The Interviews

Tim Blackmore talks to some of the people with whom Alan worked

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Bernie Stringle

Bernie was the advertising executive who first put Alan up for a job with Radio Luxembourg and later hired him to front tv ad campaigns for Omo washing powder and Brentford Nylons

Bernie describes how Alan came to begin his UK career with Radio Luxembourg
Bernie tells how Alan won the contract to be the face of the Omo washing powder campaign
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David Rider

David was a BBC Studio Manager renowned for his skill at “spinning“ the 45rpm vinyl discs from which most music tracks were played. This was the era before “self op” studios allowed djs to play their own music

David talks about the live transmissions of 'Pick of the Pops ' from studio B6 in Broadcasting House
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Denys Jones

Denys Jones was the original producer of ‘Pick of the Pops’ when it launched on Sunday afternoons in 1962

Denys recalls how 'Pick of the Pops' changed when he and Alan took over
Denys on the origins of 'Pick of the Pops'
Denys talks about working with Fluff
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Derek Chinnery

In 1961 Derek was a producer in the BBC Gramophone Department run by Anna Instone. He was allocated to produce their newest presenter Alan Freeman, and in 1978 went on to become Radio One’s Programme Controller

Derek explains how he came to choose what became Alan's signature tune
Derek was responsible for creating a BBC version of the early record sales charts
It was Derek who commissioned and later closed Alan's Saturday Show
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Neil Myners

Neil is a hugely experienced radio producer and musician. When Tim Blackmore came up with the title and idea for ‘Their Greatest Bits’, Neil was the man who took on the challenge of making it into a reality. In the end Neil produced all 8 series for BBC Radio Two.

Neil talks about the structure of the programme
Neil reflects on how the programme was scripted
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Phil Swern

Phil Swern is one of the most successful radio producers of our time. As a friend of Alan’s, Phil has been responsible for “Pick of the Pops’ since 1989 and he continues to be responsible for the show today, as well as for other Radio Two projects including ‘Sounds of the Sixties’, ‘The Golden Hour’ and ‘Popmaster’.

Phil recalls Alan coming to the end of his time on 'Pick of the Pops'
Phil remembers working with Alan at Radio One

Tony Wilson

Tony is an outstanding radio producer with a strong and authoritative commitment to rock music. He devised and produced ‘The Saturday Rock Show’ for Alan on Radio One.

Tony recalls how the Rock Show was born
Tony describes putting the show together

 

Bernie Stringle

Bernie was the advertising executive who first put Alan up for a job with Radio Luxembourg and later hired him to front tv ad campaigns for Omo washing powder and Brentford Nylons

Bernie describes how Alan came to begin his UK career with Radio Luxembourg
Bernie tells how Alan won the contract to be the face of the Omo washing powder campaign

David Rider

David was a BBC Studio Manager renowned for his skill at “spinning“ the 45rpm vinyl discs from which most music tracks were played. This was the era before “self op” studios allowed djs to play their own music

David talks about the live transmissions of 'Pick of the Pops ' from studio B6 in Broadcasting House

Denys Jones

Denys Jones was the original producer of ‘Pick of the Pops’ when it launched on Sunday afternoons in 1962

Denys recalls how 'Pick of the Pops' changed when he and Alan took over
Denys on the origins of 'Pick of the Pops'
Denys talks about working with Fluff

Derek Chinnery

In 1961 Derek was a producer in the BBC Gramophone Department run by Anna Instone. He was allocated to produce their newest presenter Alan Freeman, and in 1978 went on to become Radio One’s Programme Controller

Derek explains how he came to choose what became Alan's signature tune
Derek was responsible for creating a BBC version of the early record sales charts
It was Derek who commissioned and later closed Alan's Saturday Show

Neil Myners

Neil is a hugely experienced radio producer and musician. When Tim Blackmore came up with the title and idea for ‘Their Greatest Bits’, Neil was the man who took on the challenge of making it into a reality. In the end Neil produced all 8 series for BBC Radio Two.

Neil talks about the structure of the programme
Neil reflects on how the programme was scripted
Phil Swern.jpg

Phil Swern

Phil Swern is one of the most successful radio producers of our time. As a friend of Alan’s, Phil has been responsible for “Pick of the Pops’ since 1989 and he continues to be responsible for the show today, as well as for other Radio Two projects including ‘Sounds of the Sixties’, ‘The Golden Hour’ and ‘Popmaster’.

Phil recalls Alan coming to the end of his time on 'Pick of the Pops'
Phil remembers working with Alan at Radio One

Tony Wilson

Tony is an outstanding radio producer with a strong and authoritative commitment to rock music. He devised and produced ‘The Saturday Rock Show’ for Alan on Radio One.

Tony recalls how the Rock Show was born
Tony describes putting the show together