DJ Johnnie Walker appearing at Palace Theathre, Redditchon

UK-based offshore radio fans will have the chance to listen to the life story of DJ Johnnie Walker when he appears at the Palace Theatre, Redditchon Wednesday 9 September at 7.30 pm. The website promotional blurb reads: "From pirate radio to Buckingham Palace and an MBE, Johnnie Walker tells the amazing story of how he came to be one of the best known and most loved broadcasters in Britain, with a voice recognised by millions. Frank, honest and often very funny, this is a fascination and captivating insight into an amazing life that will both inspire and entertain." You can book online via the Palace Theatre website. http://www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk/content.php?TSID=21851(Andy Sennitt, RN Media Network weblog via Tore Larsson, ARC)
The Redditch date is the first one of a tour, unlike last year I can't find a webpage with all the dates, I found these on a Google search:
September 14 Guildhall, St Ives, Cornwall
September 16 The Wharf, Tavistock
September 17 Phoenix Theatre, Exeter
September 23 Swan Theatre, Wycombe
September 26 Arts Centre, Salisbury
November 4 City Hall, Sheffield
November 26 Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
(Mike Barraclough via MWC e-mail news 5.9.2009 via via Tore Larsson, ARC)

Pirate BBC Essex now on the air!

Today it's Good Friday. I wonder what Jesus would have said about choosing such a name for the day? I suspect his Friday felt like a quite long one….

Forty-five years ago today the BBC monopoly in the UK was challenged as Radio Caroline started broadcasting from a former Danish passenger ferry off the Essex coast. Since that day British broadcasting was changed forever and one "pirate" after another took to the airwaves. During the three years which the stations were on the air British listeners got accustomed to a continous diet of music 24 hours a day and the BBC had to follow suit by establishing its own pop channel, Radio One.
The m/v Caroline, previously Fredericia, home of Radio Caroline in 1964.

Forty-five years later BBC Radio Essex is celebrating the memory of the start of offshore radio by special broadcasts from the former lightship LV18. Many wellknown names from the golden days of offshore radio are participating. At the time of writing I am listening to good old "Cardboard Skues", Keith Skues, who in the 1960s could be heard on both Radio Caroline and Radio London (BigL).

If you want to enjoy some real radio nostalgia you can listen in to Pirate BBC Essex over the web. You may also be able to pick up the signal on MW 729, 765 or 1530 kHz although these frequencies are pretty crowded. The transmissions will continue until April 13. Incidentally, the LV18 is also featured as a broadcasting vessel in thed current film The Boat that Rocked the World.
Tune in and turn on!