The genesis of music on the BBC for episode 74...
On 30 April 1923, celebrated conductor Percy Pitt joins the BBC as Musical Advisor/Director/Controller (his job keeps changing), bringing new scope and scale to the nation's favourite music provider. Symphonies! Dance bands! A violinist who's refused a taxi cos the driver doesn't like what he's heard!
In 1955, Johnny Beerling joins the BBC in a world of Housewive's Choice and needle time. In 1967, Johnny journeys to the pirate ships then helps bring Tony Blackburn to the airwaves for the launch of Radio 1. Johnny tells us all about it in part 1 of an exclusive interview.
And in 1969, Alec Reid is a studio manager when a talented young band have a brush with the Beeb - the genesis of Genesis. Oh, and a little thing called the Moon landing.
Plus, what was the first song on the BBC, back in November 1922? We have answers. Several.
Happy listening!
SHOWNOTES:
NEXT EPISODE:
Nearing the end of 'season 5' (though season 6 will follow straight after) will be a special on the centenary of the Radio Times.
Stay subscribed: podfollow.com/bbcentury or wherever you get podcasts.
Thanks for listening!
paulkerensa.com/oldradio
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#066 The BBC’s News, Weather and SOS Broadcasts of March 1923
#065 A Brief History of the BBC’s Archives
#064 Farewell Magnet House, Hello... Laundry Baskets? + Jeffrey Holland
#063 Glasgow 5SC: The BBC Launches in Scotland
#062 Radio’s First Political Debate... and Reeta Chakrabarti
#061 The BBC’s Listings Ban... and Gareth Gwynn’s Ministry of Happiness
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#059 100 Years in 100 Minutes, part 3 (1988-2022)
#058 100 Years in 100 Minutes, part 2 (1955-87)
#057 100 Years in 100 Minutes, part 1 (1922-54)
#056 BBC100, Poetry Please?... and Roger Bolton
#055 The First Shakespeare on the BBC (pt 1) + Happy BBCentenary! (also pt1)
#054 The First Welsh Broadcast... and The Exhibitionists!
#053 SPECIAL: Radio as Propaganda in WW2... plus Peter Eckersley & Hilda Matheson
#052 SPECIAL: Auntie’s War - with Edward Stourton
#051 SPECIAL: Early Black British Broadcasters - with Stephen Bourne
#050 Hilda Matheson and the Radio Girls of Savoy Hill - with Sarah-Jane Stratford
#049 It’s That Man Again! Peter Eckersley - 1st BBC Chief Engineer
#048 Daimler, 5MG and 2BP: The In-Car Radios of 1923
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