridge

Hi,

I met Ray Moore while looking at the new hi-fi units being displayed at Earls Court back in the 80’s.
At the time the BBC made up a temporary radio studio inside, of course I was a young dj at the time on my local hospital radio in Swindon, after a hour Ray Moore appeared with his records for the hour long show being relayed only inside Earls Court.
I stood at the corner near the door and is producer started talking to me and I mentioned about Ray being my favorite dj in the morning so he called me into the studio and I was invited to sit with Ray and announce and play records.
After a short while he told everyone he needed a short break for the little boys room and left me to carry on, my first real taste of the BBC.
He came back and said sorry for his long delay and we talked about music in general on air. to this day I’ll remember is kindness and the way he made everyone happy doing is shows in the morning.

Stuart Aldridge.
22nd Jan.2008
on 23 Jan 2008 at 4:03 pm 2 Radiocafé

That’s a great story Stuart, Ray did always seem such a gentleman on air. A fantastic experience which is a memory I’m sure you treasure.

Ray did indeed make so many of us happy, managing to make even the dreariest of mornings enjoyable, and waking up at 5am a pleasure!

We hope to be able to pass these comments on to his wife, Alma.

Thanks a lot for your contribution.

Paul
on 24 Jan 2008 at 8:39 pm 3 Mike Redway

I once asked Ray “What is your secret? you always sound so relaxed on air”. “Be your self!” he said - of course this was the charm of the man, and the reason why so many people enjoyed his programme.

I know that he was very much involved in the choice of music that he played on his programme. (This was before computors learned how to choose records!) Oops!!

I am very proud to say that I was Ray’s friend!

Mike Redway.
on 19 Apr 2008 at 5:05 pm 4 dave

i am looking for o my father had a rabbit on cd please can you help DAVE
on 19 Apr 2008 at 6:15 pm 5 Stuart Aldridge

Hi Dave,

You can find the song your looking for by Ray Moore on the CD called Personal Choice released by the BBC, I found my copy in old record stores or on ebay.
If you have any problems I maybe able to help you.

Stuart.
on 23 Apr 2008 at 10:32 pm 6 David Ferguson

Hello,
Remember Ray Moore’s saturday Night - do you know whatever happened to his producer on that show, Steve Allen? I lost contact with him a while ago and would love to know what he’s been up to (although must be now retired!)

Thanks.
on 07 May 2008 at 9:21 pm 7 Andy Brimson

I remember listening to Ray’s show in the mornings as I was getting ready for school back in the 70’s. There was a particular track that he played on many occasions (I think it was a favourite of his). I have always thought it was by a group called “Design” or something like that and although I have searched high and low over the years I have come up with nothing. Its a long shot I know but if this has jogged anyones memory or they know of any records that were particular favourites of Rays I would love to hear of them, if only to “eliminate them from my enquiries”.

Thanks

Andy
on 06 Jul 2008 at 1:30 pm 8 delicado

The Design track was called “Jet Song”
on 06 Jul 2008 at 2:11 pm 9 Andy Brimson

Hi Delicado
Thanks for replying. I would love to find this track but I cant find any reference to it or the group. I’ve searched I tunes ( I have found some really obscure tracks on there in the past) and googled it in every way I can think of. Do you know any more details by any chance.

Many thanks

Andy
on 06 Jul 2008 at 2:42 pm 10 delicado

Unfortuantely not. Someone I know gave me the title but he hasn’t got any more details. If I find out anymore I will post here.
on 06 Jul 2008 at 6:40 pm 11 Andy Brimson

Thanks anyway - In the meantime the search goes on (I’m kind of like a dog with a bone with these things)
on 08 Jul 2008 at 8:10 pm 12 Tony Rimmington

For me Ray remains one of the best radio voices ever.
During the 70s and eighties I would listen to his tales and stories with such enthusiasm.
I used to strap a small radio to my bike when I was on my paper round so that I didn’t miss any of his banter!.
I could never wait for the record to finish so that he could entertain me again!
I still miss his voice today and can honestly say that he has NEVER been replaced.
When he passed away I think it was Terry Wogan that said there was a big black hole left in Radio 2-In my opinion that hole has still to be filled.
Cheers to a truly unique presenter.
on 09 Jul 2008 at 1:28 pm 13 malcyb

Hello Andy and all other folk interested in the “Design” track “Jet Song”.
My good colleague Colin Berry informs me that he will play this track on his BBC Three Counties Radio Show this coming Saturday night 12th of July between 11.00pm and 1.00am. Colin plays the kinda stuff he used to play in the 70’s on Radio 2 with a little light (instrumental) music featured at 11.30pm, a radio or tv theme played in its entireity at 11.50pm, a big band sound at 12.10pm, along with lots of other easy listening tracks.
If you miss his show on Saturday then you have a full seven days to hear it again at the Listen Again facility. Just click on Colin Berry at the BBC Three Counties Radio show website.
Malcolm
on 09 Jul 2008 at 2:03 pm 14 Andy Brimson

Hi Malcom
Thats great to hear, I will definitely tune in for that.

Many many thanks
on 10 Jul 2008 at 5:22 pm 15 Radiocafé

Hi Malcolm

Thanks for your message, glad that you managed to post it okay now - do let us know if you experience any further problems.

We tried to contact Colin Berry a while ago, as we know he was very close to Ray and probably many recordings of his fantastic shows. I wish the BBC would repeat some of these, as so many people would appreciate this. Why has the BBC never dedicated a digital radio station to old music and light entertainment shows, in the same way as it has done with comedy (BBC Radio 7)?

Colin’s show on Three Counties Radio is one of the few reminders of how good Radio 2 used to be in the days of dear old Ray, John Dunne, Steve Race, Alan Dell, Hubert Gregg, Benny Green and so many other fantastic broadcasters. To hear some of the old shows, such as Music While You Work, on Colin’s show is also a pure delight!

Good also to hear Bill Rennells still on air (Sunday nights on Kent and other local stations). What about some of the other R2 presenters? Is Sheila Tracey still broadcasting, following Saga Radio’s demise? And does anybody know what happened to Chris Stuart, who was a fine broadcaster and wonderful on the early shows? He should never have been moved from this slot.

When we get a chance, we will add a profile of Colin and links to his shows on the main Radiocafe site. In the meantime, please do pass on our regards to Colin, and we will look forward to this Saturday’s show (even if on the Listen again function!).

All the best

Paul

Paul @ Radiocafe
on 13 Jul 2008 at 12:27 am 16 malcyb

Hope you enjoyed the Design track if you caught it live tonight Andy. If you missed it then I hope you will catch it from Listen Again anytime during this week only at the BBC Three Counties Website or one of the other Eastern Counties BBC Local Radio Stations where Colin Berry’s show is featured. It was played at 12.18pm. So you will need to fast forward approximately an hour and a quarter to find it.
Regards
Malcolm.
on 13 Jul 2008 at 12:39 am 17 Andy Brimson

Thanks Malcolm
I’m sitting here listening right now.
I’m really gratefull for the heads up and enjoyed hearing that track again so much. Its such a shame it dosent appear to be out on any kind of release.
Thanks again

Andy
on 13 Jul 2008 at 6:33 am 18 dave

I have had no luck yet in finding any of rays music with o my father had a rabbit
can anyboy copy there cd for me cheers dave
on 17 Jul 2008 at 6:58 pm 19 John Meloy

Re David Ferguson’s query (item 6 in Ray Moore comments - 23rd. Apl).
I have only recently seen this item I am afraid but I can help.
Steve Allen, along with several of us who were his long-term colleagues, was ‘retired’ as the result of a management resources study in 1986! I saw him very rarely after that but he was always the irrepressible Steve and the best of jovial company. It was a surprise to all of us to hear that he had died three years ago after a characteristically philosophical fight with a long illness. I still find myself using some of his classic “one-liners”!
on 21 Jul 2008 at 10:03 am 20 Radiocafé

Apologies for any offence caused by a recent post on this site - which we removed as soon as we learned about it. The relevant individual has now been banned from this site

Thanks for those who reported it to us.

Best regards

RADIOCAFE
on 31 Jul 2008 at 7:11 pm 21 Phil hinton

He was the best - no ifs no buts - he was the best the Wogans and their like learned everything from him it is true that only the good die young - I realy do miss him - even today
on 31 Jul 2008 at 7:12 pm 22 Phil hinton

The best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on 18 Aug 2008 at 3:59 pm 23 Humorous Verse

At one point I thought I was the only person who was funny enough to write stuff like this.
on 25 Aug 2008 at 6:46 pm 24 Kevin Hey

As a pal of mine often remarks: “The thing about Ray Moore was that whatever mood you were in of a morning you were always in a better one after listening to his radio show”.

And that’s how it was, you see. Radio presenters like Ray didn’t go into the job to be stars. They went into radio because they loved the medium, loved good music and had a gift.

Ray’s shows, like Colin Berry’s were crafted, you see. The idea of a play-list from on-high constructed from focus groups would strike them as too stupid for words. For the most part radio is now a world consisting of the Banal Broadcasting Corporation and commercial stations that are formulaic in the extreme.
on 06 Sep 2008 at 7:51 pm 25 Stevej

WOW just found this site,I thought poor old Ray Moore had been long forgotten,I felt the obituary by Ken Bruce on Rays death was a poor effort,there really was so much more to Rays daily show,like the incredibly descriptive tales about his early morning journey to work in the BBC Hurst. With “the street lights reflecting on the wet pavements, passing the open door of the allnight cafe and the young couple sitting at the bare table holding hands with their hastilly packed siutcases by their feet”.Or who could forget the new boy on radio 4 Malcolm Talcolm (in the lift)with his polished cheeks and sandwitch box.Such incredible descriptions were Rays trademark he was a truely brilliant radio presenter.
on 24 Sep 2008 at 12:06 pm 26 ruth

Sifting through some LPs today I have found a 45 recording of O’ My Father etc. on PLAY 213. It is the sing along version and the cover has all the words printed on the back.
COLIN BERRY SAID “I am waiting for the greatest hits boxed set”.
DEREK JAMESON SAID “As a singer Moore is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike”.
KEN BRUCE SAID “He exists as a terrible warning to us all”.
JIMMY YOUNG SAID “I might do a cover version”.
DAVID JACOBS SAID “I might make it my power play”.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD SAID “Had he been drinking”.
DAVID HAMILTON SAID “Ray Moore is to singing what boxing gloves are to piano playing”.
JOHN DUNNE SAID “This is the sort of thing that killed variety”.
TERRY WOGAN SAID “It makes The Floral Dance sound like Wagner’s ring cycle”.
on 22 Nov 2008 at 2:31 pm 27 F West

I believed Ray Moore had been completely forgotten, so it was nice to find this site, a lovely reminder of his talent.

Ray liked to provide his listeners with up-to-the-minute weather reports, but for some reason they were all concerned with a peculiar storm system known as Hurricane Herbert.

Ray’s business commentary was also priceless, although he was interested only in a strange financial instrument called the Long Bond.

And then he liked to mock his newreader’s accent: “first we’ll have the 6 o’clock niewss, then the 7 o’clock niewss, then the 8 o’clock niewss ………….”

FW
on 28 Nov 2008 at 5:49 pm 28 Roger Simmons

I spent a week in hospital recently and by chance found a copy of Ray’s autobiography in the hospital ‘library’. It was a thoroughly entertaining read, I could identify a lot with his early years as we were born in the same year.
His tenacity and ambition to get into radio shines through the story and is utterly beguiling, the book was written when he was terminally ill.
A good number of years ago I bought the CD ‘Ray Moore A Personal Choice’ which contains tracks of the music he loved. One of my (and his) all time favourites is ‘For All We Know’ by Ray Conniff, to hear the arrangement and lyrics is a poignant reminder of a great broadcaster who is sadly missed.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 3:35 pm 29 Jeremy Cooper

11th January 2009 is the 20th Anniversary of the late, great Ray’s passing.

Any chance the BBC could do somekind of a reminder of the fantastic wit that we all used to drive to work to in those quondam days?
on 27 Dec 2008 at 3:51 am 30 Graham

I also have fond memories of the ‘great ‘ Ray Moore, maybe they have become ‘foggy’ by the passage of time; my alarm,(radio) used to be set for 6.45 am and always to radio 2. Does anyone remember an excerpt from a song sung by a chorus, in the style of Mike Sammes (?) in which the word ‘more’ was repeated joyfully? Also I seem to remember him signing off with a goodbye to the engineer in the booth, whom he could see, with the phrase “and goodbye to *** on the other side of the pane.” Maybe it was something like that. His anecdotes always cheered me on my way; happy memories.
on 11 Jan 2009 at 11:19 am 31 Sandy Moore

In loving and everlasting memory of Ray Moore who died 20 years ago today.
Although I never had the priviledge of meeting him in person, Ray was a constant companion in my life for many years and, regardless of the weather, made each day start with a laugh.
There has never been a radio presenter to replace Ray and no-one ever will, because Ray was unique in every way.
To this very day I miss his cheery banter and often wonder what became of “senior management” - his lovely wife, Alma.
RIP Ray, you are still remembered with great affection in the hearts of many people.

11 Jan 2009
on 12 Jan 2009 at 3:32 pm 32 Radiocafé

Well said, Sandy.

We’ve added a short sound clip above of Ray from one of his morning shows, and will be adding some further memories of Ray in due course.

Colin Berry also had some excellent clips on this week’s show (The Club, 10 Jan) - you can listen again to these on the BBC Three Counties website.

We miss Ray very much, but he will be fondly remembered for many years by those of us fortunate enough to have woken up to his show every day.

Radiocafe
on 20 Jan 2009 at 2:36 am 33 Ian Johnson

I really miss Ray in the early “God-forsaken Hours” ! He was one of a kind, and superb at his job. To hear him on BBC tv continuity was a joy as well– I do still miss listening-in to him, even after all these years………
on 16 Feb 2009 at 11:11 pm 34 Roy Sutherland

What else can i add to what every one else has said you x early morning listeners have said it all.. So glad i stumbled apon this web site. It really did bring a tear to my eye . I can still hear that wonderfull velvet voice now wakeing me up on a cold winters morning..God bless Ray…….
on 20 Feb 2009 at 10:14 pm 35 Jim Smith

Have never forgotten the words of “For all we know” nor the unique style of Ray even tough I often have to look in the paper to see what day it is!
on 07 Mar 2009 at 1:35 am 36 Paul Reid

The weather is lousy. It’s grey, cold, wet and angry. At 5.30am, I am driving too fast fast through Cheshire because I have to get to work by 5.55am. The wipers push yet more rain across the windscreen and I curse the job once more; Why do I do this? I treat myself to a deep sigh, settle back into my seat, turn up the heater control and crank up the radio’s volume. Karen Carpenter fades slowly into silence. A deep, smoky rumble fills the car. It pays no heed to the weather, nor to the time, for Ray Moore is speaking. For ten seconds there is me and Ray Moore and absolutely nothing else in the universe.

One night, 45 years ago, Mrs & Mrs Webb were sitting at home in front of the fire. The clock on the mantlepiece is ticking, quietly and rythmically, and Mr Webb is enjoying a pipe whilst reading the Daily Express. Suddenly, Mrs Webb puts down her knitting and has a baby.

“Well, look at that” says Mr Webb, standing up. “A boy. I think we’ll call him Harry”.

The gravel voice fades to nothing and Cliff Richard sings an entirely forgettable song.

I miss Ray Moore. I miss early mornings, I miss the deep smoky mumblings that told tales of Dickymint, of Deptford High Street, of hiding behind potted palms at Eurovision, and of real banter with Wogan. There’s still good stuff on the radio, but the heights have never since been scaled.
on 07 Mar 2009 at 8:38 pm 37 yopetiga

Hello everyone

I’m trying to find a good copy of Ray Moore’s Personal Choice cd. Does anyone have one for sale or for copying please?

Many thanks and kind regards

Ian
on 11 Mar 2009 at 3:50 pm 38 bill murray

Ray Moore.

I no a lady called Marrian Fennel who new Ray at the theater in Oldam known as the rep she was the sectary at the time they new each other for years there is pictures of them and other actors in some old magazines of the rep she has been telling me some very nice stores of the rep and Ray was one of them .Just thought I would put it down on paper if anyone remembers marrian from the rep please let me know bill murray
on 10 May 2009 at 3:42 pm 39 Robin Stockwell

yopetiga. also looking for ray’s Personal Choice. Amazon shows a price of £27.99! is it as rare as that?
Robin
on 11 May 2009 at 7:06 pm 40 Stuart Aldridge

Of all the broadcasters which have been on radio in the past few years no one can make me smile at 5.30am in the morning other than Ray Moore, his humour was the best and choice of music and words made my day before starting work.
My boss could never understand the joke about Gatport Airwick, well he was never into Radio 2, mind you at his age of 50 listening to Radio One at the time I think he was passed it anyway.
I do have a CD of Ray Moore’s Personnel Choice with all the old tunes on there, but I dont know how we could forward copies on etc.
on 11 May 2009 at 7:57 pm 41 ian williams

Hi and thanks for the replies about the Ray Moore Personal Choice CD. The Amazon used copy went up in price after I enquired about it . . . I’m sure if the person who has a copy could burn and then mail, anyone who wants a copy could pay costs of the blank cd’s etc.

Is there any way of exchanging email addresses on here, it’d be very helpful.

Would that be okay?
on 19 May 2009 at 11:44 am 42 Howard

I went to the same school as Ray - in Crosby, Liverpool but many years later…He was a legend then and remains one… I went on to work in radio but never rose to Ray’s heights - I always think of Ray whenever I do one of those tv voiceovers he was so superb at doing. On the day he died I was a boy broadcaster doing a radio show on the south coast and played a song in his memory…
on 27 May 2009 at 1:43 pm 43 andy bungay

I remember being apoplectic with mirth in the 70s’ early mornings, late for school but additionally educated,and the eloquent intimations of other kinds of good times on the Late Show-I’d like to add Pam Cox to the roll of honour-consummate musical taste. It’s marvellous to know that the old prods are about. A while back I did a little bit of local radio contributing and as more illustrious posters have implied, you notice in a good studio environment that he’s knocking about somewhere.
on 14 Jun 2009 at 11:40 pm 44 Leo Capaldi

Just been listening to “For All We Know” by Ray Conniff and of course that put me in mind of Ray Moore. Great memories of listening to him, rest in peace Ray.
on 03 Aug 2009 at 3:41 pm 45 Chrissie

I read Ray’s autobiography when my sister (who absolutely adored him) suggested that I must read it, it was so brilliantly written. I didn’t hear Ray on Radio 2. I was still a wee bit young (I am now 52) and getting up early to hear a radio show would never have occurred to me! But, I remember seeing him on Top of The Pops and I knew he was the Voice presenting Miss World - and what a voice.

From his book, and later his wife’s book, you could just tell they were wonderful people. Brutally honest about the story of how they came to be together - it must have been so hard for them both. I have re-read both books many times.

Just recently, Colin Berry has been reading the news again on R2 (I assume because of the holiday period) and his fantastic voice reminded me of Ray and Alma and I have just read the books again.

Alma, if you should read this, please know that you have my admiration and I hope you know that Ray is not, and never will be forgotten.

I just happened on this Site while trying to find out some info on Ray and Alma - so thank you for setting this up.
on 07 Aug 2009 at 3:05 pm 46 Dave Stanhope

I remember Ray with fondness when I used to listen to him on a morning while driving up the A1 in the truck. He was great to listen to and made the early morning trips bareable. Sadly missed.
Found this site whilst trying to find the words of “O me father had a rabbit….” Keep up the good work. (And Chrissie.. I’m 52 as well… but guess I had a reason to be up so early.. LOL)
on 07 Aug 2009 at 3:43 pm 47 Chrissie

Dave,

Yes, I could kick myself for missing Ray - my sister told me constantly how wonderful he was … but, well, I have only myself to blame!
on 29 Oct 2009 at 3:06 pm 48 BRIAN WELLS

Sandy Moore
In loving and everlasting memory of Ray Moore who died 20 years ago today……………
To this very day I miss his cheery banter and often wonder what became of “senior management” - his lovely wife, Alma.
RIP Ray, you are still remembered with great affection in the hearts of many people.

11 Jan 2009

Sandy, I assume she is still with us but if you wish to send her good wishes you can do it via the Beeb, I did it years ago abd she replied with a little card and ‘thanks’

I’ve got a few recordings from his programme which I play from time to time,
Like evryone else I still miss him terribly, and no word of a lie I was born on the 11th too.

Brian
on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:20 pm 49 john mcgowan

Many, many people have mentioned Ray’s early morning show in glowing terms, and rightly so. For me though his Saturday night show was the peak of broadcasting. His voice, his choice of records, the fantastic Blues in the Night spot, all drew me like a magnet to the radio. I managed to tape his last New Year show just before he came off air. He knew he was ill then but did not let it show. I have played that tape many times and his voice and words brings tears to my eyes. At one time during the show he played Frank Sinatra’s It was a very good year, as the music started Ray said “the yearning, the yearning” - magic!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:36 pm 50 BRIAN WELLS

John McGowan, or anyone here would like to swap with my few bits of Ray on tape with theirs I’d be glad to accomodate…. I would dearly love to hear Ray;’s very last show on Radio 2 if anyone has it. I have his interview with Terry Wogan which he was accomanied by Alma on Video if anyone wants it, a good excuse to put it from VHS to DVD.

b.wells90@ntlworld.com

And of course another who was up there with Ray …… John Dunn and of Course Benny Green, who made even the most complicated Jazz, seem so listenable.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:11 pm 51 Phil Hinton

Yes what a gem that would be, his last show!! One of my fondest memories was when my wife wrote to him to ask a request for my birthday and after reading it out he called her an absolute ” Loonie” it some how made it so very personal, I cant believe it’s nearly 21 years ago he died, a master of his craft and a joy to wake up to RIP Ray
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:12 pm 52 Radiocafé

Good news!

We have uploaded a full hour of Ray Moore’s early show, from April 19, 1984, which was supplied by one of his fans. Click on the music player at the foot of the original article to listen. The quality goes off a little at the very end, but otherwise is a wonderful recording.

This is available here for a short time only. We have some further recordings from his late night show from 1980 that we will post here in early January.

If anyone else has any shows they would care to share with us, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Many thanks

Paul @ Radiocafe
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:30 pm 53 Phil Hinton

Just listened to the upload what a lovely reminder, full of so many of his little “funnies” How can we download it so we can all keep it for future enjojment?
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:31 pm 54 Phil Hinton

Just listened to the upload, brilliant how can we all download it for future enjoyment??
on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:37 pm 55 Roy Sutherland

Have just read all your coments on the Ray’s program upload…..Help where and what have i got to do to listen to it ???.. Can’t seem to get in there…

Many thanks.
Roy….
sutherlandr@hotmail.co.uk
on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:19 pm 56 Radiocafé

You should be able to play the show on the sound bar at the bottom of the original post, at the top of this page.
on 06 Dec 2009 at 2:29 am 57 C Dolan

I’ll never forget the morning Ray was so cross about the lady in the church hoovering when he wanted a few quiet moments alone. As soon as he said that, I knew SOMETHING was amiss. But Ray, being the consummate professional he was, quickly lead me to believe I was imagining things. He was so very ill.

I miss his early morning shows so much - he got me though some very difficult times. I’m so sad that I never thanked him while he was here. He did Pop Quiz which used to leave me in stitches. His “had a chicken but thought it was a duck” song was only slightly at variance with a one that my wonderful father warbled.

I remember one very lonely new year’s eve listening to Ray’s beloved Alma. If she reads this at all, please may I offer her my thanks - it felt like I spent that time with family. And I always say “Gatport Airwick” in fond memory of Ray - and I always will.
on 15 Dec 2009 at 9:50 pm 58 alison shortt

Oh how i miss ray moore and the fun, his chippendale whatnot and the boggarts, gatport airwick, and remarks to when God was a lad. Ray Moore was a lad - a lad with a heart. His voice cheered me up on many a dark,cold miserable morning. He had a unique talent that will be very hard to match.
Does anyone remember a poem he quoted once re a little boy who was lonely and sad - not much to go on but it was very emotional. Ray certainly had a way with words. He made me laugh and by gum he made me cry when he left us all.
on 17 Dec 2009 at 9:22 pm 59 John Rigby

With TW’s breakfast show ending tomorrow I started the remember the good old days and how much of an influence Ray had.

I used to sit in the works carpark until the end of his show before going into the office by the end of my time there I had a car full; what a way to start the working day.

I wish I could have told him at the time, what a difference email makes.

I agree with everything written here and it’s good the see that I’m not the only one to remember the man and that voice.

I too still use Gatport Airwick to name but one of his phrases.

No offence to current broadcasters but, Ray Moore your not he was one in a million.

Happy Christmas all.
on 11 Jan 2010 at 7:53 am 60 Sandy Moore

Thinking of Ray and his family today, the 21st anniversary of his death.

A little tribute, small and tender,
Just to say we still remember………

RIP.
Love,
Sandy
on 11 Jan 2010 at 10:16 am 61 Rob

I too was thinking of Ray on this 21st anniversary, wherever you are Ray we will never forget you.
on 11 Jan 2010 at 1:00 pm 62 mike

I too am thinking of Ray today and will say a short prayer at 6.20 - which is I believe the time of his death.
Thank’s Ray for so many memories

Mike
on 16 Jan 2010 at 12:57 pm 63 Alan Howourth

I have special memories of Ray , when I was younger serving my apprenticeship in Newcastle upon Tyne my Father would get me up for work an hour before I had to leave the house and we would sit by the coal fire (which my dad had put on at 5am) and we would listen to Ray’s calming voice which would break you in gently for the day ahead.
My father passed away recently and one of the memories I have of him is when he would wake me and say “come on son we will miss “pause for thought”……
God bless Ray and I am sure my Dad will find you and thank you for them special mornings.
Alan Howourth.
on 20 Jan 2010 at 10:16 pm 64 vaughan jones

I have only just found this site…what a gem.I agree with every comment I’ve read,and yes we all miss Ray, he was unique.His humour in the early mornings gave you a lift.I started listening when I started work in 1977 at our Family Butcher’s shop near Cardiff, and I’m still there, but now I’m a Dawn Patroller with Sarah Kennedy.Someone mentioned what had happened to Chris Stuart, who took over the show after Ray’s death…well he is the owner of a production company here in Cardiff called Presentable Productions and he does a lot of work for BBC Wales T.V and Radio in Cardiff.He also presents the Annual Remembrance Service from The Royal Albert Hall every November on BBC1.
I have just found a couple of cassettes of Ray’s shows:- Two’s Best Sunday 17th April 1983 and August Bank Holiday Monday 1985 Costa del Deptford when he spent 2 hours around The Cutty Sark, Thames Barrier and a sing-a-long with Roy Hudd at the end in I think it was The Trafalgar Arms…brilliant.I wish I knew how to have it copied onto c.d. Someone mentioned the tune “For all we know” by Ray Conniff. Ray would usually play this as the last record on a Friday just before 7.30am before his holiday…another one I remember “Here,there and everywhere” Mike Leander Orchestra.So many memories have come flooding back.What about his traffic reports at 6.45am…”The boat’s broke” in a thick Scouse accent, or if the sea was rough…” Hasten Jason fetch a basin…whoops, flop, fetch a mop!” I can go on and on.Why can’t we have an equivalent set up to the T.O.G.S. but for Ray’s fans instead? Cheers to Ray.
Vaughan Jones.
on 21 Jan 2010 at 9:12 am 65 Rob

Vaughan

To transfer a cassette on to a cd is not that difficult. And you can do it more or less for free. There are loads of ‘how to’ if you google ‘ transfer cassette to cd ‘.

Basically you just connect your cassette player to your pc via the headphone socket, record it with a free program like Audacity which will clean it up and convert to a mp3 or wav file which you can then burn to a cd. The only cost is a blank cd.

If you want more advise you can email me.

But thanks for the more memories of Ray.

regards
Rob
on 01 Feb 2010 at 1:23 pm 66 sheila

How i have missed Ray in the mornings. he was a wonderful presenter. I have tried to find out what happened to Alma, I even wrote to the BBC but they wouldnt give me any information. Does anyone know if she still lives in the cottage at Blackheath,did she remarry, is she still with us? I would appreciate any information you may have, I have reread their books many times.
on 01 Feb 2010 at 1:42 pm 67 BRIAN WELLS

Sheila ……. if you click on this link you’ll see that there is an audio book of his bio.
There might be some address on that (cassettes x 5) that might give you a lead in your quest ….. I qrote to her via the beeb and I got a thank you card postmarked Blackheat, but was years ago. It’s listed as available and only £5

https://www.isis-publishing.co.uk/osb/itemdetails.cfm/ID/5073