topic Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE in Off-Topic

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Mi-Amigo — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:36:00 GMT

Radio Caroline, the famous "pirate" radio station, began broadcasting on 28 March 1964 [Easter Sunday] from the radio ship MV Caroline, anchored in International Waters off the coast of Essex.

Before Radio Caroline, pop music on the radio was restricted to 2 hours a week on the BBC Light Programme and the evening transmissions from Radio Luxembourg, with the signal fading in and out, and the records played were from the Big Five record companies - so there was little chance of hearing up-and-coming or new singers or groups.

Radio Caroline broke the monopoly. It gave new singers and groups airtime - including The Who and Status Quo who have said Radio Caroline played an important part in their success.

Radio Caroline played the music which the listeners wanted. I listened from Day 1.

It`s djs became household names. Tony Blackburn, Johnny Walker, Paul McKenna, and Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale were all djs on Radio Caroline.

Radio Caroline broadcast from five different ships during her life at sea

MV Caroline [1964 - 1968];

MV Mi Amigo [1964 - 1968; 1972 - 1980;

MV Cheeta 2 [1966 - while MV Mi Amigo was being repaired]

MV Mebo II [June 1970];

MV Ross Revenge [1983 - 1990; RSLs 1990s; Ofcom licence 2017 - date]

Radio Caroline is still broadcasting today on 648khz AM, and on the internet, from MV Ross Revenge in River Blackwater.

Happy 60th birthday Radio Caroline - long may you continue.

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

pgn — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:54:56 GMT

BBC R2 is broadcasting Clash of The Pirates, with Johnny Walker and Tony Blackburn, in honour of this, @Mi-Amigo:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001xfll?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

TallTrees — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:39:50 GMT

That is so interesting @Mi-Amigo

Thank you.

HAPPY 60th Birthday Radio Caroline and all those brave happy funny DJs❤️

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Enlli — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:59:24 GMT

We had Radio Caroline North broadcasting on 199 meters from off the coast of the Isle of Mann.

An excuse they gave for wanting to close it down was their frequency was too near the Medium Wave shipping band.

When Radio Merseyside was launched it broadcast on 194 meters, even nearer to the shipping band!

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Mi-Amigo — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:46:57 GMT

Thank you @pgn

Good to know Tony Blackburn and Johnny Walker remembering and honouring their pirate past.

Thank you @TallTrees

As you said, the djs were brave, happy and funny.

Thank you @Enlli

As to Radio Caroline North broadcasting close to the shipping band, this was a weak Government excuse. The shipping band was from 185m down, so even allowing for "skip", interference was extremely unlikely.

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Enlli — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:53:33 GMT

But who is old enough and willing to admit listening to Luxembourg on 208?

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Cleoriff — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:15:42 GMT

Happy Birthday Radio Caroline. Just my era and how we loved you. Still do. 😍

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

BobM — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:15:50 GMT

@Enlli wrote:
But who is old enough and willing to admit listening to Luxembourg on 208?

Oh yes @Enlli and I can also remember Horace Batchelor from Keynsham ...

(spelled KEYNSHAM) Bristol 🤣

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

BobM — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:18:38 GMT

Great thread @Mi-Amigo - brings back lots of memories of my younger days 👍

Happy 60th Birthday Radio Caroline.

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Cleoriff — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:32:09 GMT

@Enlli wrote:
But who is old enough and willing to admit listening to Luxembourg on 208?

I am @Enlli and remember as @BobM has mentioned, Horace Batchelor, predicting footie results. Oh the good old days xx

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Enlli — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:34:21 GMT

@BobM Keynsham has changed big style since then. I was there last year

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Mi-Amigo — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:15:01 GMT

Thank you @Cleoriff and @BobM for your memories of Radio Caroline.

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Cleoriff — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:22:49 GMT

Not forgetting your avatar is the ship itself @Mi-Amigo 😎

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Enlli — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:01:52 GMT

Chris Moore and Simon Dee

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

TallTrees — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:19:16 GMT

Was it illegal to listen to radio Caroline?

@Mi-Amigo

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

TallTrees — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:22:46 GMT

Nice @Enlli

Love the curtains 🤣

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

jonsie — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:23:59 GMT

Listened every day as a young motor mechanic in a Bolton garage. |We had an old school radio placed on the wall playing full blast. This was an age when very few cars came with a standard radio installed. Anyone remember the old school radios? Square grey boxes complete with valves and a large speaker and grill at the front making a deep rich sound.

And the very first song played on Caroline?

It's All Over Now ~ The Rolling Stones (Decca Label)

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

TallTrees — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:25:01 GMT

TONY BLACKBURN ON RADIO CAROLINE

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

Enlli — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:17:08 GMT

No only remember old school valve radios, I repaired them!

Re: HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RADIO CAROLINE

TallTrees — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:50:25 GMT

Cor that's some memory @jonsie

I have tried to find an old school radio image ...can't