Post Description

Zeezenders Offshore radio 1963 - 1992.

Ronan O'Rahilly explains why Radio Caroline began along with many other stations, film clips of Tony Blackburn in glorious colour, the kiss in the car license, remember that? 

In black & white you see Tony Blackburn and Simon Dee boarding Offshore 1 (supply tug), clips of Radio City, and then Radio One begins with Tony Blackburn. 

Johnnie Walker looks back at radio before 1964. On Easter Saturday Radio Caroline begins broadcasting, plenty of black & white film of the Mi Amigo and in January 1966 the ship runs aground on Frinton beach (shortly after the local council had passed a resolution banning all transistor radios from the beach, maybe they wanted to make a point to the council). You see early footage of Radio London, Radio City and Radio 270. 

August 15th 1967 the Marine Broadcasting Offences Bill becomes law, Radio Caroline continues until March 1968 when she is towed to Holland with huge debts. She later returns to the airwaves but sinks in 1980. Hear the final transmission before the ship goes down. 

Amusing stories from Johnnie Walker on how Caroline operated after the M.O.B. You are taken back to mid 1960's with Robbie Dale, Emperor Rosko, Radio City, Radio London, Radio 390 and Caroline, great black & white footage. You get to see the transmitters, studios and early DJs. Johnnie Walker reminisces about his days on board Caroline and is interviewed in a cafe on Clacton seafront. 

There are early pictures of Kenny Everett, Tony Blackburn, Simon Dee, and Emperor Rosko. Tony Blackburn is interviewed and has his say on offshore radio, including how he helped the BBC set up the studio for Radio One along with Kenny Everett. September 1967, Radio One begins and Tony Blackburn is the first voice to be heard. See early black & white film of Radio One opening, followed by old black & white photos of various radio ships and forts. 

We take a trip out to Caroline and Radio City, you see the forts as they stood 10 years ago with Radio City painted on the side. Screaming Lord Sutch is interviewed near Tower Bridge about the early days of his station. Phillip Burch, Managing Director of Radio London, better known as Big L explains the costs involved in having a ship at anchor manned by about 30 people. 

Roy Bates is interviewed on his Radio Essex platform. Included is an early interview with Ronan O'Rahilly (looking so young). Tony Benn MP has his say on pirate radio and why they should be stopped. 

15th August 1967 Caroline goes illegal. Great footage of the original Caroline ship MV Frederica, followed by the famous DJs lament written by Johnnie Walker who visualises Caroline sailing up the River Thames. 

Another look back at the early pirates with Andy Archer, mainly concentrating on Radio Caroline, he explains about the 'Frinton Flashing', followed by old film of the MV Frederica and studios plus the news at that time. See Tony Blackburn on 'This Is Your Life' with Tommy Vance who tells an amusing story about Caroline. 

Tony Blackburn is interviewed on TV AM followed by clips of the new Radio Caroline (Ross Revenge). See her anchored with the tallest mast ever fitted to a floating vessel. See the transmitters pumping out 50,000 watts of power. 

Andy Archer chats about the station as does Captain Joe Woods. Tom Anderson explains the sinkage in March 1980 and you even get to see the chef chopping up potatoes! 

News clip of the Laser 558 vessel being towed into Harwich after loss of power. 

Easter Sunday 1992 Radio Caroline obtains a 28 day temporary broadcasting license and transmitted from Dover Harbour, followed by a brief history of the station. 

Summer 2006 Sky Television finally put Caroline on its own frequency listing. Sky channel 0199