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.

 

 



[1] Jingle from Pams Series #18.

[2] ©Steve England.

[3] ©Steve England.

[4] ©Eric Gilder.

[5] ÓBut one thing remains consistent as the season change(s)-the sound of the International giant, Radio 227. This is SRE Country!Ó Promo on 1322kc with Bill Berry, October, 1966.

[6] Broadcasting in DRM

http://www.drm.org

from Wertachtal, Tyskland in the 41 metre-, and Junglinster, Luxembourg in the 11 metrebands Shortwave, since September, 2005.

http://www.radioluxembourg.co.uk