Classic floor fillers spanning Chicago, soulful house and post-disco in this 80s special! Featuring music from Shannon, Todd Terry, The Beloved and Inner City.
A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray [Rham!] The Beloved - The Sun Rising [East West] Inner City - Good Life [Now] Todd Terry & Philippe B - Can You Feel It (Can You Party) [Paintball] Ten City - That's The Way Love Is (Underground Mix) (Edit) [Rhino Atlantic] Bomb The Bass - Beat Dis [Virgin] Change - Hold Tight [Nova 017 Ltd] Shannon - Let The Music Play [Now! Music] S'Express - Theme From S'Express [Telstar] LNR - Work It To The Bone [House Jam] Jack 'n' Chill - The Jack That House Built [Oval Sounds] Coldcut (feat. Lisa Stansfield) - People Hold On [Hits Album] Coldcut (feat. Yazz & The Plastic Population) - Doctorin' The House [BMG UK] Rebel MC & Double Trouble - Street Tuff [Columbia] Steve "Silk" Hurley - Jack Your Body (1986 Club Mix) [London] Joe Smooth - Promised Land [Telstar]
Join BBC Radio 6 Music every Friday in January as we turn back the clock and celebrate the defining sounds and iconic tracks of a different decade. 6 Music’s 80s Forever… takes you on a dynamic journey through the musical landscapes that shaped that decade, exploring the era's legendary hits, underground gems, emerging scenes and unforgettable moments.
From 7am – 7pm each Friday we’ll bring you the music and the sounds that brings the essence of each decade to life, offering a nostalgic dive for longtime fans and a thrilling discovery for new listeners. Relive the music, culture, and stories that made these decades unforgettable—only on BBC Radio 6 Music
Today, Matt Johnson from The The looks back at the 80s with a curated playlist of his favourite music of the era.
Scritti Politti - The "Sweetest Girl" [Virgin] Dome - Rolling Upon My Day Bruce Springsteen - State Trooper [Columbia] Cowboy Junkies - I Don't Get It [Cooking Vinyl] Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir - Kalimankou Denkou (The Evening Gathering) (solo:Yanka Roupkina) [4AD] Gabriel Yared - Betty et Zorg [Naive] Choir Of Chelmsford Cathedral & Talk Talk - I Believe in You [Parlophone UK]
Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood shares his specially curated 80s mix, featuring his favourite tracks from the decade.
Pete Shelley - Homosapien [Big Life] Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out [Polygram Tv] David Bowie - Fashion [EMI] Soul II Soul (feat. Caron Wheeler) - Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) [Virgin] The Human League - Love Action (I Believe In Love) [Virgin] New Order - Blue Monday [Factory]
Legendary drummer Budgie has a playlist of 80's classics as part of 6 Music's 80s Forever.
Budgie drummed on The Slits' debut album 'Cut'. He then became the drummer of the influential band Siouxsie And The Banshees and its side project, The Creatures. He's recently been working with John Grant and Anohni and has been recording with Lol Tolhurst and Jacknife Lee.
Join BBC Radio 6 Music every Friday in January as we turn back the clock and celebrate the defining sounds and iconic tracks of a different decade. 6 Music Forever takes you on a dynamic journey through the musical landscapes that shaped the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s, exploring the era's legendary hits, underground gems, emerging scenes and unforgettable moments.
DEVO - Whip It [Virgin] The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck [Beaky] The Associates - Party Fears Two [East West] Echo & The Bunnymen - Never Stop [Korova] Sinéad O'Connor - Mandinka [Chrysalis] Mary Margaret O'Hara - Dear Darling [Madison Gate] Kate Bush - The Sensual World [EMI]
Join BBC Radio 6 Music every Friday in January as we turn back the clock and celebrate the defining sounds and iconic tracks of a different decade. 6 Music Forever takes you on a dynamic journey through the musical landscapes that shaped the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s, exploring the era's legendary hits, underground gems, emerging scenes and unforgettable moments.
From 7am – 7pm each Friday we’ll bring you the music and the sounds that brings the essence of each decade to life, offering a nostalgic dive for longtime fans and a thrilling discovery for new listeners. Relive the music, culture, and stories that made these decades unforgettable—only on BBC Radio 6 Music.
Today, Alex Paterson of The Orb looks back at the eighties with a curated playlist of his favourite music of the era.
Brian Eno - From The Coast Art Of Noise - Crusoe Earl Sixteen & Mikey Dread - Lovers Delight George Clinton - Atomic Dog Hashim - Al-Naafiysh (The Soul) Indeep - Last Night A D.J. Saved My Life Mantronix - Bassline
In this second show sitting in for Iggy Pop, Bill continues to man his festive-free safe space armed with essential cuts by the likes of Meshell Ndegeocello, Fontaines DC, Starcrawler and the greatest rhythm and blues band the world has ever know (Bill's exact words), The Rolling Stones.
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers - Talkin' To Myself [Abeyance] Chuck Prophet - Just To See You Smile [New West] Tegan And Sara - I Hear Noises [Vapor/Sire] The Clang Group - Page 1 Meshell Ndegeocello - Outside Your Door [Maverick] Sjowgren - Seventeen [Lakeshore] Bobby Rush - Sally Can't Dance [Light In The Attic] Tower Of Power - Diggin' On James Brown [Epic] Starcrawler - Born Asleep [Rough Trade] Bisssymbols - Saviour [Bisssymbols] Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld - Crimson & Clover [Specula] Jr. Walker & The All Stars - (I'm A) Road Runner [UNI/Motown] Mary J. Blige & Vado - Still Believe In Love [BMG] Tamia - Leave It Smokin' [Universal] BJ The Chicago Kid (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - The New Cupid [Motown] Fontaines D.C. - Starburster [XL Recordings] Junior Wells - Waitin' On Ice [Telarc] niina - answer to your problem [niina] Bob Dylan - Desolation Row [Columbia] Jody Watley - Everlasting (Alex Di Ciò Radio Edit) [Avitone Recordings] Beck - Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat [War Child] The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash [UME - Global Clearing House] Raheem DeVaughn (feat. The Colleagues) - Marvin Used To Say [SoNo Recording Group LLC / DeVaughn Media Group] Chris Malinchak & Kiesza & MalinKi - Tree [LAIC] Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do for Me [Rhino/Warner] Marvin Gaye - Praise [UNI/Motown] Florence + The Machine (feat. Ethel Cain) - Morning Elvis (Live At Denver Ball Arena) [Polydor]
Chuck Person - Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol 1 (Excerpt) Khadija Al Hanafi - DJ HANAFI Khadija Al Hanafi - Look @ The Bag Khadija Al Hanafi - Miss Him (My Baby) Khadija Al Hanafi - Krush IDJ Gant Man - Juke Dat Girl (Khadija Al Hanafi Remix) DJ Roc - Lost Without U Khadija Al Hanafi - المستوى الأعلى Khadija Al Hanafi - Roll Up (Let Me Show You) DJ Roc - Juke Me From The Back (Khadija Al Hanafi Remix) Khadija Al Hanafi - Das Rite Khadija Al Hanafi - Yeah I Like aH Khadija Al Hanafi - Let It Bump Unknown - Wii Theme Music Henry Rodrick - Sour Gherkin Big Jay - Drink Up Aphex Twin - 42DIMENSIT10 [London 03.06.17] Khadija Al Hanafi - Throwsom$ Khadija Al Hanafi - Yolo Hot Chicken Unknown - White Label Itz Crack On Your Face (Rashad, Traxman, Khadija Al Hanafi, DJ Donkeynuttz) Khadija Al Hanafi - Tinted Glass DJ Elmo - It's Hot Glorygirl2950 - Slang For Me Khadija Al Hanafi - SOS Khadija Al Hanafi - Rocks Khadija Al Hanafi - Always Treat U RiTE Khadija Al Hanafi - Eat That Pussy Khadija Al Hanafi - Unknown Aphex Twin - em2500 M253X [London 03.06.17] Unknown - White Label The Phantoms Revenge - Commercial Break #26 Spirit Of '76 (1990) - Dialogue Chuck Person - Chuck Person's Eccojams (Excerpt) The Phantoms Revenge - Commercial Break #28 Todd Edwards - No Place Like London UU011 - The Worm Prunk - Heat Bress Underground - C'mon Baby Leon Vynehall - Duofade Axel Boman - Nokturn (grand finale) Boddika & Joy Orbison - &Fate Ramadanman - Work Them Cesco - Superstealth Smokey T - E E E Villager, Waleed - Pig Jesse Rose - You're All Over My Head (Switch Remix) Wookie - Battle Lxury - Spin Zero Idea - Dub 1 George Daniel - Screen Cleaner (Oscar Farrell Remix) MPH - My Mind (Original Mix) Floating Points - Ocotillo Chuck Person - Chuck Person's EccoJams - A5 Chris De Burgh - The Lady In Red Bruce Springsteen - Tougher Than The Rest
Evil penguins, chickens on the run and the mischievous sheep of Mossy Bottom Farm. Enter the unique musical world of Aardman Animations as Matthew Sweet celebrates the studio's iconic film scores with the release of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
Matthew visits the Aardman Animation studios in Bristol to meet archivist Tom Vincent, where he encounters uniquely Aardman props, puppets and scores - even a real-life Were-Rabbit.
Matthew also speaks to those involved in Vengeance Most Fowl at work in Abbey Road studios in London: filmmaker, animator and creator of Wallace & Gromit, Nick Park and the film's composers Julian Nott and Lorne Balfe.
Julian Nott - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Wallace & Gromit [Varèse Sarabande] Harry Gregson‐Williams - Chicken Run (2000) - Main Titles + Building the Crate [RCA Victor] Ilan Eshkeri - Shaun the Sheep (2015) - Runaway Caravan + Beauty Parade + Caravan Ride Home [Silva Screen] Julian Nott - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Anti-Pesto to the Rescue [Varèse Sarabande] Julian Nott - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Every Dog Has His Day [Varèse Sarabande] Julian Nott - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - All Things Fluffy [Varèse Sarabande] Lorne Balfe - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) - Neat and Tidy [Masterworks] Lorne Balfe - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) - The Blue Diamond [Masterworks] Lorne Balfe - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) - The Fast and the Furnished [Masterworks] Lorne Balfe - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) - March of the Norbots [Masterworks] Harry Gregson‐Williams - Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023) - Molly [Masterworks] Harry Gregson‐Williams - Early Man (2018) - Meet the Tribe + Meet Dug + She Shoots, She Scores [Universal Music] Lorne Balfe - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) - Main Titles [Masterworks]
From the driving energy of North By Northwest to the iconic string stabs of Psycho, music is an integral part of what makes Alfred Hitchcock's films stand out. Matthew Sweet finds out what makes them so good and looks at times when Hitchcock and his composers disagreed.
Charles Gounod - Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) - Funeral March Of A Marionette [Telarc] Bernard Herrmann - Psycho (A Narrative For Orchestra) (1960) - Prelude [Decca] Bernard Herrmann - Vertigo (1958) - Prelude And Rooftop [Varèse Sarabande] Bernard Herrmann - The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) - Prelude [Sony Classical] Arthur Leslie Benjamin - The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) - Storm Clouds Cantata [Chandos] Bernard Herrmann - Psycho (A Narrative for Orchestra) (1960) - Prelude + The Murder [Decca] Bernard Herrmann - Torn Curtain (1966) - Suite [Decca (UMO) (Classics)] John Addison - Torn Curtain (1966) - Main Title [Decca (UMO) (Classics)] Nitin Sawhney - The Lodger (2012) - Titles + The Big Love Theme [Network Distributing Ltd] Stephen Horne - The Manxman (2024) - From The Island ('Ellan Vannin') [Ulysses Arts] Stephen Horne - The Manxman (2024) - A Happy Home [Ulysses Arts] Franz Waxman - Rebecca (1940) - Main Title / Foreword / Opening Scene [Varèse Sarabande] Ron Goodwin - Frenzy (1972) - The London Theme [Chandos]
"When one of your organisations gets killed, it's bad business to let the killer get away with it. It's bad all around - bad for that one organisation, bad for every detective everywhere".
1928, San Francisco: When his partner is murdered on an assignment, private detective Sam Spade suspects their client is holding back information about the case.
And then he learns about the priceless black statuette of a falcon...
Starring Tom Wilkinson and Jane Lapotaire.
Dashiell Hammett's 1930 detective novel.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Sam Spade .... Tom Wilkinson Brigid O'Shaughnessy .... Jane Lapotaire Mr Gutman .... Peter Vaughan Joel Cairo .... Nickolas Grace Effie .... Mia Soteriou Miles Archer .... William Hope Iva .... Liza Ross Wilmer .... Peter Acre Tom Polhaus .... Norman Jones Lt Dundy .... Harry Towb DA Bryan .... Don Fellows Newspaper Man .... Robin Summers Taxi Driver .... Keith Edwards Man with the Key .... Arnold Diamond
A tale of interstellar skulduggery, romance and unhinged robots based in Douglas Adams's universe.
Michael Palin stars in Terry Jones's comic novel.
Far off in the centre of one of the less well-chartered quadrants of the universe, a vast civilisation is preparing to launch the most technologically advanced starship ever - Starship Titanic.
While the galaxy's media looks on, it unfortunately undergoes SMEF (Spontaneous Massive Existence Failure) and disappears.
Leovinus, the designer of the ship, uncovers shoddy workmanship, poor cybernetics and a series of increasingly eccentric robots. The owners, Scraliontis and Brobostigan, were intent on destroying the ship and claiming the insurance.
Meanwhile in Oxfordshire, four humans are inspecting a property they intend buying, only to see it crushed under the re-materialising Starship. This disaster is swiftly followed by an invitation from an over-attentive robot to come aboard, and Lucy, Dan and Nettie are catapulted into a series of increasingly bizarre encounters.
Stylistically emulating the work of the great Douglas Adams in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the late Terry Jones weaves a fabulously mad and comic tale.
Adapted by Ian Billings.
With a special guest appearance by Simon Jones, who played Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.
Encyclopedia Galatica .... Michael Palin Scraliontis .... Simon Jones Leovinus .... Nicholas Boulton Brobostigan .... Nicholas Boulton Dan .... Rupert Degas Hackett .... Rupert Degas The Parrot .... Rupert Degas The Journalist .... Philip Pope The Gondolier .... Philip Pope Nettie .... Alana Ramsey The Computer .... Alana Ramsey The LiftBot .... Ian Billings The Engine Room Door .... Ian Billings Loss Adjuster One .... Ian Billings Lucy .... Rebecca Yeo Loss Adjuster Two .... Rebecca Yeo Nigel .... Tom Alexander The Gondolier .... Tom Alexander The Bomb .... Tom Alexander Titania .... Laura Lithgow
Music by Philip Pope.
Director: Dirk Maggs
A Perfectly Normal production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2021.
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE CHRYSALIDS (320kbs-m4a/260mb/1hr53mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th November & 7th December 2024
Genetic mutation has devastated the world.
John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic.
Written in 1955, it explores the dangers inherent in discrimination and the threats posed by religious fundamentalism.
The 'Old People' who caused the apocalypse are depressingly like us: 'They were shut off by different languages and different beliefs. They created vast problems then buried their heads in the sands of idle faith.'
The children of the future (the Chrysalids) are able to 'think-together' and so can rise above the selfish violence and conflicting religions of the past.
Wyndham's story of a group of persecuted teenagers is more timely than ever in our post-Fukushima, war-riven, genetically engineered and religiously divided world.
In the emergent bleak, primitive society, any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed.
In law abiding, God-respecting Waknuk anyone who does not conform to the 'norm' must keep their deviation secret or face the consequences of discovery.
David ...... Matthew Beard Young David ...... Ben Hanley Young Sophie ...... Isobel Doran Joseph ...... Conrad Nelson Gordon ...... Conrad Nelson Axel ...... Jeff Hordley Emily ...... Fiona Clarke Anne ...... Fiona Clarke Rosalind ...... Verity-May Henry Harriet ...... Emma Cunniffe Rachel ...... Emma Cunniffe Michael ...... Henry Devas Alan ...... Henry Devas Inspector ...... Robert Pickavance Petra ...... Sydney Wade
David Strorm is one of a group of young people who can communicate by transferring thought-shapes.
In God fearing, law abiding Waknuk, David and his friends would be classed as Mutants.
Will David be forced to flee to the Fringes, the lawless territory inhabited by mutants or risk discovery?
David ...... Matthew Beard Rosalind ...... Verity-May Henry Petra ...... Sydney Wade Michael ...... Henry Devas Fringe dweller ...... Henry Devas Sophie ...... Carla Henry Sally ...... Carla Henry Rachel ...... Emma Cunniffe Zealander ...... Emma Cunniffe Gordon ...... Conrad Nelson
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ...... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Mrs Tinkler ...... Rachel Atkins Graham Tinkler ...... Lloyd Thomas Delivery Boy ...... Alex Lamipekun
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ..... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Georgina Barrett ...... Carolyn Pickles Burton ...... Peter Marinker.
An actress is forced to face her worst fear - and work with a child.
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ..... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Cynthia Valentine ...... Rachel Atkins Fenella Sayers ...... Ania Gordon Director ...... Alex Lamipekun Angela ...... Anna Bengo Continuity ...... Simon Treves.
The show avoids censorship by becoming an outside broadcast.
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ..... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Veronica Walters ...... Johannah Tincey Henderson ...... Ben Crowe.
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan guest stars in the same week that the programme is infiltrated by a spy.
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ..... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings/Harold Macmillan ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Roger Aspinall ...... Simon Treves Secretary ...... Laura Molyneux Miss Thurwell ...... Anna Bengo. TOMORROW, TODAY! SERIES 2 - 6. TAFFY JONES - PROTECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 16th June 2022
With war imminent, the production relocates to Wales, but is it safer?
Nigel Lavery ...... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann ...... Cheryl Campbell Godfrey Winnard ..... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn ...... Gary Waldhorn Hugo Kellerman ...... Joseph Kloska Douglas Bennings ...... Jon Glover Keith Wood ...... Sam Pamphilon Mr Thomas ...... Ben Crowe Tannoy ...... Laura Molyneux Porter ...... Peter Marinker
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM HILL - TOMORROW, TODAY! - SERIES 1 (320kbs-m4a/254mb/1hr50mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd to 24th March 2022
It's 1961. BBC producer Hugo Kellerman struggles to make a radio soap set in the unimaginably futuristic world of 2006.
Starring Peter Bowles, Cheryl Campbell and Joseph Kloska.
Futuristic sitcom by Christopher William Hill.
Nigel Lavery .... Peter Bowles Sylvia Hann .... Cheryl Campbell Hugo Kellerman .... Joseph Kloska Godfrey Winnard .... John Fortune Sir Angus McNairn .... Gary Waldhorn Douglas Bennings .... Jon Glover Colin Franks .... Paul Richard Biggin Miss Pickford/Advert voice .... Miranda Keeling Sir Monty .... Leslie Phillips Rex, the Pianist .... Marc Wilcox
On March 27th, 1971, Britain's most controversial DJ interviewed the leader of the biggest pop group in the world. Both were at a crossroads in their lives.
Kenny Everett had been fired by Radio 1 the previous summer after insulting the wife of a Government Minister. John Lennon had just produced his first solo album after the break-up of the Beatles and was immersed in a damaging legal dispute with Paul McCartney.
The pair came together for what turned out to be a revealing conversation at John's mansion at Sunningdale in Berkshire. Lennon played the piano in his home studio. Kenny asked a few naïve questions about his relationship with Paul. John gave some blunt but amusing answers. Sadly, few people heard it.
The "wireless wizard" had been close friends with the Fab Four since his days on the pirate ship Radio London. Coming from Merseyside helped Kenny get several exclusives, being the first person in the world to play "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the radio. When the offshore stations were outlawed in 1967 he would interview the lads for the BBC on both the Light Programme and Radio 1. John could be quite cutting with his Liverpool pal, telling him that he wasn't very good at asking questions. Kenny admitted he was "naff" at it. But the Beatles loved his shows, and admired his technical brilliance in the studio, asking him to produce their annual Christmas record for the group's fan club in 1968 and 1969.
But by 1971 there were few takers for his scoop. The interview was featured on Radio Monte Carlo International, a short-lived English language service in France. But it only went out in the early hours of the morning on the station's final broadcast. The only UK outlet to use it was Radio Bristol, one of the BBC's newest Local Radio stations. Kenny had been offered a month-long stint that summer as weekend holiday relief. The Lennon interview seemed a good way for the "bad boy" of the corporation to re-establish his credentials. A remixed version went out on July 3, 1971 in his final show in a four-part series. It hasn't been heard since … until now.
The programme also includes the final episode of his comedy series "Dick Dale – Special Doctor", first broadcast on Radio 1, along with music by Paul McCartney, Hurricane Smith, Smokey Robinson, The Idle Race, Fifth Dimension, Dawn, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Butterscotch, The Yamasukis, Freda Payne and Bread.
The show closes with Kenny making an appeal to BBC bosses to restore him to the national airwaves.
It was almost two years before he returned to Radio 1, but his spell on Radio Bristol led to more BBC Locals taking him on, and getting a regular spot on Radio 4's "Start The Week" and the spin-off series "If It's Wednesday … It Must Be".
He joined London's Capital Radio at its launch in 1973 before becoming a highly successful TV performer both on ITV and BBC1. But radio was his true love, and he was still broadcasting on Capital Gold shortly before his death from AIDS on April 4, 1995. He was just 50.
The last of three shows Kenny made for BBC Radio Bristol first broadcast in July 1971.
*** Part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Kenny Everett who was born 80 years ago on Christmas Day, 1944.
The Beatles - Happiness Is A Warm Gun Hurricane Smith - Don't Let It Die Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Don't Blame You At All The Idle Race - I Like My Toys Honey Come - Want Ads Dick Dale - Special Doctor (Final Episode) Paul McCartney - Too Many People John Lennon interview John Lennon - Isolation John Lennon - Love Paul McCartney - Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey Fifth Dimension - Light Sings Dawn - What Are You Doing Sunday Cat Stevens - Sad Lisa Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy In New York Butterscotch - All On A Summer's Day The Yamasukis - Yamasuki Cat Stevens - Father And Son Bread - It Don't Matter To Me Freda Payne - Bring The Boys Home Bread - Truckin'
Festive frolics from the home of radio's enfant terrible.
Kenny Everett was a radio genius, loved by millions and lauded by his fellow broadcasters. He honed his craft on pirate radio, helped launch Radio 1, and was there at the start of Capital Radio, the UK's most successful commercial station.
He described himself, slightly tongue in cheek, as "the wireless wizard". He worked harder than any of his rivals to produce innovative programmes laced with wacky jingles, crazy sound effects and zany comedy moments. But he pushed the barriers, was always getting into trouble with management, and was regularly fired.
The crunch came in July 1970 when he was sacked by Radio 1 after insulting the wife of a Government Minister. He was just 25, at the height of his creativity. The BBC had a radio monopoly and there was nowhere else to go. The only other outlet was the corporation's Local Radio stations. But they didn't play many records, had little money, and had few listeners, as they could only be heard on VHF (now FM) when most people had medium wave sets. But a chance phone call from BBC Radio Bristol led to the corporation's "bad boy" returning to the airwaves on June 12, 1971.
The station manager David Waine, who was the same age as Kenny, took a gamble against the advice of Broadcasting House bosses, hiring him as a stand-in for an hour-long Saturday morning show. Everett got £50 for a month's work, with the proviso that the programmes were pre-recorded so they could be checked before they went on air just in case the enfant terrible said something naughty.
The appointment was deemed such a success that by the end of the year Kenny was doing similar shows for five other BBC Local Radio stations. He also did a Christmas special for Radio Bristol on Boxing Day 1971, the day after his 27th birthday. You can now hear it for the first time since it was originally broadcast 53 years ago.
The programme closes with Kenny making a whimsical appeal to BBC management to put him back on national radio, describing himself as a "poor soul on the dole" living in a "rat-infested mansion" with "no food in the fridge and no dough in the bank".
It includes music by the Beach Boys, Mama Cass, Rich Fever, Peter Noone, Colin Blunstone, John Barry, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, The Jimmie Haskell Orchestra, Gilbert O'Sullivan, The Faces, Cat Stevens, Tony Christie, Mike Vickers, Matt Munro, Rich Fever and Rossini.
Kenny returned for another Radio Bristol series in 1972 before eventually being let back on air by Radio 1 the following year. Shortly afterwards he joined Capital Radio at the launch of Independent Local Radio before beginning a successful television career in 1978. But Kenny remained true to his radio roots and was still broadcasting on Capital Gold shortly before his death from AIDS in 1995. He was just 50.
So did these BBC Local Radio programmes help rehabilitate Kenny Everett's career? Judge for yourself.
The second of three shows Kenny made for BBC Radio Bristol first broadcast on 26th December 1971.
*** Part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Kenny Everett who was born 80 years ago on Christmas Day, 1944.
The Beach Boys - Wake The World Mama Cass - One Way Ticket Rich Fever - Everything's Moving Peter Noone - Walnut Whirl Colin Blunstone - I Can't Live Without You Colin Blunstone - Let Me Come Closer To You John Barry - Theme From The Persuaders Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Bless You The Jimmie Haskell Orchestra - William Tell Overture The Beach Boys - Be Here In The Mornin' Gilbert O'Sullivan - Houdini Said Faces - Stay With Me The Beach Boys - Busy Doin' Nothin' The Beach Boys - Friends Cat Stevens - i Want To Live In A Wigwam Tony Christie - (Is This The Way To) Amarillo Mike Vickers - Match Of The Day Matt Munro - We're Gonna Change The World Rossini - Unknown
Kenny Everett was arguably the most creative, most innovative, most technically gifted radio presenter the UK has produced.
He was a pioneer, first with the offshore pirates in 1964, then as part of the launch team for BBC Radio 1 in 1967 – and later a key figure when licensed commercial radio began with Capital Radio in 1973.
Kenny spent hours in the studio stitching together truly original shows, filled with his exquisitely produced personal jingles, crazy sounds effects, and zany comedy moments delivered in a frenetic, inventive style that no-one could match. He was close friends with the Beatles, regularly playing their latest tracks before anyone else. Among his peers he was regarded as a "genius". And yet he was a shy Catholic boy from just outside Liverpool who had a habit of being fired.
The BBC banned him from talking to the press after repeatedly complaining about Radio 1's output. Things came to a head in July 1970 after he responded to a news bulletin about the wife of Transport Minister John Peyton passing her advance driving test. Kenny joked that she "probably crammed a fiver into the examiner's hand". As a result, his weekend show was cancelled, a fate he'd previously suffered at Radio Luxembourg, Radio London, and later at Radio 2.
He was just 25, and apart from a few stints on continental stations, there was nowhere else to go. The BBC still had a UK radio monopoly, and his top-flight radio career looked to be over.
A saviour arrived a year later at one of the BBC's fledgling local stations, when Radio Bristol's manager David Waine needed holiday cover. Feeling Kenny had been badly treated, David phoned to offer four programmes at a rate of just £12.50 a week! Desperate, Everett agreed – sparking an internal row with Waine who was rebuked by BBC Radio's MD Ian Trethowan for not consulting him, warning that he'd be in trouble if things went wrong.
To minimise any potential disaster, David wisely asked Kenny to pre-record his shows at home in Sussex. He then posted the tapes for checking by a producer before broadcast. On June 12,1971 the "wireless wizard" was back on-air. It was an occasion largely overlooked as few people heard it.
At the time BBC Local Radio only broadcast on VHF (now FM) when most listeners only had medium-wave sets. Much of the output was "parish pump" material. Broadcast hours were limited, with few staff and tight music restrictions.
So Kenny's first show, heard here in full for the first time since broadcast, was probably the most dangerous show on BBC Local Radio.
He announces his return by saying "It's disgusting. I don't know how they allow him to get away with it". He was clearly relieved to be back with a fast-paced kaleidoscope of his work. It's littered with bespoke Radio Bristol jingles, a chat with Dusty Springfield, and an episode of the comedy serial "Dick Dale – Special Doctor", previously heard on Radio 1.
Listen out for an amusing sequence as he tunes across his radio dial with extracts from Radio Solent, Radio Brighton, Radio 4, Radio 3, and Radio 2, with a cutting swipe at the station who axed him: "We don't play Radio 1!"
The show features tracks from The Move, Nilsson, Peter Noone, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Stavely Makepeace, The Beatles, The Fantastics, Cat Stevens, White Plains, Twiggy, Mungo Jerry, Dusty Springfield, the Supremes and The Four Tops.
You may wonder why Kenny regularly mentions the record labels of songs played. At the time, BBC Local Radio could only play one hour of commercial music a day under strict "needle time" restrictions negotiated with the Musicians' Union. One way to get around them was to play "new releases" giving the record label, and (in theory at least) its number.
Kenny's Radio Bristol shows opened the door at other BBC Locals including Radios Merseyside, Solent, Nottingham, Brighton (now Radio Sussex) and Medway (now Radio Kent). He also appeared on "Start The Week" on Radio 4 over Christmas 1971 – becoming a regular on a spin-off series "If It's Wednesday … It Must Be" over the next 18 months. Ev was finally allowed back on Radio 1 in April 1973 but left six months later as Capital began.
He returned to TV in 1978, with "The Kenny Everett Video Show" from Thames, moving across to BBC1 in 1981 with "The Kenny Everett Television Show" which ran for six years. But radio was his first love. He helped launch Capital Gold, the station's AM service in 1988 where he worked until shortly before his death from AIDS in 1995. He was just 50. But he left a legacy of unique work influencing broadcasters like Noel Edmonds, Steve Wright and Chris Evans.
The first of three shows Kenny made for BBC Radio Bristol first broadcast in June 1971.
*** Part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Kenny Everett who was born 80 years ago on Christmas Day, 1944.
The Move - Tonight Harry Nilsson - Daddy's Song Peter Noone - Oh You Pretty Things Paul McCartney - Dear Boy Paul McCartney - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Tom Jones - Puppet Man Stavely Makepeace - Give Me That Pistol The Beatles - Paperback Writer The Fantastics - Something Wonderful Cat Stevens - Tuesday's Dead White Plains - When You Are A King Twiggy - Zoo De Zoo Zong Harry Nilsson - City Life Mungo Jerry - Lady Rose Dusty Springfield - Where Am I Going? The Supremes & The Four Tops - Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)
The hitherto untold story of the 'wilderness years' of Kenny Everett long before he became a TV star.
In 1970, he was sacked by BBC Radio 1 for insulting the wife of a Government Minister. He was just 25 and was arguably the most creative broadcaster of his generation.
At that time, the BBC still had a radio monopoly in the UK, so the only outlet for his talents was on the corporation's Local Radio stations, then in their infancy.
Cuddly Ken worked for six stations in total, there were few listeners, and they didn't pay much.
The documentary was compiled by journalist and broadcaster Paul Rowley who as a schoolboy recorded Everett's shows on Radio Merseyside on his domestic tape recorder. It was a good job he did because the BBC didn't keep any of those vintage recordings.
Four of the stations even insisted that “the wireless wizard” never worked for them. But after a marathon treasure hunt, Rowley traced listeners who'd similarly recorded Kenny's shows 'off-air' and tracked down some BBC employees who'd 'borrowed' the master tapes.
Paul discloses that one station manager was carpeted after hiring him without permission from the top brass at Broadcasting House. Another station fired him after a feature deemed to be anti-BBC. Part of the banned show is included.
The documentary also looks at the internal politics of the corporation over its handling of the 'enfant terrible'.
Featuring:
* Kenny Everett's then wife Lee who blitzed stations to put her husband on-air * Former BBC Radio 1 Controller Johnny Beerling * David Waine (BBC Radio Bristol) * Victor Marmion (BBC Radio Merseyside) * Ken Warburton (BBC Radio Solent) * John Holmes (BBC Radio Nottingham) * Dennis Lewell (BBC Radio Medway, now BBC Radio Kent) * Phil Fothergill (BBC Radio Brighton, now BBC Radio Sussex) * Barbara Taylor * Lawrie Bloomfield * Richard Skinner * Rob Salvidge
Kenny was finally allowed back on Radio 1 in April 1973 but left six months later at the start of Independent Local Radio, being part of the launch team for Capital Radio, the UK's first commercial music station.
He died on April 4, 1995 from an AIDS-related illness. He was just 50.
Fittingly, Radio 4 Extra is broadcasting the programme on December 23, 2024 on the 60th anniversary of the opening of pirate ship Radio London, where Kenny's radio career began. It was arguably the UK's most successful offshore station, with Kenny making his debut the following day on Christmas Eve, 1964 on his last day as a teenager.
The documentary was shortlisted for a Sony Radio Award in 2002 in the "Music Special" category.
Engineer: Darynn Garrett
First broadcast on BBC local radio across England at Christmas 2001.
*** This programme is part of a collection of shows in Christmas week as BBC Radio 4 Extra celebrates the work of Kenny Everett to mark what would have been his 80th birthday on Christmas Day, 2024.
The Kinks - Victoria The Kinks - Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues The Kinks - Dedicated Follower Of Fashion The Kinks - Lola The Kinks - Holiday The Kinks - Good Golly Miss Molly The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset The Kinks - The Village Green Preservation Society The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Amol Rajan speaks to Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton.
Inside Number 9 - the comedy so often labelled dark and surreal - graced our television screens for a decade before ending earlier this year.
Now it is going on stage in London's West End with its writers and stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Today's Amol Rajan spoke to them both about the play - and about the future of comedy.
The not-terribly-true autobiography of 1970s idol Little Johnny Cartilage.
His descent into obscurity begins with the launch of Cartilage Family and includes extracts from his infamous appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs with Sue Lawley.
Written by and starring Johnny Meres.
With:
Sue Lawley Ben Miller Peter Serafinowicz Geoff McGivern Rosemary Martin Deborah Berlin
Hannah Peel & Richard Norris chart a musical history through iconic instruments, with the 808 and Ableton in the spotlight in this final episode.
The 808 drum machine is one of the most iconic instruments of all time. Richie Hawtin explains how the 808, alongside the 909, was instrumental to techno, his music as Plastikman, and throughout his career. And Jlin shows how the sounds of the 808 are found throughout her production, despite never having owned a machine.
Ableton is one of the leading music making software programmes on the planet. One of its creators, Gerhard Behles, explains how the freedom of 90s Berlin influenced the birth of the software. Diving deeper into music and computers, Holly Herndon and Marta Salogni remember using AI to make Holly’s album PROTO, and artist Patten discusses the inspiration and challenges of using text to audio AI to create his boundary pushing sounds.
From the Theremin to the MPC, the 808 to Ableton, Instrumental takes drum machines, samplers, synths, and software as a springboard to celebrate creativity in all its facets. Across the series hear from fellow musicians, creatives and instrument builders including Brian Eno, Carl Cox, Marta Salogni, Roger Linn, Jlin, Jacob Collier, Richie Hawtin, Andre Huang, Patten, The Mad Professor, Shiva Feshareki and more, on how people have been using, and misusing these tools to create new and wonderful music.
Andy Cooper - Chase On The Ave LL Cool J - I Need A Beat John Foxx - Plaza [Virgin] Inner City - Good Life [10] Plastikman - Plasticity [Nova Mute] Jon Hopkins - Neon Pattern Drum [Domino] FKA Twigs - Figure 8 Jlin - Erotic Heart Jlin (feat. Phillip Glass) - The Precision Of Infinity [Planet Mu] Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - Diagram Girl [Phantasy] Basic Channel - Q1.1 Flying Lotus - Getting There [Warp] Max Cooper - Perpetual Motion [Mesh] Loraine James - I DM U [Hyperdub] Andrew Huang - Heartbeat Holly Herndon - Canaan (Live Training) [4AD] Holly Herndon - Evening Shades (Live Training) [4AD] patten - Inhale [555-5555] patten - Forever patten - Nimzo
Hannah Peel & Richard Norris chart a musical history through iconic instruments, with the DX7 Synth and SL1200 Turntable in the spotlight.
The Yamaha DX7 was one of the biggest digital synths of the 80s. Peaking in 1986, its sound appeared on thousands of tracks across all genres that decade. Brian Eno reveals how he was one of the few people who managed to programme it. And Youtuber Cuckoo celebrates the sounds of the DX7 that were used in video game soundtracks of the 80s and 90s.
The Technics SL1200 turntables are legendary amongst DJ across dance, hip hop and beyond. Carl Cox explains why, and how he managed to mix on three of them at once. And turntablist Shiva Feshareki reveals how finding a scrap of paper while researching Delia Derbyshire, led to her 2018 Prom for two turntables and orchestra.
From the Theremin to the MPC, the 808 to Ableton, Instrumental takes drum machines, samplers, synths, and software as a springboard to celebrate creativity in all its facets. Across the series hear from fellow musicians, creatives and instrument builders including Brian Eno, Carl Cox, Marta Salogni, Roger Linn, Jlin, Jacob Collier, Richie Hawtin, Andre Huang, Patten, The Mad Professor, Shiva Feshareki and more, on how people have been using, and misusing these tools to create new and wonderful music.
Andy Cooper - Chase On The Ave A-ha - Take On Me Brian Eno & John Cale - Lay My Love [All Saints] U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name [Island] Brian Eno & John Cale - Grandfather's House Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It [Global & Tapes] Howard Jones - What Is Love? Angelo Badalamenti - Twin Peaks Theme [Warner Bros] Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World [Now] SEGA - Splash Wave / Out Run True Cuckoo - Mem Corrupt Angelo Badalamenti - Twin Peaks Theme [Warner Bros] Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel Jurassic 5 - Lesson 6: The Lecture [PIAS] Carl Cox - Electronic Generations Chic - Good Times [Columbia] Wilton Felder & Bobby Womack - Inherit The Wind [UMOD] DJ Carl Cox - I Want You (Forever) [Perfecto] Shiva Feshareki - Still Point - Movement III [NMC] Richard Norris - One [Group Mind]
Hannah Peel & Richard Norris chart a musical history through iconic instruments, with the Space Echo and MPC in the spotlight for this second episode.
The Roland Space Echo is a legendary effect that uses tape to create spacey delays and reverbs. The Mad Professor remembers first using tape delays, the importance of the Space Echo in Dub, and working with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Whilst Hannah and Richard share their love of tape as a tactile medium with Brian Eno and Hainbach.
The AKAI MPC was a sampler that came out in the 80s, and revolutionised a technique that was previously only available to the upper echelons of the music making community. Author Joe Schloss gives a concise history of Hip Hop and sampling and explains why the MPC was at the epicentre. And Jacob Collier reveals how sampling his audiences singing led to him creating his own musical instrument.
From the Theremin to the MPC, the 808 to Ableton, Instrumental takes drum machines, samplers, synths, and software as a springboard to celebrate creativity in all its facets. Across the series hear from fellow musicians, creatives and instrument builders including Brian Eno, Carl Cox, Marta Salogni, Roger Linn, Jlin, Jacob Collier, Richie Hawtin, Andre Huang, Patten, The Mad Professor, Shiva Feshareki and more, on how people have been using, and misusing these tools to create new and wonderful music.
Andy Cooper - Chase On The Ave King Tubby & Rupie Edwards - Buckshot Dub Portishead - Cowboys [Go! Beat] Mad Professor - Ankoko Lee "Scratch" Perry - Enter The Dragon Lee "Scratch" Perry & Mad Professor - Jazzy Dub [Ariwa] Massive Attack - Bumper Ball Dub (Karmacoma) Terry Riley - Concert For Two Pianos And Tape Recorders Steve Reich - It's Gonna Rain [Elektra Nonesuch] Brian Eno & David Byrne - The Jezebel Spirit [Sire] Delia Derbyshire - Blue Veils And Golden Sands [BBC] William Basinski - dlp 1.1 a [Temporary Residence Limited] Hainbach - Embrace Before We Forget [Seil] Marta Salogni & Tom Relleen - March [Hands In The Dark] Madvillain - Supervillain Theme (Instrumental) Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up [Now] Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock The Human League - The Sound Of The Crowd [Virgin] Prince - 1999 [Warner Bros] De La Soul - Eye Know [Big Life] DJ Shadow - Midnight In A Perfect World [Mo'Wax] Love Bug Starski & The Harlem World Crew - Positive Life Treacherous Three - Feel The Heartbeat Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) [Elektra] Slum Village - Fall In Love [Ne'Astra Music Group] J Dilla - Last Donut Of The Night [Stones Throw] Jacob Collier (feat. Brandi Carlile) - Little Blue [Decca] Jacob Collier - 100,000 Voices [Decca]
Hannah Peel & Richard Norris chart a musical history through iconic instruments, with the Theremin and SM58 Microphone in the spotlight for this first episode.
Invented in 1928, the Theremin is one of the first electronic instruments. Biographer Albert Glinsky shares details of the incredible life its Russian inventor Leon Theremin led. Plus, director Lisa Rovner, whose documentary Sisters With Transistors celebrates the female pioneers of electronic music, explains why Theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore was so important in the story of electronic music.
The SM58 is the classic ice cream shaped microphone you've seen on hundreds of stages. Brian Eno reveals why this budget microphone was perfect when he was recording Bono's vocals. And Richard and Hannah share their love of using microphones to record the natural world, and how they use these field recordings in their own music.
From the Theremin to the MPC, the 808 to Ableton, Instrumental takes drum machines, samplers, synths and software as a springboard to celebrate creativity in all its facets. Across the series hear from fellow musicians, creatives and instrument builders including Brian Eno, Carl Cox, Marta Salogni, Roger Linn, Jlin, Jacob Collier, Richie Hawtin, Andre Huang, Patten, The Mad Professor, Shiva Feshareki and more, on how people have been using, and misusing these tools to create new and wonderful music.
Andy Cooper - Chase On The Ave Clara Rockmore - Summertime [Mississippi] Bernard Herrmann - Prelude [20th Century Fox] Mica Levi - Andrew Void [Milan] The Listening Room Ensemble & Clara Rockmore - Bachianas Brasileiras: No. 5, Aria Erick Friedman, Clara Rockmore & Nadia Reisenberg - Concerto For 2 Violins In D Minor Clara Rockmore - Theremin Concerto: Pastorale Lisa Bella Donna - Onward To A Dream [Behind The Sky Music] Isao Tomita - Arabesque No. 1 Beck - Where It's At [Geffen] U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love) [Island] U2 - The Unforgettable Fire [Island] Bing Crosby & Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band - Whispering [RCA Victor] Hannah Peel - The Deceived TV Series Kayla Painter - Precipitation Kayla Painter - Your Echoes Chris Watson & Nainita Desai - Deep Blue Voices, Caribbean Sea Chris Watson & Nainita Desai - Endless Dawn Chorus, Finland Clint Mansell - Spirit Of The Woods [Invada] Clint Mansell - Mycorrhiza (60-250 HZ) [Invada]
