BBC Pirate Radio Documentary Published 57 Years Late

I recently received this recorded BBC radio documentary programme about the 1960s pirate radio stations called “The Pirates Of Pop” from my friend, John Ker, who says the tape was given him many years earlier by Graham Bunce, who in 1966 worked for pirate Radio City and later joined the BBC as Engineer and Studio Manager until his retirement in 2013. It is now published at Mixcloud and after all these years Graham can’t now remember how he originally obtained the recording.

Voices heard in this programme include Simon Dee, Radio London Managing Director, Philip Birch, Donald MacLean of the BBC’s Popular Music Department and Brian Emmett of BBC Audience Research.

There are several unknowns about “The Pirates Of Pop”. Why the peculiar programme length? What was the name of the programme’s producer? When was it produced? And most importantly, was it ever broadcast?

We don’t know for sure who presented the programme but it was most likely John Benson, for many years famous as the voice on Nicolas Parson’s “Sale of the Century” from Anglia TV. As for who produced the programme, I asked now retired BBC Radio 1 producer, Johnny Beerling, and he suspects that John Muir, who did the programme’s interviews, was also the producer.

When was “The Pirates Of Pop” Produced?
We know this documentary was made in January 1967 because its interviews clearly suggest this and additionally some content is mentioned in Robert Chapman’s 1992 book: “Selling The Sixties” where on pages 228/229 he quotes Donald MacLean of the BBC’s Popular Music Department. This is heard about 5-1/2 minutes from programme start.

Why is the Programme Length Peculiar?
BBC radio programmes of the time usually ended by naming the producer and other credits, which is not the case here. Instead, the programme ends somewhat abruptly with a few bars of the 1945 melody “We’ll Gather Lilacs” by Ivor Novello.
Also, the quality of the recording is very good, unlike off-air recordings of the 1960s, which were prone to hiss with possible crackles or tape “drop-outs”. So the excellent quality suggests it is probably a pre-transmission listening copy for later editing down to a final 30 minute version.

Was “The Pirates Of Pop” Ever Broadcast?
I believe that the BBC never broadcast “The Pirates of Pop” programme because its content was not approved by the UK government represented by the then Postmaster General, Edward Short.

Firstly there is no trace whatever of this programme in the extensive and very detailed BBC online Genome programme listings.

We must also remember that in 1967, the then UK Labour Government was not only vehemently against offshore pirate radio, they were also dogmatically opposed to the introduction of any land-based commercial radio stations in competition with the BBC, even though such competition would likely improve job opportunities and conditions of service for radio employees, many of whom would be likely Labour voters.

This very point is raised at about 15 mins. from programme start, when an anonymous union member (Association of Broadcasting Staff) makes the case for greater job opportunities and better conditions of service if more employers existed — a comment which the then Labour government would have obviously not wanted aired.

It’s intriguing that the then Postmaster General, Edward Short, when debating the Bill to outlaw pirate radio in Parliament on 15th February 1967 chose to mention: “We’ll Gather Lilacs” when plenty of other memorable melodies of the 1940s exist. He claimed there was no demand for non-stop pop and continued: “Clearly the housewife who is at home during the day – and some still are – likes to hear something like “We’ll gather lilacs” and that sort of nostalgic music. She likes a rather different kind of light music.”

My hunch is that the BBC had submitted a copy of “The Pirates of Pop” to the Postmaster General for approval before broadcast – approval that wasn’t given. But, as we know, the programme ends with “We’ll Gather Lilacs” which Edward Short remembered since he had listened to this programme tape only a few days earlier.

BBC 50 Years Of Broadcasting 1922-1972 And A Bit Beyond

This audio clip

includes the BBC’s audio documentary covering 50 years of the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1922-1972 plus several additional items as listed below. The BBC’s documentary was produced by Alan Burgess and Stephen Williams and narrated by René Cutforth.

Below is a list of all the items in order from start to finish.
Each item is numbered referring to the number of hours, minutes and seconds (approx.) from the start of the clip :
BBC 1922-1972 Documentary

00.00.00
This is London calling – Bow Bells.
00.00.22
Announcements – Lilliburlero – Oranges & Lemons – Pips.
00.02.03
“Imperial Echoes” by Arnold Safroni – Radio Newsreel theme 1940-1988.

1922-1932

00.04.48
Chimes Of Big Ben – The BBC Calling The World From London – John Snagge.
00.06.23
Writtle Calling – P.P. Eckersley.
00.06.45
Brown Eyes Why Are You Blue – The Savoy Orpheans.
00.08.11
Last Night On The Back Porch – Savoy Havana Band.
00.08.50
Opening Of Savoy Hill 1923 – Lord Gainford.
00.10.00
Stride La Vampa (Il Trovatore) – Irene Minghini-Cattaneo & Orchestra Of La Scala, Conductor – Carlo Sabajno.
00.11.25
Auntie Aggy Of The BBC – Tommy Lorne.
00.11.55
I Love A Lassie – Harry Lauder.
00.12.50
Nightingales In Surrey Wood / Songs My Mother Taught Me – Beatrice Harrison.
00.14.00
Do That Heebie Jeebie Dance – Sidney Firman And The London Radio Dance Band.
00.14.45
My Photograph – A.J. Alan.
00.16.05
Opening Of Tutankhamun’s Tomb – Dr. Howard Carter.
00.17.35
Tutankhamun’s Trumpet.
00.18.00
Christopher Stone Introducing Gramophone Record Programme.
00.18.20
Love’s Old Sweet Song – Essie Ackland.
00.19.20
If My Songs Were Only Winged – Albert Sandler & The Palm Court Orchestra.
00.20.15
The First Radio Padre – Rev. John A. Mayo, Rector Of Whitechapel.
00.21.13
News Item About The 1926 General Strike – Rear-Admiral C.D. Carpendale, BBC Assistant General Manager.
00.23.15
Flight From England To Australia And Back By De Havilland Seaplane 50, 30th June 1926-1st Oct. 1926 – Sir Alan Cobham.
00.25.00
Heavyweight Championship – Tommy Farr V. Joe Louis 31st Aug. 1937 – Bob Bowman.
00.26.10
Say It With Music – Jack Payne And The BBC Dance Orchestra.
00.26.42
Extract From Speech On Conversion Of War Loan 1st July 1932 – Stanley Baldwin.
00.27.15
Short Extract From Speech By The Prime Minister J. Ramsey McDonald on the Political Situation 25th Aug. 1931.
00.27.45
Short Extract From Talk On Communications 19th Nov. 1932 – H.G. Wells.
00.28.25
Happy Days Are Here Again – Jack Payne And The BBC Dance Orchestra.
00.28.45
Short Extract From “Joe Murgatoyd’s Letter” – John Henry And Blossom.
00.29.27
Reminiscences Of Hogsnorton – Gillie Potter.
00.30.20
First Christmas Day Message From Sandringham 25th Dec. 1932 – H.M. King George V..
00.32.22
Debroy Somers Band – There’s No Harm In Hoping – vocal Dan Donovan – recorded 1932.
00.33.30
Henry Hall & The BBC Dance Orchestra – Hands Across The Table – vocal Dan Donovan – recorded 1st May 1935.
00.34.28
Jack Payne & His Band – Just An Echo In The Valley – vocal Jack Payne – recorded Jan. 1933.
00.35.07
Jack Harris & His Orchestra – Wake Up And Live – vocal Mary Jane Walsh – recorded 1937.
00.35.58
Harry Roy & His Orchestra – Stormy Weather – vocal Ivor Moreton – recorded 24th May 1933.
00.36.45
Jack Jackson & His Orchestra – With You Here And Me Here – vocal Jack Jackson, Chappie D’Amato, recorded 31st Aug. 1933.
00.37.51
Billy Merrin & His Commanders – Old Ship O’Mine – vocal Ken Crossley – recorded 13th Feb. 1936.
00.39.07
Eddie Carroll & His Music – Change Partners – recorded 10th Oct. 1938.
00.40.00
The Rhythm Rascals (Jay Wilbur) – That Night Of Love – vocal Pat O’Malley – recorded 28th Sep. 1935.
00.40.35
Jack Hylton & His Orchestra – Lovely To Look At – vocal Sam Browne – recorded 7th April 1935.
00.41.20
“Knightsbridge March” composed and performed by Eric Coates and his symphony orchestra – theme tune for “In Town Tonight” originally presented by Eric Maschwitz – broadcast on Saturday evenings from 1933 to 1960.

1933-1939

00.45.30
In Town Tonight – Introductory Sequence And Knightsbridge March – Conductor Eric Coates.
00.46.07
Sally – Gracie Fields.
00.46.38
Where The Blue Of The Night – Bing Crosby.
00.47.06
Here’s To The Next Time – Henry Hall And The BBC Dance Orchestra.
00.47.35
Speech From Reichstag Germany 30th Jan. 1934 – Hitler.
00.48.05
Speech At 2nd Quinquennial Fascist Assembly, Rome, 18th March 1934 – Mussolini.
00.48.32
Speech On Political Implications Of Death Of President Von Hindenburg 2nd Aug. 1934 – Goebbels.
00.49.07
Joseph Joseph – Ambrose And His Orchestra.
00.49.47
Whispering – Roy Fox And His Band.
00.50.27
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Charlie Kunz.
00.51.05
Outbreak Of Italo-Abyssinian War, BBC News Bulletin 3rd Oct. 1935.
00.51.45
Music Hall (Opening Signature Tune) – Phillip Slessor & BBC Variety Orchestra Charles Shadwell Conductor.
00.52.37
Illness Of H.M. King George V BBC Announcement 20th Jan. 1936 – Stuart Hibberd.
00.53.25
Death Of H.M. King George V BBC Announcement 12.15am 21st Jan. 1936 – Sir John Reith, BBC Director General.
00.54.12
Passing Bell.
00.54.28
Funeral Of H.M. King George V. Commentary From Westminster Hall 28th Jan. 1936 – Charles Siepmann.
00.55.35
H. M. King Edward VIII – Message To The Empire 1st Mar. 1936.
00.56.50
Joe Loss And His Orchestra – In The Mood.
00.57.25
Freddy Grisewood, Hitler – German Re-Occupation Of The Rhineland – News Bulletin 7th March 1936.
00.58.46
Hitler, Massed Voices Of Crowd – Opening Of Olympic Games In Berlin – Speech Followed By Singing Of Olympic Hymn.
01.00.46
Leslie Mitchell – Opening Of BBC Television Service At Alexandra Palace – Announcement 2nd Nov. 1936.
01.01.16
H.R.H. The Prince Edward – Abdication Of H.M. King Edward VIII – Farewell Speech 11th Dec. 1936 – Presenter [Introduced By] – Sir John Reith.
01.04.05
The Archbishop Of Canterbury (Cosmo Gordon Lang) –
Coronation Of H.M. King George VI And H.M. Queen Elizabeth. Recognition – Westminster Abbey 12th May 1937 – Presenter [Commentary By] – Rev. F.A. Iremonger.
01.05.20
Royal Naval Review – Presenter [Comm. By] – Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Woodroofe.
01.05.48
Judy Shirley And The BBC Variety Orchestra – Monday Night At Seven – Introduction And Opening Signature Tune – Conductor Charles Shadwell.
01.08.30
Richard Murdoch And Arthur Askey With The BBC Variety Orchestra – Band Waggon – Excerpt Of Chestnut Corner – Conductor Charles Shadwell.
01.08.02
Entry Of Germany Into Austria – Recordings Made At Linz 12th March 1938.
01.08.37
Geraldo And His Orchestra – Ragtime Cowboy Joe.
01.09.17
The Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain Returns From Munich 30th Sep. 1938 – Presenter [Comm. By] Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Woodroofe.
01.09.50
Lionel Marson – Invasion Of Poland – News Bulletin 1st Sep. 1939.
01.10.25
Evacuation Of Children From Waterloo Station – Presenter [Comm. By] – S.J. de Lotbiniere.
01.11.10
Neville Chamberlain – Outbreak Of War With Germany. Announcement By The Prime Minister 3rd Sep. 1939.
01.11.55
Leon Cortez – The Girl Who Loves A Soldier.
01.12.29
Flanagan & Allen – Run, Rabbit, Run.
01.12.54
The King Sisters – In The Mood.
01.13.15
The Two Leslies – The Washing On The Siegried Line.
01.13.52
Vera Lynn – We’ll Meet Again.
01.15.02
Norman Long – Where Does Poor Pa Go In The Black-Out?
01.15.57
George Formby – Imagine Me In The Maginot Line.
01.16.29
Sam Browne – They Can’t Black Out The Moon.
01.17.00
Tessie O’Shea – I Fell In Love With An Airman.
01.17.48
Florence Desmond – The Deepest Shelter In Town.
01.18.48
Sam Browne – There’ll Always Be An England.
01.19.27
Vera Lynn – The White Cliffs Of Dover.
01.19.51
Spike Jones – Der Fuehrer’s Face.
01.20.08
Joe Loss – Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition.
01.20.29
Vera Lynn – You’ll Never Know.
01.21.17
Noel Coward – Don’t Let’s Be Beastly To The Germans.
01.21.47
Ambrose – Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer.
01.22.28
Marlene Dietrich – Lilli Marlene.
01.23.38
Dinah Shore – I’ll Be Seeing You.
01.24.21
Johnny Mercer – I’m Gonna See My Baby.

1940-1945

01.25.55
Winston B. Churchill – The Fall Of France. Extract From Speech By The Prime Minister 17th June 1940.
01.27.19
Alvar Lidell – Air Raid Sirens Followed By “Battle Of Britain” News Bulletin 15th Sep. 1940.
01.28.25
Air Raid On London – Actuality Recording From Roof And Adjoining Street Of Broadcasting House.
01.29.00
Tommy Handley And Musicians Of The Home Fleet – ITMA – Introduction From Special Performance For The Home Fleet At Scapa Flow – Conductor Charles Shadwell.
01.30.03
Jack Warner With The BBC Variety Orchestra – Garrison Theatre – Introduction Followed By “Nursey Nursey” – Conductor Charles Shadwell.
01.31.11
Vera Lynn – Sincerely Yours – “Wishing Will Make It So”.
01.31.41
Frank Phillips – British Submarines In Mediterranean – News Bulletin 5th Sep. 1941.
01.32.05
Vera Lynn – Sincerely Yours – “We’ll Meet Again”.
01.32.29
Frederick Allen – News Bulletin 7th Sep. 1941.
01.32.51
Douglas Ritchie – Colonel Britton On The V For Victory Call Sign 31st July 1941.
01.33.58
Godfrey Talbot – El Alamein – War Report.
01.34.36
Lale Andersen – Lilli Marlene.
01.35.24
Bruce Belfrage – Advance Of The 8th Army In Western Desert – News Bulletin 4th Nov. 1942.
01.36.12
Doris Hare With Debroy Somers And His Orchestra – Shipmates Ashore – Opening Signature Tune.
01.36.45
Ben Lyon With Jay Wilbur And His Orchestra – Hi Gang! – Signature Tune And Introduction.
01.37.04
Wilfred Pickles – Far Eastern Situation – News Bulletin 8th Dec. 1941.
01.37.28
Harry Korris, Cecil Frederick, Robbie Vincent And The BBC Revue Orchestra – Happidrome – “We Three” – Conductor Ernest Longstaff.
01.38.22
Richard Murdoch And Kenneth Horne With The Royal Air Force Orchestra – Merry-Go-Round (RAF Edition) – “Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh”
01.39.17
Dr. Charles Hill – The Radio Doctor – On Ingestion.
01.40.18
Bill Gates With James Moody With George Middleton – Workers Playtime.
01.40.55
John Snagge – Capitulation Of Italy – News Bulletin 8th Sep. 1943.
01.41.12
Kenneth Horne And The Royal Artillery Theatre Orchestra – Ack-Ack Beer-Beer – Opening Signature Tune – Conductor Band Quartermaster Mitchell.
01.42.19
Donald McCollough – The Brains Trust.
01.42.38
Clay Keyes And The BBC Dance Orchestra – The Old Town Hall – Closing Signature Tune – Conductor Billy Ternent.
01.43.19
Freddy Grisewood – Italy Declares War On Germany – News Bulletin 12th Oct. 1943.
01.43.40
Glenn Miller And His Orchestra – Moonlight Serenade.
01.44.12
John Snagge – D-Day Landings On Normandy Coast – News Item 6th June 1944.
01.44.45
Mitchell Bomber Over Normandy Coast – Presenter [Comm. By] – Air Commodore W. Helmore.
01.46.00
General Dwight D. Eisenhower – Broadcast At 07.30 Hours On D-Day.
01.46.23
Band Of The Scots Guard – Lilliburlero.
01.46.31
Richard Dimbleby – D-Day – War Report.
01.46.49
Howard Marshall – Invasion – War Report 8th Aug. 1944.
01.47.07
Joseph McLeod – Battle For Channel Ports.
01.47.27
John Snagge – Capture Of Brussels – News Item Followed By Band And Crowds Singing “Quand Madelon” After The Liberation 4th Sep. 1944.
01.48.09
Stanley Maxted – Allied Airbourne Landings In Holland 17th Sep. 1944 – Announcement And War Report From Arnhem.
01.49.29
Frank Gillard – Link-Up With Russian Army – War Report 25th April 1945.
01.49.53
Vera Lynn – The White Cliffs Of Dover.
01.50.29
Death Of Hitler – Special Announcement 1st May 1945.
01.50.53
Frederick Allen – Surrender Of German Armed Forces In Italy 2nd May 1945.
01.51.09
Stuart Hibbard – Capture Of Berlin – News Item 2nd May 1945.
01.51.27
Winston B. Churchill – VE Day – Winston Churchill Announces Victory In Europe Followed By Crowds Singing “Tipperary” 8th May 1945.
01.52.50
Frank Phillips – Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima 6th Aug. 1945.
01.53.12
Freddy Greenwood – Japanese Surrender Signed, Tokyo Bay – News Item 2nd Sep. 1945.

1946-1972

01.53.43
Much Binding In The Marsh.
01.54.00
Dick Barton, Special Agent – Devil’s Gallop.
01.54.15
Ray’s A Laugh.
01.54.33
PC49.
01.54.53
Music And Movement.
01.55.57
Melody On The Move – Clive Richardson.
01.56.28
Music While You Work.
01.56.43
Mrs. Dale’s Diary.
01.57.00
The Billy Cotton Band Show.
01.57.14
Two-way Family Favourites.
01.57.33
Down Your Way.
01.57.48
My Word.
01.58.04
Meet The Huggets.
01.58.20
The Navy Lark.
01.58.37
Operation Luna – Journey Into Space.
01.58.52
Take It From Here.
01.59.10
Paul Temple.
01.59.25
Educating Archie.
01.59.41
Housewive’s Choice.
02.00.07
The Archers.
02.00.37
Raymond Glendenning – FA Cup Final, Charlton v. Burnley, 1947 “The Ball Bursts”.
02.01.12
John Snagge Oxford Vs. Cambridge Boat Race, 1949.
02.01.56
Frank Gillard, Massed Bands Of The Brigade Of Guards–
Wedding Of H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth And The Prince Phillip – Commentary Followed By The National Anthem 20th Nov. 1947.
02.03.22
Ellis Powell – Mrs Dale’s Diary.
02.03.52
Wilfred Pickles, Harry Hudson – Have A Go – Introductory Sequence And “Have A Go Joe”.
02.04.35
Stewart McPherson – Ignorance Is Bliss – Introductory Sequence.
02.05.20
Kenneth Horne And Betty Marsden – Round The Horne – Opening Signature Tune And Dialogue Written By – Barry Took, Marty Feldman.
02.07.45
Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley And June Whitfield – Take It From Here – The Glums – Signature Tune And Short Extract – Written By Dennis Norden & Frank Muir.
02.09.38
Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers And Spike Milligan – The Goon Show – Short Excerpt From “Tales Of Old Dartmoor” followed By “I Travel The Road” Written By Spike Milligan.
02.11.17
Norman Painting, Ysanne Churchman, Basil Jones, Anne Cullen – The New Concert Orchestra – The Archers – Opening Siganture Tune “Barwick Green” And Short Excerpt “The Death Of Grace Archer” Written By Edward J. Mason & Geoffrey Webb.
02.12.55
Stewart McPherson – Twenty Questions – Introductory Sequence.
02.13.17
Franklin Englemann, The Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra – Down Your Way – Closing Sequence And “The Horse Guards, Whitehall”.
02.13.58
Charles Gardner – First Trans-Atlantic Jet Flight By RAF Vampires – 16th July 1948.
02.14.20
Charles Gardner – Meteor Jet At 618mph – 12th Oct. 1948.
02.15.17
Bernard Moore – Berlin, End Of Soviet Blockade – 4th May 1949.
02.15.45
Howard Marshall – Funeral Of H.M. King George 15th Feb. 1952.
02.17.40
The Archbishop Of Canterbury (Geoffrey Fisher) – The Coronation Of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II – Prayer And Crowning By The Archbishop Of Canterbury – 2nd June 1953 – Presenter [Comm. By] John Snagge.
02.19.25
Warren Mitchell, Una Stubbs, Dandy Nichols And Anthony Booth –
Till Death Do Us Part – “TV Filth” – Short Extract – Written By Johnny Speight.
02.21.21
Millicent Martin, David Frost – That Was The Week That Was – Opening Signature Tune And Short Extract From “What’s Left Of The Empire – Written By Christopher Booker & David Frost.
02.22.34
Wilfrid Brambell And Harry H. Corbett – The Steptoes – Short Extract From Homes Fit For Heros – Written By Alan Simpson & Ray Galton.
02.23.24
Major Yuri Gagarin – Men In Space – Gagarin 12th April 1961.
02.23.53
Leonard Parkin – Assassination Of President Kennedy 22nd Nov. 1963.
02.24.49
Brian Moore – England’s World Cup Victory (Soccer) 1966.
02.25.28
Alistair Cooke – Short Extract From 1,000th Letter From America On Vietnam 24th March 1968.
02.26.30
John Snagge, Pipe-Major Thomas Anderson – Memorial Service In Westminster Abbey For Lord Reith 22nd July 1971 – Lament “Flowers Of The Forest”.
02.27.45
BBC Television News Theme 1948-1954 – “Girls in Grey” by the Queens Hall Light Orchestra conducted by the composer Charles Williams.

Beyond 1972

02.30.14
BBC World Service “Waveguide” with Liz Francis featuring Andrew Piper – Xmas 1983.
02.38.50
BBC World Service sequence with intrusive Lilliburlero etc. Laurence Reeve-Jones – 19th Jan. 1981.
02.40.30
Lilliburlero spoof Christmas “Waveguide” 1982.
02.40.51
BBC World Service “Waveguide” featuring Stanley Unwin 1982.
02.41.55
BBC World Service “24 Hours” slip-up.
02.43.23
Announcers Song John Wing from 50 Not Out Gordon Clyde.
More about Gordon Clyde.
02.44.45
BBC World Service “News” read by Roger Collinge. (Did BBC engineers at Bush House have too much spare time?).
 

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