Podcast
Radio Greats
Hosted by Luke Davies · EN
Luke Davies (or The Live Luke) has always been fascinated by Radio. In this series, he chats to some of his heroes of the airwaves about how they got into radio, the challenges they have taken and what advice would they give.
13episodes
Episodes
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OJ Borg
4d ago00:44:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailCurrently broadcasting from the Salford Rivera often on a Weeknight after midnight on BBC Radio 2, OJ Borg has had a stellar career on the radio. Whether it was on Galaxy, Kix 96.2 FM, XFM South Wales or Key 103. OJ has many stories to share in this weeks edition.Why not listen to OJ sit down and reflect on the last three decades on the radio, with some fun stories about his time on air and how a specific programme on Leicester Sound inspired him to start a radio career.Listen to OJ on BBC Radio 2.And follow OJ on X: @OJBorg and on Instagram: @oj_borg.Also listen to this aircheck of OJ on Radio 2 from Aircheck Downloads.We would like to extend additional thanks to Robin Blamires and Radio Moments for additional content that was used in this weeks edition.
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Gary Crowley
1w ago01:29:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHe's launched the careers of so many singers and bands. He hung out with Wham! and Bananarama back in the days. He's presented on Capital, GLR and XFM. But there is one question.. Who is Gary Crowley?Well this week Gary joins us for an edition to chat about his career on the radio. Have a listen to how Gary got the bug from radio and how he interviewed members of The Jam whilst he was still in School. How his first radio show was presenting In Concert for BBC Radio 1. What joining Capital Radio was like, the shows he presented and the gods he was around. Why he joined BBC GLR and what the launch of XFM was like and what its like to be back at the BBC with Radio London.Currently you can catch Gary every Saturday afternoon on BBC Radio London.Also why not listen to Gary launch XFM here on Aircheck Downloads.Also listen to Gary here on Youtube, interviewing George and Andrew from Wham!And follow Gary on X: @CrowleyonAir and on Instagram: @garycrowleyonairWe would like to extend additional thanks to Random Radio Joittings, Radio Rewind, Depeche Mode Wiki Live, Things we Lost in Tapes, FrutierThanThou and TheSoundMaster for additional content.
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Tich McCooey
3w ago00:58:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFor over 33 years Tich McCooey was one of the most recognised presenters on MFR (Moray Firth Radio) presenting almost every show on the station, including Lunchtimes and Breakfast. During his time he came close to presenting The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. And Even presented his show from London, which involved a alteration with Chris Evans on BBC Radio 1.This week Tich joins Luke on Radio Greats to share many memories of his time on MFR, from getting the bug for Radio, how a demo lead to the Programme Controller offering him the Saturday Chart Show. Presenting Lunchtime and Breakfast, what MFR was like as a station and coming back to present the Tich Mix.Discover more about Tich and listen to some cracking promos and jingles at Vintage MFR.Read also about Tich's alteration with Chris Evans here at The Scotsman.And listen to Tich on MFR Country here on Audioboom.And MFR's thirtieth anniversay on Aircheck Downloads.
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Jim O'Neill
4w ago00:34:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIf you grew up in Ireland during the 80's, then you will no doubt remember listening to Jim O'Neill on RTÉ 2fm. From a career that initially began in the music industry Jim was part of the launch team of 2FM in May 1979, before going onto present shows for stations that included Radio Nova, Century Radio, 98FM and Today FM.In this weeks edition, Jim sits down with Luke at the formers home in County Wicklow to talk about his radio life. From getting the bug and being part of the launch team of RTÉ 2fm and Century Radio. Creating a character called The Thing, working with Chris Cary on Radio Nova and why he never fancied a career in the UK. Joining 98FM and returning to national radio with Today FM, before returning to local radio with East Coast FM.Catch Jim every Sunday Mornings for Solid Gold Sunday on East Coast FM Also listen to some of Jim's production work here on Soundcloud.
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Chris Ashley
Jun 2401:16:02Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailOften dubbed as The Ugliest Man in Radio or The Mouth, Chris Ashley has spent half a century across the radio, working on stations in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and the UK. These have included being the first Breakfast presenter on Red Dragon in South Wales, hosting shows with Brian Clough and pulling stunts on Radio Trent and presenting Breakfast on Beacon Radio.In this week's edition, Chris sits down with Luke and shares stories of his life on the radio. Some of these stories include listening to Bob Monkhouse on Radio Luxembourg, and listening to radio in Australia - before joining BBC Radio Brighton. Working on Radio Trent and presenting shows with Brian Clough and pulling stunts at the station. Becoming one of the launch presenters with Red Dragon Radio and banging Madonna records, which lead to a spot on LWT's The Six O'Clock Show. Going up to Wolverhampton and joining Beacon Radio, before moving over to the BBC and presenting shows that included winning a Sony Radio Award and also joining forces with John Challis.Chris currently host's Breakfast on Celtica Radio and Saturday Breakfast on 45 Radio.Listen to Chris present on Talk Radio from August 2001 right here on Youtube.Also listen to Chris presenting on Beacon Radio here from 1987/1988 on Youtube.And watch Chris' apperance on LWT's The Six O'Clock Show right here.We would like to extend additional thanks to Bill Everett and Tim Cooper for content and help in this episode.
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Frank Renton
Jun 1700:48:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIf you grew up listening to BBC Radio 2 in the mid 90's then you will probably remember listening to Frank Renton present Listen to the Band, a show he presented for nearly 23 on the network.But did you know long before he took over presenting duties, he was a musical conductor with the BBC Radio Orchestra and had been a bandmaster in the army. Well in this weeks edition, Frank sits down and shares his memories of how he got into radio and how he took over presenting duties on Radio 2. Also did you know his first presenting job was actually on BFBS?Have a listen now!Have a read of Frank's bio right here.Also listen to Frank host Listen to the Band from December 2017 right here on Youtube.
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John Clarke
Jun 1001:19:18Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHe was part of the Pirate Revolution in Ireland, was controller of RTÉ 2fm and a career that's longer than the Beatles but shorter than Rolling Stones, but who is the real John Clarke?Well he joins us on this weeks edition to talk about his radio career, which includes stories of getting the bug and working in Pirate Radio, before joining Chris Cary to work on Radio Nova and KISS FM, how after three tries to secure a place, he landed a job with RTÉ 2fm and how he got into trouble on his first show. How he became a producer with the Network and produced the 2fm Breakfast Show for 10 years. What the feeling was like when he became programme controller for the network and what the challenges were and his proudest moment. Right through to what current radio projects he has under his belt.Why not listen to John on Kiss FM, by visiting his archive page at the Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archives.Also listen to John present on Radio 2 from July 1986 here on Mixcloud.And listen to John present shows on Hits Radio Ireland.
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Ross King
Jun 301:09:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailOften dubbed the King of Hollywood on UK TV, Ross King has often been seen on our screens every morning covering news from America, but before he went Stateside, he was in our ears on the radio, hosting shows on stations that include Radio Clyde, Capital Radio and the old BBC Radio 5.This week Ross joins Luke to share stories of his time in radio, from his early start in Hospital Radio in Glasgow and listening to Radio Clyde. How he gave up on his ambitions to become a footballer and began helping out on shows on Radio Clyde as the Saturday Boy. Getting that first show on the station and becoming one of the youngest radio presenters in the country. Being part of the playlist committee and how using the Swimming Pool during one show lead to Dead Air. Working with Richard Park, Tiger Tim and Paul Cooney. How he turned down a job at BBC Radio 1, feeling he wasn't ready. Moving down to London to join Capital Radio, before moving over to BBC Radio 5 on its launch and presenting sports show and being part of Radio 5's Olympic Coverage. Moving out to America, but continuing to associate himself with Radio presenting on Talkradio and even co-hosting a show with the Legend Rick Dees.Find out more about Ross, by visiting his website rossking.com Also follow Ross on Instagram and on X too.And listen to Ross presenting Radio Clyde's Alright, All Night from October 1987 here. (courtesy of Old Radio Recordings on Mixcloud)We would like to extend aditional thanks to Radio Moments, Aircheck Downloads and Andy Walmsley for the additional content that was used in this edition.
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Richard Astbury
May 2700:50:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIf you grew up listening to BFBS or were familiar with the various stations, then you would have most likely remember listening to Richard Astbury - who worked for the Forces Network for over 40 years. During his time with the network, he hosted a variety of shows including Pop Around Europe and covered the Eurovision Song Contest for BFBS listeners. He introduced bands like ABBA on stage in Germany and interviewed people from Elton John to Prince Philip.Why not have a listen to this weeks edition and hear Richard share memories of his career on BFBS and Riviera Radio.Find out more about Richard by visiting his website right here.Also listen to Richard host Pop Around Europe on Youtube.And listen to Richard close down BFBS Malta on March 31 1979 here at The Shortwave Radio Archive.
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Jonathan Gold
May 2101:37:53Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJonathan Gold has spent over three decades in the radio industry and has worked in almost every field in the radio industry, from tech-oping, producing, presenting and running several stations across the country. Some of those stations include MFM, SGR Radio, The Bay, Juice FM and Pennine FM.In this weeks edition, Jono sits down with Luke and shares stories about his life and career on the radio. These include getting the bug and being inspired by listening to the test transmissions on Viking Radio, before landing work with Hospital Radio. Joining Radio Aire and Magic as a tech op, before presenting shows with the RSL - Energy Radio in Wakefield. Getting his first radio show on MFM, before moving around the country and why he never applied for Capital. Moving into a creative role as a producer with GWR and joining Juice FM in Liverpool. Presenting the last show on Pennine FM and then moving over to Ireland to join Red FM in Cork, before heading up to Northern Ireland and the Radio life he has led since moving back to the UK.Why not check out more about Jono by visiting his website here.Also why not give Jono a follow on Instagram @jonathan_goldfm.And listen to some of Jono's airchecks and shows on Soundcloud.We would like to extend additional thanks to Aircheck Downloads and Radio Jingles Online for the use of additional content that was used in this edition.
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