"Pirate" Johnnie Walker" - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

telstar · 16th Mar 2009, 8:31 pm

Hi. Has anyone listened to the two hour series on BBC Radio 2 with d.j Johnnie Walker about life on a fictional offshore radio station ? It has been quite interesting. He has interviewed various djs from various other former offshore radio stations. It will be a shame when it comes to an end. There should be a permanent radio station to commemorate these offshore radio stations of the 1960's and beyond - it should not be a one off or a short term thing.
Regards
Mike

AnthonyG · 16th Mar 2009, 9:02 pm

There is a film coming out about pirate radio stations, 'The Boat That Rocked' directed by Richard Curtis. The weekend papers were mentioning it - it opens on April the 3rd.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 16th Mar 2009, 9:14 pm

I have heard several of 'Pirate Johnnie Walker's programmes, including the first one, when his 'guest DJ' wasn't a fellow ex-pirate, but U.S. jock 'Wolfman Jack', who used to broadcast from what was called a 'Border Blaster' station XERF in Mexico, just accross the Rio Grande from Texas, but have also heard the shows featuring Tony Blackburn, Paul Burnett, etc. They sure go to a lot of trouble with the sound effects, recreated jingles, and old commercials, to give the illusion of it's being an 'offshore' station. Not sure whether they have set up the studio with only 1960s equipment, although I do know that only vinyl records are used. It was intersting to copare one of those programmes, with a CD-'Don't Touch That Dial',http://www.radiofab.com on which is a recreation of the show JW did on Caroline up to midnight on 14/8/1967,

dave walsh · 16th Mar 2009, 9:43 pm

There is a crossover here! Jeffrey [Mr Penguin] flagged up Saturday's Archive Hour on Radio Advertising earlier which referenced the pirate era and also had a discussion about "jingles" not being the thing in radio adverts anymore [according to some people anyway]. I'm always surprised these sort of docs never mention "The Who Sells Out" an lp which, at the time, introduced US jingles/radio techniques to a new audience. Dave W

mickjjo · 16th Mar 2009, 10:06 pm

Johnnie Walker is also to appear on "Pirate BBC Essex", a 4 day broadcast back by popular demand this Easter, 10-13 April. Usually very well done by the BBC Essex Team.

:-

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4420

Regards, Mick.

Valvepower · 17th Mar 2009, 9:28 am

Hi,

BBC Radio Essex has a 1-hour Pirate Radio show Sunday afternoons at 15:00 hrs.

It will make for quite an entertaining show where Johnnie Walker broadcasts from the BBC Radio Essex Pirate radio (light) ship in Harwich!

I’m hoping to get along to Harwich that weekend.

Terry.

yestertech · 17th Mar 2009, 6:29 pm

I came across this excellent programme last Saturday when soak testing a large 50's set ( SABA )
It was just like stepping back 40 odd years. JW was on great form.
The original adds and the re-sung PAMS jingles made the illusion complete, as did a supposed slip up playing a 45 at 33 !
Fabulous fun and with the SABA's push pull output stage, enjoyed at extremely high levels.

DON'T miss it !

Andy

16th Mar 2009, 8:31 pm	#1
telstar Octode Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,588	"Pirate" Johnnie Walker" Hi. Has anyone listened to the two hour series on BBC Radio 2 with d.j Johnnie Walker about life on a fictional offshore radio station ? It has been quite interesting. He has interviewed various djs from various other former offshore radio stations. It will be a shame when it comes to an end. There should be a permanent radio station to commemorate these offshore radio stations of the 1960's and beyond - it should not be a one off or a short term thing. Regards Mike

16th Mar 2009, 9:02 pm	#2
AnthonyG Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 45	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" There is a film coming out about pirate radio stations, 'The Boat That Rocked' directed by Richard Curtis. The weekend papers were mentioning it - it opens on April the 3rd.

16th Mar 2009, 9:14 pm	#3
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" I have heard several of 'Pirate Johnnie Walker's programmes, including the first one, when his 'guest DJ' wasn't a fellow ex-pirate, but U.S. jock 'Wolfman Jack', who used to broadcast from what was called a 'Border Blaster' station XERF in Mexico, just accross the Rio Grande from Texas, but have also heard the shows featuring Tony Blackburn, Paul Burnett, etc. They sure go to a lot of trouble with the sound effects, recreated jingles, and old commercials, to give the illusion of it's being an 'offshore' station. Not sure whether they have set up the studio with only 1960s equipment, although I do know that only vinyl records are used. It was intersting to copare one of those programmes, with a CD-'Don't Touch That Dial',http://www.radiofab.com on which is a recreation of the show JW did on Caroline up to midnight on 14/8/1967,

16th Mar 2009, 9:43 pm	#4
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" There is a crossover here! Jeffrey [Mr Penguin] flagged up Saturday's Archive Hour on Radio Advertising earlier which referenced the pirate era and also had a discussion about "jingles" not being the thing in radio adverts anymore [according to some people anyway]. I'm always surprised these sort of docs never mention "The Who Sells Out" an lp which, at the time, introduced US jingles/radio techniques to a new audience. Dave W

16th Mar 2009, 10:06 pm	#5
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" Johnnie Walker is also to appear on "Pirate BBC Essex", a 4 day broadcast back by popular demand this Easter, 10-13 April. Usually very well done by the BBC Essex Team. :- http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4420 Regards, Mick.

17th Mar 2009, 9:28 am	#6
Valvepower Octode Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Rayleigh near Southend-On-Sea, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,876	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" Hi, BBC Radio Essex has a 1-hour Pirate Radio show Sunday afternoons at 15:00 hrs. It will make for quite an entertaining show where Johnnie Walker broadcasts from the BBC Radio Essex Pirate radio (light) ship in Harwich! I’m hoping to get along to Harwich that weekend. Terry.

17th Mar 2009, 6:29 pm	#7
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,130	Re: "Pirate" Johnnie Walker" I came across this excellent programme last Saturday when soak testing a large 50's set ( SABA ) It was just like stepping back 40 odd years. JW was on great form. The original adds and the re-sung PAMS jingles made the illusion complete, as did a supposed slip up playing a 45 at 33 ! Fabulous fun and with the SABA's push pull output stage, enjoyed at extremely high levels. DON'T miss it ! Andy