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Old 29th Jan 2023, 6:18 pm   #1
agardiner
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Default Tony Blackburn at 80

Mods - forgive me if this is an inappropriate thread or in the wrong place.

Given that he is a radio legend and I would say sufficiently 'vintage', I just wanted to wish Tony Blackburn a happy birthday as he turns 80 today. BBC Radio 2 are airing 2 hours of special tributes this evening, straight after Tony's Golden Hour show. Includes an interview with the man himself, and discussion of his pirate radio days. Might be worth a listen.
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Old 29th Jan 2023, 9:48 pm   #2
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Always been a favourite of mine - Happy Birthday Tony!

Alan
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Old 29th Jan 2023, 10:41 pm   #3
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

I wonder if Arnold is as old?

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Old 29th Jan 2023, 11:36 pm   #4
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

He did try to revive Arnold when he took over Sounds of the 60's (at the request of listeners). There was some fitful barking for a few weeks but not heard him for ages.....he'd be getting on a bit now for a dog.....

I have to say that Tony B sounds as good now as he did back in the Caroline days. Remarkable that he still goes on the road with various shows as well.
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Old 29th Jan 2023, 11:59 pm   #5
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Thanks for the heads up, great programme!

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Old 30th Jan 2023, 12:43 am   #6
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

I have no qualms about Tony Blackburn being vintage but as to his being 'technology' (as the forum heading suggests) then I'm not so sure

Steve.
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Old 30th Jan 2023, 1:11 pm   #7
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

His is certainly a vintage show – pretty much the same one he has been doing since the 1960's!

Ideal for vintage FM set listening or playing through your pantry Tx.

Actually, his show is probably the only vintage format show still aired on mainstream UK radio.
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Old 30th Jan 2023, 7:15 pm   #8
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

One of the best DJs.
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Old 30th Jan 2023, 7:23 pm   #9
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Good to see that Tony's still going strong.

Somewhere I've got a supposed-sample of him launching Radio1 and playing The Move's "Flowers in the Rain".

I can forgive him for selling-out to "Auntie Beeb" because it seemed the only way to get on-air in the 1967 times when the free-radio stations were being clamped-down-out-of-existence.

"Arf! Arf!" --Arnold
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Old 30th Jan 2023, 8:17 pm   #10
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Not wishing to rain on everyone’s parade but, (sorry everyone), despite him being a nice guy, I never really liked his shows in the 70’s. Just not my favourite selection of tracks & I never really warmed to his patter. Personally I thought that he wasn’t the best choice to follow Stewpot on Junior Choice, but that’s just me. Always more of an RNI / Luxy & Caroline fan back then. Used to particularly enjoy Daffy Don Allen’s shows on RNI. However the guy is clearly a trouper & very popular. Happy birthday Tony. .
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Old 30th Jan 2023, 8:35 pm   #11
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

My wife was on a cruise a couple of years ago and he was doing his cruise ship stint. One evening, he was asking the women to dance with him and no one said yes so 'er indoors did. Every time he's on the radio, TV or mentioned, she always says "I danced with him"....gets a bit wearing after a while ...he he! Happy birthday Tony ....much remembered from the pirate ship days!
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Old 31st Jan 2023, 9:18 am   #12
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Quote:
Originally Posted by MIKEG4IIA View Post
My wife was on a cruise a couple of years ago and he was doing his cruise ship stint. One evening, he was asking the women to dance with him and no one said yes so 'er indoors did. Every time he's on the radio, TV or mentioned, she always says "I danced with him"....gets a bit wearing after a while ...he he! Happy birthday Tony ....much remembered from the pirate ship days!
I seem to remember him doing that with Lynsey De Paul on TOTP in his best bib & tucker.
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 10:14 am   #13
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Just think somewhere out in space there may be a planet receiving Tony Blackburn from the 60's hmmm!.
AHH the 60's Clacton beach and pirate radio. Great memories.
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 2:44 pm   #14
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Hello,

At tangent Tony Blackburn shares his birthday with Colin Berry, another DJ/presenter from the piratical days and Aunty Beeb.

Colin is a tad younger at 77 years though.

Going by his show on R2 on Saturdays Tony's gags haven't improved

Terry.
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 3:48 pm   #15
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Quote:
Originally Posted by Valvepower View Post
Hello,

Going by his show on R2 on Saturdays Tony's gags haven't improved

Terry.
Tony's gags don't need to improve. They're perfectly corny.
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 4:02 pm   #16
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Tony insists that they are not his gags and are sent in by listeners. I do remember though that it was his trademark with corny gags in the past. Now it seems he relies on the listeners to provide them. It's all part of his show and I don't know of anyone else who does it. It's the only program I listen to on R2 now since they seem to have lost touch with their older audience. Let's not get into that debate on this thread though!
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Old 2nd Feb 2023, 5:31 pm   #17
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

A number of years ago, I actually got to speak to Tony Blackburn, live in one of his radio shows. He was very witty.
It was a slot where employers seeking to fill vacancies where other means had failed, or where the job itself was unusual.

At the time I was looking for a video engineer, but one who was prepared to install cameras in perhaps precarious or unusual places.
Tony asked me to give an example, so I did.
I suggested that the applicant should be prepared to hang over a gantry over a motorway, or to perhaps scale the heights of the Severn Bridge...

I did actually get someone to apply.

David.
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Old 2nd Feb 2023, 6:50 pm   #18
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Default Re: Tony Blackburn at 80

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Engr View Post
A number of years ago, I actually got to speak to Tony Blackburn, live in one of his radio shows. He was very witty.
It was a slot where employers seeking to fill vacancies where other means had failed, or where the job itself was unusual.

At the time I was looking for a video engineer, but one who was prepared to install cameras in perhaps precarious or unusual places.
Tony asked me to give an example, so I did.
I suggested that the applicant should be prepared to hang over a gantry over a motorway, or to perhaps scale the heights of the Severn Bridge...

I did actually get someone to apply.

David.
How times have changed! And yet Tony's show is just the same.
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