The Radio Rose of Texas by Derek Burroughs,
jr.
Chapter 12: ÓSee you aroundÓ. The end of Texas Radio in Europe.
The 2 offshore radio projects and 6 radio stations that
were founded by Don Pierson, of Eastland, Texas came to end on August 14th,
1967 on 1137,5 kc at 3pm in the afternoon with ÓA Day in the lifeÓ by the
Beatles and Paul KayeÕs famous last words: ÓRadio London is now closing downÓ,
followed by Pams series #18 ÓSonowaltzÓ(ÓBig LilÓ). Only dead air was left of a
Óhighly successful soundÓ, that never returned.[1]
DonÕs other project was closed 8 days earlier amidst
less publicity. But the final broadcasting hours from the Olga Patricia and
close-down of Radio 355 at 0022 hours on August 6th, 1967 was undoubtedly also
a very sad occasion. Commercially, that project was a flop.
The late Tony Windsor chaired the final programme on
845 kc, over the 50 kW Continental transmitter that also carried Ron OÕQuinnÕs
opening words almost to the day 13 months earlier. Ron was the first PD, TW the
last. The year before TW had said Óforget Radio EnglandÓ because of the term
ÓBoss JocksÓ[2]. But the year after Windsor
himself was on the Olga with Radio 355Õs Òbrighter broadcasting,Ó closing down
his station with the speech of a former British Colonel, Auld Lang Syne,
and ÓGod Save the Queen.Ó So the
Texas project with roots in different radio stations across the USA in one year
had transformed into a true British(and one Dutch) Broadcasting Station!
Don Pierson believed that the twin stations project
could have worked because in the end Radio 355 and Radio 227 went back to the
original formats, 227 having become a Dutch SRE. But the constant changing of
formats lost everything. ÒTWÓ seems to have been in agreement with this, as
both 355 and 227 were re-launched as virtual clones of Britain and England in
late May, 1967, even though 1322kc was in Dutch. We do not know any listening
figures, but an estimate in Summer, 1967 put 355 well over 2 Million, and 227,
Alan Black said, had many very responsive listeners writing in to Postbus 1390.
The
last Managing Director of the Olga stations, Ted Allbeury, emphazised that a
continued operation was Òdiscussed and consideredÓ. Foreign advertising was also sought for,
but from certain contacts Allbeury was assured that if he was toÓslip across to
HollandÓ, heÕd be Ówatched and arrestedÓ under the MOA. Therefore the plans
were abanonded[3].
From later information it seems Allbeury must refer to
the contacts between the project and Herbert W.Armstrong[4]. ÒThe
World TomorrowÓ brought in a large part of the revenue of Britain Radio and
later, Radio 355, at least twice a day. Allbeury offered 1322kc and he turned
it down. But Allbuery became a friend of Armstrong and was a guest in his
Pasadena home.
ÒBoss
RadioÓ in 1966 created mixed reactions, but the editor is quite sure that had a
ÒWorld TomorrowÓ station seen the light in 1967, with a controversial
theological and political agenda, the reaction in the North Sea countries would
be very negative, even if there was available money for it.
Page of
ÒRadio LogÓ of ÒThe Plain TruthÓ a free magazine offered on ÒThe World
TomorrowÓ, for February, 1967, a very controversial magazine/programme
theologically and politically. The entry of ÒRadio BritainÓ shows 2 daily
offerings of Garner Ted Armstrong, continuing later on Radio 355 until its
closing day. Armstrong in the heyday of the pirates had 8 other outlets per day
on the North European radio dial. Until the middle of 1966 he was also on Radio
Luxembourg Ò208Ó on 1439 kc 7pm daily.(Contribution from Grandview,Texas)
If
there had been wiser politicians, and not any MOA there might have been a future. If the
Texan pirates had got broadcasting licenses in the UK or Holland, a merger of
the 2 projects would have been a wise move. 3 50 kW transmitters working on
full power is no little feat.
This could have led to a MOR, Óbrighter broadcastingÓ
service on one channel, a ÓDutch SREÓ on another, and the ÓSound of the
International GiantÓ[5], on the third. Just like in
Canada and Australia, such commercial stations could have thrived side-by side
with national broadcasters in this part of the world.
The editor thinks this is only a sweet dream, though. The
ships could not have been saved from extinction with the stubborn socialist
politics of the day. They didnÕt stand a chance.
And if the licenses had been given, one day the
founders, enthusiasts, OÕQuinns and Days, and radio aficionados of ÒThe Yellow
Rose of TexasÓ would be gone. And even if format changes may affect both loyal
listeners and good staff, they are, regrettably, sometimes necessary. Kelsey
Grammar, portraying the famous talk show host ÒFrasier CraneÓ covers this
subject in one early episode of the TV series where ÒKACL 780Ó Seattle goes
from All Talk to Mexican! He then arranges a party for all the sacked
presenters, only to experience that they all get new jobs except from him.
If the Texas stations had been swallowed by a buyer
with different ideas, who knows how they would have sounded today? And would
they have been on AM? FM? DAB? Satellite? Would they have been looking into
Digital AM, DRM, like their old rival Radio Luxembourg[6]? We will never know.
The Olga stations had both money and the talent. The
Galaxy had money, talent and success. It was very sad everything ended up as a
short episode in broadcasting history. It has ended, though.
But what memories!
Derek Burroughs, jr.
Good try, but a hoax Christmas 1970. From ©Hans KnotÕs archive.