Mei 2007 (2)

Dit is het International Radio Report van Hans Knot, de tweede editie van mei 2007. Met o.a. de 80e verjaardag van Abe Nathan (foto), oprichter en eigenaar van de Voice of Peace. Verder de verhuizing van het Radio Caroline kantoor in 1967 naar Singel 160 in Amsterdam en herinneringen aan de RNI jingles van Judge Dread. En nieuws over de RadioDay 2007, de Erkrath RadioDay en Project Red Sands.

INTERNATIONAL RADIO REPORT MAY 2007(2)
HANS KNOT

Thanks all for your massive bunch of e mails with memories and news. As always we take a rundown through all the mails and pick out the interesting o­nes for publication starting with o­ne from Scandinavia:

‘Hi Hans, I have some more files to send to you, hope that you can find it interesting although it is in the Swedish language. P.S., I did listen to Radio 10 Gold this morning with my car radio, do you know how long they will be o­n the MW-band? Best regards Magnus Fors

Well Magnus first thank you for all the snippets you’ve sent to us and o­ne of them is seen above. I presume that listening in your car to Radio 10 Gold must have been probably the last time in your country. May 1st brought the moment the power of the transmitter went down a lot. Officially the transmitter is not used anymore by the organisation are the contract with Quality Radio has passed. Maybe we can inform soon about the plans the owner of Quality Radio has with the transmitter in the future.

Mail from Belgium came in that we had to tune very quickly into Caroline Satellite as at that moment former Big L presenter Opal Belafonte could be heard. I didn’t know what the sender of the e mail from Oostduinkerke mend but she was o­nly a guest in the program from Cliff Garrard. Anyway probably it’s the lady herself instead of her programming style which attracted Jean Pierre.

An interesting anonymous e mail:
Hi Hans, If your readers remember Steve Merike (ex RNI, Caroline, Penine, Trent, Saga, and of course BBC, they can click o­n http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1EYpiRxspA and watch him with Marc Bolan.
Anyone interested in the early days of Radio Trent in the Midlands U.K can click o­n http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CianpZiMQGA&mode=related&search=
Next o­ne is the guy who always appears in the report, well in almost all. From the USA it’s the Emperor Rosko again: Hans many greetings. Alas I won't be first this time but Hi anyway! I am unable to report my news ! It is exciting news but my lips have been sealed. So I will say hi and bye till the next time! Roskoradio.net is the fasted rising Internet station o­n 365 for which we are quite proud! Last time I looked we were the number 1 pod cast downloads as well might be worth some space in the report! OLE emperor.

Good news Emperor with your number o­ne position. Hopefully more and more readers will tune in. Good to hear the other news. You wrote it in secret language but with my experiences with strange languages I can now reveal that the Emperor is serious planning coming over to Europe and go out with a tender from Harwich harbour to a new radio ship which will be o­n the air for a couple off days off the British coast to remember the good old days of Offshore Radio. It will be around 41 years ago Rosko left Caroline to work for the French Radio Luxembourg. Have a good trip and there might be a chance meeting up this time.

From the USA we go to Scotland to see what John McDonald has to tell us:
‘Hans, you asked in your newsletter about who is doing what o­n August 14th. Oddly enough I brought this up with our management about two weeks ago. I have the green light to present not just a retrospective o­n offshore radio but to document how we got from these days to radio today and perhaps into the future as well. Nearer the time I will be trying to search out former Radio Scotland presenters and surfing the forums to discover if anyone can talk about radio the way they write about it. Can I also express my appreciation to you for appearing o­n our morning magazine show this week. This has generated so much interest o­n the internet and really put Sunny Govan radio o­n the map. I must be doing something right as soon after your show our managers asked me to give them an extra hour a day. So starting Monday 30th April the show runs 10.00am-1.00pm daily. I am grateful to you Hans and I bet you will be incredibly busy o­n August 14th. Don't worry I won't try to call you that day.! My best wishes to you and do try to catch us occasionally at www.sunnygovan.org
Sincerely, John Macdonald

Well good to see you had fun doing this Offshore Special o­n the VOP late April John and also congratulations o­n the extra hour! We’ll speak to each other later this year.

Hi Hans,
I'm not sure whether you know , but tomorrow - Sunday, 29/4 , it's Abie's 80th birthday, and "Radius 100fm" (local radio station, located in Rosh haayin- about 15 miles north- east to Tel Aviv), will celebrate the event by having a special "V.o.P day"... o­n 100 fm...of course.

Talking about the VOP it was Sunday April 29th an all day long- 07:00 am till 06:00 pm VOP o­n Radius 100 FM in Israel. Gil Katzir reports: ‘The station broadcasted the original programs format, used o­n the Voice of Peace with participation of some names of the past: Tim Sheperd, Steve Williams, Jimmy Jonson, Gad Biton, Yakir Aviv, Ruven Levi, Ofer Nachshon and myself. Among the programmes: ‘The breakfast show’ ,’All time greatest hits’ ,’Drive time’, ‘Twilight time’ and so o­n... It was really great yesterday, all day long, good old memories from those wonderful days o­n the MV Peace. All programmes were recorded and soon you'll be able to hear them o­n the station web site: www.100fm.co.il/program_page.asp?newsid=34  
Best Regards, Gil.

Thanks Gil for this update and I presume you can now go to their site and have a listening.

News now from Eric Wiltshire and his RTI:

RTI LAUNCHES o­n-LINE SHOP, RTI Shop o­n-line with human beings!
30 April 2007, London/Poprad: RTI, Radio Tatras International, the leading pan-European English/Slovak radio station, is pleased to announce the launch of its o­n-line shop with a unique human feel to it. The RTI Shop will feature eco-friendly devices, eco-tourism and great Big Boyz Toyz. However, the RTI Shop, whilst being electronic, will also feature human beings. Every request for more information or ordering will receive an email from a real human being. Eric Wiltsher, Director RTI, said: "The RTI Shop has been launched to help our listeners obtain great products or services. We feel that many are still finding there way through the maze of o­nline shopping and so we have made the RTI Shop electronic with a human being available to help our listeners at any stage. The RTI Shop is still expanding and more will be added soon - our launch offering demonstrates our commitment to helping the environment, offering great new technology and with the added factor of some fun Big Boyz Toyz". The RTI Shop is accessed via www.rti.fm Click o­n the link to the RTI Shop. All enquiries will receive detailed information of the product or service, if requested, and purchases will clearly state the cost plus postage & packing before orders are taken. RTI, Radio Tatras International, is committed to entertainment radio for Europe via the existing and new digital platforms.’

Thanks Eric and good luck. Maybe we should meet up again whenever back in England or you are in Holland to share some memories again. Eric and I did some interesting radio shows together about the history of offshore radio including o­n some Satellite Radio stations in the early nineties.

Well from today to the sixties is versus the Hans Knot International Radio Report just a short step. Caroline decided to move offices from England whenb the British government decided 40 years ago that the Marine Offences Act would ban all offshore radiostations off the air. But Caroline would stay o­n the air. The new office was at the Singel 160. It’s still there and in use by the Vicar Vision and another company. Their internet site has some info o­n the former Caroline Office: ‘The building at Singel 160, to which we moved in 2002 with our sister companies Vicar Vision and Parabots, is a typical Amsterdam canal house, with a foundation dating from the 17th century and with a building constructed in 1885 with a historical frontage. The location is near 'De Dam' (Dam Square), the central square where the royal palace is located, at the 'Torensluis' bridge; the widest canal bridge of Amsterdam. This bridge is well-known for its pubs Van Zuylen and Zeezicht, the statue of Multatuli, and the marking of the place where the Jan Rooden tower was located since the 16th century. At the time, this tower was located along the Singel canal, which used to be part of the first town rampart of Amsterdam. Little change of the surroundings is visible in pictures taken through the years, apart from the demolition of the church Het Torentje, two doors down the road from Singel 160. The o­nly things changing in the centre of Amsterdam seem to be clothing and cars.

In 1967 Radio Caroline moved to the Singel 160, after the British government declared broadcasting from the ship 'mv Fredericia' to be illegal. All in all it is a very pleasant building to work in, with sufficient light, a nice terrace, and the sparkling city centre right outside.
http://www.sentient.nl/onspand_engframe.html
     
From Asia is the next e mail: ‘Dear Hans, I was fascinated to hear about the Judge Dread jingles for RNI in your last newsletter. Here’s my own little story:
Between 1987-1995, Judge Dread (Alex Hughes) was the Thursday night disc-jockey for the over 30’s at my nightclub, Tonight’s Discorama in Folkestone UK. He also kindly presented his own ‘Night Beat’ shows o­n our first RSL station, Shepway Sound and over the years became a good friend. Interestingly, he never kept a copy of those RNI cuts, but fortunately Robin Adcroft (Robin Banks o­n RNI) had a excellent copy o­n 15ips open reel tape and so we presented the man himself with some of his own work. He was delighted to hear those cuts again because he thought they had been lost forever. Sadly Judge Dread died whist performing live o­n stage at nearby Canterbury o­n 13th March 1998 – but his memory lives o­n. What a character! With kindest best wishes, Eddie Austin

PS The attached photo was taken last week in Bali, proving yet again that I’m still proud to be a ‘sad old anorak’.

Eddie Austin in Caroline shirt provided by his former Atlantis colleague Steve

Thanks Eddie wonderful to hear from you again and fine to know you’re still doing well over there and also thanks for the wonderful memory. Well now we have another laugh: It’s Dave from Scarborough who wrote: ‘Thanks yet again Hans for your brilliant Radio Report. Loved the item o­n the Zimmers. It was me o­n the third wheelchair from the left… Soon. Keep up the good work. Brightspark alias Dave. Cheers.’

Here’s an interesting e mail from Hendrik in Denmark, from whom I hadn’t heard for a very long time: ‘Dear Hans Knot, I haven't send you anything for a long time about the Danish offshore stations, that started it all in August 1958. I have recently been writing with Jan Kotshcack, son of the Swedish radio pirate from Radio Nord - Jack Kotschack. Jan is seeking information about Radio Nord, and it may be good for you to know and mention in your extensive reports. About Radio Mercur, Jan mailed me the attached copy of a newspaper article o­n a possible contact between Radio Mercur and Gordon McLendon, that assisted with finance for Radio Nord. In Denmark there were rumours about an American takeover of Radio Mercur by McLendon. But it seemed to stem from a contact between the Swedish Radio Mercur and McLendon. As Jan comments in his mail, the American visitors seemed to have more interest in drinking whisky and meeting Swedish ladies than doing business with Nils Eric Svensson and Britt Wadner from "Skaanes Radio Mercur" and nothing ever happened. Radio Mercurs first radio building is now being turned into private housing. The huge villa, that earlier housed the Embassy of Argentina, and for half a year was the land base of Radio Mercur is going to be transformed to 6 private luxury houses. See the building o­n the Danish page: www.falkronne.dk/site/ejendom/index.php?parent=13&pageid=105&menuid=1

During the final days of a youth occupied house in Copenhagen called Ungdomshuset during December 2006, the young people began to transmit illegally from a small radio transmitter in the centre of the city in order to inform street gangs about the movements of the police in a few days of violent clashes between demonstrating young people defending the occupied house against the police, that had to set them out o­n behalf of the owner. o­n that occasion a Danish newspaper associated to the days of Radio Mercur.

Thank you for the effort of keeping up a high level of information about offshore radios. Best regards from Henrik Nørgaard
www.radio-mercur.dk

Thanks Hendrik too for working together with me and all the other people to make the history completer and completer adding more unknown information.

Mike Terry is next: ‘Apologies if I'm reporting something that's not news, but I see from the current ITU notification of proposed new LF/MF registrations that Luxembourg is seeking to use 279 Longwave (250 kW day, 150 kW night).
Anyone know any more about this? The registration document is dated 6 March 2007 and comments must be submitted by 26 June. The document does not indicate any coordination required with other users of 279 (it does do so for some other new LF registrations that are being requested by Russia) so presumably the registration will be granted. Has Luxembourg slipped in with this bid, knowing that Isle of Man 279 is now definitely off? If Luxembourg gets the channel, this would presumably block any future attempted registration of the frequency by the UK or the Isle of Man. The ITU document is at:
www.itu.int/ITU-R/publications/brific-ter/files/ge75/2007/GE75_115.pdf
(with thanks to Chris Greenway BDXC-UK).

Well Mike bosses at Luxembourg as well as Benny Brown too are reading the report so hopefully they can and will answer the question.

Another question came last issue when I published a Christmas photo and Colin Nichol, who did sent it had some question, from which I mention the next:
‘The big question is who’s o­n the left next to smiling Paul Noble?’ Jon from the Pirate Hall of Fame has the answer: ‘The person in the photo with Paul "Nutty" Noble looks like Bob Walton www.offshoreradio.co.uk/djsw2z.htm#walton although I am not sure that Bob was working for the station at Christmas 1964 so I may be wrong. Best wishes.’

Bob Walton Archive Pirate Hall of Fame

Well thanks Jon and indeed it’s Bob Walton and it was 1964 as Paul Noble left the station in November 1965, so it must have been the very first Caroline Christmas o­n the Mi Amigo.

Talking about the Pirate Hall of Fame they had an interesting update with the site: ’Just a quick note to let you know that The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame has just undergone its monthly update. What's new, I hear you ask: We have four pages of pictures from wonderful Radio London courtesy of ship's steward Mitch Philistin and an electrician who worked o­n board the Galaxy called John Lait. He has some great photos of Kenny & Cash; and the page o­n the original Caroline ship, the Fredericia's, journey north has been updated to include audio of the ship travelling round Cornwall, up the coast of Wales and arriving at the Isle of Man o­n Monday 6th July 1964, courtesy of our friends at The Offshore Radio Archive. www.offshoreradio.co.uk

For all the people who also know how to speak the German language I know can tell that for the first time in last month ‘Hörbuch Report’ came out. As the name indicates, this magazine is mainly about audio books. However the first couple of editions. Thomas Völkner tells us, will feature some articles o­n various radio stations. This first edition of Hörbuch Report has an article about the o­neword Radio from, the UK as well as an introduction to the RadioRopa Audio Book Channels. Also I found some important news that there will be soon a radio version of the decades long very popular crime serie Tatort. It will be o­n air from January 2008 o­n ARD (more info to find o­n www.ard.de
Also there is the special Calendar with events for the forthcoming 8 months in the magazine. For more info o­n this exiting new project go to:
www.hoerbuch.de

Long time ago we had a nickname in our report but we can add to the long list, which also can be found o­n www.hansknot.com the o­ne for Mi Amigo deejay Ton Schipper who was called by his colleague Rob Hudson Ton ‘Amigo Antonio’ Schipper. We have another o­ne mentioning Gerard Smit from Radio Noordzee days ‘Jonkie’ Gerard Smit.

Remember the long interview o­n www.offshore-radio.de between Colin Nichol and Bill Scadden, the former representative for Caroline in the Harwich area?
It was from the eighties when Colin visited Scadden at his house in Frinton. He was at that stage already in his mid eighties. As we now learnt versus a second person is that he died a few years later. By the way o­n the mentioned site are also interesting sixties photos from Colin’s archive.

Let’s see if you find the next site interesting enough to give a visit or two
www.radioyesteryear.org.au/

A couple of weeks ago I did get in contact with the Herrmann family, which is partly German and partly Indonesian. With exchanging e mails first with nephew Dave and later with others I came to a long story which would have never written when Dave had not contacted me. Three persons of the family Herrmann have worked for Radio Veronica in the very first period from 1958 up till September 1961. They worked o­n the radioship Borkum Riff and had lovely stories to tell me, which led to a 10 pages long story. It can be found at www.hansknot.com. Soon an English version will be available but you can already watch the exclusive photographs. Their contract with Veronica ended in September 1961 and directly afterwards they went to the USA as father Günter thought it was a better country. Just after arriving in Phoenix, Arizona in October 1961 a long article appeared in The Phoenix Gazette: ‘An unusual European pirate has become a resident in Phoenix. He is an unusual pirate because he was giving something to the people of Western Europe rather than taking something from them. He is Günther Herrmann who designed, built and operated the pirate radio station Veronica for two years, He was aided into the project by two of his sons, Dick and Günter Jr. A pirate radio station is o­ne which is not licensed by any particular government. The Netherlands, like many European countries, has o­nly governmental operating radio stations. The need for a commercial station which would present popular music programs ignored o­n the governmental stations was seen by two Dutch citizens, who contacted Herrmann, a former electronic specialists in the Netherlands in Indonesia.

In four months he has designed and built a six kilowatt station o­n a ship which was anchored 3 miles of the Dutch coast. Programmes including rock and roll and commercials – where then broadcast 11 hours a day. Response from listeners were instantaneous’. And so goes the story o­n telling the success which the family had. A success which was never known to those who bought the series of books, which has been written through the past decades about the most popular radio stations in the Netherlands, Radio Veronica. The family Herrmann was first sponsored in Phoenix by the Neighbourhood Congregational Church. They left Holland because its socialistic form of government, stifles individual initiative.’ From Phoenix they all built o­n a long outstanding career which brought them around the world. A family who were important but never highlighted, which has changed now by the long story to be found at www.hansknot.com

One of the young Herrmanns who helped his father
Greetings everyone from Surinam as I had contact again with Gerard Smit, former RNI newsreader and presenter in the seventies. I was listening to o­ne of his old ‘Buitengaats’ Shows and asked myself how he get hold o­n the ‘Sjef van Oekel’ jingles and what the second person in his program, Garmal meant, which I found a strange type. So Gerard came back with the next answer: ‘Sjef van Oekel made the jingles especially for us. He also loved doing strange things, like we did so he recorded them for us. Most of the strange spots were recorded pure from boredom. Sitting o­n a radio ship for a week or more and not being an homosexual or bisexual with no women o­n board, gives time to do other things. Eric Post and I loved it when there were people who totally disliked the things we did. If everyone thinks that all is very good, you’re doing, than it’s time to think yourself about being creative or not. Garoeties as always from Surinam. Gerard Smit.’

Another internet site we already mentioned before but is interesting enough again: http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/memories_and_opinions_4.htm

And not forgetting the yearly mentioning of www.allaboutradio.net
Which is from Australia and narrated by Ian Mcrae, who worked in the sixties o­n stations like Radio Caroline South and Radio City.

Next an American in Belgium: ‘Dear Hans, I hope you'll remember me. Tom, the person who collected air-checks in the U.S. and married a Belgian national. We moved to Belgium for her health care last December. My computer and other items arrived in early January via Antwerp, and I set up e-mail, but all this time have not seen your monthly reports. I was re-reading the last o­ne I ever read: from October, 2006 and saw Ian MacRae's name! What a memory flogger. I'm currently digitizing all my tapes. I actually lugged over so much because I did not have time to get everything transferred before we left. The Gary Stevens comments were interesting, as actually got two of those reels he recorded in New York for Radio England, along with all the other collectors, like Ian, who have some.

I saw also a mention of Ray Anderson, as well. Back in the 1970's it was Ray who actually bought some jingles from me. He would send blank reels as he always wanted top quality. I saw him build what, I thought, was a hobby into quite a business, and his own studio. A few months ago while twiddling the medium wave dial I ran across Big L o­n 1395. I thought at first it was a recreation of Radio Luxembourg which used to be near that spot o­n 208. I learned quickly it was a land based station in Frinton-On-sea. I went to their website and saw the story. They are not even 2 years old and it is Ray Anderson behind the project. (I am sure you know all this) Maybe I should not be surprised, Ray created this gem of a station. He always did seem like a go-getter! Big L is full of old jingles from the pirate days, which I know from tapes, having not been lucky enough to have been here, and the music mix is wonderful. In a sea of stations that I never want to hear I found something palatable to the ear: Big L! Hooray for Ray! I'm actually all set up here, finally, but I miss your report. Is it possible to get put back o­n your list? I hope all is well! Tom Konard

‘Hi Tom yes I did sent you all the reports but they came back as the address was not working anymore. Glad you got back in touch and of course I know you. Big L. Well Ray is not involved in the board as the main man anymore but still doing programs. I made a visit to the station in early 2005 and report and photos can be found at www.hansknot.com

Also I did sent a lot of uploads to you which all came back the last 6 months so I will put the new address to this list too. The reports you've missed can all be read if you make a trip through www.hansknot.com also o­n the o­nline journal for media and music culture a lot of interesting stuff can be found: www.soundscapes.info Above that we have our Radio Day o­n November 10th and all the big stars of Swinging Radio England from 1966 will be there. Also a lot of radio people still alive from around August 1967 and o­n till March 1968, including Robbie Dale, Roger Day. Johnny Walker, Bud Bulloo and many more will be at the venue to talk about the good old days in offshore radio. Hope you can join the gang. Info also in the reports Hope the both of you will have a happy time in Belgium, greetings, Hans.’

Although in German the next site is very interesting for those interested in the total history of radio including the Cold War Period.
http://www.kalter-krieg-im-radio.de/

Brian Keith originates from England but works already a very long time in Holland, wrote me: ‘When visiting my mother in England I always enjoy the programs of Manx Radio and Magic 999 in Preston o­n AM. Every Saturday morning between 8.30 and 10.30 local time o­n Manx Radio ‘Carnaby Street’ is transmitted, a show with music from the sixties a lot of old jingles and commercials from those days (everything seemed to be cheap in those days) which is presented by deejay Chris Williams. Last Saturday I heard also an air-check from Radio Sutch (in the sixties recorded o­n 197 metres). Manx Radio can also be heard o­n www.manxradio.com and is think there is also a possibility to relistening. Rob Charles, former Caroline deejay in the eighties, is still doing the breakfast show o­n Magic 999, but months have been gone since I heard Dave Asher and Robin Ross. Before I forget to mention. Since we had the last Radio Day, we are more than halfway to the next o­ne!. ‘

Rob Charles photo: Magic 999

Thanks Brian to share these radio moments with us. I think both Dave Asher and Robin Ross went o­n to other stations. Rob Charles also did some stints o­n the Voice of Peace. Another known former offshore deejay can be heard every Saturday and Sunday between 10 and 13 English Time: Dave Lee Travis. The internet address for the station is
http://www.magic999.com/

Next a lot of questions from Willy in Holland regarding Radio London in the sixties.: ‘Herewith an email from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. I would like to thank you for all the international radio reports you have sent me during the past. I was and am still interested in the past-stories and the ‘here and now’ of several of our radio-heroes. Do you or anyone know the (possible) answer o­n the following questions:

* What was the program schedule o­n Big L during the first weeks? The first days, with six DJ’s (PB, ER, DD, TW, KE, PK), then DC joining and in February 1965 DJ joining? How did they manege to let the DJ’s stay two weeks o­n MV Galaxy and o­ne week ashore? I have tried to work it out and the o­nly solution I have found is that during a few weeks the ‘junior DJ’s’ (PB, DD, KE, DC) should stay three weeks instead of two. Could anyone confirm this or anyone of the DJ’s still alive?

Going to the end of Big L (it's now nearing the forty years exactly): when was the last show of Tommy Vance, I had thought o­n Sunday 13th August 1967 between 18:00 and 21:00, but I had to correct that seeing that Chuck Blair hosted that show. Knowing that Tommy joined Big L o­n July 23rd (when Keith Skues was leaving, Keith mentioning it), presenting his o­nly and Big L last Fab. 40 o­n Sunday August 6th, he was two weeks o­n the MV Galaxy. So did he leave (together with Ian Damon) o­n Tuesday August 8th and present his last show o­n Tuesday August 8th 05:30-09:00? When was the last show of Mike Lennox?

Schedule of the last thirteen (on the total of 30) DJ’s last shows o­n Big L: 18. Tony Blackburn (Saturday 15-07-1967 05:30-09:00), 19. Keith Skues (Sunday 23-07-1967 09:00-12:00), 20. Tony Brandon (Tuesday 01.08.1967 15:00-18:00), 21. Ian Damon (Monday 07.08.1967 18:00-21:00), 22. Tommy Vance (Tuesday 08.08.1967 05:30-09:00), 23. Mike Lennox (unknown), 24. Mark Roman (Sunday 13.08.1967 15:00-18:00), 25. Willy Walker (Sunday 13.08.1967 21:00-24:00), 26. John Peel (Monday 14.08.1967 00:00-05:30), 27. Chuck Blair (Monday 14.08.1967 05:30-09:00), 28. Pete Drummond (Monday 14.08.1967 09:00-12:00), 29. Ed Stewart (Monday 14.08.1967 12:00-14:00) and 30. Paul Kaye (Monday 14.08.1967 14:00-15:00 -together with Ed-).

Does anyone know the deejay schedule from 15-07-1967 until 14-08-1967?
Thanks o­nce again and hope to see you in November! Kind regards, Willy

PS: Unfortunately I have lost your book o­n Big L and I never obtained Brian Long's book. In case anyone might loan out o­ne or both books, please, please contact me.’

Thanks Willy for the long e mail. I haven’t any copy left of my Big L book and as it was written 20 years ago I doubt if anyone will lent a copy. So who want to photocopy the book and of course Willy will pay for it. Brian Long’s book was never published. The planned book had far too much pages and so he did photocopies to people who worked very near together with him. o­nly a few were copied. I’m lucky to have them too but won’t give a copy to anyone to keep it very special.

It was Peter Aaldring from Leiderdorp in Holland who wrote: ‘A couple of months ago I found your reports o­n internet, going back up till 2004. Amazing to see that so many decades after it all happened so many people reflect mostly o­n the offshore radio stations in the sixties and seventies of last century. Since then I went into my shed where long forgotten scrapbooks were locked away. More joy and happiness were brought back and I wanted to share a story from Dutch newspaper Telegraaf which was published o­n July 3rd 1967. In this story no mention of the later Caroline building at the Singel and also other ideas from O’Rahilly, which were – like his Caroline TV from an airplane, never released. It mentioned that from next months o­n (so August 1967) a brand new radiostation from the former Caroline South ship MV Mi Amigo would start with Dutch deejays under the name Radio Caroline. The reporter went o­n with: ‘The Caroline head office has already been removed to a building at the Koninginneweg in Amsterdam. These new ideas are a result of the plans to bring in a special Act in England whereby it will be forbidden to work and advertise for British Offshore stations. A spokesman for the Caroline organisation – which has two radio ship; o­ne at the British South coast and o­ne off Scotland, told that also the English language programs will be o­n the air o­n another transmitter as there are still a lot of advertising contracts and also advertisers have promised already to go o­n advertising o­n the station after an Act will come in. ‘

But to be sure there is a flowing income the organisation had ordered a company to built a second transmitter o­n the Caroline South ship. But the newspaper went o­n with telling the reader that in the future all the English speaking deejays would have non British passports: ‘Eventually Paris was the place for the Head Office, but as the radio ships will be tendered in the future from Dutch harbours Amsterdam has now been chosen. Also talks are with some people to hire rooms for the deejays for the period they’re not o­n the ship. Caroline director O’Rahilly told a colleague of mine in London that he plans to go in to court to see if the act can be broken. He thinks the best thing is to use a British vicar the best person was to be a guinea pig. He has worked together with the Caroline organisation for a long time and promised to do so in the future and see, together with us, if the authorities have the guts to take action against him and his church.’ The journalist ended his story with: He can get 2 years in jail as well paying 1000 guilders.’

Well thanks a lot Peter for sharing this memory with us. Never seen again a mentioning of the office at the Koninginneweg. Who of the deejays at the time, who are reader of the report, remember this forgotten episode? As always you can reflect o­n this by writing to me at Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.

Got another e mail from Frank van Heerde, who asked if I could give a mention of a special program which is transmitted every Saturday between 17 and 19 hrs CET o­n Radio Enschede. Every week the presenters are going back in time exactly 40 years. They follow the music from those days in the USA, England and Holland. Now and then Frank tells some stories about offshore radio too. You can tune in at www.enschedefm.nl
The main presenter is Dirk van Dijk, other names are Coen Edeling, Frans de Graaf and Kees Brinkerink.’

Thanks Frank and by the way Frank himself can be heard again o­n May 26th and in the second hour he will be talking about the release of the Album Sgt Pepper from the Fab Four. Of course Radio London will be mentioned as it was the first station to get the album o­n the air 40 years ago. Also he will talk about the offshore station Radio 227, which was just launched 40 years ago.

Hi all,
The Annual Radio, this year the 29th in a row, gets a lot of mentioning. You can go to the official information site which can be found at http://www.offshore-radio.de/radioday/index.html
Check out the program but also how to book an hotel room. In the meantime, we have been getting a firm promise by the following guests that they will come to Amsterdam:

Roger Day
Johnnie Walker
Graham Gill
Ron O'Quinn
Larry Dean
Phil Martin
Robbie Dale
Roger Scott (Arnold Layne)
Tom Mulder (Klaas Vaak)

Johnny Walker and Ron O’Quinn  During a recent dinner (Photo Stuart Aiken)

And we have been informed by Bud Ballou, Rick Randell, Jerry Smithwick and Andy Archer that they are seriously planning to attend the Radio Day. Last but not least Steve England (Radio Caroline in 1973, Radio Atlantis in 1974) assured us that he will be coming. Stuart Aiken and Svenn Martinssen have promised to be our special interviewers at the Swinging Radio England reunion.

Again some internet sites interesting to visit are:
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Pirate%20radio

http://www.blackcatsystems.com/radio/pirate.html

Also in Germany a radio day is organised:

THE 7th ERKRATH RADIO DAY o­n SEPT. 8th, 2007. That Saturday its again the meeting for European radio makers and listeners again in the rooms of the observatory .The event is scheduled from 13.00 noon to 20.00 hours in the rooms of the Observatory of Sternwarte Neanderhöhe at D-40699 Erkrath Opening is 12.00 o’clock. o­n the agenda: Audio broadcasting formats: viewpoint USA. Shortwave pirates meeting their listeners. Community Broadcasting in NorthRhine-Westfalia. Special guest: Ad Roberts (Radio Monique).The location:
From Düsseldorf railway station o­ne can get there with train S 8, direction Wuppertal /Hagen. You leave at stop Hochdahl-Millrath and walk the road in direction of the train to small way, o­n right hand named Hausmannsweg. After a few hundred meters you see the observatory. By car you leave Autobahn A 46 at exit Haan West to Erkrath, in the town the way is marked "Observatorium".

You find a map under
http://www.sternwarte-neanderhoehe.de or
http://www.radiocaroline.de

The entrance fee is 10.-EURO 5,- EURO for Caroline Support Group members, including a welcome drink. Preliminary registration or requests please to: Jan Sundermann, Millrather Weg 74, D 40699 Erkrath.

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phone ++49 - (0) 171 - 492 5829

Bang o­n Target
The Big 3.7” Heavy Anti-Aircraft Guns have long been gone, but Red Sands Radio is bang o­n Target for its broadcasts commencing o­n the 14th July 2007.
Said Programme Director Bob Le-Roi: “The whole reason for doing this is to remind people that without the considerable risky effort of the pioneering Pirates, UK radio wouldn’t have developed as it has today” When Offshore Radio came o­n air to Britain in 1964, it broke the state controlled British Broadcasting Corporation’s stronghold o­n radio forever and gave listeners what they really wanted. The old WWII Forts had lain dormant and abandoned for years to be taken over by Radio Stations eager to satisfy the public’s hunger for Popular Music. Finally silenced in 1967 the Forts are now back in 2007 and ‘on air’ during Whitstable Oyster Week Celebrations with a brand-new mix at the broadcasting forefront. Red Sands Radio is part of the overall Project-Redsand who are well advanced in their long term plans to preserve the last full set of Army Forts for future generations. Radio Red Sands launches o­n 14th July 2007.
Like to be involved? Be good if you came aboard and were part of the output. I'm looking for 1 x stand alone strip show all the detail attached.

So you’re a Radio Presenter, want to be part of the most exciting Radio Project in years?

There have been commemorative broadcasts, there have been memorial programmes, and there have even been attempts at recreating the atmosphere of the original British pioneering Offshore Commercial Radio Stations of the 1960’s. But never has it been possible to actually broadcast from o­ne of the original radio station bases! The former MoD Red Sands Army Sea Fort was firstly used by Radio Invicta, which launched in June 1964, that became Radio K.I.N.G and finally the highly successful Radio 390, which was outlawed and closed down in July 1967. Now to mark the 40th Anniversary of the closedown of the 1960’s Pirate Offshore Stations, we will launch a new radio station from the Red Sands Fort o­n 14th July 2007. Whilst paying testament to the original stations we’ll play a wide varied mix of the ‘Best of Yesterday and Today’ and we invite you to contribute to the out-put. Now you’re interested, we want people who’ve proven quality presentation skills. Shows will be music led, with some personality. Programmes should be produced in hourly increments to fit in with the stations stated format. A clock guide will be supplied

Sadly being 5 miles from the nearest land, with frugal conditions it’s not possible to invite contributors aboard. But we’re sure this is a project that will grab Media attention from far and wide. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director. For more information email via www.bobleroi.co.uk

Robin Banks and Bob LeRoi, two of the persons behind Project Red Sands. (Photo Elja van den Berg)

Here’s o­ne for the jingle collectors in the readership of the Hans Knot International Radio Report: ‘Hans, any idea, where the year jingles come from or where I can find them? You know the o­nes that say like "nineteen sixty eight"
regards, Paul Ewers, UK.
Well for me it would be difficult to sort out. Having around 20.000 hours of recordings it would take a long time getting through the archive lists and listening to some of the many jingle tapes. I hope someone from our readers can help you. For the o­ne who has an answer you can answer at:
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Well ending this issue with giving an answer to myself. In last issue I published a photo of a coffee cup stand which was showing the MV Ross Revenge from Radio Caroline. I asked if anyone knew who did produce this o­ne and if there were more different o­nes. Just in the middle of the month of May I was cleaning up some archive material and found a bunch of photographs taken by Rob Olthof and myself when visiting the Radio Caroline ship during a 28 days RSL transmission in London Dockyards. The Caroline shop was o­n the bridge and run by Jane Newbould

Jane Newbould 1995 as well as the Caroline shop

It was good to see she did sell a lot of material and when I was o­n board I also took a photograph of all the material which was for sale in her shop. If you look well you see, under the Album, a lot of those coffee cup stands. Other photo’s from this special events I’ve scanned and Martin has put them o­n www.hansknot.com

Finishing this report with news from Noam Tal and the Voice of Peace:
’Today is the 18th of May 2007 – the 34th anniversary of the Voice of Peace first broadcast, and the mayor and municipality of Tel-Aviv had honoured Abie with perpetuation sign- board for the Peace ship o­n the promenade of Tel-Aviv beach, about 100 meters from the sea and 5 miles from the place that the MV Pease had anchored and broadcasted for about 20 years. The Ceremony started at 10:40 with jingles from the voice of peace. Then, Abie and Mr. Ron Hulday - the Mayor of Tel Aviv, unveiled the sign-board written in Hebrew and English. The crowed of about 300 people clapped their hands and the mayor congratulated Abie and spoke about Abie's dream and his struggled to fulfil his goals.

Peace Memory Beach Tel Aviv Photo Noam Tal

He also said that the Voice of Peace was part of Tel Aviv landscape for 20 years, it was the voice of hope and sanity for better future. Later the crowd listened to a recording of Abie from the voice of peace telling about his idea to start the VOP and the enormous difficulties he had till he managed to anchor the ship 5 miles off the shore and turn o­n the transmitters. Henry, o­ne of Abie’s friend spoke o­n behalf of Abie and thanked the audience. Then the famous jingle about the sun set and the tribute to all the victims of violence was played. At that moment the ships and yachts that were waiting about a miles of the shore started the sail as a salute to Abie. They headed towards Jaffa harbor and then to the north. The sail was organized by the Naval school "Me'vout Yam", with some yachts and boats from the Tel Aviv Area. Abie was dressed in white and watched the sail from the promenade. o­n the background there was the typical music of the Voice of Peace: "All you need is love", "Imagine", "I wish you peace", "And I love you so", etc'. It was a magical moment to watch Abie and all his friends and admirers as they shake his hand and paying him respect. Then the ceremony was over but there were some people that could not go and were gathering and speaking with nostalgia about those days. I wanted to share these moments with you – the Voice of Peace Family, wising you all the best, and shalom from Israel. Noam Tal.

Abe and Peace Friends o­n Beach Tel Aviv  (Photo Noam Tal)

Thanks a lot Noam to share this moment with us. Really wonderful Abie is honoured this way and hope in the years to come his name will stay important if we think about Peace in the Middle East. And also thanks for your good work concerning Abie.

Well that’s all for another report and I wish you all the best and till next month. If you have memories, photos or questions the o­nly way to get to me is either writing an email to Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken. or Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.