This is the 2003 original version of the Radio Rose of Texas (2006-)essaypublished as a personal fanzine of Radio England and Britain Radio. It will notbe updated, but was reposted due to popular demand at this new web address May3rd, 2008 by popular demand.
A newer version may be found here.
Dedicated to Radio England/Britain Radio staff andalso fans of same:
“Pickin’ up “Boss” Vibrations·”
It’s“Factman” svennam on “a very Boss month” of Swinging Radio England!
“Get the facts first”, from Svenn Martinsen©, “reporting in the publicinterest” from “the wide and wonderful”!
“We thought they were coming back!” It was ChrisCary who made this remark about Radio England in Radio Nova’s Dublin 19thHerbert Street headquarters. I had come there with Cary’s invitation for aone-week stay to learn about commercial radio on this most successful station,virtually a Radio England or London , take your pick, of the 80s. But ourdiscussions also touched on the past, especially on Radio Caroline, a subjectwhich was not entirely pure nostalgia this July 1983, with the “Ross Revenge”almost ready to sail from Santander.
The Caroline South djs on the “Mi Amigo” afterAugust 14th, 1967, of which “Spangles Muldoon” was one, had wondered why theRadio England vessel “Laissez Faire” had remained at anchor and eventually wasthe last ship to go on August 19th. And there was talk that with Radio London’sship “Galaxy” now gone, Don Piersonwanted to put “Swinging Radio England” back on the air. This was not to be[2].
As an old Radio England fan, I would first like tothank all former presenters and other employées of this most missed station,not forgetting the Texas investors from Abilene/Wichita Falls and elsewhere[3]who took the risk. Despite splendid stations at the same time or later, I donot think there for me has been any to match this operation in Europe. True,Radio London, Radio Caroline North and Cary’s Nova were also great stations.And American radio in the UK and in Europe was not an innovation in themid-60s, with AFN London and its 50+stations already broadcasting from1943-1945 and its “cousin” ABSIE, followed by AFN networks and stations in manyEuropean countries, the most famous being AFN Germany[4].But SRE easily became the most influential station for me personally during theheyday of the UK pirates. The “groovy” tests on “355” in May 1966 by Larry Deanand others hit me like a bomb, and since then I was hooked to “Boss Radio” ,which is remembered vividly with great fondness.
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SRE/Britain stationery.From the collection of Hans Knot.
“How the world are you?”Information sought on a “RadioRose of Texas.“
For some timeI have tried to establish some information from a maybe a less spectacularperiod of the station than its initial tests, namely the last month or so, fromabout October 10th, 1966 until the close down. It was an immensely great periodof life, radio, and music, and I would therefore be happy if anybody being onthe ship, or were listeners in those days reading this essay might help thiswriter, and all fans of the station establish more facts. I do not have muchmaterial about this period, except from own notes and most of the known tapesfrom those days. Maybe you also are able to correct my eventual mistakes.
My opinion is there should be a larger study on thegeneral history of the project, comprising the material in this essay, whichinevitably grew into the first months of the station, and if possible materialfrom the collections of the late Don Pierson’s family[6]and Hans Knot, who also wrote an excellent 1991 study in Dutch: “De Vijf van deLaissez Faire.” It would also beinteresting to hear the views and stories of more djs, learn more of BritainRadio, Radio Dolfijn, Radio 355 and Radio 227 as well. And, the later historyof the Laissez Faire and Don Pierson. Also an accompanying CD could be interesting for many. Thesecontributions would be essential, even if it won’t be easy to find moredetails. It was sadly a shortlived station. But I have good reason to believethat an independent writer might take on this task in a most professional way.
I am thankful for inputs to this email address.
svennam@hotmail.com
Behind the essay, you’ll find these “Boss” sources:
My personal log and archive of Radio England and theother Laissez Faire stations
Sweden Calling DX-ers(SCDX, Radio Sweden)
DX-Listeners’ Club, Norway(http://www.dxlc.com)(DX-News)
John Ross-Barnard
Roger Day
John England: “Much More Music” OffshoreEcho’s Magazine (OEM) 82 August 1990
John England: “The Real Don Pierson” John Englandreports from Texas. Offshore Echo’s Magazine (OEM)57 June, 1985.
Eric Gilder: Mass Media Moments in the United Kingdom,the USSR and the USA. “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu Press, Rumania 2003ISBN 973-651-596-6, especially: “London, My Hometown”, p.69-109.
Hans Knot’s archive and Soundscapes http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/
Ray Robinson
Martyn Webster
http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk
http://www.radiolondon.co.uk
Offshore Echo’s Magazine (OEM) 110 February 1998 TheGraham Gill interview
OEM 112 November 1998 Interview Ben Toney
OEM 114 May 1999 Interview Tom Danaher
OEM 117 April 2000 Radio 227 Memories
OEM 117 April 2000 Radio England Britain Radio Rate Cardno.1
OEM 117 April 2000 Ron O’Quinn Interview BySteve England
OEM 118 June 2000 Jerry Smithwick Interview BySteve England
OEM 124 December 2001 Roger Day Interview
OEM 126 May 2002 Interview with Larry Dean BySteve England
http://www.offshoreradio.de/fleet/laissez.htm
Paul De Haan`s Marine Broadcasters site:
http://www.marine-broadcasters.com/mv%20Olga%20Patricia.htm
The Radio England story edition II. Radio England/Britain Radio, cassettes. Alfasound, Sale, Cheshire.
The Laissez Faire story. Short tape made by DickPalmer for the CRNA.
Chapter 1: “SRE your first 24 hours Most Music Station”- News items onstart and close.
By RayRobinson, Martyn Webster and Svenn Martinsen.
“The Texan Pirates” Daily Mail, Friday, April 7th, 1966.
“The Laissez Faire saga began in a meeting in theAbilene State National Bank in Texas in January 1966. Local business peoplebelieved that Britain could be shown a thing or two about running radiostations and that there was money to be made. Their enthusiasm was fired byMr.Pierson, the bank’s persuasive, backslapping chairman, who two years earlierhad helped to launch Radio London, and then been ousted in a power struggle.Mr.Bill Vick, who was in the bakery business, but had also been in oil andbanking, was appointed to go to London to get things moving.”
Ian Balk, Daily Telegraph, April, 1966:
New York,Friday.
A new pirateradio ship designed to work in the North Sea off the English coast has beenfitted out in an atmosphere of almost wartime secrecy at Biscayne Bay, Miami, Ilearned today. She left there yesterday for Hamilton, Bermuda and is expectedto leave immediately for Lisbon.The vessel, the Olga Patricia, 480 tons, awartime landing craft later used for cargo-carrying, is owned by a syndicate ofBritish and American businessmen. Their identities have not been revealed butit’s understood some backers are Texans. The Olga Patricia underwent anexpensive refitting operation since she was moved to Miami from the PanamaCanal Zone three months ago. Workers on the ship said a “considerable” sum wasspent to turn the ship into a floating radio station.The ship’s transmittingequipment is said to be able to send two programmes simultaneously. The ownersare believed to be planning two separate stations, one for rock n’roll, theother for “good” music.
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The OlgaPatricia/Laissez Faire: Per Tom Danaher, it seems the radio ship went to theBahamas, and the Azores before it came to Lisbon. It arrived off the Essex Coast onMay 2nd, 1966, where it stayed until August 19th,1967. Are the group of people at the bow part of the ship the initial “BossJocks”?
“Our broadcasting reporter” in “The Times” , April 21st, 1966
reported of a press conference the previous day atLondon’s CafÉ Royal, which was chaired by Mr. Jack Nixon[10](50),and Mr.William Vick(40)respectively Chairman and Managing Director of Peir-VickLtd.
One of the subjects was the coming operation’s“dramatised news bulletins.” When Mr.Nixon was challenged on this, a PR aidesuggested this meant “more emotional than the BBC.”
More generally, Mr.Nixon stated that “·as you have toknow the taste of an apple before you can describe it, so you have to hear thenew sound before you know what it means.“
From DX-NEWS 4/66 of DX-Listeners’Club Norway:
“New British-American project to begin lateMay, 1966 on board vessel Olga Patricia with two programmes: One frequency withpop-music, and one with "light good music”. (SCDX)
From DX-NEWS 5/66:
“Twin station project RADIO BRITAIN and RADIO ENGLANDis due to start very soon, with 55 kw each. Radio Britain will be playing popmusic 24 hours a day and Radio England will do the show with light romanticmusic 21 hours a day. The ship is renamed “Laissez Faire".
From DX-NEWS 6-7/66:
SRE heard for the first time at 2001 hours on May 21st,uses both 845/1320. The station sent a card, showing station/ship, after 30days. Britain Radio heard on 1320 or 845. Address is 32 Curzon Street, LondonW.1.
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The author got it too! Bill Vick’s acknowledge card sent after my signalreport to SRE and Britain.
From DX-NEWS 8/66:
SRE on 1317kcs now.
From DX-NEWS 11/66:
Nov.2 at 1015 on Britain Radio: "From Monday onSwinging Radio England will become Radio Holland broadcasting in the Dutchlanguage.”
Radio England Nov.13th, at 2300. Last program inEnglish with many of the DJs saying
goodbye. Gordon Bennett, Bill "Boss" Berry,Roger Day and others were there, former dj Johnnie Walker is now on Caroline.and dj Rick Randall went back to WFUN Florida, according to announcement. SREceased transmissions at 2330 in English with jingle "Boss Radio". Thecarrier left the air at 2339. R.England became Radio Dolfijn 227 m on Nov.14th broadcasting in Dutch from 0500-2300every day. First day non stop instrumental music only... Second day djs weredoing the show with pop and light music.
FromDX-NEWS 1/67
Address of Radio Dolfijn:Amsteldijk 65, Amsterdam,Amsterdam Zuid, Holland.
Ray Robinson adds:
I have a recording of the 3:15pm news on a Sundayafternoon, in which mention is made of the Queen (of England) laying a wreathat the Cenotaph in London, which would have happened on Rememberance Day, 13thNov. In any event, the station most definitely did NOT close on 4th Nov.
Martyn Webster takes up the story:
“The disc jockeys in the studio during the lasthalf hour were Mark Stevens, BillBerry, Roger Day, Errol Bruce, Phil Martin and Bruce Wayne. GordonBennett's 'contribution' was ontape. Boom Boom Brannigan apparently left the ship the day before closedown. The show ran from2300 to 2330 and ended with a strange version of 'Auld Lang Syne' (I haven'tbeen able to trace who's version this was) followed by the 'Boss Radio' jingle.Even though I have now got recordings of the complete last half hour, most ofthe bits are poor quality and I have so far been unable to get a completerecording of all of it in good quality. I'm sure one must exist as the goodparts are actually quite reasonable. The Phil Martin part is one of the goodportions and does indeed come from the last half hour. After running throughthe various DJ's he played a Harry Secombe record after which Roger Day saidhis thankyou's and played 'Monday Monday' by the Mama's and Papa's· I amconvinced that the date of closedown was 13th November 1966. The date given byseveral respected books seems to conflict with this but I have made my ownchecks. Gerry Bishop in 'Offshore Radio' says it was 4th. Nov. “The Offshore Radio Files”, andseemingly Hans Knot in “De Vijf van de Laissez Faire” does the same. RobertChapman in 'Selling The Sixties' says 11th. Nov. Both of these days were aFriday. But Paul Harris in “When pirates ruled the waves” indicates the 13th.
I have listened to my tape of Errol Bruce onFriday, November 11th, and he says that 'The Boss Jocks will present a specialprogramme this Sunday night at 11p.m.'. Phil Martin reads the news on thecoming Sunday at 3.15 during which he mentions an aircrash in Matsuyama, Japan.I have checked this on the internet and it happened on 13th November 1966. Thenthere is the 'Rock n Roll Revival Hour' of the coming Sunday where Mark Stevenssays this is the last show on Radio England. I didn't listen to the finalprogramme myself as I wasn't listening to SRE much at that stage, I preferredRadio London or my local station Radio 270. I think the close down tookeverybody by surprise - that's why there aren't many recordings around.
Author’s comment:
In the Phil Martin newscast mentioned by MartynWebster one of the hotlines is: “Space.” This was about the Gemini XII spaceflight and Phil mentions a “walk in space right now.” (happened on 13thNovember).
Chapter 2: “The Boss Jocks, play more music now!” Attempt of a diary ofthe last month of SRE.
By RayRobinson, Martyn Webster and Svenn Martinsen
Monday,October 10, 1966
Tom Cooper(The late Tom Hatala)30 mins tape exists
Tuesday, October 11th, 1966
1700-1800 Gary Stevens prerecorded show from WMCA NEWYORK 55 mins tape exists.
Thursday,October 13, 1966
1800-RogerDay 60 mins tape exists: Short transcript: “Roger Day 6 away from 8. SpencerDavis Gimme Some Lovin’ no. 38 in the Fun 50. Have you seen your mother baby byStones no.5 in the Fun 50. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off the Frinton EssexCoast on 227 metres this is Swinging Radio England, Britain’s only 24 hoursmost music station where the time now is a quarter minute before 8 pm. This isthe Roger Day show on the Much More Music station. The Boss Jocks Boss Jocksplay more music now!”
Friday,October 14th, 1966
1800-2300 Tom Cooper 25 mins tape exists: 1822-1849Transcript: Tom Cooper from the 6-11pm show. Fun Sound no.36 “Et moi, moi, moi,c’est la vie” w Jacques Dutronc. A winner from France there. Dutch promo #1,see below. .Jingle: “moremusicmoremusicmoremusic” Four Tops w Reach Out andI’ll be there, no.1 in Fun 50. Jingle: “Hitbound.” Tom Jones. “Green GreenGrass of Home”. This is Tom on the radio until 11 tonight. We have 28 minsbefore 7 o’clock Legal ID on half hour: “Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off theFrinton Essex Coast this is Swinging Radio England, 227 metres in the MW band·”Jingle: “The Boss Jocks play more music.” No.25 the latest from Lee Dorsey weget a lot of requests for it here on the ship. It is moving up our chart onSRE, it’s already no.25. Promo for Rock ‘n Roll Revival Hour, see below.Jingle: “Let’s look into the future time..-SRE”. New chart this week. 21 before7, Tom up until 11.Came out with the new chart today, Mitch Ryder&DetroitWheels: Devil with the new dress on. 22 mins bef 11 o clock. New VaudevilleBand: Winchester Cathedral. No.34. Jingle: Moremusicmoremusicmoremusic.Stateside Extra from Tim, Tom and Turnons: Chara-Lyn. SRE, 227 m in the MWband. Jingle: Weatherwordtheweatherwordtheweatherword at .45. Jingle: Its liftup time on funny radio we’re going into orbit. Flashback:Marvin Gaye, Wonderful One. Until 11· We have 12 mins before 7·much more of theswinging sounds from the top 50. 39 from the SRE tour Neil Christian and Two ata time.
Saturday,October 15th, 1966
-0500 Johnnie Walker’s last Show on the station. 53minutes tape exists. Two different recordings, one from presumably 227 with awhistle, and one from presumably a relay on 355, much better quality, also asmall 5 minute portion, combined 0124-0217. Transcript: Neil Diamond w Cherry Cherry. Jingle: Live thisweekend. Neil Christian?? w Two at a time. Jingle: “Thatman-JW”. Unid record,then Unknown artist w Que Sera. Jingle: JW-Sonovox. Bobby Hebb w Sunny. Jingle:“Let’s look into the future time..-SRE”. Boss Jocks Pick of the week. 25 minsright side of 1, Friday-Saturday. Chris Farlowe w Right On Baby. Brand new Fun 50 and Boss Jocks Pick of the weekbetween 8-12 this morningtime w the Boss Cat. Hightime w Paul Jones. Paul Joneson Boss Radio. Jingle: Boss Radio instant replay Paul Jones again Fun sound 40.Promo: “Saturday-The Boss Fun 50. Saturday Morning-The Boss Fun 50. SaturdayMorning at 8-The Boss Fun 50”. Jingle: “Stay with the Fun...-SRE”. 33 past 1.Supremes w You can’t hurry love. Fun Sound 27. Tim, Tom&Turnons: Chara-Lyn.22 until 2. Promo: “This saturday at Midnight·every record a golden goodie·for24 hours·The Million Pound Sound of Boss Radio.” Toys w Baby Toys. 34 in theBoss Fun 50. You heard it first on Boss Radio. The last Walker Fiasco·kindasad·off at 5. Hopefully I will still be able to broadcast to you(clue) Jingle:“Take a portable radio”..can still hear Walker on the wireless.” Chris Montez wThere’ll never be another you no.21 in the old rusty Fun 50. 13 until 2. Trackfrom Pet Sounds album(turned out to be another clue w repeat of Carolinejingle!) Spencer Davis Group, Stevie Winwood w Gimme some lovin’. Brand newsound, heard it first on Boss Radio. (another clue of new job) Jingle: Take aportable radio. Marvin Gaye w Girl that I need. No.33, brand new chart todaybetween 8-12. Winchester Cathedral, w New Vaudeville Band, instrumentallyyours, 6 before 2. Fun Sound 14. Jingle: “You get a positive charge-SRE” Excelsw Gonna Make you mine. Promo:Solid Gold Sunday, this Sat at midnight· Million Pound sound of Boss radio.”Jingle: “Dubidub·” Legal ID: #6, see below. “this is the JW show.” “On the muchMore Music station, Swinging Radio England. Jingle: “The Boss Jocks play moremusic now!” “Have you ever loved somebody w Searchers. No.11 The 3rd Hour ofthe JW Fiasco for this late Fri Evening early Sat morning. Jingle: “He’s in,Johnnie Walker, He’s on!” Jingle: “Live this weekend·SRE” Unid Hitbound Sound.Bobby Darin w If I were a carpenter.No.10 in the Fun 50. 9 mins after 2. Jingle: Remember this golden classic.(Clue of new station) Jingle: “Take a lively companion..” Herman’s Hermits: Igot a feeling. This is brand new as Gary Stevens would say! Tommy Roe: “Hoorayfor Hazel.” 11 after 2. You heard it first on Boss Radio and Boss by the way inDutch is·so maybe you’ve got a chance. 13-14 Most mins on the right side of 2o’c lock. No.46 Carla Thomas and B-A-B-Y. (Roger Day in studio) Unid record.
1700-1800Gary Stevens prerecorded show from WMCA NEW YORK 55 mins. Golden Goodies Show? Tape exists.
Sunday, October 16th, 1966
1000-1400Boom Boom Brannigan At least parts of 1hr.23 mins tape exists 1159-1234 and1259-1322. Transcript: Jingle: Go-go charge! Solid Gold Sunday. Roy Orbison:Oh, Pretty Woman. Talk on earphones not working. Mr. Businessman Promo #2: seebelow. “The greatest lover of all time” Legal ID folloed by This is the BoomBoom Brannigan show, Uncle Boomer. “Would you believe the sound of LouChristie. LC: Lightning strikes. 21/2 mins past noontime, good afternoon, thebig beat sound of Boss Radio, sometimes known as(jingle) Swinging RadioEngland. Ad: Rent a TV set today H.Reynolds&sons Tilbury, Gravesend andChapel St.Mary. (Chuck Blair) Jingle: Live this weekend. Jimmy Justice: When mylittle girls is smiling. Solid Gold Sunday promo. Ad: Stars Color portraits, ofMan from U.N.C.L.E, write Stars, 32 Curzon Street., London W1.Tom Jones: It’snot Unusual, the BB Spree Light program(Author) 10 past 12 o’clock noon time. Ad. Noxema Skin Cr¸me Quiz, a dayw Paul&Barry Ryan. Fabulous magazine. Bobby Vinton w Long and lonely night.12.16 Space News Hotline w John Ross-Barnard. Hotline: Religion. Birmingham,Aden. Ottawa. Foreign Secretary George Brown will stop off for meeting withCanadian Minster for Ext’l affairs Mr.Paul Martin after UN General Assembly. (Author:Brownwas at UN General Assembly in NYC in October and had a meeting w Washingtonofficials on October 14th)Malawi. Weatherscope reports. Ronnie Dove w When liking turns to loving. Thanksto JRB for the news. Ad. Tartan Racing Pools, Radio Scotland house,Cranworth Street, Glasgow, W2, (Author-w Gordon Bennett/Gary Kemp?) or to Racing pools agents, c/o Radio England, 32Curzon Street. London W1 12.22 Solid Gold Sunday promo. BillBerry in the morning, Bruce Wayne on the all-night pride. Bobby Goldsboro:Broomstick Cowboy. The Big beat sound of SRE. Ad: Kent cigarettes. Jingle:You’re a winner Ad. Tippin “Where did I put that sixpence”. Connie Francis:Jealous heart. 12.29 Legal ID. Lovin’ Spoonful You didn’t have to be so nice.32 past 12 noontime that means you’ve got another 1.28 to put up w me. RogerDay promo, will play best of Stones, Beach Boys Beatles every Sunday on the RDshow between 6-8pm. Thatman RD jingle.
12.59 BossRadio-Instant replay 3 times. 1 before 1. Searchers. Take me for what I’mworth. Legal ID. Searchers. Take me for what I’m worth. Solid Gold Sundaypromo. Ad: Star Color Portrait.. 13.06: The most horrible record I haver heardthis is lousy!- Rainy Day Women #12 and 35. when it comes to singing·Dylanstinks. PJ Proby w Hold Me. 13.10 Comments on delicious Chicken dinner. Mycompliments, my deepest compliments to the chef. Dig this for a meal. Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Russell’sSprouts. A whole roasted chicken w cream sauce, make you hungry? Good..I’msadistic·Ad: Noxene Skin Cr¸me. Date w Paul&Barry Ryan, details in Fabulousmagazine. Manfred Mann: 54321 13.14 News w JRB. Marvelettes. Put yourself in myplace. 13.19 Boomers Get-together Tom Jones: With these hands. 13.22 TartanRacing Pools.
1400-1800 Alan Black
1800- Roger Day
Monday, October 17th, 1966
1400-1700 Alan Black
1700-1800 Gary Stevens
1800-2400 Roger Day. 36 minutes tape exists.1903-1939. Transcript: Psycothic Reaction w Count Five. Promo for Swinging 66program for 2/6, postage sixpence. Write Program, 32 Curzon St, London W1.Carla Thomas 29 in the Fun 50 B-a-b-y. Oldie Goldie Time Peter and Gordon BabyI’m yours. 12 past 7. News at 15 past w Alan Black, the fastest haggis alive.Pinkerton’s Colours 34 in the Fun 50. Magic Rocking Horse. 19.15 news w AlanBlack: Hotlines USA Pres. Johnsonembarks on SE Asia tour.(This started on October 17th!) Newspapers, Cape Town.Motor Industry. Weather. Petula Clark Who am I no.10. Credits to Alan Black, onfrom 2-6 in afternoon, make that 2-5, Gary Stevens at 5. Herman’s Hermits SpeedOn bside of No Milk Today. It’s blast off time on the Action Satellite we’regoing into orbit· No.wonderful sound of the Four Tops. The boat is rocking, getanother turntable. Swinging 66 promo half-way. Manfred Mann w SemidetachedSuburban Mr.james. Hitbound. Sunny w Cher, 17 in the Fun 50. 7.31 on the RogerDay day?show going right up until midnight when it’s Bruce Wayne. Boss Jockspick of the week Good Vibrations w Beach Boys. Jingle; “Thatman-RD” WalkerBros. No.41 in Fun 50. Waves Jet Set jingle.
Saturday,October 22nd, 1966
0000-0500 Bruce Wayne 90 minutes tape exists.0155-0325. Transcript: Jingle: “You’re a winner with-SRE” Pinkerton’s AssortedColours w The Magic Rocket Horse no.34. Remark about Aberfan disaster todaywhich Bruce had seen on TV tonight. 5 minutes before 2. Stateside Extra fromTim, Tom and Turnons: “Chara-Lyn” The Bruce Wayne Midnight Early Show , up tothe hour w Slow Down w Young Rascals. 2 past 2 hours Legal ID w Bill Berry: Fanfare+”ThisIs SRE·” ID #8 below.Lady Godiva Peter and Gordon No.6 in Fun 50. Five Past 2. Hitbound comesin tomorrow w Herbie Mann. John Ross-Barnard on Aberfan relatively long talk onbehalf of the Radio England news staff. More tomorrow morning at 6.15. To nightworkers, imsomniacs, or just plain pleasure lovers, the Bruce Wayne show.Wrapping Paper w Cream. Small Faces w Come on Children. Quarter past 2:”Swinging Radio Englandbrings you up-to-the minute reports from the ionospheric weather checker”. Weatherreport. Outlook for Sunday and Monday. Promo:” Presented by Keele Insurance theRock Īn Roll Revival Hour this Sun between the hrs of 3.15 and 4.15 with MarkStevens and Errol Bruce. “Bruce Wayne He’s In Stay with the fun-SRE” Record byRobert Parker no.42. 19 past 2 o’clock Otis Redding: “Treat her right”. 21 past2 o’clock Hello to nurses and music lovers. Jingle: “England’s finest·where themusic is news!” This song is Boss Sound no.1-1-1-1.” Four Tops Reach Out andI’ll be there. Boss Radio instant replay, 3 times. Four Tops onceagain. 27 past 2 o’clock Hitbound. Help me Girl w Eric Burdon&Animals. SREMagnificent Seven promo,see below. Promo: “All systems are go for the wildestdance of the year. SRE Night out at Launchpad High Road Leyton E10 rave withThe Koobas, Sister Jill and the Brethren w Boss Jocks Bruce Wayne and Bill “Boss” Berry·count down withthe Gemini·finest dance team in universe. Competition w price: Trip to the REship....Friday the 28th·” “Jingle: It’s blast off time..” Drop-in: “As BruceWayne would say, it’s all happening.” Jingle: “The fastest thing in theair-SRE” Promo: “Bruce Wayne on RE, he’s funny.” 28 1/2 mins to go before thehour of 3. Jimmy James&Vagabonds w “I just don’t know what I gotta do.” Boss Jocks pick of the week:Beach Boys Good Vibrations. (Author)Exactly a quarter to 3. Stateside Extra: Dynaphones, Pied Piper. 13 1/2 minsbefore 3. Small Faces It’s too late. Anynomous request. 9 mins before 3.Spencer Davis Group Georgia on my Mind. 5 mins before 3. No.9 in the Fun 50.Hollies Stop Stop Stop. Promo for Rock’n Roll Revival Hour, see above.Jingle:”Bruce Wayne He’s In You get a positive charge. Fleur De Lys w Mud inyour eye. 2 past 3. Bill Berry w SRE Legal ID #8 see below. New Vaudeville Band w Winchester Cathedral.Bagpipes Promo for Tartan Racing Pools w Chuck Blair, 32 Curzon Street Promofor Swinging Radio Holland#1, see October 14th, and below.Jingle:”The fastest thing in the air-SRE” Unid record. Jingle:”BW, he’s in!You’re a winner with-SRE” Chris Farlowe Right on Baby No.23. Ike and TinaTurner w ·used to be. Promo for All systems are go see above. Jingle: “It’sblast off time” Weather jingle, see above. Jingle:” BW, he’s in! Stay with theFun-SRE” Record: Girl that I need, Marvin Gaye. Promo for Tartan Racing Pools wChuck Blair “Cambridgeshire coupon” different backing music to above. SmallFaces? w Running Wild.
Commentby author: This show has a distinctive club flavour.
Wednesday,October 26, 1966
1700-1800 Gary Stevens. Tape said to exist.
Thursday,October 27, 1966
Tom Cooper. Tape said to exist.
Friday,October 28th, 1966
Tape atwww.offshoreradio.co.uk. Newscast presented by Mark Stevens/Ted Delaney withHotlines Aberfan, Paris, Thailand Pres.Johnson arrived in Bangkok, SouthAfrica, Paris, Bonn Yesterday’s break up of the coalition. (Author:CDU/CSU+FDP Government broke up October 27th)
Sunday,October 30th, 1966
Boom BoomBrannigan 13 mins. Tape said to exist.
Monday,November 7th,1966
Bill Berry(5-9?)
Boom Boom Brannigan(9-2?)
Tom Cooper(2-6?)
1800-2300 sign off. Roger Day. 58 minutes tape exist.2200-2300. Transcript: “the final hour of the Roger Day Groove, going right upuntil 11·(Four Tops)Last no. wonderful sound, No.11 in the Fun 50 Reach Outand I’ll be there.(Author) 11 past 10. Hitbound sound fromJackie Lee the town I live in. Joke about who wants to buy the ship. I love myDog no.18 in the Fun 50. 11past 10 on a Mournful Monday. Beatles Oldie GoldieRun for your life. Miracles I’m the one you need, 48 in the Fun 50. Rain of theRoof, No.16 in the Fun 50. “Thatman-Roger day”-jingle. Bobby Darin. If I were acarpenter. Last week no.1 this week no.8. Kinks: Dandy. No.1: Beach BoysGood Vibrations-from 11 to 1!
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This is how the “Good Vibrations” single looked in Norway. From thecollection of Ottar Arnestad.
Hitbound: Haydock’s Rock House w Cupid. TC:10:31. McCoys: Fury, 22 in the Fun 50. David&Jonathan: 10 Stories High, no.43. CillaBlack A fool am I, No.30. Jingle: “It’s blast off time on funny radio·SRE.”Hitbound: Get it and take it w Luna 2 on Spot Productions. Jingle:Theweatherword theweatherword theweatherword Help me Girl: Eric Burdon andAnimals no.10. Oldiegoldietime The Fourmost. Troggs: I can’t control myself,no.36. A cuddle record: A love like yours no.7 w Ike and Tina Turner. StatesExtra: I Got the feelin’ w Neil Diamond. “You’ve been warned, you beware, butmost of all you be there!” Dynaphones w Pied Piper Double States Extra to take you up to the hour·Todayyou’ve heard broadcasts by Bill Berry, Boom Boom Brannigan, Tom Cooper, andyours truly Roger Day·It’s been a great pleasure· having us in your home·Tomorrow morning at 5 we commence with the Early morning show from Bill Berry,I hope he doesn’t sound the like he looks in the morning as well.. If Bill’slistening I didn’t say that, honestly. From our Governor in the office thatmeans Mr.Vick our MD, all the office staff including Good Morning himself, allthe galley boys, all the crews, all the engineers, Uncle Tom· and all down tothe little fella that presses the button·puts us off the air and on theair·Sleep Tight..”(Author)
Author’s comment: A really great show with Roger Day in fine form.Incredible so near the end of SRE.
Wednesday, November 9th,1966(?)
No tape exists. Author’s log. Transcript: 0900 GordonBennett(from 05?) handing over to B.B. Brannigan doing 09.00-14.00 on “Boomer’sBroadcasting Company” playing first “Rain on the Roof” Lovin’ Spoonful.
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The “Rain on the Roof” single cover in Norway. From the collection ofOttar Arnestad.
Played twice “Wonderful land” by Shadows, and “BossRadio-Instant replay(3 times)” jingle. Other songs: “Good Vibrations “ by Beach Boys, “Wrapping Paper” by Cream,“I’ll follow the sun” by Beatles. Weather at 0945: “Swinging Radio England-Brings you up-to-the minute reports-from the ionospheric weather checker.” Newsat .15: (Jingle) “Space News Hotlines”-”From the North, East, West and South,this is Radio England news live and up-to the minute at 10.16. B.B.Branniganreporting in the public interest. Hotline Paris·(4 Hotlines)This is BoomerBrannigan·Hotline Canberra(3 Hotlines)And then the R England Weatherscopereports· This has been B.B.Brannigan for Radio England.(Jingle) The stationthat keeps you informed. News every hour·More Music NOW!
Hit by“Boom Boom”-About B.B. Brannigan
"BoomBoom Brannigan" broadcast on "Swinging Radio England" fromsometime in August 1966 to 12th of November 1966. He then seems to have gone backto the USA, and sadly it also seems he was killed in an accident shortlyafterwards. He was a very good presenter, much loved by his listeners.
This isnot the “Boom Boom” who was on WPTR 1540in Albany, NY, but his identity camefrom a jingle tape copied by a former WPTR announcer who had come to RadioEngland in thespring of 1966.
From BrynMawr, Pennsylvania, the “Boom Boom” in question here was born on 17th July 1947and, although he was only just 19 at the time, had already worked on two US stationsin PA- WFEC 1400(now WTCY, The Touch) in Harrisburg and W100 (now Country Gold1000) in Carlisle.
Suggestedreal names for him are Bob Wayne(probably not true) and "SteveMathews" or "Mathers".
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More onthe character is found on
http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/djsbo.htm
http://www.paulplu.demon.co.uk/whos_who/england.htm
(on the last link also is a shortrecording of him from October 16th, 1966)
PhilMartin described Boom Boom in this way: “·very much a dj before his time·” who“·had a lot of personality.“
MartynWebster adds: “ Well listening to the last half hour I think that Phil Martin mentionsthat Boom Boom Brannigan "of the B B Spree" left the ship yesterday Ithink.” This would point to him leaving November 12th. The author must haveheard him last with “Boomers Broadcasting Company” the week Good Vibrations topped Big Ls Fab 40. ie the weekafter Sunday, Nov.6th, 1966.
http://www.radiolondon.co.uk
On thatoccasion, BB also played the song several times. The same day Big L played GoodVibs by the Beach Boys all day after their half-hourly news, as it was no. 1 inthe Fab 40.
Roger Day:“I was the first DJ to play Good Vibrations and I did play it three times backto back because I was so knocked out with it.”
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SREshows and djs did quite well in the local “ratings”!
FridayNov 11th, 1966
App.1500-1517 Bits of Errol Bruce exist on tape.Transcript: App.15:00 Rockin’ Berries and Dandy.Jingle: “In Swinging England, we pamper people so won’t you unwind the weekendwith us.., (On Sunday the Solid Gold Sunday·at 11pm Boss Radio special programfrom the Boss Jocks especially to you that’s Sunday at 11pm. ·the fun radiatesaround Swinging Radio England. (Errol is here mentioning the farewellshow which is to be Sunday at 11 o’clock, followed by a Dutch announcement forwhat was thought to be R Holland, but was re-named R Dolfijn.) Dutch Promo #2, see below.
15.15 Errol Bruce reading news. Hotlines: LondonMr.Grimond comments on
Common market. Space First day of the astronauts spaceflight (Gemini 12, Lovell and Aldrin, this happened on November 11th)South America Study of Solar Eclipse.
Italy Further heavy rainfalls
More musicnow. Four Tops: Reach Out and I’ll be there.
SundayNov 13th, 1966
1315-1517 Bits of Errol Bruce exist ontape.Transcript:
1315 News w Phil Martin
1316-1322 “Boss Cat” Errol Bruce. Unid record:Platters: Music City. 18 past 1 thanks Phil Martin for the news·Rolling Stones:Mothers Little Helper.
1335-1402 “Boss Cat” Errol Bruce. Spencer Davis: Keepon running, for Richard Kimble!·last day of English language transmissions, yesindeed· Alan Price takes us up to weathertime: Hi Lili Hi Lo Tape. Weather.Dave Dee, Dozy etc. w Hold Tight. 10 before 2. Last “Boss Cat” Bruce show.Mention of Uppercut Club·Billy Walker. Roger Day, Bill Berry, Bruce Wayne toappear in two weeks time. Bobby Goldsboro w Voodoo woman. Jr.Walker w How sweet it is. To allPussycat members everywhere. Ad for Oscar’s Groovy Grotto, Ilford w Johnny Dark[18].Dutch promo for new station #2. Legal ID TOH #8 of Chapter 3. Unid record.Can’t stop?
? Special program tonight at 11 pm. Roger Day and MarkStevens. Couple of other guys.
1502-1517 Beach Boys w Good Vibrations, no 1 in the Boss Survey. (Author) Ad for Golden Kipper? MarkStevens in studio. Rolling Stones Stones w High and Dry. Seven mins to go on theBoss Cat Bruce Show, the last Boss Cat Bruce Show, Troggs w With a girl like you·Ten after 3 the Boss Cat Bruce show·on the lastBoss Cat Bruce show I’mCrying·(playing The Animals) Pussy Cat.. here we go· And so we come to the last record on the Boss Cat Bruceshow, on the last day of Swinging Radio England English Language programs·fromBoss Cat Bruce---Ciao! The More I see you w Chris Montez. Ad for Family Pack. Soup fromCross&Blackwell.
News at 15:15 w Phil Martin: Hotlines
Japan,Matsuyama Aircrash-(happened on 13th November).
Israel
Whitehall, the Queen of England lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in London-(on Rememberance Day, 13th Nov).
Yorkshire
Space, Gemini XII Walk in space right now(happened on 13th November).
Canada
Weatherscope·More music now!
1517-1525 Mark Stevens/Errol Bruce Rock n’Roll RevivalHour:
(Over theme)”Keele Insurance now presents the Rockn’Roll Revival Hour w ErrolBruceand Mark Stevens(Chuck Blair)·last show on SRE but on Britain Radio 3-55 nextSunday. Eddie Cochran: Somethin’ Else. A word from Keele Insurance·speaking onbehalf of Keele Insurance this is Chuck Blair·Call Franklin 2721·Instant peaceof mind. Kay-len Twins: When·
2301-2330 Many bits of last half hour exist ontape.Spliced together transcript:
2301 Mark Stevens: “Exactly 1 min past 11 o’clock onSwinging Radio England. And this of course is the last 29 minutes ofprogramming that SRE will bring to the listening area of Great Britain. For thisnext half hour we intend to do our very best and entertain you with everyone ofthe jocks who’s ever been on SRE in the past months including those who cameover just to do the news, and Britain Radio announcers such as Phil Martin andGordon Bennett·everyone will sort of say their goodbyes to you. How many timeshave you heard this sound: Legal ID#9 see below: “For the final time SwingingRadio England brings you 28 minutes, 28 Much More Music Minutes by all BossJocks onboard. Chris Farlowe: Think “This is Gordon Bennett(Gary Kemp)(tape) dropped in to say goodbye toyou..myself and my family all rallied(?) here·(here Gordon/Gary used hismulti-lingo talents presenting a lot of voices, author)Lovin’ Spoonful: Summer in the city. The Lovin’ Spoonful out of the past on SREcalled Summer in the city 10 mins past 11pm. Bill “Boss” Berry here. “Surf”jingle. It’s been a real gig. Beatles: Paperback Writer. Bruce Wayne next! BWgoodbye message, giving praise to Roger Day, Tuesday on Ready Steady Go! Batmantheme w Neal Hefti? Link Wray?
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Batmanor “Thatman”? It made us listen!
Thatman jingle. Boss Cat Bruce goodbye, been here 21/2 months. Fictious character: Harry. Boss Cat/You’re a winner jingle. Ciao!Paint it Black Rolling Stones. Phil Martin ran through a list of some of thedjs: Gerry Smithwick, Ron O’Quinn, Larry Dean, Rick Randall went back to WFUN,Colin Nichol, Johnnie Walker, Chuck Blair, Boom Boom Brannigan left the shipyesterday I think, Roger Day, John Ross-Barnard, Mark Stevens(Ted Delaney),Bill Berry, Errol Bruce, a whole lot of them. Harry Secombe record. Roger Day:A Britain radio record·Phil Martin sabotaged the whole operation!(I am) theonly original dj·a lot of people have asked how I got on this station(shouts:Yeah how did you get on this station?) I was sweeping the road, and they cameand said, yeah you look like a disc jockey..Problem with the consol, RonO’Quinn: Day, you idiot. Jingle: Thatman RD. It’s really been a ball, youreally have been “boss”! Mamas and Papas: Monday Monday. I shan’t be going intoobscurity. RD imitating Boom Boom. The Mamas and the Papas once again. This isMark Stevens once again. Bill “Boss”Berry and I are the only Americans left onboard..Bill: And then there was one. Mark: Bill came 6000 miles fromPennsylvania, I came 8000 miles from California..big thank you to the Britonsand the Canadians who’ve welcomed us..On Bill Berry’s futrure prospects:Discotheques and Spot Productions, possibly a new business of your own.
Goodbye from Phil Martin, Errol Bruce, Bruce Wayne,and Roger Day(“you’re the oldest man here. come on over here and say the finalwords before we say goodbye from SRE“),with the latter saying the final words, telling he would be at boxer BillyWalker’s Uppercut Club 3 nights a week, and thanking for 6 very “Boss” months.
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This is where Bill “Boss” Berry, Roger Day andBrian Tylney became employed after SRE.
2330 Instrumental version of “Auld Lang Syne[20]“and “Boss Radio” jingle.
2339 Carrier leaves the air[21]?
Chapter 3: “In excess of 50000 watts”. SRE’s Legal IDs.
BySvenn Martinsen
The Legal ID is an USA term for stationidentification atop the hour(TOH). The FCC requires stations there to identifythemselves by call letters, assigned frequency and licence city. Listening toBill Berry on ID #8, it’s almost as he’s saying WSRE!
1. “From 4 miles off theFrinton Essex Coast on 227 metres in the MW band, you’re tuned to SwingingRadio England Home of the Boss Jocks and Much More Music.”(June?1966)
2. “1322 kilocycles, 227metres in the MW band, 4 1/2 miles off the Frinton Essex Coast of Great Britainwith 55000 watts of power this is Swinging Radio England. Radio England, yourmost music station. This is the Ron O’Quinn show. On the much more music stnSRE.( July,1966)
3. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 milesoff the Frinton Essex Coast you’re listening to the Capital Sound of SRE, SREon 227 metres in the MW band it’s 5pm.”(Gerry Smithwick, August 1966?)
4. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 milesoff the Frinton Essex Coast on 227 metres, this is SRE your first 24 hours MostMusic Station” Jingle: The Boss Jocks(twice) play more music now!” (August andSeptember 1966?)
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5. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 milesoff the Frinton Essex Coast this is Swinging Radio
England,Britain’s only 24 hours most music station where the time now·”(Roger Day,October 13th,1966)
6. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off the Frinton Essex Coaston 227 metres with 55000 watts of power, this is Swinging Radio England your first24 hour music station where the time now ...”(Johnnie Walker, last show,October 15th,1966)
7.Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off theFrinton Essex Coast on 227 metres this is Swinging Radio England, your first 24hour music station.” (October 16th, 1966)
8. (Fanfare and Drums)” (Thisis)SRE-Swinging Radio England. Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off the Frinton EssexCoast on 227 metres, 24 hours a day, in excess of 50000 watts of power,SRE-First and Foremost is BOSS!” Jingle: The Boss Jocks(twice) play more musicnow!” (Bill Berry, used as late as final day at 1400)
9. “Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off theFrinton Essex Coast on 227 metres this is Swinging Radio England.”(Over “Surf”track from “Jet Set”, spoken by Mark Stevens. Used in final programme,Nov.13th,1966 at 2302.)
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Teenager grafitti. Bill Berry’s Top-of-the hour ID is not easilyforgotten. First and Foremost is BOSS!
Half hour: “This isthe Ron O’Quinn show. On the much more music stn SRE.”( July,1966)
“Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off the Frinton Essex Coastthis is Swinging Radio England, 227 metres in the MW band·”(Tom Cooper, October14th,1966)
“Broadcasting 4 1/2 miles off theFrinton Essex Coast on 227 metres this is Swinging Radio England, your first 24hour music station.” (October 16th, 1966)
Chapter 4: “The Sound of theInternational Giant·”-SRE special promos.
BySvenn Martinsen
1. “Mr. Businessman”#1
“With 55000watts of power, you’re listening to the world’s most powerful offshore stationat Radio England. With facilities for combining power to 110000 watts.Mr.Businessman, to get your product before the largest audience in the worldcall Colin Brown at Mayfair 7494 or Mr.Bill Vick at Mayfair 3742. You may writedirect to Colin Brown, 33 Dover Street, London W!. Anyone may receive a freebrochure simply by calling or writing. Radio England reminds you to alwaysadvertise with the leader!”
“Mr.Businessman”#2
“Mr.Businessman,I am a housewife. I have never heard of your product or your service. I may bein need of one or both of these right now, Īcause I’ve never heard of you. Bythe way, I listen to Radio England all the time. Don’t let a prospectivecustomer such as this housewife buy your product or obtain your serviceselsewhere. Radio England covers the entire country, the local businessman paysonly for the area. For further information call the Radio England businessoffices at Mayfair 3742 today. Let’s face a fact Mr.Businessman, everyonelistens to Radio England, you’re listening right now.”
2. “Thatman”
To “Thatman”jingle bed: “It’s another Fun first for Boss Radio coming soon to to 227 YourMuch More Music Station Swinging R England.”
3. Boss radio Bumper stickers.
a. “You askedfor it, Boss Radio’s got it. The brand new Boss bumper stickers are availableNOW! Send for fabulous bumper stickers- please send a stamped addressedenvelope to Boss Bumper stickers, 32 Curzon Street London W1. It’s free fromthe Boss!”
b. “You asked for it, Boss Radio’s got it. The brandnew car stickers are available NOW! To get your FREE Boss-fabulous car sticker-send a self-addressed stamped envelope to car sticker, 32 Curzon Street LondonW1. It’s free from the Boss!”
4.”The Magnificent Seven”.
The style of this approx. 30 secs promo is similar to the three JackCurtiss made for Britain Radioand for all I know, it could be him at least writing the script on thisslightly cryptic one too.
Theme mx: “The Magnificent Seven” by Elmer Bernstein.Bill Berry: “From the fishing banks of the Thames to the all-night(buckle?)(muscle?)(music?) of the markets at Covent(?) Garden. All Englandwaits, watches and listens as the leaves begin to dawn their fall jackets ofmany colors. But one thing remains consistent as the season change(s)-the soundof the International giant, Radio 227. This is SRE Country!”
5. “Ja, ja”-Going Dutch.
a. “Hallo Swingers in Holland, wij verzorgen degroetse programma’s binnen kortvoor U op dit station Swinging Radio Holland dus blijft afgestemd op 227 meterop het middengolf op SwingingRadio Holland.”
b. “Ja, ja nog maar even de Radio Englandwordt een nieuwe nederlandse zender op de 227 meter. anstande maandag kunt u algaan luisteren naar dit fijne station· darin komt alle nieuws op deze niuewezender op de 227 meter”
Chapter 5: “Saturday morning at 8”-SRE’s Promos(for) special shows
BySvenn Martinsen
1.”Saturday morning at 8-the Boss Fun 50”
The chartchanged name at some stage from Boss 40 to Boss Fun 50 but was also called Fun50 towards the end.
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Are recordsurveys/charts from the SRE Boss 40 and Boss Fun 50 still available?
2. “ Sunday at 3.15 the Rock ‘n Roll Revival Hour wMark Stevens and Errol Bruce.” This program was also broadcaston the closing day, but when did it start?
3. Gary Stevens.
Recorded at WMCA New York. Started July 13th.Heard last October 26th, 1966?
4. From the official start in June Everyother record each weekend from Fri Midnight to Sun Midnight was an Oldie Goldieon The Swinging Radio England Great Gathering of Golden Goodies.
From September until theend each Sunday was a Solid Gold Sunday ie everyrecord played a Golden Goodie from Sat Midnight to Sun Midnight.
5. Boss Beatles Weekend.
In the Evening Standard of March 4th,1966 John Lennonsaid the Fab Four were more popular than Jesus. TheAmerican reaction was instantaneous. Radio stations across the country, butespecially in the Midwest and the South, one being WAGY 1320, stopped playing Beatles records. On August 13, KLUERadio in Texas organized a Beatles bonfire. The Texan SRE hosted this event to“boost” the group, coinceding with the Beatles’ USA tour in August, - every record played was by the Liverpool4.
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Chapter 6: Bannerlines, Space News Hotlines, Weatherwords andIonospheric Weatherchecks-SRE News and Weather.
As it well known, from its inception, SREhad the most complicated news bulletins ever heard on UK radio, easy to hear onthe opening day, June 19th, 1966. In “Bannerline News” every hour 15 minutespast the hour the presenter had to coordinate jingles, echoes and sound effectswhile reading the news stories. although simplified after some weeks, later theformat was slightly changed to “Space News Hotlines”, not exactly easy topresent either: “From the North, East, West and South, this isRadio England news live and up-to the minute at öfifteen. N.N. reporting in thepublic interest. Hotline·(Hotlines)This is N.N.·Hotline·(Hotlines)And then theR England Weatherscope reports· This has been N.N. for Radio England.(Jingle)The station that keeps you informed. News every hour·More Music NOW!
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The SRE News made an enormous impact on thelisteners!
The weather reports were broadcast at 15 minutesbefore the hour, and during the night also at 15 past. Two different jingleswere used seemingly without any clear format: “Pams “Ionosphericweatherchecker” and “Theweatherwordtheweatherword”, sometimes followed by “Weatherword-gogo!”
Chapter 7: “It’s Thatman” -SRE’s jingle sets.
Inputby “Thatman” Roger Day from “the MUCH MORE MUSIC STATION”!
It is well known that SRE started out with Pams series27 “Jet Set” jingles,plus some additions coming from stations like WFUN Miami(series 14?, 26?) Andseries 29 “Go Go”. Then “Thatman”, a dynamic set from Spot Productions ofDallas riding on the “Batman” wave was implemented at the beginning of July1966, aided by samples from WPTR Albany,imported by Larry Dean. See also Chapter 4 above.
A bouquet of other Texan Roses from Radio England’s last weeks followsin the form of KBAT San Antonio 680, KRYS Corpus Christi 1360, and KAYCBeaumont 1450.
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Chapter 8: A format change on 227 and Bill Berry shows leadership.
By Svenn Martinsen
On October 14th, 1966, a promo on SRE announced a formatchange to Swinging Radio Holland in Dutch in Tom Cooper’s evening show. Also soin Bruce Wayne’s Midnight Early Show on October 22nd, 1966. And Johnnie Walker mentioned the change in hisfarewell show on October 15th, 1966. But on November 11th, the newstation was unnamed in the Errol “Boss Cat” Bruce afternoon show, while in apromo in the same show on November 13th, the last day, also no name was given.
JohnRoss-Barnard of the Radio England news staff has that story:
“I left SRE/Britain Radio in October 1966 to join BBC2 TV. But on the day I received the word from my wife that I had been offeredwork with the BBC, the information that SRE was to close, very soon, was deliveredby (I think) Brian Tilney who had formerly been a broadcaster on the ship butjoined the Supply & Tender company as a manager. When the news brokeeveryone was devastated so I realised that my good news would not go down verywell. (My own memories are included in Keith Skues's splendid book 'Pop wentthe Pirates'.) It was the first experience for many on board to be part of astation close-down. But of course the American DJs were very used to formatchanges, station closures etc and I recall that Bill Berry got the boys (wewere hardly more than boys) together and gave us a good talking-to, right thereon the deck of the Laissez Faire. "Life will go on" he said "Youwill survive this experience, you will have a career in radio if you arepersistent and if you are not you might as well forget radio as a career."It was a salutary lesson and lecture and one which I have never forgotten. Infact Bill Berry was an unsung catalyst to those of us who had very littleexperience of what "real" radio was all about. Many of us took hiswords to heart and not only survived in radio & TV but some even succeeded!
I am sorry to hear that Tom Hatala has died. He tooknew what English radio would become in the future. The US Boss Jocks must havethought we were very naive. But they had the good manners not to say so. We didnot deserve the courteous treatment we received from Don Pierson and others,well from most of them in fact.”
Chapter 9: “Today, this song is Boss Sound no.1-1-1”.From the last “BossFun 50”, of November 5th, 1966.
BySvenn Martinsen
TW LW TITLE ARTIST/S |
| 1 11: Good Vibrations. Beach Boys (Number Wonderful Sound) |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 A love like yours. Ike and Tina Turner. |
| 8 1 If I were a carpenter. Bobby Darin. |
| 9 |
| 10 Help me Girl. Eric Burdon and Animals. |
| 11 Reach Out and I’ll be there. Four Tops. |
| 12 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
| 16 Rain of the Roof. Lovin’ Spoonful. |
| 17 |
| 18 I love my Dog. Cat Stevens. |
| 19 |
| 20 |
| 21 |
| 22 Fury. Mc Coys. |
| 23 |
| 24 |
| 25 |
| 26 |
| 27 |
| 28 |
| 29 |
| 30 A fool am I. Cilla Black. |
| 31 |
| 32 |
| 33 |
| 34 |
| 35 |
| 36 I can’t control myself. Troggs. |
| 37 |
| 38 |
| 39 |
| 40 |
| 41 |
| 42 |
| 43 10 Stories High. David&Jonathan |
| 44 |
| 45 |
| 46 |
| 47 |
| 48 I’m the one you need.Miracles. |
| 49 |
| 50 |
| Hitbound: The town I live in. Jackie Lee. |
| Hitbound: Cupid. Haydock’s Rock House. |
| Hitbound: Get it and take it. Luna 2. |
| Boss Jocks Pick of the week? |
Chapter 10: “Ron on the radio from 2-6 pm.” Laissez Faire djs andnewsreaders May 3rd-November 13th, 1966
Per “StationInformation” the operation was said to have 16 DJs, 8 US and 8 British, eachbroadcasting a 4 hour period. When the stations commenced, it was noticed thatdj theme tunes was not used on Radio England.
Chapter 11: On 3-55 and2-27-The Laissez Faire frequencies
BySvenn Martinsen and Martyn Webster
The original frequencies planned for this operation were650 and 850 kcs,and both Don Pierson, Gerry Smithwick and Ron O’Quinn seem to have had a handin the planning. The latter two seem to have tuned around the dial for freespots.
650 proved to be used by the BBC Third Programme(647,author), so it was thought one should double the frequency and find a quietspot in that area.But the evidence points to SRE starting on 355 metres, 845 kcs on May 3rd,1966.The station opened that day at approx. 1030am with a test tone followed byMitch Miller's “Yellow Rose of Texas”, whether this was demanded by thestation's Texan backers is unclear. There were then three tracks nonstop (TheAnimals' Don't Bring Me Down, Crispian St.Peters' Pied Piper and The Who'sSubstitute including “Positive Charge”, “Where there’s action” “Jet Set”jingles before Ron O’Quinn made the first test announcement:”Radio England onthe air on 3-55 on your meter dial, 355 on your standard broadcast dial, RadioEngland on the air for broadcast purposes(“Stay with the Fun” “Jet Set” jingle)Radio England song no.1 now the Mamas and Papas and Monday Monday Radio Englandtime it’s 14 minutes till 11 o’clock. Another signal with Classical music(?)was noticeable below SRE on the occasion. It might have been a spurious signal?The station was on 845 24 hours with RAI Italy complaining until May 20th at2300 per Benelux DX Club, while Oyvind Stenberg of Norway’s DXLC says he heardit May 21st. Britain Radio on 1322(exact frequency?) continued until May 25that 1855 also per BDXC. Rolf Mong of DXLC logged Britain first on May 16th, andhas both stations still on their original frequencies May 29th with massivedaytime signals in South West Norway. Rolf notes interestingly enough 850 forSRE on this occasion, see above. The author’s log has them for the first timeon May 21st and 22nd. As just mentioned, Italy complained about the RadioEngland signals on 845, and the closure of the SRE tests on this frequency areconfirmed in “The Times” of June 7th,which also mentions the closure of Britain Radio’s 227 transmissions on Friday,June 3rd, due to a transformer failure. It had then already been run on 1/4power nighttime. “The Daily Telegraph” of May 15th stated that of the twinstations, Radio England on 355 was “heard more clearly,” and that 3000 reportshad been received. Later the frequencies were swapped with Britain Radio taking355 from June 10th. From Norwegian DX-News, it seems SRE first came back onJune 16th, 1966 on 1317 when it changed to "227". Then, on June 18th,it was on 1322. The note in“Offshore Radio Files” about the SRE frequency now being 1331(225 metres) doesnot appear to be right. In July, a SRE Legal ID by Ron O’Quinn announced1322. But the SRE frequencysituation did not calm down as far as we can remember. Signal was OK duringdaytime, but Radio England was very prone to interference and night-timewhistle. 1322 was the channel of the Radio Moscow relay from the GDR[30].One source says they may later have moved to 225 metres, 1331 kcs for a while,also as 845 Italy's channel. 355 was a much clearer channel on the North Eastcoast of England and in Norway at the time than 227. Britain Radio was muchclearer and further away from other stations, and the transmitter reduced powerat night, relaying SRE from July 9th 2300-0500. On a Britain Radio tape fromJuly 29th, Graham Gill announces that station now on 24 hours. On February 28th, 1967 at 12.45 apart of the aerial mast on the Laissez Faire broke, and the twin Texas ownedstations went off the air.When the SRE transmitter came backon the air in the evening of March 16th, 1967, it was on 1322 kcs[31].
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From the collection of Hans Knot. It is March14th, 1967 and the Laissez Faire is almost ready to go back to theEssex Coast.
Chapter 12: The Laissez Faire Transmitters.
1. RadioEngland/Radio Dolfijn/Radio 227: Continental Transmitter model 317-C serialno.10, which later ended up at Swazi Radio in Mbabane, operating there on first1376, then after the implementation of the Geneva Plan on 1377 AM.
2. BritainRadio/Radio 355 Continental Transmitter model 317-C serial no.11(?), whichended up at Trans World Radio, Swaziland, from 1974, operating from Manzini on1170 AM[32].
Note: Radio CarolineSouth got Continental 317-C serial no.14 delivered to The Mi Amigo in April1966. They were due to get number Twelve; but as it was the time of theRhodesian crisis, the U.K. Government set up BBC Bechuanaland(Botswana)tobroadcast into Rhodesia. Therefore the BBC had to get no.12 and 13[33].
But, “The Yellow Rose ofTexas” beat both BBC and Caroline!
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Continental Transmitters. Ad from autumn 1965,published in WRTH 1966.
Chapter 13: A radio rose from Texastakesto the air in Europe with “the music we play all of the time·”-Known recordingsof Radio England May 3rd-Nov.13th, 1966.
By RayRobinson and Martyn Webster
Sometranscription by Svenn Martinsen
Tue May 03 öTestTransmissions on 355m app Sign on 1030-1047, Test tone,Yellow Rose of Texas[35]and Ron O'Quinn.
Tue May 03 ö Test Transmissionsapp 1530-1533, Rick Randall. “·the brand new sound for the British Isles·” GenePitney
Wed May 04 ö TestTransmissions app 1503-1514, Ron O'Quinn “Ron on the air-chair.”
Wed May 04 ö TestTransmissions app 1625-1635 Rick Randall. Close down at 1700. “The Voice ofEurope, England..Great Britain·” “32 CurZON Street.”
Thur May 05ö TestTransmissions Gerry Smithwick app 1533-1553. Ron O’Quinn at 4.
Thur May 05 ö TestTransmissions Ron O'Quinn app 1608-1619 “Radio 355”.
May ? ö Test Transmissions RonO'Quinn Swinging Radio England 355 on your meter dial on the air for broadcasttest puroposes 4 mins before 5 o’clock
May ? ö Test Transmissions1212-1256? Larry Dean12 mins past 12 High Noon Much More Music on Swinging Radio England Jingle: FunRadio-Yes Indeed. Brand new sound Swinging Radio England The British Isles andthe Continent’s most Powerful offshore station. Any correspondence should beaddressed to. 32 Curzon Street Jingle: Flashback The tops in pops on your muchmore music station where you’ll hear these Boss Jocks: Roger Day, Gerry Smithwick, ColinNicol, Ron O’Quinn, Rick Randall, Brian Tylney, Graham Gill, Johnnie Walker and of course yourstruly Larry Dean. Jingle: We don’t want all the listeners just want you. Hello to US Airforce guys in AmsterdamHolland(Utility-interference).Ad for Crunch. Gerry Smithwick on the radio this afternoon from 2-6. 6-9 RogerDay, 9-12 Brian Tylney radio program, the Boss Sound of Swinging Radio EnglandSoon to be on the air 24 hours a day. Swinging Radio England onthe air for broadcasts tests with the new sound on 355 metres. 4 Mins bef 1 pm
May ? ö Test Transmissions Larry Dean Today This song is BossSound no.4 Pretty Flamingo Manfred Mann. Today This song is Boss Sound no.1 Paint it Black wStones. Mick Jagger promo. 355 metres bcasting with reduced power, back at 5this afternoon.
Sat May 21? ö TestTransmissions until 5pm, back on at 9, app 1522-1532 Larry Dean.
Sat May 21? ö TestTransmissions app 1532-1613 Rick Randall, Gerry Smithwick. 1000 receptionreports. Sweden. Finland. Australia. Hank Locklin: I feel a cry coming on!Graham Gill among Boss Jocks. Ad for Smith’s Crunch.
Sat May 21? ö TestTransmissions 2125? Ron O'Quinn 25 mins after 9 o’clock on England and theworld’s most powerful radio station Swinging Radio England. 35 before JohnnieWalker.
June 6? 1800-1830Larry Dean
June 16? RonO’Quinn
Sun June 19 - Regular Transmissions on 227m Roger Day on News 3 mins quarter past12 with interesting differences from newscast pres by Gerry Smithwick onfollowing entry(Larry Dean):
London: Attack on Govt by opposition spokesman TedHeath. London: Sec of Int Transport Fed rec that Foreign Seaman’s Union shouldsupport Sea strike Vietnam: Anniversary of Premier Ky’s Govt and B52 Bomber attack.Washington: Richard Helms new chief of CIA after William Rayburn. Washington:Vietnam communists could win more by political differences than by militaryvictory. London: Christine Keeler expecting baby.
Sun June 191223-1255, 1300-1333 Larry Dean.
Sun June 19 1358-1446Larry Dean, Ron O'Quinn.
Sun June 19 1448-1501Ron O'Quinn.
Wed June 23 RickRandall 20mins
Wed June 23 JohnnieWalker 25mins
Sun June 26? 1229-1245Larry Dean Gerry Smithwick brief appearance Rick Randall 2-6 with brand newBoss 40 Johnnie Walker 6-10 slight CW-QRM
Sat July 02 1413-1433and 1440-1457 Gerry Smithwick Chickenman, This is it for me w Jim Reeves! Brian Tylney on News. Reference to BombAttack on Haiphong(Happened on June 29th) Europe’s most comprehensive newsservice. The Swinging Radio England Great Gathering of Golden Goodies everyother record a Golden Goodie. Thatman promo. Strange drop-in by Brian Tylney.Roger Day tonight at 6.
Sun July 03 1340-1410Larry Dean, Gerry Smithwick Great Gathering of Golden Goodies This song is BossSound no.2 Weather. Thatman promo. Wanna say hi to David Hamilton. CocktailWatch ad by Chuck Blair. Ron O’Quinn tomorrow at 6am Boss Radio Bumper stickerRoger Day at 6. Oxfam PSA: BJs Tylney and Day competing for charity.(July21st.)
July? Jerry Smithwick announcing 26minutes before Johnnie Walker playing jingle Let the good sound roll and thenmentioned dj sked Johnnie Walker at 10 Rick Randall at 2 Graham Gill at 6 LarryDean w his “Double Do-it to ‘em” 10 Colin Nicol at 2? Gerry Smithwick 6-10?Mention of GS Brian Tylney lookalike contest.
Tue July 13? 2 smallparts: The Laissez Faire stations are running in parallellwith network ID: “Britain Radio England” 1425 Gerry Smithwick until 5 at 5 theall new Gary Stevens show. 1429 French ad for Sunbake Bakeware. Britain andEngland jingle back to back. Thatman promo. 1451 Elvis Presley.
Aug? Brian Tylney from 10.1135-1148 Ad for Transway Sonic 7 from Clifton Sales Room, 32 Curzon Street,London W1. Tom Jones: This and That. Boss 40. Another Fun First from BossRadio: Swinging 66 promo. Thatman “accumulator” jingle. Write to me at 32Curzon·
Sun Aug 07 1405-1434Chuck Blair since 10. Boss Radio Car Stickers promo. Larry Dean on news.British made C-111 crash in Fall City, Alaska. Smith determined to keepcontrol. Cassius Clay retained title in Earl’s Court vs. Brian London. 7 Goldmedals by UK in Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. Flattery won 200 yds women’sbreaststroke. Kathy Rawlett women’s springboard diving and John FitzsimmonsMen’s Javelin. New Motoring laws in France Instant weather R Englandweatherscope reports. This has been R England bannerlines. Another Fun Firstfrom Boss Radio: Swinging 66 promo. Thatman Chuck Blair. Unid promo. GerrySmithwick at 3 or is it Boomer, no, it’s Mr.Gerry.
Aug? Jerry Smithwick The GS show onyour MMM station. Ron on the radio goes w the Beatles to the USA/Dick andDeedee Thou shalt not steal. Thatman We’re always there 3-8 Jerry at 8 RogerDay SRE with all that Boss music 9 before 4 Sands of time Where did we go wrongno.30 Swinging 66 promo. Thatman jingle: It’s Jerry Smithwick on SRE. ChrisFarlow: Out of time Boss tune 3 in Boss 40. This is the GS show on the MM musicstation SRE. John Lennon song. 1 before 4. No TOH ID, Lovin’ Spoonful Summer inthe City.
Tuesday Aug 09(?)1518-1604 Ron O'Quinn. Ad for Crazy Foam. Thatman Ron O’Quinn. Weatherwise.Fishing Set. Clifton Sales Room, 32 Curzon Street, London W1. Boss 40 survey. Thatman: “secretlywe’re crime fighters·the music we play all of the time·” Half hour-ID, seeabove. Fox Ad. Thatman: The Dynamic Duo- You-and SRE!” Portraits of yourFavourite stars w Chuck Blair, including David McCallum, send to Stars, 32Curzon etc. Thatman jingle.Todaythis song is Boss sound no.2. Mamas&Papas w I saw her again. Dr.Zhivago theme w Ray Conniff! Permashortrazor blades w Gerry Smithwicksend to Blades, 32 Curzon etc. Thatman: Holy Radar. Another typical episode inthe life of a Radio England listener. Mr. Businessman Promo #1: see above.Legal ID#2: see above.Thatman Don’t lose your cool.
1800 Roger Day
Aug 12 Gary Stevens 60mins
Sun Aug 14th BillBerry boosting the Beatles” on the Boss Beatles Weekend - 3until 6. Neil Christian promo for Odeon Glasgow Thur 18th of August.65 degrees in the wide and wonderful. I wanna be your man. I am happy just todance with you. Final 2 musical mins of Bill Berry afternoon show. Then ChuckBlair from 6 until 9.
Tues Aug 23? Jerry Smithwick on the 3-? show.“The Happenings, See you in September. Fun Sound 40 from Swingin’ RadioEngland. Good afternoon- Tuesday afternoon- Smithwick show. Ad: Silexine Paint.Boss R Hitbound: Jill&Johnny: Come on Sunshine.
Tues Aug 23 1700-1717Gary Stevens. Beatles Junior press conference. We go every afternoon 5-6. 11Argyle Street. London W1. Beatles tour report from Memphis. Monday to Friday5-6.
Aug 28 Gerry Smithwick 30mins
Aug 28 Chuck Blair 30mins
Sun Sep 03 1313-1343Gerry Smithwick.
Gerry Smithwick on news. The fate of Luna 11.Wilsonends holiday in Scilly Islands today, commences work on Tuesday. Food priceswill not be raised. People’s Daily calls on young Red Guards to stop usingforce. 3 men to appear in Newcastle court on murder charge. Two paratroopersrowing the Atlantic have been sighted SW of Ireland.. Favourite stars w ChuckBlair. Boss Beatle Buddy no.6 CB. It’s Thatman Gerry Smithwick. Thatman jingle: “All the boys·” Ron On theRadio 3 o’ clock this afternoon. Bye Bye Baby Baby Goodbye Four Seasons.Silexene Paint.(Bill Berry?) Boss Beatle Buddy no.1 Ron on the Radio 3 o’clockthis afternoon. Thatman jingle: We’re always there·” Request for Mr.Gregory,Leicester, It’s Over, Roy Orbison. Boss Beatle Buddy no.3 Gerry Smithwick until3.
Author’scomment: A farewell programme?
Sep 05 Gary Stevens
Sep 13 Gary Stevens
Oct?Johnnie Walker Ike and Tina Turner no.8 in the Boss 40 Do youremember The Fun Spot JW cant’t remember, one day late for ship, Magic LanternsExcuse me Baby Nancy Sinatra promo
Oct. 8th? Johnnie Walker JW all night fiasco we’re here until 6.Hitbound sound Toys Baby Toys Darling where are you BJs pick of the weekRolling Stones Have you seen your mother baby not only do we like the Beatleswe’re also pretty kinky on the Stones Flies in the studio. Harry Fenton fashion center We love you BeatlesRingo Starr promo Yellow Submarine Pauline Thank you girl
Oct 10 Tom Cooper.
Oct 11 Gary Stevens
Oct 13 Gary Stevens
Oct 13 Roger Day
Oct 14 1822-1849 Tom Cooper.
Oct 15 0815 Johnnie Walker reading the news
Hotline New York Geo Brown invitation to Moscow, At UN generalAssenbly Debate on Rhodesia Blackpool Tory Party Confrence opens todayGibraltar Wage freeze Algeria
Oct 15 0124-0217 Johnnie Walker -Last Show, presumably from 227 metres.
Oct 15 2 parts 0124-0217Johnnie Walker - Last Show, presumably from a relay on 355 metres. This islonger than previous entry.
Oct 161159-1232, 1259-1322 BoomBoom Brannigan two parts
Oct 171903-1939 Roger Day.
Oct 22 0155-0325 Bruce Wayne.
Oct 30 Boom Boom Brannigan 13mins
Nov 07 2200-2300 Roger Day,station close down.
Nov 11 1500-1517 Errol Bruce
Nov 13 4 parts 1316-1525 ErrolBruce/Mark Stevens - Final Day.
Nov 13 Many parts 2301-2330 FinalHalf Hour
Author`s comment: Many of these programs may be subscribedto via
The Offshore Radio Download Group:
http://www.offshoreradio.org
On the Alfasound Tapetrix Archive Recording TheRadio England story there are some recordings not listed above. The most interestingfollows here:
May 66 Larry Dean Norma Tanega Walking my cat named dog.In with the In Crowd. Test on reduced power.
May 66 Larry Dean Reception reports fromHelsinki Boss Sound 1 Paint it Black
Monday, October 17th, 1966? Roger Day The start of somethingBOSS 9 in the Fun 50 Hollies Stop Stop Stop RD show till the midnight hour whenits Baby Bruce Wayne Brenda Lee Coming on strong
?Ron O’ Quinn about Gerry SmithwickBang up show 6-10
June?1966 Larry DeanGet away Georgie Fame. 13 before 4. Another typical episode in the life of a RE listener.
June?1966 Rick RandallI am a rock for Deborah and Micky at the Tartan Coffee Bar Felixstowe 13 before6. Randall’s Rambles. At 6 JW. Hello to Jenny in Great Yarmouth. Good boats atsea(author: other radio ships?). Rough sea today. Beach Babies at Boss Radio:Sloop John B
June25th 1966 RickRandall RE News Europes mostcomprehensive news service General de Gaulle in Leningrad
AlanBlack Space News Hotlines Newspaper Good q
Ed Moreno·oatmeal 61 degrees Good q
Sep5th 1966 GaryStevens Mon afternoon Q Mark&Mysterians 96 Tears Supremes Can’t hurry loveTemps Beauty is only skin deep
July?1966 Larry DeanPet Clark I couldn’t live without your love Golden Gathering of Golden Goodies promo Yardbirds
October1966 Bill BerryLegal ID #8 above on 1322. RM Mayak int sig behind. Good quality Ad for Oscar’s Groovy Grotto venues Oct.27th-29th, 1966
Chapter 14: The song(s) of a Dolfijn enters 227.
1. Concurrentie op zee voor RadioVeronica. In an interview published in “Telegraaf” Thursday October 13th,1966, Jack Curtiss described a Swinging Radio Holland “binnen drie weken”, tobroadcast “van `s morgens 7 uur tot`s nachts 12 uur”, “met popmuziek,Nederlandse advertenties en Nederlands nieuws, gepresenteerd door Nederlandsedisc-jockeys.” Radio England would be taking nights 12 midnight-7am.
2. “·One of his stationswould soon become Dutch·”(MD William Vick cited in “Daily Telegraph” October14th, 1966.)
3. In another interviewpublished in “Telegraaf” Friday October 20th, 1966, an excitedCurtiss explained more of the coming operation, which he indicated still lackedvital points of the organization needed. Radio Holland would still be airingthe “hitparade” as “Holland loves American and British songs.” Already RadioEngland drew a lot of fanmail from Holland. The new station would be no escapefrom the coming MOA, but company expansion. The broadcasting frequency was tobe decided later, and the start would be “in 2 or 3 weeks” . With broadcastinghours 7-12 was meant Dutch time. It seems Boom Boom Brannigan had been brought from the ship especiallyfor the interview, saying “Yeah, Yeah” to the Curtiss outline.
4. “Op maandag 14.november’s morgensom 7 uur zal Nederlands tweede piratenzender in de lucht komen op 227 meter opde middengolf. Maar dat zal niet zijn onder de naam “Swinging RadioHolland”, zoals het station tot dusver gedoopt was.”[37]
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Still Texan Radio in Europe. Radio Dolfijn waslaunched on Monday, November 14th, 1966 at 4pm in the afternoon.
5. Press Conference inHilversum Monday, November 14th, 1966, in “Telegraaf” TuesdayNovember 15th, 1966: “Piratenzender radio Dolfijn gisteren van start gegaan. Amsterdam,dinstag.- Sinds gistermiddag heeft Nederland een piratenzender bij: radioDolfijn begon om vier uur op golflengte 227 zijn commerci‘lle uitzendungen.”William Vick informed of which djs that would be broadcasting: Peter van derHoven, Rob Klaasman, Thijs Lieffering, Jacques Soedan, Jos van der Vliet, andLook Boden. The owner of the Laissez Faire was said to be “RadiovisionBroadcasts.”
6. “Telegraaf” WednesdayNovember 16th, 1966: “Wat er nieuw is aan Radio Dolfijn.” Dolfijn’s formatconsists of American evergreens from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davisjr., Cleo Laine, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Conniff, Johnny Mann, Keely Smith plusMantovani, Helmut Zacharias, Kurt Edelhagen and Dutch Cabaret.
7. “Maandag middag om vieruur is van het schip Laissez Faire·”Radio Dolfijn” in the lucht gekommen·”[38]
8. Program schedule per Dutchnewspaper: 6-10 Muziek in de vroege morgen met Radio Dolfijn. 10-2 Show Time.2-7 Middagshow. 7-12 Radio Dolfijn na sluitingstijd 24-6 Midnight show metRadio England.
9. Kink November 26th, 1966:“Aanvankelijk had men besloten het station “Radio Holland” te noemen. Er warenal jingles gemaakt op de muziek van de oude Radio Engeland-muziek·We hopen datRadio Dolfijn alsnog tot de top-40-formule terugkeert.[39]“
10. After the demise of SRE,Britain Radio changed its address to 17 BerkeleyStreet, London W1, the same as their ad reps: Pearl and Dean.(Eter-Aktuellt2/67)
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1967 and another station on the Laissez Faire,this time run by Carstead Advertising and Ted Allbeury.
Chapter 15: A “Boss” word about “Boss Radio.”
By Svenn Martinsen.
It is about time that theTexan broadcasting venture on 355 and 227 metres in 1966 and 1967 got its fullrecognition as a project with great potential. Many have said that if SwingingRadio England had stayed on, it would have taken off. “Boss Radio” was asuccess on 93/KHJ in Los Angeles.
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LA Boss Radio, KHJ featuring Robert W. Morgan,The “Real” Don Steele, Charlie Tuna and many others.
Rightly, Radio London’sfamous and very able Managing Director, Philip Birch recalled a phoneconversation after Radio England’s closure with what seems to have been DonPierson[41]where the latter hadsaid: “· you were right and I was wrong.” Birch admitted that SRE was an“exciting venture”..but the big difference was that the opposition was “·not intouch with British people” and that the unsuccessful competitor had “tried toimitate American radio stations without recognizing that·the British audiencehad a different attitude towards broadcasting.”
Formerchief announcer of Radio London, Tony Windsor said he had to advise his discjockeys as SRE offered them “fabulous salaries”. Then in London’s Savile RowCliff Richard had told him SRE would call their djs Boss Jocks. That hadrelaxed Windsor who thought the English audience would not take the word BossJocks. So he had said “forget Radio England.”
Of course experienced viewslike Birch and Windsor have to be listened to. The success of “Big L” speaksfor itself. But I think it’s time for a more balanced view.
Wheninterviewed by “Offshore Echo’s” Radio London’s first Program Director BenToney, who was employed by Radio England for a short time, said he had told DonPierson had had too many American voices on SRE, and there was the problem ofthe MOA coming in, but: “·if he(Don Pierson) had had more time or he could havecompeted with Radio London.”
On hiswebsite Paul de Haan writes: “The Dutch liked it, (but the)British preferred Carolineand London.” Well, in Scandinavia we certainly liked the Carolines and London,270 and Scotland. But we also loved SRE, with Brannigan, Day, Dean, O’Quinn andothers. These were our Wolfman Jacks, “Real” Don Steele’s and “Cousin”Brucie’s.
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The “Boss Jocks” on SRE LOVED being on theair.
And even as youngsters weLOVED SRE’s sister Britain Radio, as we heard it was good radio.
Maybe the Dutch and theScandinavians are able to make a more relaxed judgment?
TedAllbeury, the famous Managing Director of Radio 390 who was brought in to runthe Laissez Faire operation in February 1967 mentioned that the Texans had saidto him: “Is there something that we could do, or have you run our operation forus.” He also said:
“I likedtheir attitude· The people that owned the operation cared about radio..theywere mainly Texans, and I rather liked them.”
Roger Day[44]naturally shed tears when the SRE “Boss Jocks” received news of its close down[45].He had thought SRE would be no.1, being very popular with the younger audience,also many times the first playing new Motown material.
Could anything have beenbetter on SRE? Of course. Some slightly untasty jokes should have been avoided.But other djs from the pirate era are also known for jokes to this day. Some ofthe dj communication was not good either: “Do it to Īem.” On the other handthere were a lot of stumbling deejaying on other pirates, and on many stationslater. The playlists were also much too small, and what was presented as“oldie-goldie” ‘s might have been quite recent records. But often theprogramming was great.
Apart from the stubbornsocialdemocratic politics at the time(impossible to understand today) and theincoming MOA, the main reason for the failure may be that of insufficientfrequency planning, (SRE should have used someone with real knowledge ofEuropean AM frequencies) also that the operation was very unlucky with itssignal distribution, the installation on the ship giving much less coveragethan what was thought, and had been possible with the two Continentaltransmitters running properly at full power. Similar units were often used by“clear channel” radio stations in the States and Canada with large coverage[46],and co-siting is not uncommon.
And then there were sales,or lack of it. Don Pierson blamed the choice of sales as one reason for thefailure: “On Radio England we were talked into signing an exclusive contractwith Pearl and Dean, it turned out they didn’t have the talent nor theexpertise nor really the incentives to be like we are in this country and getout make the sales·had·assumed that they could sit in their offices andwait(for advertisers)to come into their office to buy advertising.”[47]
Do I believe inrecreations, clones or copies of this radio station? Honestly no, and I thinkthe great period of European broadcasting 1964-1967, when Radio England madeits impact, will never return, sad, but true.
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Those were great days! Offshore station listfrom WRTH 67.
Stations like SRE will alwaysbe great inspirations for new projects. And still, it is possible to createthat “good” station, with “that sound” and “that music”.
Had Radio England stayedon, and obtained the license it applied for,one “dream” scenario might be that it would have become a “Drake-Chenault”programmed Top 40 station by 1969, like KHJ or CHUM, be “clutter-free”favourites as Cary’s “Radio Nova-88FM” 1981-1986, and then either “Music ofYour Life”, or even,who knows, “SRE Country,” just like 227 seems to have advocated in a promo nearits sad end. At any rate, those are all great formats coupled with great radiopersonalities.
But I afraidanother scenario would have been more realistic. SRE had both money and thetalent. It was very sad it ended up as a short episode. But with the founders,enthusiasts, Deans and Days, and radio aficionados of “The Yellow Rose ofTexas” gone one day, SRE might have been swallowed by a buyer with differentideas, and who knows then how it would have sounded? Format changes may affectboth loyal listeners and good staff, but are, regrettably, sometimes necessary.Kelsey Grammar, portraying the famous talk show host “Frasier Crane” coversthis subject in one early episode of the TV series where “KACL 780” goes fromAll Talk to Mexican! He then arranges a party for all the sacked presenters,only to experience that they all get new jobs except from him· But at any rate,as Roger Day put it: “Thanks for 6 very “Boss” months!” And thanks SRE especiallyfor the last of these, when
we were“pickin’ up” such “Boss”, sorry, “Good Vibrations” and “excitations”! (Brian Wilson,©Capitol Records 1966)
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The “Good Vibrations” single cover in Norway.From the collection of Ottar Arnestad.
On November 13th,1966 at 2330 hours on 227 metres Roger Day became the last voice on RadioEngland. And after “Auld Lang Syne” the “Boss Radio” jingle played for the lasttime. Mark Stevens had introduced Roger’s part like this:
“Come on over here,Roger and say the final words.”
We’ll also let “Thatman”Roger Day have the last “Boss” words in this essay:
“SREwas a wonderful station and was years ahead of it's time. I have only fondmemories of that time. It was great to work with those Americans who taught me somuch.”
“Is itjust me or is radio ready for another kick up the backside similar to theexplosion of the offshore stations in the sixties and indeed the eighties withLaser·?
I was always a great supporter of less regulationthinking that more stations meant more variety·
I heard somebody say that the Gold format is dead. Of course itisn't. What is killing it is the programmers with no imagination· Gold stationsshould have huge playlists. I still love the Beach Boys but don't want to hearjust 'God Only Knows'·
People actually like variety and surprises which isjust what is missing from our radio industry. It does amaze me when I hearprogrammers talk about their stations being personality-based and then playfive-in-a-row with a liner card link·
Ah well, back to playing great songs on my minidisc player that you never hear on the radio.“
Addenda:
Chapter 16: “Hallmark of Quality” Known recordings of Britain Radio May3rd-1966-February 28th 1967.
By RayRobinson and Martyn Webster
Some transcriptionby Svenn Martinsen
May 03 öTest Transmissions on 227mRick Randall.
May öTest Transmissions on 227m1357? 1442, 1447 Gerry Smithwick. Station operateswith 1/4 power.
June 11-Regulartransmission on 355 m. 44 mins tape exists 0857 RonO’Quinn 0900 Johnnie Walker “Our Top 40 music station Swinging Radio England isdue to resume broadcasting next week on 227 metres.” Ad for Smith’s Crunchspoken by “your Crunch compere” (sounded like Gary Kemp.)
July 29-0600-0900Morning Requests w Graham Gill
55 mins tape exists. 0810-0905 Graham Gill, plusCarousel voice(DerekBurroughs, problems w coordination between automation and live),BBB(JackCurtiss?) Ads for Reveille and Kelloggs. BR now on the air 24 hours a day.
0900 BritainRadio news. Jingle: The Sound of News. An exclusive to the stn from the NYwires of Associated Press. U2 Plane missing. Wilson left for talks with LBJ.White Paper on British railway system. Pound 2.79 to Dollars. Sukarno saysSuharto still PM, World Cup: Portugal-Soviet Union 2-1, Bowling: DerekUnderwood victory. This is Bee Bee Brannigan for BR news·details in yournewspaper, 69 BR degrees. Greg Warren(Tom Cooper?) w Morning Serenade.
Aug? Roger Day struggling withautomation system
Sept? Short recording of JohnWall.(Gary Kemp?)
Tuesday Nov 8th? TomCooper reading news at 0900. Britain R 355 metres in the MW band. BR up to the minute news TomCoopers reporting
Legalaction to stop Thorn electrical industries to paying its members an increase
ItalyTroops repairing broken dykes·
AlanBlack Tuesday morning edition of Morning Serenade 3 mins past 9
Dec 25 App. 1.30hrs tape exists (available through Offshore Echo’s). 11.06 Phil Martin. 12 noonTed Delaney on tape(Mark Stevens) 1 Errol Bruce 3 Graham Gill. 8 Phil Martin.Tartan Racing Pools, 212 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2. Christmas greeting byJack Curtiss on behalf of Radio Vision Broadcast Int’l[53].Reference to Britain R 30.
Jan 1967 1357-1429 parts exist of Graham Gill Musical Carousel. “New Year’s greeting card.”
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The Laissez Faire, the ship of the “Boss” Vibrations.