Hans Knot's International Radio Report - March 2009
Welcome radio friends
to this month’s edition of the report and thank you for sending in your
e mails and othe
r
surprises. Listening at the moment to
Pirate Johnny Walker and
one of these months’ shows where he tries to reincarnate the radio from
the MV Rock and Roll. Amazing to hear, after the first song, a new ‘old’
jingle from Steve England and the team! Of course thanks Johnny bringing
us some joy again and what a great idea that listeners can only write in
into the show. The program can be heard on Saturday evening on BBC 2
from 21 to 23 hours and brings back the music between 1955 and 1975.
The first e mail to mention comes from Northampton from a radio friend
for ages: ‘Congratulations in ten years of hard labour with the Radio
Report giving pleasure to others, Hans! It is a truly remarkable
achievement and you deserve proper recognition for so much hard work.
Well done, Andrew Emmerson.’
Well Andrew thanks a lot for your very nice words and I appreciate very
much our long radio friendship and that I may last for a much longer
period.
I can tell you that the Emperor
Rosko didn’t make it as the first to sent in an e mail after last
report was posted, but he sent the next within minutes again: ‘Hi Hans,
your monthly just popped up on the screen so I have locked the door and
gotten out some MRE’S! Thanks for putting that bogus speech report
right. I can assure you I do not long speeches. Anyway I will in Great
Britain in April to do some promotions.’
Well hope you will have a good time during the trip. I can assure I will
in two weeks time, when I’m heading for a weeks travel into England for
my work.
Next we see a photo which is taken in the seventies with a woman and a
microphone as well as a pirate t shirt. Well the photo was taken at ‘Red
Tom's place' and the girl was hired to sing some jingles for WMR, a
local radiostation in the North of Holland in those days. The shirt she
is wearing was the 1973 version of a Radio Caroline T-shirt. If you have
a photo with a radio T-shirt, don’t hesitate to send it to
Hans.Knot@gmail.com
Photo Archive: Foundation for
Media Communication
Cartoon time in the report as Aart Bakema sent me some cartoons from
which I’ve chosen one which was in the Volkskrant, way back in 1971,
showing two men talking during a drink at a Congress for Radiology. The
question asked is: ‘And what do you think about Radio Veronica?’ If you
have also a nice cartoon, don’t forget to send it to me.
Next mail comes from Bill Barnes: ‘I hope you are well. In the
Horizon Magazine March
April issue, our long running Caroline Magazine we celebrate 45 years of
Radio Caroline this Easter with your recollections: Cliff Osb
ourne
on the newest Caroline studios. Also there is an exclusive and candid
interview with Radio Caroline’s Peter Moore. Pat Edison will write on
his Anthology Challenge and Peter Antony on all the fun of his radio
career from Radio Luxembourg to Radio Caroline. Furthermore we have Alan
Watts on Caroline music today and Pandora is in a special Caroline at 45
Rockbox. Of course we bring the latest news on The Ross Revenge & The
Captains Log.
http://www.horizonmagazine.co.uk/
More and more people are looking for rare material. Sometimes my readers
are coming back with super archive material, other times no success has
been made. This time a question from the USA: ‘Hello Mr. Knot, my name
is Tim Dennis. I produce a couple of radio shows here in Minneapolis,
MN., USA. My girlfriend's Grandfather was an announcer on WVRT in Tokyo
(Armed Forces Radio) between 1945 and 1952. His name is Ted (Theodore)
Fox. We are both trying to either find someone who knew her Grandfather,
or has an audio archive with his voice on it. How would we go about
this? Any advice you could give would be appreciated! Thank you for your
time and consideration, Tim Dennis.’
Well Tim, if there’s no response on this e mail versus the Hans Knot
Radio Report I suggest you to search in google with ‘AFN newsgroups’ and
several sites will appear to look on and ask your questions.
Next one c
omes
from the UK: ‘Hi Hans. This is my first time of writing to you - so -
must say ‘thank you’ for the radio report - always interesting reading.
You prompted me to hunt out a photo of my first (and best) car - my
little mini! This had loads of
car stickers, including five Caroline / Mi Amigo ones on the back
window and boot, and a Caroline one on each rear window, making seven in
all! Is this a record? I enclose a couple of old photos, taken in the
late 1970's. One was at a wedding, so explains the mad clothes I was
wearing! (This black and white photo includes all five stickers on the
back). The stickers went with the car in 1981 after our first child was
born and we found we couldn't fit the pram in the boot! I still managed
to display a few over the years and have even got one now in the back of
my van! Hans - I've recently done my own website which may be of
interest to your readers at
www.jimsalmon.co.uk there’s a few pages dedicated to my anorak
journey!
All the best to you - and it's good to know I'm not the only radio
nutcase left! Jim Salmon.’
JIM SALMON AND HIS CARSTICKER
MINI’S
Thanks Jim and wonderful to see that the Austin Mini had so many
stickers on. However I don’t think it is a record. I remember a
television special from 1967 at Dutch NCRV Television about Radio London
and a guy
was interviewed in his car which was almost totally swallowed with
stickers about ‘Free Radio’. As last issue we have this time also a
second reader who dived into his photo albums:
‘Hi Hans, long time ago we talked to each other for the last time. Hope
all is well with you and Jana. It would be nice to meet up again and
share some memories together. In your last newsletter I saw the item
about old cars and radio related stickers. When watching Martin’s photo
with the Volkswagen, I remembered I had a VW too. During 1978-1979 I
drove in the grey Volkswagen each day from Groningen v.v. to the
barracks in Nunspeet. On the car radio of course in the early morning
and late afternoon, when driving, Radio Caroline. On the frontwindow of
the car I had an enormous Radio Caroline car sticker. What also occurred
to me
is that on both photos you can see that we had more hair on our heads in
those days. Greetings, Karel Gerbers.
Karel Gerbers and his Volkswagen
Well, Karel very nice to have heard from you again and also thanks for
sharing this photo with my readers. Of course we can meet up someday.
Feel free to take the telephone and give me a ring!
Last year we had the long story on the internet about a elderly home for
radio people. Paul from England wrote to me: ‘Hello Hans. Looks like
your April Fool joke has turned out for real. See:
http://www.wightfm.com/
Tony Blackburn, Ed Stewart, Paul Burnett - and the young Mark Wesley
from Outward Bound For The Elderly, to keep them all active and fit!’
Well let’s see what was mentioned on the internetsite:
It’s official, wightFM
finally launches today (Sunday) at 11am. The new station is to be opened
by the Island's MP Andrew Turner at 11am. The Island's No1 presenter
Alex Dyke will host the first ever show on wightFM. Alex commented "It's
going to be great to be back on air, I cannot wait. We were all in the
studio last night listening to our first few minutes of the show and
everyone started welling up, we have all put so much
effort and dedication into wightFM". William Smith and Martin Potter the
stations owners were also extremely happy. Martin commented "We cannot
wait, we have wanted to broadcast live all week but have held back. I'm
sure the Island will really welcome this exciting new station at a time
when the latest RAJAR figures for IW Radio (The FM alternative) were
very disappointing (an overall five year low with only a 29% reach
across the Island). This proves that Islander's really want something
new and refreshing, and of course we were so happy when we bagged the
best ever talent the Island's ever had Alex Dyke. We cannot believe the
amount of emails flooding into the studio and the wightFM website can
now boast a massive 4,239 people a day visiting the site, that's amazing
as we
have not even launched yet." All week listeners have been calling the
station to purchase their new Wi-Fi radio. wightFM confirmed that the
station has temporally sold out, however more radios are due in on
Tuesday 3rd Feb. Everyone at wightFM have promised a great show opener,
and are all very
confident for the future, Alex commented "If something is good enough
then people will find a way of listening to it, and I plan to make
wightFM so
good listeners will be glued to their Wi-Fi radio." The best news is
that the Island's phone-in will return with Big Al and The Doc, Alex
said, "Beacuse we are not monitored by OFCOM the phone-in will be edgier
than ever, Islander's will love it." The stations latest news is they
have today added ex Radio 1 DJ, Emporer Rosco to their unbelievable
line-up which includes greats such as Mike Read, David (Diddy) Hamilton,
Paul Burnett, Mark Wesley, Geoff Hughes, Richard Cartridge, Howard
Pearce plus many more.
http://www.wightfm.com
Well
it’s another internet radiostation and it can also be received on
special mobile telephones. Two names to mention which were not in the
pressreport: Benny Brown is doing a late evening program weekdays and Ed
Stewart can be heard on Sundays between 9 AM and noon.
Here is very sad news now, from one of, so if not, the most favorite
deejay from the last two decades, concerning BFBS. ‘Hi Hans This is to
let you know that I have been made redundant from BFBS after 21 years
due to're structuring'. It is a really terrible time, now without a job.
I hope you will keep in touch and perhaps be kind enough to send your
report to my new e mail address. Veel groetjes en tot ziens
Dave Windsor’.
I was shocked to read this message Dave as your program was the sauce on
the stations output during the past 20 plus years. Anyone who knows new
work for Dave within the Radio Industry can contact him at
davewindsor@live.co.uk
Dave Windsor during Caroline Days,
Photo: Leen Vingerling
I know it’s late but here’s the February update from the
Pirate Hall of Fame
New:
• We have some correspondence and memorabilia from Radio City, kindly
provided by listener Angus Boucher;
• we have some television footage filmed aboard Radio Caroline South in
1965, never previously seen in the UK;
• there is news of two new radio shows featuring the music and memories
of the pirate era;
• and, as promised, the first attempt at a complete list of the
engineers who worked on the offshore stations of the sixties. There are
undoubtedly mistakes and omissions at the moment and I would be very
grateful if you could let me know if you spot any.
• My thanks, as always, to everyone who has contributed this month. With
all best wishes, Jon.
www.offshoreradio.co.uk
Next is Bob LeRoi:
Welcome to the February 2009 Update
Thanks for the magnificent response to our Caroline Roll Call there are
dozens of additional names plus many new pictures. To all the eagle eyes
that noticed the slip in the last update email, of course the MV
Caroline left Greenore not Greenock, spent too much time in Scotland
this year! January’s announcement of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s ‘idea’
for an airport in the Thames Estuary promoted several emails and
requests for more pictures from Red Sands Radio 2008. One Subject One
Link’ : Back to bad language is back on the agenda at the top of the
pile, again forced upon us by TV and lately even public radio. We’re
saddened to report the death of Paul Stutch one of the Southern
England’s nicest radio people. In conjunction with his tribute we
publish the long overdue one to Winston Nurse. As always - Enjoy Your
Visits.’ www.bobleroi.co.uk
Next
are some memories to the sixties. Here a photograph which cames from the
archive of Rob Olthof. Lately he brought me a big plastic bag with all
kind of newspaper and music magazine cuts from the early sixties. And
this colour photograph was one which was also in the bag. Evenings long
I’ve sorted out all those cuts and the first of the things, which I want
to show you, is a photo taken, I think somewhere in the early eighties.
Caroline lovers must have seen which building is on the photo. It shows
us 6 Chesterfield Gardens,
once the home of the Radio Caroline Head Office in Mayfair, London.
Next e mail came in from Holland where Radio Uilenspiegel follower Henk
van Hanegem is living: ‘Suddenly moving pictures appear from the
MV Uilenspiegel, once in
1962 home of Radio Uilenspiegel. The voice over brings a rare story
which originally belongs not to the shown movie. Also the date is not
correct. Nevertheless really rare pictures at:
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=X78vlSCxIyI
Thanks a lot Henk for sharing this with us. If you’ve anything of
interest for the report please send it to
HKnot@home.nl and photos please to
Hans.Knot@gmail.com
Next one comes from former VOP deejay
Paul Fraser who comments
on a photo shown in last issue and which was sent in by Coconut: ‘Hans:
Thanks for the latest Report. The man on the left in the picture is Tony
Stevens. I knew him from land-based pirate radio in the UK. He gave me
my first chance on air. He came to the ship not very long after I first
joined on the Peaceship. He was primarily a radio and electronics
engineer; he also did some programmes. Tim Shepherd will remember him
too. I had completely forgotten that shirt I am wearing in the picture.
It's not a shirt which is easily forgotten! It's just so hard on the
eye, like a riot in an ink factory!
Paul Fraser’.
For those who know the Dutch language there’s now a change to be member
of the Foundation Norderney
Forum. All kind of subject and discussions are possible at:
http://www.norderney.nl/EE/index.php/forums/
Forum leaders are former Radio Veronica technicians Juul Geleick and Ad
Bouman.
Stuart Dobson reflected in an email on our subject on the death of Andy
Howard: ‘Bilbo Baggins (Andy Howard) worked on the radio ship MV Nannel
too. Do you or you readers know where I can obtain a copy of Greg
Pierson's TV documentary Swinging Radio England A Tale Of Pirates,
Texans and Teenagers? Also where can I download a copy of Dave Busons
Air Traffic Control?’
Well Stuart I don’t think the SRE is officially out and the question on
Air Traffic Control maybe can be answered by a reader at
HKnot@home.nl
I know you’re thinking! What is Hans going to tell about this boats?
Nothing at all. It’s more the quayside where the boats are lying. I’ve
talked a lot and written a lot about this place. Three radio ships have
been there. Two of them were there in the late sixties, and one in the
early nineties. It’s the
Oosterhamrikkade in Groningen. Here the MV Cito (Peace ship).
Zeevaart (King David Capital Radio) and some 300 metres further on the
Norderney had their temporary place. The photo has been taken on January
31st by Martin van der Ven. He and his wife Ulrike as well as Rob Olthof
joined Jana and me in a wonderful weekend, where we also talked about
the forthcoming Radio Day. Update on the Radio Day will be place
regularly on our new internet site
www.radioday.nl
Oosterhamrikkade Groningen. Photo
Martin van der Ven
More rare pictures are to come in the Hans Knot International Radio
Report, with first a contribution from Joel from the USA.
‘Hello
Hans: They are a bit blurry, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing these
photos of Mr. King when he visited me at AFN Berlin. Enjoy!
Joel O'Brien
Randolph, Vermont USA.’ Well Joel thanks a lot and we took this one to
show the public.
Joel O’Brien is the one left and
Dennis King (Caroline) is behind the microphone. Photo archive Joel
O’Brien
Talking about AFRTS the monthly mail from Thom Wheston came in: ‘This
month we can add Chris Noel to the group that said hi. It also includes
Gene Price and Charlie Tuna. Wolfman Jack's producer has checked in.
Sometimes it leaves me star-struck. I hope that you enjoy. This time the
focus is on the early 80s (mostly). If you saved anything, if you have
any requests, if you want off of this email list, just drop me a note.
Have a great day! Thom Whetston.
http://afrts.cjb.net
You could compare Thom with the
work
I do, but than for the AFRTS and AFN lovers.
I also must give a plug to the Unofficial Radio Report from Steve Smidt,
which can be found at:
www.offshore-radio.de
Those who visit the annual Radio Days recognize the
organising committee on
the above photo: Rob Olthof, Hans Knot and Martin van der Ven. I wrote
already that we were together to discuss plans for this years Radio Day
and did some nostalgic tripping. Earlier on you saw the photograph taken
at the Oosterhamrikkade. This one is taken some 500 meters more to the
East in Groningen city at the Gorechtkade. In the back you see the shed
on which is painted the words ‘Radio London’. And it’s already there
since 1966. Really a pilgrimage! Photo: Jana Knot-Dickscheit
Talking about the Radio Day, news will be updated regularly on
www.radioday.nl Just a little
talking out of the kitchen? Charlie Wolfe wrote us to do his utmost to
be there in November for the Laser reunion. Also AFN Historican Ingo
Paternoster will do a special on this station. More names to be
mentioned soon!
Ian Godfrey is a regular contributor to the report and wrote: ‘Dear
Hans, just thought I'd e mail you on a couple of points. A couple of
days ago I received the information that there was a copy of 'Script No.
3' on Ebay, plus other issues of the magazine. Having never attempted to
buy anything on Ebay I've been finding it pretty difficult to get
anywhere near the bidding stage. I've just spoken to someone at 'Pirate
Radio Sales' and I put the 'phone down thinking it couldn't be easier,
but I've still had no success!
It's a bit frustrating as I'm so near but so far. I feel there must be
another way of contacting the seller - he may be a receiver of the
International Report.’
So once again Ian is on search for Script Magazine number 3. A photocopy
would be fine. If anyone can provide it please write to
HKnot@home.nl
Ian went on with: ‘One thing I omitted from my last e mail was a comment
on the Caroline North programme which was broadcast on several BBC
stations around Christmas. I listened to it on 'Pirate Radio Skues' on
4th January. I couldn't believe how it could have 'slipped through the
net!' The audio quality was appalling. A lot of it was ultra-trebly and
sounded like listening to an FM station about 5 kHz off-channel. I look
forward to the next Report. With Best Wishes, Ian Godfrey.’
Well Ian I got a link from someone and listened, or must say tried to
listen, to it but decided to stop after 15 minutes as it was terrible
quality on several places.
Next an e mail from Norway: ‘Dear radio friend. We appreciated your kind
input. As you see, we are considering the future of our project, but at
least, it seems access will be given to the LKB site near the city of
Bergen.
www.northernstar.no/ask.html
We are thinking about building a medium-sized AM radio station there.
And we are looking for sponsors. We don't think such a station can be
regular commercial radio and be profitable. But with
good
programming it could be a "billboard" for the big project with DRM.
Thank you again for taking the time to write! My best wishes, Svenn
Martinsen, Northern Star International Broadcasters AS
www.northernstar.no
Next one comes from another train anorak: ‘Hi Hans. I noticed on your
latest report that you mention a few people have an interest in buses
and trams etc. Well, here is a link to a Site which I belong to. It's
only a small site at the moment, but it's growing gradually. It is:
www.truckandbusforum.com I
hope the link works. As always, thank you for your monthly reports which
re always interesting and informative. Regards. Chris Faulkner.’
It’s like the man above is thinking: ‘Hi there good people’. It’s
Graham Gill in his
special suit he bought when he had to go for a job on Big L in the
sixties. Real nostalgic isn’t! Photo is taken by Jana Knot-Dickscheit
some years ago.
I sent one to Graham and he responded with: ’Hi there Hans, firstly,
many thanks for the nice picture. As you are no doubt aware, I'm still
busy with writing my Autobiography (Book). It all begins in Melbourne,
Australia, because at the age of 12, I had my own small but well
listened to Radio Station 3WM, which was only on the air at weekends.
Then in 1950 I joined Melbourne's Top Radio Station - 3UZ. Its regular
call sign was always, "THIS IS THE GREATER 3UZ’. This is where my
professional radio career really started. So the first part of my book
deals with stations 3UZ, 3KZ, where I worked along side good old "fluff"
- Alan Freeman, before joining Radio 2RG. This was the last station in
Australia, where I spent 10 very happy years (1956 – 1966) before
embarking on what was to be another exciting part of my life: sailing
around the world and getting involved in Pirate Radio. That's about all
for now without revealing too many secrets which will be in the book
when it's finished soon. My warm greetings to both you and Jana.
Graham’.
Thanks a lot Graham and of course we’re looking forward to receive a
review copy of the book when it’s published. Take care and we’re being
in touch soon again!
The next news came to us from several sources: ‘Steve Scruton has just
announced on BBC Essex that
Pirate BBC Essex will be returning on Good Friday at 9 a.m. It
will broadcast from the LV18 anchored at the HalfPenny Pier in Harwich.
The station will broadcast for four days. This will tie in with ’The
Boat That Rocked’ film, there is a possibility that the films charity
premiere will take place at the Electric Palace. There is also a
possibility that an original offshore broadcaster who was not involved
in the 04 and 07 broadcasts will be on board, the clue given was "woof
woof".
On the same day the next one came in from Chris and Mary Payne: ‘It's
official – 2007 wasn't 'the last time' after all, and Pirate BBC Essex
is back broadcasting from the LV18 on line and on all the usual BBC
Essex frequencies this Good Friday (April 10th) to Easter Monday (13th)!
Confirmed participants include LV18 old hands Roger Day, Keith Skues and
Johnnie Walker, but there's a new 'cabin boy' – Tony Blackburn! This
time, the ship will be tied up alongside the Ha'penny Pier. 2009, of
course, marks the 45th anniversary of the launch of Radios Atlanta,
Caroline, City and London, alongside the much-anticipated release of the
Richard Curtis comedy movie, 'The Boat That Rocked', which is generating
tremendous interest in the subject of Watery Wireless. The first time we
heard the words 'Pirate BBC Essex', it sounded like the ultimate
oxymoron, but the BBC Essex team has more than proved that it can do the
pirates proud. Our photo-galleries from the two previous broadcasts in
2004 and 2007, are
here to prove it.
www.radiolondon.co.uk
From three readers the next came in on February 20th: ‘Roger Day has
just sent out this message on his Facebook group: "Subject: The Week
Ahead. Hi Hello How Are You? Two very exciting bits of news. Next
Saturday I'm a guest on Johnnie Walkers Saturday evening show.The big
news is the return of Pirate BBC Essex at Easter from a lightship off
Harwich. I'm going to be on Friday Afternoon and Breakfast on the
Saturday and Sunday. I do wish it could be a permanent station.’
So a must to listen to if you can receive the station.
Part of a nationwide report about
Radio Jackie's pirate
days has just been uploaded to YouTube, shows them setting up the
transmitter and aerial, and interviews them on site as well as Mike
Knight in his bedroom. Starts with 20 seconds of footage of the protest
march against RNI jamming:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MW_Q5dw1JQ&fmt=6
Talking about the movie the next came in too: ‘Rhys fans in the The Boat
That Rocked, a new film about 1960s pirate radio. But the fear that the
arrival of offshore pirate radio stations drove into the broadcasting
establishment has only now become clear. Previously unseen documents
from the BBC archives disclose how the corporation was so alarmed at the
rise of the stations that it launched a secret “dirty tricks” campaign
to have them shut down. The files show the extraordinary lengths to
which the corporation went to undermine their new rivals, which operated
without restriction from ships or wartime forts outside British
territorial waters.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4741298/BBCs-secret-war-with-the-pirates.html
Congratulations time! ‘Greetings Hans, Just to let you know that
Offshore Music Radio will
be five years old this March 20th, and still going strong.
If you have the time, would you like to record a birthday greeting via
mp3 just like the one you did for us on our opening day, we would like
to play it during our birthday week and during the day on March 20th.
Hope your keeping well and I do enjoy reading your radio report. Best
Wishes, Colin Stevens.’
Well
you can take contact, as you know by phone. Forget to tell you that I’m
not at the number between March 9th and March 17th. Have a lot of fun
with the birthday! And for the readers see the next internetlink.
http://www.offshoremusicradio.com/sites.php
In February 2007 Charlie Wolf was round the corner again asking for more
information on a former colleague from the time they both worked on
Laser 558: ‘Hans, do you or anyone in the Free Radio community have any
information on the whereabouts of Liz West? Tommy Rivers and I would
like to contact her. Can you ask around and I would appreciate any
information you may have. Regards, Charlie Wolf. ‘
Liz West Freewave Archive
At that time I didn’t had any answer about
Liz West, who worked
together with Charlie and Tommy on Laser 558 in the mid eighties of last
century, so I put it into the Radio Report. On February 26th this year,
more than two years later, the sad answer was given by Liz' brother:
‘Hi, Liz passed away in 2002 in Virginia of causes not known to me or my
brother. She was my sister. Sincerely, Geoff West.’
It’s very sad news, of course to hear this. Liz was one of the
Laserettes, and worked for Laser 558 at a unique stage when more than
one lady worked on an offshore radio station at one time! Geoff has
promised me to come back later with some of his memories of her sister.
Next a very short e mail: ‘I was unaware of this wonderful video!-
Clive. ‘
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwIMuy3o2yU
Hi, Clive. Thanks a lot for your e mail, of course it’s a beautiful
video but it’s fake. I see elements of several movies shot by television
stations as well as private videos by crewmembers of the Fredericia. In
the days of modern techniques it’s well done but it doesn’t give me a
happy idea to influence the anoraks. Greetings, Hans.
Next an internet page and a tip: search for Ross Revenge!
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/index.php
A very warm welcome to a new reader: ‘Greetings Hans, when I contacted
you via a pal's email, you asked me to send my email when I got one. You
are the first person to be sent it. I have enjoyed reading your radio
pages on my pal's computer. Don't listen to radio much these days, last
station was Arrow Classic Rock before it went onto FM. But have been
listening to Pirate Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio Two and Tim Gillett on
BBC Essex. In October 1990 I was asked by a friend to do a show on the
LV18 but all I did was play the tracks and didn't speak because I was a
very late stand-in for a DJ and I was given only 30 minutes to learn how
to work the equipment, which didn't include the microphone!! It was a
Radio Caroline RSL. Enough chat from me.
Regards, Bill.’
Well Bill welcome to the club of radio people and enthusiast and
whenever you want to share memories please feel free to send them in.
Next two e mails from Wales: ‘Hi Hans. I've noticed over the last week
that there is a TV or radio station listed on the TVU tuner (www.tvunetworks.com)
called Radio Caroline 531. It has been inactive to date. Is this another
entity using the famous name? For those unfamiliar with TVU, it is a
company that streams radio and television channels on the internet. I'll
update if anything appears on the channel. Best regards, Dee Coombes.
(S.Wales, UK.)’
Well Dee, I can’t give you any proper answer. So anyone who can please
answer at HKnot@home.nl
Oh, I almost forgot. Martin van der Ven has made a timetable on our site
about all the radio days from the past three decades. Anyone who can add
more info and photos please send them in.
http://www.radioday.nl/timetable.htm
Next pages are brining interesting historical things about German radio.
http://www.dra.de
http://1989.dra.de/
Remember Radio Waddenzee
went with their lightship from the harbour of Harlingen to the Wadden
sea for some days of broadcasts last year? Well here you can find a
video made by Ger Kracht and his team.
http://vimeo.com/2178416?pg=embed&sec=
Talking about Radio Waddenzee I can tell you that the experiment from
last year with live programming from out of sea will repeated this year.
Not only due to the yearly rowing race between Harlingen and
Terschelling on May 22nd but also there will be a sailing race between
Harlingen and Terschelling on June 4th and 5th. Last year there were
only live programming on Radio Waddenzee during daytime, after which was
switched to taped programs from Radio Seagull. This year one of two
deejays of the Seagull team will be also on the ship to do live
programming. Due to a shortage of accommodation not all Seagull deejays
can be on the vessel. Like last year there is a possibility to visit the
ship. Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May 24th are planned for visits to
the ship. Reservations have to be made in advance. For more information
write to: radiowaddenzee@home.nl
Via Media Network we heard the following news on February 26th: Radio
Caroline's Breakfast jock Tony Paul caught up with actor Bill Nighy
recently in Hollywood and persuaded him to give Radio Caroline listeners
the inside scoop in his upcoming movie ‘The
Boat That Rocked’. Bill, who plays the owner of a pirate radio
station, spoke exclusively to Tony about making the film and about his
fond memories growing up in the south of England listening to Radio
Caroline. Nighy, the star of Love, Actually, The Pirates of the
Caribbean, and The Girl in the Café, is an avid rock fan and talks with
Tony about his favorite bands and the indulgence rock and roll has had
on his life.
‘The Boat That Rocked’ is written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four
Weddings and A Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually) and also stars Rhys
Ifans, Kenneth Branagh, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Davenport, Nick
Frost, and Emma Thompson. It is inspired by the Radio Caroline story and
parts of the studio on the radio ship Ross Revenge were used to
re-create the pirate ship. Ex-Caroline man Johnnie Walker acted as
adviser during filming. Tony Paul's world exclusive interview with Bill
Nighy will be broadcast on the Radio Caroline Breakfast show, between
0700 and 0900 UTC, all next week starting Monday 2 March. Radio Caroline
is on Sky Channel 0199, can be added as an extra satellite channel on
Freesat or is available via the web at:
http://radiocaroline.servemp3.com/
Suddenly a former Caroline North deejay, who was still missing in the
Pirate Hall of Fame, showed up when he sent me an e mail: ‘Tony
Jay (real name David James) is alive and well and living on his
farm in west Wales. After leaving Radio Caroline he and his wife Edna
started a discotheque hire company which became very successful. Amongst
some of the deejays they employed were Dale Winton, Bob Harris the late
Peter Tate and the producer Alan Sherwin. I worked on Caroline North and
I replaced Simon Dee when he left the organisation.’
Well welcome to the long list of found deejays Tony and I hope you will
find some time to write some memories on the days of the Fredericia to
share with our readers. Also an old and new photo would be welcome to
HKnot@home.nl
The official website from Denmark brings a story on 50 years Radio
Mercur
http://www.denmark.dk/en/servicemenu/News/FocusOn/Archives2007/LegallySunkButNotForgottenRadioMercur.htm
Well this issue we had a lot of short bits and peaches. Hope to bring a
longer story in next issue, which will be out in early April. We end
this edition with a photograph which was taken in 1985 in Spain showing
a team of six ladies from the
Radio Monique promotion team. If you have any photograph
featuring radio t-shirts we would like to publish it too in our Hans
Knot International Radio Report.
Till next month I wish
you all the best and keep on listening to radio!
Hans Knot
Offshore Radio Programme Names - Programmanamen Zeezenders 1958-1990
Read Hans Knot's former report