There was more to offshore radio than just the music.
There was also the attendant lifestyle – being a teenager, rebelling against the establishment, putting the past behind you. All of this could be done by listening to the off-shore stations and by buying publications put out by the Free radio Association and the Save Our Stations Campaign.
One of these was ‘Beatwave’ magazine, whose second issue in 1967 (priced at a hefty 3/6d – 17.5p or £1.65 allowing for inflation) featured photos of those DJs we had heard but never seen until then. Some are better known now than they were then; some have disappeared without trace.
Radio London
Mike Lennox of Radio London gurning with fans
Stewpot
Tony Brandon is given the the biggest picture of all (though only in black and white)
Pete Drummond introduces the tracks in an amazing shirt
Stewpot
Radio Caroline
The ever-gorgeous Mike Luvsitt gets ready for a night on the town in an interestingly-decorated part of the North ship.
The serious face of South’s Steve Young
Don Allen from North is barely visible whilst auditioning discs
Bob Stewart keeps the bell ringing for Caroline North
The oddly-named Jerry Soopa Leighton relaxes on air on North
Also serious-faced, and no less sonorous for the rest of his career, than he was then is Tommy Vance
Small Faces
Willy Walker (Bermuda Radio, Radio London)
Tony Blackburn (Radio London)
Johnnie Walker (Radio England and Radio Caroline)
Marc Roman (Radio London)
‘Admiral’ Robbie Dale (Radio Caroline)
Paul Kaye (BFN, Radio London)
John Peel (Radio London)
Keith Skues (BFN, Radio Caroline, Radio Luxembourg, Radio London)
Your comment
Enter it below