David Jenkins
Absolutely brilliant,just spent the morning and part of the afternoon in Harwich.Excellent exhibition,plenty of nostalgia.Got to meet Dave Cash and Johnny Walker this morning as they were about to board the ferry.Nostalgia at its best.Thanks to all concerned.Regards David Jenkins from Haverhill,Suffolk
Steve in Sussex
Fabulous music guys! Why can't commercial radio these days ENTERTAIN? It's kind of strange that the BBC is the only broadcaster nowadays that has the guts to do something like this without the accountants breathing down their necks.Really looking forward to hearing me old mate Ian Damon on tomorrow at 1PM too.Be nice to hear him again on a station that only plays good music rather than the repetitive rubbish that he and most jocks have to play these days!
Ray Andrews
Really enjoying the shows can you say hello to all my offshore friends in Holland please. Chris (the archive) Visser and the rest of the gang at the Radio Club
Alan Brill
Wahey! Ship-based pirate radio is back! What wonderful memories does it all bring back - and how good it is to hear generator noise in the background when the presenter mic is open! This little celebratory jaunt you're all having is such a lovely antidote to all the bland and formulaic rubbish to fill the airwaves these days.By the way - I was at the original Flashback '67 event at the Centre Airport Hotel, Heathrow. I helped Mike Baron and Nik Oakley to run the video side of things, and even recorded some video there myself!Keep up the good work, folks!Alan Brill, Witney, UK
Flick in d'Arcy
Nostalgia may not be what it used to be but this sure beats listening to today's music! Can you play 'Excert from a Teenage Opera' please. We passed close to Radio London returning from Denmark in 66 and this was playing at the time. Lovely song & lyrics to make you think. This is such good fun!
Ray Binning (old soul DJ from the 60,s)
It realy brings back the good memories of off-shore radio. This is radio as it should be (great fun!). It's so good to hear the voices of some of the original DJ,s. I would like to thank everyone involved, who have made it all possible.
Keith Littlejohns
Great nostalgia guys, well done! You really have managed to capture the essence of typical pirate radio programme output for the era.I was a young boy scout during the early 1960s, and first listened to pirate radio on an ancient wooden radio with huge valves that I picked up from one of our scout jumble sales for a mere two bob (bargain - no one else wanted it). A long piece of copper wire the lenrth of our garden in Ealing pulled in most of the stations brilliantly.Keith, Harrow
Bill in Gloucesterhsire
Really just like the old pirates. Certainly like Caroline plugging relentlessly David McWilliams' 'Days of Pearly Spencer'. I think I've already heard it twice now.Still, it is just like the real thing - even down to the studio 'hum' - takes me back.
bob from dagenham
fantastc show steveand it was great 2 liste 2cardboard shoes again in the mid week, you make a greatpirate steve, i can not ask 4 a record as you are already playing all the bestones, unfortunately, i have 2 leave you now as mydaughter KAREN is gettingre married again 2day at 3o'clock in hornchurchbut the good thing is i canthen be listening again allthe way through till the finish next week, but 4 now i will WALK ON BY, CHEER'Skeep your buccaneer's wellfed, so they can feed usgood music,ok.
An Awali Teenager from Bahrain
When on our summer holidays in Bahrain, we - the Awali Teenagers - talked a lot about the Pirate stations in them 1960ies. We, google us "Awali Teenagers" will all be sure to remember all those who made it possible for all to hear the music on the radio in them days and keep us "alive" today and "kicking" like them fabulous days of the 60ies, that sadly never came again - untill from yesterday till the 14th! I salute you all! Till we meet again!
Martin
As I am not in the UK, I wondered how Christine in Walthamstow saw Johnnie Walker before the show that starts at 9 PM this evening. I remember staying up in those 60ies and lying in my bed, listening to his shows (and them others!) them evenings on my old wireless all the way coming to The Hague in the 1960ies! Oh my, I have told my friend of 1967 to listen to the Johnnie Walker Show this evening. Her husband will not mind as he knows I have met his lovely wife way back then in the Middle East. That was ages ago, but we met again via internet. So Johnnie, play any song for Joss! Good health to you and all who listen to these great memories!
Paul L ne england
Fantastic !thanks for bringing back the memories, reminds me what a poor imitation Radio1 was when it copied the format.
Lee Harris
The suns out, the musics loud and I'm 18 again. Pirates Rulr OK
Mark Roman
Hi ya Cashman.I'm Listening on line and looking at the Spanish Med which is blue and lovely, the sun is shining and it's currently 32c. Almost like old days when we used to sit on the sun and watch the tourist boats come out to visit, or use the air rifle to sink that marker buoy, The skipper never knew it was us, and I never knew which of us actually scored the hit. Keep the faith pal, and use my secret email address if you want to contact me, 'cos I am now relaxing, no more voicing.
mike lester
Dear dave nice to hear you will Duncan johson make it to the ship this time?
Doug Murphy
Nostalgia Rules OK! Fantastic to hear you all again. Unfortunately I can;t be in the study all day today, so I've rigged a radio mike close to the PC speakers, big amp and speaker in the kitchen, now I've got Pirate Radio all round the house! (and the neighbour's houses too....) Fantastic!
Bob from 'Somewhere in Kent'
Where on earth did you get those dreadful news/weather/traffic jingles?
mark roman
How the 'ell do I get to listen live to what you guys are doing?Chris Elliot has told me he thinks it's great, and that Dave Cash is on air right now so please point me in the right direction EDITOR: You can find the link to listen live by going to bbc.co.uk/essex and following the link on the Pirate BBC Essex pages.
Duncan
Hey - GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about playing a dedication for Cuddly Ken, he would have had a ball with you. Keep it going , what you and Brian Mathews tomorrow morning I doubt I am going to get anything done this weekend!Duncan from Blaye in France
Christine in Walthamstow
I'm looking at Johnnie on the Webcam with tears in my eyes. Say goodnight to all of your girls, and make us feel as special as we did back in the old days. With love and thanks to everyone involved.
Kirky in Hessle - E. Yorks
Truly amazing - back to being 14 yrs old with no cares, worried or mortgage. Waiting with eager anticipation for the Emperor! Still have 3 Fight for Free Radio car stickers from the days of Radio 270. Ah memories...... You should be made permanent. Thanks for making an 'old lady' very happy xxxxxx
Simon Earl
Great to hear it again!!. On Tyneside the signals from Caroline & London were very poor, I had to lay my tranny on the bedroom floor beside the plug to get the house wiring to act as an aerial !!! Its odd to hear you cleary on the webb without crackles whistling and fading in and out. Long may it last !!!
Paul Smith - Welwyn Garden City
Hello Guys,My wife (Christine) and I travelled down yesterday and want to thank you for a great party!Hope that tonight's goes just as well, but we'll be tuning in to listen to JohnnieThanks for all that you have done, all tht you do, and for bridging forty whole years!
Lynda from Hadleigh
This is absolutely brilliant, can't it be permanent ? !Brings back so many memories.Please could you play something by Manfred Mann, for all my friends in the Feathers (it's a virtual pub for chatting on an internet forum)
Pete From Colchester.
You really should consider putting sthe best of the broadcasts out on cd. They would sell like hotcakes. BBC could donate some of the profits to local charities. You sound great by the way, very authentic and even youngsters who were not around then like what you are doing. Also many songs not heard on 60's compilation cd's so it's great to hear them again.
Chris
Great that you do this again, i wish the dutch radio would remember there pirate college`s.I am glad the we stil have the internet where we can stil hear the original programs of offshoreradio.Where look on the internet and you find it
Pete From Colchester.
Nice to hear Marble Breaks and Iron Bends this morning played by Ray. I have an original 45rpm in mint condition by Peter Fenton and also a German version by Drafi Deutscher. Infact that was where I first heard the song whilst visiting relatives in Germany as a schoolboy back in the sixties.
Dopey Derek
Keep it going.Don't pack up on August 14thBurnham-on-Crouch
Sandra Gray
Enjoyed it a few years ago and loving it now. It's great to hear you all having a great time. The 'Pirate' are my youth and I was heartbroken when it ended. Thanks to you all for this great reminder of the 60's.
Peter Woodford
Pirate BBC Essex - Great Station, 40 years old, Seems like only yesterday. Keep up the good work. Peter Woodford (Leicester U.K.)
Steve Johnston Head of Programming Gulf News Broad
Wow! This is truly amazing!I am old enough to remember the original days (of Radio Luxembourg as well) and you guys are the reason I am where I am now which is in charge of two English speaking stations in the Gulf! There is a saying that you have to be mad to be in this business and no one was madder than you guys doing what you did. Respect.
Matthew St John
Hi Norm, Listening & Watching you all the way from Vancouver Canada! Keep up the good work! Your son, Matt.
Barry (Baz) Taylor
I now live in Chicago, USA, but grew up with the pirates, particularly Radio London & Caroline. Great days indeed! Miss those days. This effort by BBC Essex is wonderful. Seems ironic however that the governement and the organization (BBC)that sank the Pirates allows and sets up this tribute!
Willy Walker
Hi Norman....got you 'on air' online...nice to hear me olde mates back behind the mike!Wish I could have made the reunion.Catch the rest of Big L dj's later on in the week.Cheers mate,Willy Florida,USA
Robert Philpot
Love listening again even if it is on line. I have got out my trusty 40 year old Yacht Boy with the positions of Caroline and London still chinagraped on the dial but unfortunately can't get anything over the air. Pity as I used to get the old Essex and even BBMS from here in Sussex. Perhaps there is just so much more electrical interference these days? What is the output power of the on board transmitter? Incidentally the web feed is in STEREO! Switch it to mono please and turn down the bandwidth so that it sounds more like a.m. ;-)
Mike Houldsworth
Not a pastiche of 60's pirates. Not a re-creation. You are the real thing. I can't praise you enough. I was 14 when Caroline went off the air, on my way to the Chemistry Lab at Grammar school. You've made me 14 again. Good on you. Mind you, I'm 53 now so I'm losing it a bit...
John J.
At last decent radio again !Heard you all in 2004, great to hear Pirate BBC Essex again, welcome back. Me and the missus will be listening all weekend. It's just a shame that after the 14th you will be gone again. It will be nearly as sad as that fateful day in 1967, I will never forget it, it was and still is the saddest day in my life, I was a mere 17 years, at the time. You guys had a great influence on my life.
Chris Mac
Loving it - both the music and presenters, listening on my new internet radio set - but why didn't Radio 2 take some of the Pirate BBC Essex programming this year?
Bill
I posted earlier and I feel every BBC Local station Nationwide should carry Pirate BBC Essex and it should be PERMANENT. Take on the commercial "Gold Stations" head on and with the format you have with a very wide eclectic mix of music will be a hands down winner!! More echo on the Mike please!Cheers, Bill West Yorkshire
Roger Fells on Portland, Dorset
Magic, pure magic.
Dave Gardner
I had the good pleasure of going over the Ross revenge at tilbury.Shame it can't be brought up to Harwich or can it!!!How good will that be to transmit from, love to arrange if possibleGood stuff from you allWill be with you in the morning rgdsDave G
Tom Scunthorpe
For engineering!!!I've got a slight rough edge on the internet stream.Generator humming away in the background, makes it sound as a pirate station shouldTom
wolfgang seide
best wishes from berlin germany. i love the jingles & all the old soul songs. i have your lovely pop went the pirates book mr. skues.
tommy from Windsor
Cant wait to hear Mike Ahern once again many thanks
ruth frombenfle the driving instructor
never have i had so many tears for so many wonderful memories for so many wonderful songs you make me feel fourteen to eighteen again its wonderful your all doing such a grand job its a shame you cant play sixties music all year round..and least old folk like me could sing along as we remember all the words..with regards Ruth from Benfleet
Tom in Scunthorpe
Nice to hear you on this evening Keith, I've shed 40 years today, this must be the best way to rejuvinate middle aged 60's teenagers. No need for plastic surgery or pills, just good old radio as it should be!
Martin , a million miles away
What can I say - brill. It is just the best. We have been waiting and hoping and here, for a week, it is. Please, please, me. yeah yeah yeah
Andrew Pearce
Great to have you back.This is what a `Gold`station should be.Well done.
Alan Trinnaman
Wonderful to have you all back !!! I listen on an old Ferguson Transistor Radio, for a real sound of AM , Brilliant, I loved the pirates in the 60,s and I thank you sincerely for recreating this amazing feeling , Do you remember "Never let it be said," by Valerie Mitchell from 1966 Alan
Tommy Johnson
Cant wait for Mike Ahern nice one tommy in windsor
Trevor Welham
Jodie Miller Home of the brave pure magic thanks guys. Regards Trevor.
Paul Osborn
Greetings from your Tunis audience.Thanks so muchTankutoomuch
gregory morgan
Im listening on 765mw in Hemel Hempstead sounds so much like Big L I use to listen to at school in the sixty on my mums little tranny. so cool shame its only 4 a week....:o)
les
listening in norfolk ah those wonderfull teen years in the sixtys when i listened to the pirates all the time swingin radio england was my fav the boss jocks !!! thanks radio essex
Steve Baldwin
Welcome back! is it really 3 years since the last broadcast. I like many would love to have you on air full time. Keep on Rockin'
Gerald Gray
Reception online is good, although it seems to be mono.But why can Pirate BBC Essex not use MW & DAB? Many people cannot listen because their radios are FM & DAB only. Very few people would have to miss their ordinary programmes, and anyway it's only for a few days. It's unfair to use only MW: it's very poor at night and outside the county. Please switch the DAB over to Pirate BBC Essex !
Glen Carter
Great Station, REALLY takes me back. WHY only 6 days make it forever the listeners are here.
Andy Bywater
Listening to you from Birmingham UK on the net. Coming through loud and clear, could perhaps do with a little more reverb. Named my daughter after my favourite station, Caroline. One of many great records played was Tiny Goddess by Nirvana. That was a real 259 classic.
Darren Vidler
Hi Tim and co,Hearingyou loud on computerin Little Hadham HertfordshireAny chance of any Soloman Burke Cry to meThanksDarren
Paul Wright
As a radio presenter I aired a 40th anniversary show last Sunday and played all the offshore stuff for 2 hours which just was not enough in my book.Those days were so much better in every way,keep up the good work lads,I envy you being on the ship.Great sound on the web here in Rushden,Northants.Keep on rocking,Paul Wright.
Simon Peters DJ (retired)
listening to streaming with the 'puter plugged into a hi-fi system - you sound as if I am in the studio with you...Any chance of playing Uncle Otis?
Maureen
Currently listening in Bedfordshire on the internet. As an Essex girl I have fond memories of falling asleep listening to Johnnie Walker, at the tender age of 11! I'll be doing the same thing on Friday night in Tillingham, my man at my side. A TRULY UNIQUE AND BREATHTAKING TRANSMISSION - I'm hooked.
phil jessop (faversham in kent)
absolutely superb,at last a radio station that i can actually listen to & enjoy the music I love , just hope that bbc pirate radio essex will be permanent on the airwaves,HOW ABOUT IT BBC, PLEASE!!!
m.lester
is duncan johnson going to make an appearance on pirate bbc essex? his voice and accent cannot be beaten.CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!
Norman
Hi Guy’sYour doing a great job good to hear Radio that’s worth listening to once more, my favourite stations from the sixties were Radio London and Radio England after we lost those, the following Stations were also great.R.N.I. Laser 558 and Radio Sovereign broadcasting from Twickenham Middlesex . Best regards,NormanBideford Devon
Tom
Really looking forward to Johnnie Walker's late night slot...I wonder if his last programme on pirate radio will include a dance. :-)
Hugh Bostock
Brilliant! It brings it all back.
Heather
Its good to see BBC Pirate Radio back again. Wish it could be a regular thing. Looking foward to the next few days of music, chat and fun. If the programmes are half as good as Easter 2004 it will be a resounding success.
Lynda Edwards, Norwich
I am listening online to Ian Wyatt - who is playing some great records! Regretfully, I will have to go out to a meeting this evening but hope to catch up with Keith Skues later on in his show!
Stuart Janes
HiI think its really great you are celebrating the Pirates.Memories include all those great jingles"Wonderful Big L" etcYou aways haerd it first on the pirates and watching top of the pops all my friends would say they are all "revive 45's!"Best part Johnie Walker special spot hen he palyed "Let Me wrap you in my warm and tender love" Percy Sledge, always dedicated to someone who and written in. Magic. And he would get everyone to flash their headlights on the coast.Great listening, magic music,most exciting broadcasting. Thank you PiratesStuart
Jim in Boreham
Re Oliver Smedley (from Wikipedia)In 1964, with Alan Crawford, Smedley helped to form the British company Project Atlanta, Limited that successfully launched Britain's second full-time offshore commercial pirate radio station called Radio Atlanta. The station used the ship that had once been the home of Radio Nord, broadcasting to Sweden. Smedley regarded this offshore transmitter as the last bastion of freedom if the country ever went Communist.Radio Atlanta eventually merged with the Caroline Organization led by Irishman Ronan O'Rahilly and changed its name to Radio Caroline South. Smedley became the focus of international headlines when he shot and killed Reginald Calvert, manager of The Fortunes pop group and owner of rival offshore station Radio City. Smedley was acquitted of murder on the grounds of self defence
Greg Bales
This is great! I'm loving it! I wasn't around originally (only 31 years young) but I've heard so much about Caroline from my dad, Alan, who probably has every single record you play. I think he came very close to becoming a Caroline dj in fact, I'll have to question him about that again.You really have to use 'original' technology to get an authentic sound. The occasional dead air, and background noises all add to the experience, in a positive way :)It's great to be able to experience something I've heard so much about, gutted it's only for six days so I'll make the most of it. Wish I could come down to flash at you ;)Greg Bales, Coventry.
Ian Paterson
Great to hear you on air again & on the web this time. I remember to broadcasts of Easter a few years ago, which really made the work in the garden go much quicker. I grew up with original Pirates in the 60's and into the 70's fondly remember the great new sound. Carry on the great work. Ian (Little Oakley, nr Harwich)
Tom in Scunthorpe
Fantastic! ......Come Saturday and its Rosko!!!!what more can we ask of a Radio station, I'm 19 again!!
Paul Franklin
I'm Listening from Seattle, USA This brings back memories of when I was very young. What a great job you guys are doing!ThanksPaul
Denis
enjoying first day of broadcast and looking forward to joining you all over weekend
Harley Buckner
A reasonable attempt at recreating the 60's however a bit comfy and cozy BBC local radio. Put back the rough edges!
Luc Dunne (Ex Radio City)
Great Broadcasting. Thank's for bringing all those memories back when I was working on Radio City off Whitstable. Hope to see you guys next week, especially Tom Edwards. Will bring you loads of photos from Radio City. I still have fan mail sent to us. Is the Lydia who posted a comment on this site our old special Lydia Dustbin who kept us sane with her cards and letters? Once again thanks to the BBC for celebrating our Pirate days. Can't stop listening think I will be up 24 (7). Luc Dunne (ex Les)
Richard from Berkhamsted
Absoloutely brilliant. Should be permanent. Ray Clark and Dave Cash were superb this morning.
david lindley
its good to hear the old djs playing the 60 music I listened to caroline south in liverpool.nice to hear Mike Ahern roger day and him (Johnnie Walker )
Mike Holland
well what is there to say,only THANKYOU ALL.
Tim in Nottingham
Hello from sunny Nottingham. I can hear you loud and clear on 765khz.Here's a musical challenge. What about Diana Ferraz and Nicky Scott - Sh-Boom from 1965?
herbian mountain
This is all just woderful for words, I cannot believe but that Im back in 67,It is A lifetime dream to hear a station like this again !!! Herb in Blackpool
Henry in Clacton
Keep up the good work. You cannot bring back Vespas, Caister Holiday Camp in Summer and the Mecca Ballrooms in London Home Counties. But you sure can bring back the memories.Do you have Major Lance and UM, UM, UMThanks for your efforts. Making a pensioner relive his teenage past
Nigel Sharman
I'm listening in Hong Kong. It brings back memories of listening to dancing around to the Dansette in the living room in Worthing! Telstar would be good! thank you
