Radio Caroline - Maidstone

Guest

In 1964 Radio Caroline blazed–a–trail for many other stations of the time, and today, to follow. In the UK, Caroline created a real exciting choice for many people, previously fed the staple boring drip–fed diet of the BBC’s ‘Uncle Mac’ and his ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ requests, Saturday Club and Easy Beat – Your Sunday Best. After a ‘rocky’ start musically, Caroline eventually settled–down with a popular music mix for listeners, of all ages, from both North and South ships. In those exciting offshore days, as millions of original listeners will remember, and even today many will still yearn–for, there was never a dull moment listening to your ‘tranny’. We remember well the ‘atmospheric evening’ fading–AM signals from the ‘high seas’. But we knew no better, and were extremely grateful for what we received. In the 60s, Caroline and ‘friends’ moved–forward the advent of the portable transistor radio for the population. The advancement of modern technology has made ‘radio–life’ a lot easier today, with more choice and crystal–clear listening, every day, whatever the stormy weather outside. No–one has to experience that sinking–feeling anymore. The guys ‘n’ gals that made Caroline tick, then and now, were made of stern, official–disobeying stuff – thank goodness, for radio listeners the world–over. After nearly 50–years of ‘needle–time’ I would expect the defiant message for Radio Caroline from its listeners today, is clear. ‘Stand–firm and be grateful for the past; be thankful for your hard–fought heritage; and once–again, trail–blaze your service for new generations’. Real People and Real Music on www.radiocaroline.co.uk. Andy Porter, Norfolk, UK.

July 1, 2012, 8:32 p.m. GMT