Radio Station Archive – BBC

Below is a list of archived BBC radio recordings, air-checks, videos and documents which we make freely available to our site visitors subject to the following conditions.

Limited Use
IMPORTANT: Please note that all documents on this site, including all pictures, audio and video recordings, are for historical research, academic and educational purposes only. Any other use of materials on this site, including reproduction for any purposes other than those noted above, including, but not limited to modification, distribution, or re-publication by any means without the prior written permission of CampaignForIndependentBroadcasting.co.uk is prohibited. No other use may be made without the express written permission of this site’s owners.

Trademarks
All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to their other respective owners.

Audio & Video Recordings
Important:
The recordings listed below are in .mp3 or .mp4 format within password-protected .zip files. You will need to first download the .zip file to your computer. To unzip the file you will need Winzip or 7-Zip or another fully compatible alternative software. When you unzip the file, you will also need the password which you can obtain at no cost by contacting us and explaining briefly what your interest is.
We also provide some recordings to listen to online here and here.
Please follow the following link if you are looking for audio recordings from other radio stations (not BBC).

Document Archive
If you are looking for our document archives, please follow the following link for a list of NCRM (National Commercial Radio Movement), CIB (Campaign For Independent Broadcasting) and related documents.


BBC
1960, This Is The BBC, .mp4 66 mins.
This film gives a fascinating impression of 24 hours in the life of the BBC. There is no commentary at all — instead the sound track consists entirely of the announcements, programme music and voices of the artists, commentators and technical staff. It is a broadcasting time-capsule — TV competition, in the form of ITV, had started just 5 years earlier and its radio monopoly was to be severely shaken just 4 years later with the arrival of offshore pirate Radio Caroline. “This Is The BBC” was broadcast on BBC-TV on 29th June 1960, the opening night of BBC Television Centre, headquarters of BBC Television until 2013. Produced and directed by Richard Cawston.

1964, Fri. 10th July, BBC Home Service, Scrapbook For 1938 – “The Brink of the Precipice”, .mp3 75 mins.
Scrapbook was an occasional and enduringly popular programme on BBC radio which lasted for more than 40 years. It was first broadcast in 1932 on the BBC’s National Programme, in post-war years on the BBC Home Service and was last heard in about 1974 on BBC Radio 4. The Scrapbook programmes were devised and researched by Leslie Baily, narrated by Freddie Grisewood and produced by Vernon Harris. Each programme would be devoted to the key events and highlights of one specific year from a British standpoint and included accounts by people who were close to historical events, recordings of radio broadcasts and newsreels, recordings from popular shows, singers and musicians. Read more about the BBC Scrapbook programmes…

1967, BBC Home Service : The Pirates of Pop1960s
.mp4 35 mins. The Pirates of Pop – A Study of Pop or Pirate Radio The exact date of this early 1967 programme about the 1960s offshore pirate radio stations is unknown and it is doubtful whether it was ever broadcast. Voices heard include Simon Dee, Radio London Managing Director, Philip Birch and Donald MacLean of the BBC’s Popular Music Department. The presenter is uncertain but it is likely John Benson. The name of the programme’s producer is unknown but BBC producer Johnny Beerling suspects John Muir may well have produced it as well as doing the interviews. Why was this programme never broadcast? Probably because the views expressed in “The Pirates of Pop” were sharply in contrast to UK Labour government policy, which in 1967 was not only against the offshore pirate radio stations but was also dogmatically opposed to the introduction of land-based commercial radio. This policy did not change until the 1970 UK general election which was won by the Conservative party.

1969, Pop Went The Pirates, .mp3 52 mins.
This is almost certainly Auntie BBC’s very first tribute to the 1960’s offshore radio stations that changed the face of British radio for ever. Introduced by Andy Wright and broadcast over various BBC local stations in 1969.
Presenter Andy Wright, who died in 1997, worked most of his career in BBC local radio.
His brother, Charles, says that Andy made this programme entirely off his own bat and it was not sanctioned by the BBC at the time. The announcer at the start of this recording is Victor Hallam, later a regular on BBC Radio 3.

1969, Sat. 26th April, BBC Radio 1, 247m., Johnnie Walker Show, .mp3 120 mins.
This was Johnnie Walker’s first show for the BBC following Radio Caroline’s demise a year earlier in March 1968.

1969, Mon. 26th May, BBC Radio 1, 247m., Johnnie Walker Show, .mp3 120 mins.

1970, BBC World Service News, .mp3 3-3/4 mins.
Is this joke/mashup what BBC engineers (armed with razor blade and splicing tape) got up to in their spare time at Bush House? Listen to Roger Collinge reading the World Service News as never before (or again)!

1971, Tues. 29th June, BBC Radio London, Interview with Ronan O’Rahilly, .mp3 48-1/2 mins.
In this rare BBC interview with David Simmons, Radio Caroline’s founder, Ronan O’Rahilly, talks about his movies “Gold” and “Girl on a Motorcycle“, the Oz magazine trial, as well as Radio Caroline’s active support for the Conservative Party during the June 1970 General Election campaign and his views on Harold Wilson, the Government and freedom in general.

1972, Sat. 13th May, BBC Radio 1, FM 95.3, Stuart Henry Show, .mp3 46 mins.
This show starts at 09.55 hrs. and includes the last minute or so of Ed Stewart’s Junior Choice. Pete Brady on news. This FM recording on 95.3 was BBC Radio London’s frequency at the time.

1972, Sun. 14th May, BBC Radios 1 & 2, 247m & FM, Emperor Rosko – “Rock’n’Roll Is Here To Stay” + Alan Freeman “Pick Of The Pops” (part), .mp3 93 mins.
Starting at 16.00 hrs., includes the close of Jimmy Savile’s “Speakeasy” programme followed by the whole of Rosko’s show which was the last in the series. Rosko’s show ends at 17.00 when we hear the first half hour of “Pick Of The Pops” with Alan Freeman in FM quality.

1972, Tues. 19th Sep., BBC Radio 2, “script” for “Late Night Extra”.
Five years after Radio One’s 1967 start with ad-libbed programmes copied from the offshore stations, Radio Two continued with bureaucratic scripts as shown in this example – a set of 18 pages for a 2 hour show with a set going to each of at least 8 people adds up to nearly 1 kilo of paper! Just for one 2 hour show. Imagine how many trees the BBC sacrificed in a month. Note also that a 2 hour show required 4 hours of “rehearsal”.

1973, Sat. 19th May, 10.30-11.30 a.m. BBC Radio Blackburn FM – “The Unruly Waves”, .mp3 61-1/2 mins. This is one of the earliest BBC programmes dedicated to the offshore “pirate” radio stations of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Produced by Paul Heaney for BBC Radio Humberside this programme includes the voices of Ted Allbeury of Radio 390, Radio London’s Philip Birch, BBC Radio 1 & 2 Controller Douglas Muggeridge, Wilf Proudfoot of Radio 270, Radio Caroline’s Ronan O’Rahilly and Edward Short, the Postmaster General responsible for the 1967 Marine etc. Broadcasting and Offences Act. Also included are the voices of DJs Rusty Allen, Andy Archer, Tony Blackburn, Roger Day, Simon Dee, Dave Dennis, Kenny Everett, Alan Freeman, Paul Kaye, Michael Lindsay, Ron O’Quinn and Johnnie Walker.

1973, summer, BBC Radios 1 & 2 – “The Beatles Story” .mp3 630 mins.
This 14 part documentary series of programmes was presented by Brian Matthew. It was written and produced by Johnny Beerling. An earlier 13 part version had first been aired weekly by the Beeb starting on Sunday, 21st May 1972 at 5pm..
Parts 1-5
Parts 6-10
Parts 11-14

1974, 26th Jan., BBC Radio 2 FM Stereo – “The Story Of Pop, Part 18, Ship To Shore”, .mp3 70-1/4 mins.
Covers “pirate” radio’s effect on pop music and its development into Britain’s first national pop music station, BBC Radio 1. Produced by Tim Blackmore, narrated by Alan Freeman, written by Keith Skues and John Pigeon, this program includes the voices of Ronan O’Rahilly, Philip Birch, Tony Windsor, Keith Skues, Paul Kaye, Simon Dee, Johnnie Walker, Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett and many others. This recording includes a few minutes of the preceding programme illustrating that by 1974 BBC Radio 2 had not yet got rid of its 1940’s/1950’s Forces Programme/Light Programme “brass band” image.

1974, April, BBC Radio “Study on 3 – Commercial Radio”, Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.
These are the scripts of a series of three programmes describing the way various groups wanting commercial radio in Britain built their campaigns in the 1960’s and the sort of commercial radio that finally emerged starting in October 1973. Introduced by Financial Times journalist, Chris Dunkley, those taking part are:
Christopher Chataway, conservative government minister responsible for carrying the commercial radio legislation through parliament.
Terry Bate, Radio Caroline executive.
Harry McGee, Pye Electronics executive, the company jointly responsible for the creation of Britain’s first licensed commercial radio station, Manx Radio, in June 1964, nearly ten years before commercial radio was licensed on the UK mainland.
John Gorst, secretary of the Local Radio Association, a pressure group of potential commercial radio station operators.
Sir Paul Bryan, Conservative shadow minister responsible for broadcasting in the 1960’s.
Geoffrey Pearl, Chairman of the Free Radio Association.
Martin Rosen, Press & Public Relations Officer for the Campaign For Independent Broadcasting.
Hughie Green, whose Commercial Broadcasting Consultants company was pressing for the introduction of commercial radio on Medium Wave only.
Douglas Lowndes, Director of the Newspaper Society, representing local newspapers who saw the prospect of commercial radio as a threat to their advertising revenues.
John Morton, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, which was violently opposed to the introduction of commercial radio.
Don Wightman, a member of the commercial radio committee, set up by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and media director of Lintas advertising agency.
Philip Whitehead, Labour MP, television producer and founder member of the “76 Group”, which was in favour of local or community radio but opposed to radio being run commercially.

1993, Sun. 24th Oct., BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs with Kenny Everett, .mp3 35 mins.
Interviewed by Sue Lawley.

1995, Fri. 7th July, BBC Radio 1, FM, John Peel tribute to Wolfman Jack, .mp3 12-3/4 mins.
John Peel’s tribute includes an edited aircheck of the legendary american DJ Wolfman Jack on “border blaster” radio XERB from Sep/Oct. 1967.

1997, Oct/Nov., BBC Radio 2 – The History of UK Popular Music Radio. This 4 part series is introduced by DJ Noel Edmonds and produced by Trevor Dan & Kevin Howlett to celebrate the BBC’s 75th anniversary. It’s an excellent series except for an unfortunate factual error in Part 4 where Noel Edmonds wrongly states that in 1970:
“RNI (Radio Nordsee International) embarked on a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign against the Labour government… The government’s response to these tactics was for the first time in British history to jam its transmitters.”
In fact the reverse is true in that the Labour government had begun jamming RNI as early as 15 April 1970 and RNI did not respond with pro-Conservative party political messages until 13th June 1970. This is confirmed by several independent online sources including Wikipedia.
Part 1 – The Early Years of UK Music Radio, 1930-1950 features Radio Normandy, Radio Luxembourg, broadcasting during World War II, the BBC Forces Programme, the Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF) Programme and the BBC Light Programme. Includes the voices of Bob Danvers-Walker, Geoffrey Everett, Margaret Hubble, Lord Haw-Haw (William Joyce), Odette Lesley, Charles Maxwell, The Ovaltineys, Roy Plomley, Max Stanniforth, Christopher Stone and Stephen Williams.
Part 2 – “Roll Over Beethoven” deals with the 1950’s up to 1964, featuring Radio Luxembourg, BBC Light Programme, Radio Caroline, Radio WINS, Housewives’ Choice, Pick Of The Pops, Easy Beat, Saturday Club and includes Derek Chinnery, Alan Crawford, Simon Dee, Keith Fordyce, Alan Freed, Alan Freeman, Tony Hall, Jack Jackson, David Jacobs, Teddy Johnson, Brian Matthew, Christopher Moore, Pete Murray, Ronan O’Rahilly, Ray Orchard, Jimmy Savile and Roger Scott.
Part 3 – “The Offshore Pirates” covers the years 1964 to 1967 with Radio Caroline, Radio Atlanta, Radio Sutch, Radio City, Radio 390, Radio London (Big L), Radio Scotland, Radio 270, Radio England, Radio WABC with the voices of Philip Birch, Tony Blackburn, Paul Burnette, Dave Cash, Edward Cole, Robbie Dale, Larry Dean, Tom Edwards, Ken Evans, Kenny Everett, Tony Hall, John Peel, Ronan O’Rahilly, Edward Short, Keith Skues, Johnnie Walker, Tony Windsor and Tommy Vance.
Part 4 – “Radio Ga Ga” is about the period from 1967 to 1997 and deals with the overhaul at Broadcasting House (BBC) where the Home Service, Light Programme and Third Programme were replaced by Radios One, Two, Three and Four and the problems faced by the BBC trying to emulate the offshore pirate radio stations. Features Radio Caroline, BBC Radio One, Radio Luxembourg, Radio Northsea International (RNI), BBC Radio Leicester, Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), Capital Radio, Radio 210 and includes the voices of Johnnie Beerling, Tony Blackburn, Paul Burnette, Dave Cash, Roger Day, Jack De Manio, Kenny Everett, Alan Freeman, Frank Gillard, Jack Jackson, Duncan Johnson, John Peel, Tony Prince, Mike Raven, Emperor Rosko, Jimmy Savile, Robin Scott, Edward Short, Keith Skues, Dave Lee Travis, Larry Tremaine, Tommy Vance, Johnnie Walker, Alan West, Tony Windsor, Terry Wogan, Steve Wright and Jimmy Young. Also included is the protesting voice of CIB’s Martin Rosen (then with the Free Radio Association): “We want the basic freedom of choice, the choice between the BBC and independent radio stations.“.

2004, BBC Radio Essex – “All At Sea, Part 1, The Story of 1960’s Offshore “Pirate” Radio by Ray Clark”, .mp3 53 mins.
This programme was produced by BBC and ex Radio Caroline DJ, Ray Clark to celebrate 40th anniversary of offshore “pirate” radio which started on Easter Sunday 1964 when Radio Caroline was first heard.

2007, BBC Radio Essex – “All At Sea, Part 2, The Story of Offshore “Pirate” Radio from 1967 onwards by Ray Clark”, .mp3 40 mins.
On its 40th anniversary, BBC and ex Radio Caroline DJ, Ray Clark remembers August 1967 when the UK Government’s law against the popular offshore “pirate” radio stations became effective and relates what happened next.

2008, Sat. 5th Jan., BBC Radio 4, God Pirates & Ovaltineys, .mp3 57 mins.
UK radio listeners often think that the offshore pirates of the 1960s, such as Radio Caroline, Radio London, Radio 390 and others, were commercial radio’s original pioneers. But they weren’t. In “God, Pirates & Ovaltineys” writer, poet, broadcaster and Britain’s first Professor of Radio, Seán Street goes back to the early days of radio in the 1920s and 1930s when offshore commercial radio stations located on the continent of Europe, like Radio Normandy, Radio Luxembourg and several others entertained English audiences and provided serious competition for Lord Reith’s BBC. This programme, produced by Julian May, includes the voices of David (Ian) Newman, Keith Wallis, Max Stanniforth, Bob Danvers-Walker, Christopher Stone, Desmond Hawkins, The Ovaltineys, Roy Plomley, John Liffen, Sean Davies and Tom Doam. There is also a written transcript of this programme.

2011, Sat. 1st Jan., BBC Radio Devon, “The Radio Election”, .mp3 60 mins.
This programme about the part that Radio Nordsee International (RNI) played in the 1970 general election attempts to answer the question: Did RNI cause Harold Wilson’s 1970 General Election defeat? It also reveals some little-known, murky details like the extent to which the BBC itself was involved in the then Labour government’s jamming of RNI’s programmes. Includes the voices of Roger Day, Andy Archer, Larry Tremaine, Carl Mitchell, Duncan Johnson, Alan West and Mark Wesley. Programme written, produced & presented by Paul Rowley.

2014, Sat. 20th Dec., BBC Radio 4 Extra, “Here’s Kenny” – Kenny Everett, .mp3 61 mins.
Journalist Mark Paytress presents the story of Kenny Everett’s radio and TV career. Apart from Kenny himself and many of his souvenirs, jingles, promos and clips, this programme includes extracts from pirate Big-L Radio London with contributions from Tony Blackburn and Keith Skues. Also included is Kenny’s work with his friends, The Beatles. Kenny was the very first DJ anywhere to play the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” on radio, toured America with them and even produced two Beatles fan club albums. This programme produced by Sian Price and first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.

2014, Thurs. 25th Dec., BBC Radio 4 Extra, Happy Birthday Maurice Cole / Kenny Everett, .mp3 60 mins.
This programme about Kenny Everett, originally broadcast at Xmas 2009, is produced and presented by the BBC’s Paul Rowley and looks at Kenny’s early life and in particular his pioneering work on offshore pirate Big-L Radio London and later with the Beeb.

2014, Thurs. 25th Dec., BBC Radio 2, Junior Choice, .mp3 116-1/2 mins.
One of the last voices to be heard on offshore station Big-L Radio London when it closed in August 1967, Ed Stewart was one of the first DJs to join BBC Radio One when it opened six weeks later. “Junior Choice” had started out in 1954 as “Children’s Favourites” on the Beeb’s “Light Programme”, the name being changed in 1967. Ed Stewart started hosting “Junior Choice” in 1968 and continued for eleven years. Although “Junior Choice” was dropped in 1982, it was brought back in 2007 for an annual two-hour Christmas Day special which continued until Christmas 2015. Ed Stewart died in January 2016.

Ready Steady Go! : Britain’s Iconic 1960s TV Music ShowReady Steady Go! RSG!
2019, .mp4 59 mins. Ready Steady Go! (RSG!) was a UK rock/pop music ITV programme on Friday evenings starting 9th August 1963 and ending 23rd December 1966. RSG! revolutionised TV for the young and coincided with the 60’s explosion of pop talent. Artists featured here include The Beatles, Manfred Mann, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Georgie Fame, The Small Faces, James Brown, The Who, Sandie Shaw, Lulu, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, The Supremes, Donovan, The Kinks, The Animals, The Rolling Stones. This BBC video includes RSG!’s original producer, Vicki Wickham, its director, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Annie Nightingale, Eric Burdon, Chris Farlowe, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Paul Jones, Gerry Marsden and Jools Holland.

Radio Station Archive

Below is a list of archived radio station recordings and air-checks which we make freely available to our site visitors subject to the following conditions.

Limited Use
IMPORTANT: Please note that all documents on this site, including all pictures, audio and video recordings, are for historical research, academic and educational purposes only. Any other use of materials on this site, including reproduction for any purposes other than those noted above, including, but not limited to modification, distribution, or re-publication by any means without the prior written permission of CampaignForIndependentBroadcasting.co.uk is prohibited. No other use may be made without the express written permission of this site’s owners.

Trademarks
All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to their other respective owners.

Audio Recordings
Important:
The recordings listed below are in .mp3 format within password-protected .zip files. You will need to first download the .zip file to your computer. To unzip the file you will need Winzip or 7-Zip or another fully compatible alternative software. When you unzip the file, you will also need the password which you can obtain at no cost by contacting us and explaining briefly what your interest is.
We also provide some recordings to listen to online here and here.

Document Archive
If you are looking for our document archives, please follow the following link for a list of NCRM (National Commercial Radio Movement), CIB (Campaign For Independent Broadcasting) and related documents.


Absolute Radio UKPirate Radio 55th Anniversary
12th August 2022, .mp3 374 mins. Pirate Radio 55th Anniversary.
This complete 6 hour show marks the 55th anniversary of the UK government’s banning of the pioneering offshore commercial pirate radio stations on 14th August 1967. It aired from 10.00-16.00 hrs. on Friday, 12th August 2022, presented by Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker, Leona Graham and Shaun Keaveny. The last hour, which includes a poor quality recording of part of Radio London’s final hour, has been replaced with a better quality complete version. More detail about this recording.

American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS)
1976 Summer, Wolfman Jack, .mp3 56-1/2 mins.

American Forces Network (AFN)
1970, AFN Europe Station ID, .mp3 9 secs.

1970 Tuesday 14th July, AFN Frankfurt, Germany, .mp3 64 mins.
Part of the afternoon “Off The Record” show with Steve Ingel on AM 872kcs. Some local interference from time to time as this was recorded from a car radio on the German Autobahn. AFN Frankfurt’s MW transmitter was located at Weißkirchen, Oberursel, Germany and broadcast from May 1951 until May 2013. It was AFN Europe’s most powerful AM transmitter: 150 KW.. More information about AFN. And here’s a video about AFN Europe’s history.

1970 Friday 17th July, AFN Munich, Germany, 1106kcs., .mp3 37 mins.
Includes parts of the “Lunchin’n Munchen” and “Bouncing in Bavaria” shows.

1971 November/December, AFVN Vietnam Network, Saigon., .mp3 3 mins.
Edited extracts. The Vietnam war occurred from 1955 until the fall of Saigon in April 1975. From 1962 until 1975 AFVN network broadcast from Saigon (AM 540Kcs 50kW and FM 99.9MHz 100kW.) with additional lower power transmitters in Hue, Pleiku, Da Nang and Nha Trang. After the takeover by North Vietnam, Saigon’s name was changed and the communist regime, having “inherited” AFVN’s 100kW FM transmitter (according to WRTVH 1976) changed its name to the “Time And Music Station of Ho Chi Min City”.

1974 Sunday 1st December, AFN Berlin, Germany, .mp3 23 mins.
Part of the Wolfman Jack show.

Atlantic Oldies 2NG
2009, Pirate Special, .mp3 120 mins.
This entertaining and informative show, produced, written and narrated by Bill Rollins for Internet radio station Atlantic Oldies 2NG, traces how U.K. music radio evolved starting with Radio Normandy and Radio Luxembourg in the 1930’s and focuses on the offshore pirate stations of the 1960’s. Includes many jingles and records made into hits by pirate radio as well as the voices of Radio Caroline’s Ronan O’Rahilly, Philip Birch of Radio London, and DJs Roy Plomley, Barry Alldis, Simon Dee, Tony Windsor, Paul Kaye, Keith Skues, Dave Cash and “Screaming” Lord Sutch.

BBC
BBC archive recordings and documents have been moved to this page.

Capital Radio, London
1973 Tuesday 25th December, .mp3 124 mins. 95.8 FM, Kenny Everett and Dave Cash Christmas morning show. Starts 07.00 hrs.

1974 Saturday 19th January, .mp3 96 mins. 95.8 FM, Roger Scott “Cruising” oldies show (part) featuring music from 1950’s TV shows “6-5 Special” and “Drumbeat” and Elvis Presley LP “A Legendary Performer”. Also includes last part of Capital Countdown show with Tommy Vance and news with Robin Houston. Starts 11.55 hrs.

1974 Wednesday 26th June, .mp3 111-1/2 mins. 95.8 FM Stereo, Kenny Everett early morning show. Starts 06.27 hrs.

1974 Monday 1st July, .mp3 129 mins. 95.8 FM Stereo, Nicky Horne’s evening programme “Your Mother Wouldn’t Like It” followed by the first 20 minutes of the “Open Line” call-in programme with Alan Brian talking with London taxi drivers. This aircheck starts at 18.45 hrs.

CBS
1939-1946, .mp3 100 mins., Edward R. Murrow – A Reporter Remembers The War Years
Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) was an American broadcast journalist for CBS who became well known thanks to a series of radio news broadcasts he made from the UK during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the USA. He was known for his honesty and integrity in delivering the news. He was later a pioneer of TV news and broadcast a series of reports that led to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
These recordings of Edward R. Murrow are from a collection of more than a thousand he made while based in Britain, relayed by short-wave for broadcast to US listeners. Here is a list of the recordings’ dates and subjects provided here:
Part 1
24th Feb 1946 “A Reporter Remembers” (part of a BBC broadcast to the British people.)
31st Aug 1939 Children evacuated from London.
3rd Sept 1939 Britain declares war.
4th Sept 1939 First air raids.
27th Nov 1939 Air raid warning system.
9th Apr 1940 Debate in parliament.
8th May 1940 Chamberlain asked to resign.
10th May 1940 Dunkirk.
Part 2
4th June 1940 Churchill talks about Dunkirk.
24th Aug 1940 Trafalgar Square air raid.
25th Aug 1940 Reactions to bombings.
22nd Sep 1940 On rooftop during air raid.
29th Sep 1940 Visit to West Somerset.
2nd Dec 1940 Courage of the British.
24th Dec 1940 Christmas.
Part 3
9th Mar 1941 Spring in England.
7th Nov 1942 African campaign.
24th Dec 1942 Yanks at Christmas.
3rd Dec 1943 Berlin raid.
Part 4
6th June 1944 D-Day.
17th Sep 1944 Arnhem drop.
April 1945 Return to Germany.
15th Apr 1945 Buchenwald.
8th May 1945 Picadilly – VE Day.
24th Feb 1946 “A Reporter Remembers” (part of a BBC broadcast to the British people.)

KHJ Los Angeles CA, USAjohn lennon as KHJ DJ
1965/1974, .mp3 113 mins. John Lennon as DJ.
KHJ radio, Los Angeles, on air since 1922, was a successful Top 40 format station from the mid-60s until the late 1970s. Today its format is religious. There are two items: The first 45 minutes is a Cruisin montage of KHJ’s output in its 1965 heyday with DJ Robert W. Morgan. Then forward to September 1974 and John Lennon’s one-time appearance as guest DJ… entertaining despite some of the music being scoped.

KSFO San Francisco CA, USA
19th May 1972, .mp3 33 mins. part of morning show with Dan Sorkin.
Although KSFO now has an all talk format, back in the 60’s and 70’s it was one of San Francisco’s leading radio stations with a middle of the road music format and the slogan: “The World’s Greatest Radio Station – especially in San Francisco”. More about KSFO here.

LBC, London
1973 Monday 8th October, .mp3 31 mins. 97.3 FM, Opening programme, Starts 06.00 hrs.. LBC, known at the time as “London Broadcasting Company”, was the UK mainland’s very first licensed commercial radio station. The first voice on the air was David Jessel and the first news bulletin was read by Australian-expatriate newsreader Ken Guy.

Manx Radio / Radio Vannin
1971 May, Manx Radio’s programme schedule.
This detailed programme plan was prepared by CIB member John Rosborough, who also took the trouble of making recordings of Manx Radio in May 1971 from his home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1975 John joined commercial Downtown Radio where he has worked for more than 40 years.

1973 January, Manx Radio’s rate card for advertisers.

2014, .mp3 7 mins., Manx Radio’s first General Manager John Grierson at 50th anniversary celebration in 2014, interviewed by broadcaster, Paul Moulton and by radio presenter and executive, David Lloyd.
Contrary to popular belief that licensed commercial radio in Britain started with LBC in 1973, in fact it actually began nearly 10 years earlier with Manx Radio in June 1964 in a caravan on the Isle of Man with the opening announcement by Lieutenant Governor, Sir Ronald Garvey, who’d been part of the long battle to open the station and had previous experience of setting up a local radio station in his time as Governor of Fiji.
Richard L. Meyer, who was the step-father of John Grierson and the telecoms company Pye, originally owned the radio station which was later sold to the Manx Government. Meyer had considerable experience of commercial radio and TV having been manager for Leonard Plugge’s International Broadcasting Company (IBC) in the 1930s, which was responsible for English language commercial radio broadcasts from Radio Normandy, Radio Luxembourg as well as LM Radio based in Maputo, Mozambique. During World War II he was appointed by the War Office to head Forces Broadcasting Middle East from Cairo and in the 1950s was one of the first directors of UK commercial TV operator Associated Television (ATV).

2014 Saturday, 29th March, .mp3 107-1/2 mins.
Memories of Radio Caroline on its 50th anniversary with Chris Williams.

Radio Atlanta
1964 May, .mp3 12 mins. Part of evening show.
Radio Atlanta was an offshore station that operated on 1493 kHz (201 metres) from the mv. Mi Amigo off the coast of Frinton, Essex from 12th May 1964 to 2nd July 1964, after which it became Radio Caroline South. More about Radio Atlanta, Johnny Jackson and Bob Scott.

Radio Caroline
1965 Saturday 11th December, .mp3 2-3/4 mins.
DJ Keith Skues signing off for the last time “live” together with Flying Officer Dingleweed J. just before finally leaving the MV. Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline South.

1967 March, .mp3 2 mins.
short extract from Caroline South includes the voices of Tom Lodge, Keith Hampshire and Carl Conway as well as a promotion for the “Mood Cool” record produced by Consulate cigarettes (Rothmans of Pall Mall).

radio caroline north1967 Saturday 12th August, .mp3 114 mins.
Radio Caroline North from m/v Caroline on 259 metres with Dave Lee Travis just two days before the UK government’s Marine Offences Act came into force.

 

1967 Monday 28th August, .mp3 44 mins.
The “Admiral” Robbie Dale followed by Johnnie Walker on Caroline South, known at this time as Radio Caroline International due to the Marine Broadcasting (Offences) Act having taken effect some 2 weeks earlier.

Radio Caroline Otis Redding tribute by Johnnie Walker1967 Friday 22nd December, .mp3 122 mins.
The Johnnie Walker Show on Caroline South for Friday night, 22nd December 1967, from 10 pm to midnight. This show features JW’s personal tribute to R&B/Soul music star, Otis Redding, who died a few days earlier on 10th December 1967. Also included are the first couple of minutes of Carl Mitchell’s Midnight Show. More about Otis Redding.

1970 Saturday 13th June, .mp3 332 mins.
More than 2 years after her disappearance from the airwaves on 3rd March 1968, Radio Caroline returns on 13th June 1970, a few days before the 1970 General Election, for the purpose of promoting the introduction of licensed commercial radio in the UK, which had been promised by the Conservative Party in its election manifesto. From 13th to 20th June 1970 Radio Caroline used the transmitters of Radio Nordsee International (RNI) on MV Mebo II. Here are the details of the five recordings made on 13th June 1970 included here:
Part 1. FM 100MHz 00.46-03.00 hrs., Carl Mitchell, 136-1/2 mins.
Part 2. FM 100MHz 05.36-06.10 hrs., Roger Day, 34-1/2 mins.
Part 3. MW 244m 06.12-06.33 hrs., Roger Day, 22 mins.
Part 4. MW 244m 06.35-08.26 hrs., Roger Day, 111 mins.
Part 5. FM 100MHz 08.26-08.54 hrs., Roger Day, 28 mins.

1973, .mp3 47 mins. “Radio Caroline Story”.
This 33-1/3 rpm record is a documentary tracing Radio Caroline’s start in 1964, its closure in March 1968 and its re-start in 1972. Included are the voices of Andy Archer, Alan Clarke, Lion Keezer, Johnnie Walker, Robbie Dale, Don Allen, jingles and programme extracts.

1980 19th-20th March, .mp3 96 mins.
Here are edited highlights and news reports of Radio Caroline’s final night of broadcasting from the m/v Mi Amigo which sank in heavy seas off the UK east coast in March 1980. Included are the voices of DJs Stevie Gordon and Tom Anderson. The m/v Mi Amigo, built in 1921, had served as a transmitter ship for Radio Atlanta and Radio Caroline since 1964 and had earlier been used to transmit commercial programmes to Swedish listeners as Radio Nord. Thanks to Stuart Busby for his work putting together this recording. More about Radio Caroline’s ship “Mi Amigo” .
News Cuttings:
London Times, Thursday, 20th March 1980.
London Evening Standard, front page, Thursday, 20th March 1980..
London Evening Standard, page two, Thursday, 20th March 1980.

Radio Hauraki
June 1970, 1111 Days At Sea .mp3 55 mins.
Radio Hauraki started life in December 1966 as a ship-born station broadcasting just outside New Zealand territorial waters to challenge the monopoly of the government’s New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. It ceased broadcasting from sea in June 1970 after successfully gaining a license to broadcast on land. This recording is the final broadcast from sea, a documentary on Radio Haurali’s own history until that point. Radio Hauraki broadcasts today in New Zealand on FM and online. More about Radio Hauraki.

Radio Invicta (Land Pirate).
Radio Invicta was a land-based pirate radio station in London, England that broadcast from about 1970 to about 1984, usually on 92.4 FM. It was not only one of the first pirate stations on FM, it was probably the first U.K. radio station – licensed or unlicensed – dedicated entirely to Soul music, with its slogans “Soul over London” and “Europe’s first and only all soul station”.
1972, Mon. , 29th May, .mp3 65 mins. Includes an “exclusive” interview with Isaac Hayes.
1972, Mon. , 28th August, .mp3 96 mins.

Radio London – Big-L
1964 September, Big L – Radio London Jingles, .mp3 18 mins.
These jingles were produced by PAMS of Dallas, Texas, USA. They are taken from series 17, 18 and 26D and according to a written message from Jon Wolfert, were recorded for Radio London in September 1964.

1966?, Big L – Radio London Jingles, .mp3 6-1/2 mins.
Jingles from PAMS series 31.

1966 February, Interview with Big-L DJ Dave Dennis (Neil Spence), .mp3 12-1/2 mins.
In this interview by Graham Bunce, later to be BBC Engineer and Studio Manager,
Dave Dennis reveals his age, where he was born, how he got to work with Radio London, life and work on board the m.v. Galaxy, his opinion of DJ Tony Windsor (Tony Withers), as well as his own personal taste in music.

1966 Saturday, 24th September, .mp3 13-1/2 mins.
David Bowie interviewed at London’s Marquee Club for offshore pirate Radio London by Johnnie Moran in the sponsored Elida Show. Also interviewed in this programme are Episode Six, Julie Felix and Hedgehoppers Anonymous.

1966/1967, .mp3 12 mins.
“Juicy Fruit” Sponsored Show” with Lee Peters. Copy of studio master.

1966/1967, .mp3 6-1/2 mins.
“Colgate Cash Call” Sponsored Show” with Norman St. John. Copy of studio master.

1966 Tuesday, 12th April, .mp3 12 mins.
“Battle of the New Sound”” pilot air-check. This was recorded by Dave Cash for Radio London direct off-air. It was sent to Big-L’s salesman, Dennis Maitland, at their Curzon Street London office and was intended to attract new advertising clients for Big-L.

1966 Friday, 23rd September, .mp3 8 mins.
“Call In At Curries” Sponsored Show” with Mark Kelly. This was programme #2038. Copy of studio master.

1966 Friday, 30th December, .mp3 8 mins.
“Call In At Curries” Sponsored Show” with Mark Kelly. This was programme #2052. Copy of studio master.

27th Nov1967 Friday, 12th May, Big-L Radio London World Premiere Broadcast Beatles Sgt. Pepper, .mp3 32-1/2 mins.
Described by Big-L DJ Keith Skues as “the ultimate scoop in Radio London’s life”, this edited recording of the world premiere radio broadcast of the Beatles’ “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” took place on Friday afternoon, 12th May 1967 from 17.00-18.09 hrs. and includes the voices of Radio London’s Programme Director, Alan Keen, as well as Big-L DJ’s Keith Skues, John Peel, Ed Stewart, Pete Drummond and Mark Roman. The Beatles album did not go on sale in UK until 26th May 1967.

1967 Sunday, 14th May, .mp3 24 mins.
Lucrative religious programmes were probably more popular with pirate radio operators than with their listeners. “Herald of Truth” from the “Highland Church of Christ” was a series transmitted by Radio London on Sundays and produced by Fidelity Film & Radio Productions, Abilene, Texas. This example, a copy of the studio master, is number 798.

Beach Boys show on Big-L Radio London 19671967 Sunday, 11th June, .mp3 51 mins.
Beach Boys Show with Keith Skues at London’s Finsbury Park Astoria (later known as “The Rainbow”) on 5th May 1967 also included Helen Shapiro, The Nite People, Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, Terry Reid with Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers, The Marionettes and Alan Field. This is when Big-L DJ Keith Skues interviewed the Beach Boys and his recording (now remastered) was broadcast over offshore pirate Radio London a few days later with this repeat on 11th June 1967 due to popular demand. More about the Finsbury Park Astoria.

1967 23rd July, Keith Skues’ history of Big L – Radio London, .mp3 31-1/2 mins.
This edited recording of Keith’s potted history of 266 Radio London omits the records and news bulletins but includes the station’s jingles, the Big-L “Sonowaltz” theme and other well known station promotions. If you prefer an unedited version of this Big L recording you can find one at azanorak.com.

1967 14th August, Radio London Big-L’s Final Hour, .mp3 60 mins.
Broadcast between 2pm and 3pm on Monday, 14th August 1967, this final programme was presented by senior DJs Ed Stewart and Paul Kaye with participation from Dave Cash, Tony Blackburn, Chris Denning, Pete Drummond, Kenny Everett, Duncan Johnson, John Peel, Mark Roman, Keith Skues, Tommy Vance, Tony Windsor as well as Big-L’s Managing Director, Philip Birch. Artist dedications are from Madeline Bell, Mick Jagger, Bruce Johnson of the Beach Boys, Lulu, Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield, Ringo Starr, Cat Stevens and John Walker of the Walker Brothers.

1980, The Radio London Big-L Story, .mp3 63 mins.
This 1980 interview was made when Philip Birch was running Manchester commercial station, Piccadilly Radio. Radio London, broadcasting from M.V. Galaxy from December 1964 to August 1967, was one of the most popular UK radio stations at the time and certainly was financially the most successful offshore station. Philip Birch was Radio London’s Managing Director. But in the words of Gordon Sheppard, Big-L’s promotions manager:
Philip Birch WAS Big L … The real financial brain, the controlling wizard that made it all work. … He put together that terrific team: Ben Toney, Alan Keen (Sales & Programme Controller), Eddie Blackwell and Dennis Maitland (Advertising Managers), Mike Stone (Press & Publicity). … In pirate offshore radio (1964-1967), Philip Birch stands taller than most. He put together that amazing team and has to have pride of place.”
This recording, edited and produced by Leon Tipler for AlphaSound, also includes many original Radio London jingles, its famous Big-L theme tune and the voices of Paul Kaye, Dave Cash, Kenny Everett, Mark Roman, and other Wonderful Radio London voices. Interviewer is Steve England.

Radio Luxembourg
1966, “Topical Tunes” .mp3 14 mins.
DJ is Barry Alldis. Some edits.

1974 31st October, “This Is How It All Began” .mp3 134 mins.
The English service of Radio Luxembourg tells the story of its own 40 year history in this programme, written & produced by Rodney Collins, compiled & edited by Alan Bailey and presented by ex Radio Caroline North DJ, Bob Stewart and ex Radio London and RNI DJ, Duncan Johnson. The English programmes of Radio Luxembourg started in 1933 and on 2nd July 1951 moved from long wave to its famous medium wave frequency of 208 metres (1439 kHz). English language programmes on 208 metres ended in December 1992. In this programme you will hear (in alphabetical order) the voices of Barry Alldis, Neal Arden, Tony Brandon, Bob Danvers Walker, Noel Edmonds, Geoffrey Everitt, Keith Fordyce, Alan Freeman, Hughie Green, Jack Jackson, David Jacobs, Kid Jensen, Teddy Johnson, Alan Keen, Lord Haw-Haw (William Joyce), Charles Maxwell, Pete Murray, Ray Orchard, The Ovaltineys, Peter Powell, Tony Prince, Jimmy Savile, Mark Wesley, Jimmy Young and Muriel Young.
Click here for more about Radio Luxembourg English Service, the History of Radio Luxembourg and its English service, Presenters Pics, more Radio Luxembourg recordings.

Radio Nordsee International (RNI)
All RNI (Radio Nordsee International) archive recordings and documents have been moved to this page.

Radio Scotland
1967, Souvenir Album .mp3 30 mins.
This “Sound Memorial to Radio Scotland” was issued when the station closed in 1967 and includes the voices of Tommy Shields, Tony Allan, Stuart Henry, Jack McLaughlin and Tony Meehan. More about Radio Scotland here.

Radio Veronica
1972, Sat. 27th May, .mp3 64 mins. Last part of top 40 show followed by Veronica Tip Parade presented by Klaas Vaak.

1973, Tues. 10th July, .mp3 45 mins. Part of the “Coffee Time” programme with Tineke.

WABC New York NY, USA
April 1969, .mp3 48 mins. Part of a show on 770kHz. with Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow). Exact date is uncertain.

WBAP Fort Worth TX, USA
1971, .mp3 32 mins. Aircheck.
Broadcasting with 50kW clear channel at 820 kHz AM, WBAP has been on air since 1922 and between 1970 and 1993 was a country music station. Thanks to WBAP Program Manager, Don Day, for providing this recording and writing to us.

WBZ Boston MA, USA
1971 3rd August, .mp3 63 mins. Studio quality aircheck.
WBZ is famous for being the very first licensed commercial radio station in the United States. This tape recording of the Carl DeSuze Show was sent to us by WBZ’s Jim Sands.

WFIL Philadelphia PA, USA
1972, .mp3 65 mins. Studio quality aircheck.
Transmitting at 560KHz in the Medium Wave Band (AM), WFIL is one of USA’s oldest radio stations, started in 1922. Although today WFIL has a Christian/religious format, back in the 1960’s and 1970’s it was a “Top 40” music station, famous for Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand”. Early in 1972 WFIL kindly sent us this studio quality recording which includes programmes with DJ’s Jim O’Brien and Tom Dooley plus we also received some playlist information. Today you can still hear the “Philly Gold” sound on the Internet thanks to enthusiasts like those at Famous 56WFIL.com.

WSM Nashville TN, USA
1971 July, .mp3 10 mins. WSM Presentation for advertisers.
WSM, known as “The Legend”, commenced broadcasting in 1925. It is a clear channel 50,000 watt AM station, 650 kHz, reaching much of North America and nearby countries after dark and is also available for the rest of the world at WSMOnline.com. It is a country music station and is home to The Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest running radio program. Thanks to Program Manager, Dave Overton, who wrote and kindly sent us this presentation tape.

Miscellaneous
1966 November, .mp3 20 mins. Radio London (Big-L) and Radio Caroline South edited extracts.
Includes the voices of Pete Drummond, Kenny Everett and others.

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