Picked from the Radio Today site

Radio 1’s first female DJ Annie Nightingale dies aged 83

(I used to love her voice on the Radio, and pleased to note that there are now more excellent female broadcasters.

ANNIE NIGHTINGALEBBC RADIO 1

Updated January 12, 2024 – 2:29 pm

Annie Nightingale who was BBC Radio 1’s first female presenter and the station’s longest serving DJ has died at the age of 83.

A statement said: “Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.

“Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.

“Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.

“Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll.

“A celebration of her life will take place in the Spring at a Memorial Service.

“The family request privacy at this time.”

Annie joined Radio 1 in 1970 as its first female DJ and remained at the station until last year becoming its longest serving broadcaster.

She hosted a request show in the 70s, 80s and 90s, then moved to present an overnight show. Annie paved the way for female broadcasters as a trailblazer by helping others to launch their DJ careers.

Head of Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones said: “All of us at Radio 1 are devastated to lose Annie, our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“Annie was a world class DJ, broadcaster and journalist, and throughout her entire career was a champion of new music and new artists.

“She was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and over her 50 years on the station was a pioneer for women in the industry and in dance music.

“We have lost a broadcasting legend and, thanks to Annie, things will never be the same.”

Something for your diary, courtesy of Radio Today

Clash of the Pirates as Johnnie Walker and Tony Blackburn go head to head on BBC Radio 2

Written By Roy Martin January 10, 2024 – 10:31 am

This year marks 60 years since Radio Caroline started broadcasting and BBC Radio 2 is to air a special show with Johnnie Walker and Tony Blackburn.

Clash of the Pirates, produced by Listen, celebrates these radio presenters and tests their knowledge of contemporary music across the decades and genres in this fun show featuring a series of themed rounds.

In the blue corner is the juggernaut Johnnie and in the red corner it’s the towering Tony.

These two musical heavyweights will be pulling no punches as they battle to become the ultimate King of The Pirates. Having both operated outside of the boundaries of traditional broadcasting as the original pirate radio DJs, both Tony and Johnnie used their freedom of expression to make real names for themselves.

Now these Radio 2 musical maestros will go head-to-head selecting their ultimate playlists, making strategic song selections, using quick thinking and timely responses as each tries to come out on top.

Who will be drawing deep, using their ninja knowledge to rock the boat and turn the beat around? Who will be the champion? Expect energetic performances and entertaining banter, but one thing’s for sure, the music will be at its absolute best and there will be escape, plenty of nostalgia, companionship and of course much laughter, across two joyous hours on Friday 29 March from 12pm till 2pm.

Johnnie says, “Tony and I are great friends – we go back decades – but in this show I’ll have no mercy. Be ready Tony, this is the ultimate moment we decide just who is the Pirate King!”

Tony says, “This is going to be fun, pitting all my music love and knowledge against the great Johnnie Walker, but let’s not forget, he’s the mere whippersnapper out of the two of us so I reckon this win is in the bag for me!”

Laser’s Back

Laser 558 name returns as new online radio station (one of many it seems)

Written By RadioToday UK January 5, 2024 – 10:23 am

The former offshore radio station name Laser 558 is back as an online station promising to never be more than a minute away from music.

The station says its programming and playlist place the listener back in the mid-80s playing the current hits of the time as well as dipping back through the music vaults in the same way that the original station did.

The original jocks are back behind the mic, and the channel’s focus audience is the millions of people who remember the original station as well as fans of 60s, 70s, and 80s music.

Original adverts from the 80s are also playing for items such as cassette tape decks via mail-order.

In addition to the main station, app users can also listen to the original ‘AM’ feel with an AM version of the broadcast. There is also a third stream which plays original off-air recordings of LASER558 to complete the nostalgic experience.

LASER558 Director Steve Bannister says: “LASER558 fills a gap in current radio trends where many nostalgic stations are mainly ‘DJ-free’ during much of the day.

“LASER558 uses state-of-the-art production methods so that our favourite DJs from the 80s are still introducing music today. We are also looking at DAB+ Radio and Freeview TV as further ways for listeners to find us.

“We’re hoping that this will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the launch of the original LASER558 in May 2024. Those wanting to learn more about us can visit laser558.live.”

Off topic – Please leave Amazon Prime

In February Amazon have indicated that we can expect adverts in their films and programmes. I personally object to this, and also find that the deliveries are just dumped on my doorstep, without them ringing a doorbell. I have doorbells on the front and back doors, but when it is light I can normally see someone delivering. The only way of knowing a delivery has been made when it is dark is to check my emails. 

If enough people leave Amazon Prime, and tell them the reason, they may stop trying to use adverts, and passing us off with the offer of £2.99 to get rid of them. Overall Amazon has spoilt the party by charging extra to “rent programmes, and also offering Freevee which is peppered with adverts. Having been a member of Prime for a long time I can no longer find programmes I want to see. The violent and gory nature of some series are also not to my taste, and the output is peppered with these. They also take series and films off that I have started to watch!

I still enjoy my two Alexas, and they play at least one track of music on Deezer, and continue to play radio programmes and set alarms, switch plugs and lights on and off as well.

I still have an Amazon Account, and will only buy from them when postage is free, and the item is cheaper than elsewhere online. Yes delivery will take longer and also the drivers who get too many drops to do in a day, will continue to provide a poor service on occasions.

Please help me to say to Amazon to keep adverts off their Prime programmes.

Chitty Chitty………………..

Hello again, this weekend past, as many know, we were treated to the car which was used in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Initially I thought that they had left the engine ticking over, but a friend suggested that it was a recording of an engine that was playing over a speaker. It is possible that this was placed there by a film company, as there is a new film on the way featuring the car?

The Christmas postbox toppers also brighten up the Christmas goodies in town, including the fabulous tree that we have this year

I have seen other people utilising the large baubles on the Christmas Tree near to the Town Hall, as a fish eye lens. I make no excuse for including my pictures took on the weekend.

I was also walking along the Marlow Road into town and noticed that the ubiquitous puddles were acting as a mirror! I wonder if one day they can put some drainage into the Marlow Road so that pedestrians do not get showered if cars have to pass on both sides of the road. Most drivers are courteous and pull out to avoid this if safe to do so.

This shot is not really a mirror, but a close up shot of a puddle ( the things I will do to get a different photo!)

Here is the mirror image!

I was amazed to find recently that my Garden Wheelie bin had a ladybird on it! It may have been trapped by a spider?

An Internet Station to listen to

When I was on Facebook recently someone recommended an online station that Lex Harding of Radio Veronica has set up. It is basically back to back music at present with a few announcements. Give it a try. If the play doesn’t work, then click the arrow at the end of the player and it creates a pop up player. Click play on that it works. It is also on the Frontier Silicon Portal for Roberts Istream radios.

https://mytuner-radio.com/radio/lx-classics-439028/

Radio – current information from Radio Today Site

Caroline Martin joins WCR FM following BBC Radio WM exit
I met Caroline in the studio when she broadcast from the Ross Revenge on Radio Caroline’s RSL from London Docklands
Chris Kamara returns to Santa Radio for Christmas special
I find the proliferation of Christmas Radio Stations rather tedious to listen to but good luck if anyone likes them. Certainly in the USA they seem to have even more than we do!
Tony Blackburn to leave BBC Radio London this weekend
Tony Blackburn is a national treasure and remains one of my favourites, he broadcasts to my area on Radio Berkshire, but I remember his original shows on BBC Radio London in which he was very saucy indeed!
Special award for Radio 2’s traffic and travel reporter Sally Boazman
I remember Sally with affection from when I used to Listen to Radio 2 with Terry Wogan and the old team
Nicholas Witchell lined up for Christmas radio shows on Victory
Interesting choice of programming for a commercial radio station, will he be poached for Classic Fm in time?
CountryLine Radio set for name change in international deal with TuneIn and Garth Brooks
When I ask Alexa to play Caroline or Atlantis on tune in at the moment Garth Brooks pops up first to publicize this radio station. Most irritating !
BBC Radio 4 launches new comedy feed, Jokes on BBC Sounds
This sounds like fun! Will check it out. Jokes can be good or bad and it is difficult to appeal to all?
World Radio Gardening presenter Ken Crowther celebrates 40th anniversary
I enjoy gardening programmes, the BBC of course has its Gardeners Question Time but most local radio stations have a spot where gardening advice is sought and answered
I can recommend this book, which seems to have disappeared from Paul’s site, unless I have missed it. Amazon has a copy at the moment and it is available on this link, not by clicking preview above! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Online-Radio-Guide-Broadcasters-Listeners/dp/1900401428/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39UI0WVGQ6V92&keywords=online+radio+paul+rusling&qid=1702589727&s=digital-text&sprefix=online+radio+%2Cdigital-text%2C72&sr=1-1-catcorr