The Radio Rose of Texas by Derek Burroughs,
jr.
Chapter 1: Texan Radio takes to the air in Europe. Attempt of a diary of
the Olga Patricia stations.
Part 4.
Updated on February 28th,
2007.
March
1967
Wednesday,
March 1st, 1967. Radio Dolfijn/Britain Radio.
Carstead
Advertising Ltd opens an office in Berthalostraat, Amsterdam.
Thursday,
March 9th, 1967. Radio Dolfijn/Britain Radio.
ÓHet Engelse
radioschip Dolfijn is gisteravond geruisloos binnegelopen via de sluizen van
IJmuiden naar een kleine Zaanse werf om een schoonmaakbeurt te ondergaan en
repaaraties te laten verrichten aan de tijdens het stormweer beschadigde
zendmast en schakelapparatur..Ó
John
Withers. In Radio News(in London Weekly Advertiser and National Advertiser) of
January 31st, 1967. Photo:Unknown.
Meanwhile
in the Hilton hotel in Amsterdam, in a Dutch press interview, with John
Withers, new programme director his Benelux agent Basil A.van Rensburg, plus
American Pierce Langford III claims to be an investor of the operation, re-financed by Bahamian company Viscaya
Inc. ÓThe name of the game is money.Ó(From ©Hans KnotÕs archive)
ÒBij windkracht 10 knapte 12 meter van de 70 meter
hoge mast afÓ, but Òno panic.Ó Then, together with Jos van Vliet, Dave
MacKay(and Alan Black-editor) went with the Olga Patricia from Harwich to
Zaandam after the antenna mast broke on
Feb.28th, 1967. Dutch press March 9th, 1967.
Thursday,
March 11th, 1967. Radio Dolfijn/Britain Radio.
In the
Londoner Hotel in LondonÕs Welbeck Street Peir-Vick Ltd. is liquidated on March
11th, 1967 with a debt of 113,601 Pound Sterling. Bill Vick is in charge for
the Olga Patricia stations for the last time. From ©Hans KnotÕs archive.
Monday
13th, 1967. Britain Radio.
A
tremendous experience. Jack Curtiss leaves the Olga operation for San
Francisco. From Radio News(in London Weekly Advertiser and
National Advertiser) of February 28th, 1967.
Thursday,
March 16th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
2000-
identifying "Radio 3-5-5" Easy Listening, similar to
390. Stephen West on air?
Thursday,
March 16th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
2230-2300(local
midnight) identifying " Radio 2-2-7" Easy Listening, similar to
Dolfijn. Organ music, name of the presenter Jos van Vliet?
1967 and another station on the Laissez Faire, this
time run for the Texas investors by Carstead Advertising and Ted Allbeury. From
©Hans KnotÕs archive.
The
Texan Pirates. Daily Mail for April 7th, 1967. From ©Hans KnotÕs archive.
May
1967
An
early Radio 355 programme schedule inspired by Radio 390. The additions suggest
it is from May, 1967. From ©Hans KnotÕs archive.[1]
Sunday,
May 21st, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
Matinee
w?
Ad for
Channel Airways turpoprop
Exota
Limonade
Tuesday, May 30th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
Lex
Harding/Tony Windsor
Opening
of new 227 Top 40 format. ÓThe new Radio Double 2-7Ó[2]
Tuesday,
May 30th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
2000-2030
R&B w Stephen West
June
1967
Saturday,
June 10th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
Country
Style w Look Boden
Beatboat
w Dick Weeda
Thursday,
June 15th, 1967. Radio 227.
Radio
227 sponsors ÓTeach-InÓ for young artists Óin de Scala-bodega in Den HaagÓ.
ÓPeter Koelewijn van muziekuitgeverij Altona, de grote tegenspieler van Basart,
zei. ÓWij moeten door deze verhouding nu wel zoveel mogelijk werken met Radio
227, omdat dit voor ons de beste mogelijkheden biedt.Ó(ÓAlle hoop gevestigd-op
Radio 227-Ó, Dutch newspaper, From ©Hans KnotÕs archive)
Monday, June 19th, 1967? Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
1240-1325
Lunch Show w Look Boden
Sunday,
June 20th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
1900-1920
Beatles Show w Lex Harding/Tom Collins
Sunday,
June 20th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
2030-2047
John van Doorn
Memories of Radio 355 by Phil Champion(1985)[3]
I tuned in one Saturday early in June 1967 at about
1130 to find Stephen West nearing the end of a 3 hour show. With its bright MOR
format featuring the more easy-listening current hits, this was a major change
from the more restrained music of the ½ or 1-hour shows of the previous
few months. As announced, at 1200 Tony Windsor took over for the next 3-hour
slot in ÒWindsorÕs CastleÓ, beginning with his theme tune: a swingy version of
ÒWaltzing MathildaÓ by Frank Ifield.
Stephen West left and returned to Radio 390, so
Tony took over the 0900-1200 show the following morning. I donÕt think the
WindsorÕs CastleÓ title was used again. After Caroline North, 355 became my
second favorite station, its format being a refreshing change from the other
"pirates". Yet you could still hear pop records like Judith Durham(of
the Seekers) singing ÒThe Olive TreeÓ and the Hollies ÒCarrie AnneÓ. I seem to
remember that the evening shows had rather more relaxed music. The djs were
lively, although one who was on at 2200(John Ross-Barnard?) was very relaxed.
A few notes about programmes. Ò355Õs Easy Listening
Hit ParadeÓ was actually a Top 40. It went out Sundays, 1200-1400 and was
presented by Mark Sloane the first time I heard it. Other djs to later present
this show were Martin Kayne and John Aston.
Programme line-ups did change around:
0600 Breakfast Club(Alan Black)
0900 The Tony Windsor show-later the Martin Kayne
show, then the Tony Monson show.
1200 The Mark Sloane show, also Martin Kayne and
John Aston did this slot.
1500 MacKayÕs Music, also Martin Kayne
1800 The Tony Windsor show, Tony Monson show, then
Alan Black ÓAB SpreeÓ.
1900-1930 355 Countryfied. Alan Black and Tony
Monson.
2000 John Ross Barnard?
2200 Close down.
Each day, Mon-Sat had a ÓCoffeee BreakÓfeature from
1100-1115. The country programme was introduced after a few weeks. It was soon
broadcast over Radio 227 at the same time.
Transmissions were later extended to 2400(up to
2200 being John Aston or Dave MacKay and 2200-2355 with Martin Kayne or Mark
Sloane.
Djs spent one week on, one week off if I remember
correctly.
So ended what to me was one of the great stations
of offshore radio. One good thing is that nine days later Mark Sloane and
Martin Kayne popped up on Radio Caroline North and continued to do great shows.
Religious programmes:
Daily: 1030-1045 Pause for Prayer: David Renny.
Sat: 2030-2100 Saturday Encounter(Brother Althorp)
Sun: 1400-1415 Sunday Storytime.(Brother Althorp)
Sat: 2130-2200 Encounter Daily 2155-2200(later
2355-2400) Thought at the end of the day(Jack Damon)
Mon-Sat 0700-0830 and 1200-1230; Sun 0930-1000,
1830-1900:
The World Tomorrow. Garner Ted Armstrong[4]
July
1967
Thursday,
July 6th, 1967. Radio 227/355[5].
Transmission
on 1322/845 kc.
Jose
Feliciano live concert introduced by Tony Windsor and Tom Collins. Also
appearance by Alan Black.
ÓDuring
the concert the Dutch crew of the Laissez Faire went to join their companions
on the tender and started drinking. By the time JosŽ was set to leave, two
members of the crew were very drunk and didnÕt want to come back on board. The
British Captain who only gave the crew three cans of beer a day warned them
that they had to get back on board. One of the crew,Éwent to attack the captain
but was karate chopped to the deck, which sobered him up. He had to be
restrained by the rest of the crew when he went after the captain again. During
the night an extra tender came and replaced the crew on board with a relief
crewÓ[6].
An SOS
call is received by coastguards at Walton-on-the Naze: ÓWe have a man on board
who is threatening murder, he has already assaulted the captain.Ó After a lot
of discussion by the Royal Navy and Police it is finally decided if the Olga
Patricia is in International Waters, then a warship should be sent in. Another
message was received: ÓI have told all my crew to lock themselves in their
cabins for the night. The man is working himself up into a frenzy again, unless
I have some assistance from the shore we will have a murder on board![7]Ó
Friday,
July 5th, 1967. Radio 227/355.
The
Offshore 2 with a strong crew goes to the aid of the 17 men on the radio ship.
Two Dutch crewmen sent back to Holland[8].
Saturday,
July 8th, 1967. Radio 227/355.
Transmission
on 1322/845 kc.
1300 Mark Sloane
1330- Repeat of Jose
Feliciano live concert introduced by Tony Windsor and Tom Collins. Also
appearance by Alan Black.
Sunday,
July 9th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
1059-1119/1123-1142
Tony Monson, w Sheldon Jay interviewing Trini Lopez. (He
was at the London Palladium March 12th, 1967, editor)
Tuesday,
July 10th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
1806-1858
Nightbeat w Look Boden incl. Top 10 rundown
Near the end for two offshore stations both with
origins in Texas. The last programme schedule of Ò227Ó and for the other itÕs
less than a month left. The closure of ÒBig LÓ is announced in a newscast
ÒyouÕve all been waiting forÓ[9]
on July 28th. From the ©Hans KnotÕs archive.
Thursday,
July 12th, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
0726-0800
Look Boden?
HERE
WE GO AGAIN RAY CHARLES In het 30?
Jingle: Remember this Golden Classic
ITÕS
MY PARTY LESLEY GORE
WE HAD A GOOD THING GOING CYRKLE in onze Fab 40 #31 deze week von 40 tot 31..2
over half 8
Jingle:..Go-getter
onze
station 227...
SUMMER
IS HERE OUTSIDERS #34
TC: 6 over haalf 8
Jingle:
Good morning the world is bright and new...Radio 227..
CREATED
BY CLIVE THE SIN #46
TC: 10
over half 8 precis..
Jingle:
LetÕs look into the future time
HI HI
HAZEL Troggs HP(Look Boden)
Jingle:
Picks this hit to go go go
AD EEG
KAPITAN MOBILE
SEE
EMILY PLAY PINK FLOYD #8
TC: Kvaart voor 8
Dit is
R.227 met het NIEUWS
News
sounder from CRC/WFUN
Amerika
Gen.Mobutu/Dean Rusk/3000 amerikaner in Kongo.
Israel
vrijdenskonferentie
Hong
Kong demonstratie tegen Britse bewint.
Nigeria
London
3000 in demonstratie over Nigeria
Weer
Dit
was het nieuws.
JOHN
VAN DOORN reporting..kvart voor 9.
JACKSON-NANCY SINATRA&LEE HAZLEWOOD
7
ROOMS OF GLOOM FOUR TOPS #15 in Fab 50
Jingle:
dubi dub
Jingle: Time to get up get out of bed
TC: 1 voor 8
VRIENDEN
VAN DE ZONNE? MARTINE BELL
HERE
COMES THE NICE SMALL FACES #3 227 meter 1322 kc
Jingle:
YouÕre on the new go go round
MR.MOVIEMAN
DAVID GARRICK
Saturday, July 21st, 1967. Radio 227.
Transmission
on 1322 kc.
1300 DJ shows ceased, and after taped music for 5
hours, an unconfirmed report says that Tony Windsor came on at
1800, made a brief farewell before it closed, and
that was that[10].
Saturday,
July 29th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
0958-1120
Tony Monson
1936-1948
John Aston
1900-2200
2130-2205(Right
Saturday?-Editor)
Tony
Windsor, Mark Sloane, Alan Black, David MacKay,(guests)David OÕBrien, Tim
Parody
on ÓCarouselÓ Voice ÓDerek BurroughsÓ by Mark Sloane and Alan Black:
ÓDerek
BurroughsÓ: ÓThatÕs Jimmy Feddler and trumpets with a song Lollipops and
Roses.Ó
Alan
Black: ÓOh, very good Sir. Very nice of you to come down to the studio on this
very first broadcast... for several months now. I understand(youÕve had
a)..soul condition.
(Mark
Sloane playing ÓDBÓ) ÓThatÕs very true, Alan.
Alan
Black: ÓI guess youÕre not too happy about the prospects of giving up your
cabin you occupied for about a year. But I guess you are looking forward to
going home.Ó
ÓDBÓ:
I have to be truthful here and have to say I am looking forward to going back
home to Los Angeles after nearly a year here in this wonderful country on this
wonderful little boat...
ÓDBÓ
then remembered former co-workers and mentioned Ted Delaney, Mark Stevens and
Ron Rose!(The same person-editor)..
ÓThank
you Alan itÕs been very nice talking to you here on 355...from my cabin as
usual.Ó
Alan
Black then commented that ÓDBÓ did not say or talk much. ÓYou keep yourself to
yourself!Ó...
Alan
Black: ÓPerhaps youÕll introduce our next record?Ó
ÓDBÓ:
ÓIÕd love to!Ó
Vicky
Carr: French on Top.
Dave
MacKay: ÓOnce again thank you to our good friend and colleague Derek Burroughs...
I
might add that Derek plays cards with us almost every night...Ó
Ad for
Yvette
...
Trini
Lopez: Hello Dolly(Spanish) form LP Live at Basin Street.
Mike
Sarne Singers: Everybody loves Saturday Night. Alan Black referered to Ron
Rose(above)ÓHead of Flower-Power in San Francisco.Ó
Clinton
Ford: Dandy
Thoughts
at the end of the Day
May
Each Day Andy Williams
ÓThe
time is now 1 minute past 10 oÕclock and this is Radio 355 closing down. We
trust that youÕve enjoyed our programmes today and that youÕll be back again
with us tomorrow when we resume our transmissions with Alan BlackÕs Breakfast
Club at 6am. So on behalf of the entire staff of Radio 355 this is David MacKay
wishing you wherever you may be a very quiet and peaceful goodnight. Goodnight everyone.Ó
GSTQ?
August
1967
Tuesday,
August 1st, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
1701-1820?
Dave MacKay, Alan Black w AB Spree(7 mins)(1701-1747)
Friday,
August 4th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
06-09 Martin
Kayne Breakfast Club 0625-0652, 0733-0819
0750
Revive your heart
Saturday,
August 5th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
06-09
Martin Kayne Breakfast Club
09-12
Tony Monson 1152-1203
12-03
Mark Sloane(12.30 World Tomorrow)
15-18 Dave
MacKay
1800-1900
Alan Black ÓAB SpreeÓ 18-1822 Last Alan Black show has a reference to Gary
Stevens
1900-2000
355 Countryfied Alan Black/Tony Monson
2000-2100
Alan Black ÓAB SpreeÓ 2005-2030
22-0018
Sign Off programme Tony Windsor/Martin Kayne/John Aston[11]/Dave
MacKay/Mark Sloane/Tony Monson[12]/Alan
Black[13]/Silexene
Paint Ad with Alan Black/Captain C.B. Lukehurst[14]/Mark
Sloane on Tony Windsor/Chief Engineer Ted Walters[15]/Bob
Gittis/Ted Allbeury.
Sunday,
August 6th, 1967. Radio 355.
Transmission
on 845 kc.
0000-0022
Sign Off programme
Back
to Phil Champion:
ÓI
tuned in around 2300 and heard TW. Dave MacKay came on at 2306 the Mark Sloane.
2319 Martin Kayne, TW at 2330. From 2345 TW presented the last show in company
of the djs, the shipÕs captain, and the chief engineer. Then TW said his
personal farewell((1.44 mins.)after which a message on tape from Ted Allbeury
was broadcast.(4.22)Then
Auld
Lang Syne, vocal(Harry Secombe?)(1.44)
Djs
shouting very cheerfully ÓGoodbye!Ó
GSTQ(4.10)(till
0022 hrs)
Open
carrier(0.45)
The
carrier left the air for the last time.Ó
845 kc
has housed Radio England, Britain Radio, and finally, Radio 355. This is the
last sound of the two Continental transmitters in Europe, and for 5/7 years.
Tony Windsor:
Offshore 1 leaves tomorrow morning at 8. WeÕll arrive in Felixstowe at 10.30.
For the fans of djs... Mr. &Mrs Smith of the Pier Hotel. Harwich..The
Marlborough. Meant hospitality and great comfort to djs.
Dave
MacKay stayed on board for a time for the run-down process[16].
Comment
by editor: The final broadcasting hours from the Olga Patricia and close-down
of Radio 355 was undoubtedly a sad occasion despite Martin KayneÕs mention of a
Óparty atmosphereÓ in his final mini-show just after 10pm. But it was also a
great moment in British Broadcasting, that also was to mark the final minutes
of broadcasting from the late Tony Windsor. He had broadcast on Radio Atlanta
and Radio Caroline South as Tony Withers, and of course as Tony Windsor on
Radio LondonÕs 9-12am show until February 1967 before coming to the Olga as
programme director for the twin stations there. As heÕd said forget Radio
EnglandÓ the year before because of the ÓBoss JocksÓ term[17],
itÕs a bit ironic that he was the last live voice on the Olga, but it was
fitting, too. TW had its challenges in life as itÕs well known. Here we want to
honour him as a great broadcaster and an important symbol of the British
offshore radio period.
Here
are his final words:
ÓTime
for me to say goodbye. I donÕt know what IÕm going to say. You know, you
rehearse these things, but itÕs ridiculous because..ah..so many
memories..ah..How can I thank the boys IÕve worked with..ah..from the start
IÕve thanked them personally so I donÕt want to thank them over the air, that
would be embarrassing but IÕve made many friends among them and you the people
out there and all the stations IÕve worked for. I want to thank you very
sincerely for your kindnes, what a great experience itÕs been for me an
Australian coming here being able to broadcast to millions and I was only used
to thousands...true, to millions...to millions...when you close the switch. I
do thank you and I think in the future wherever I get lonely and thatÕs highly
probable. The faces of all the people IÕve worked with, the memories, the
friends that IÕve made among the listeners. I hope that at that the height of
my loneliness comes flooding back to me and so instantanously ease that
loneliness. I wonÕt forget you and thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen: this is your
man with the music Tony Windsor saying: ÕSee you aroundÕ, like a record, like a
bell, a bell? Yes, shipÕs bell. I get confused. Good night..Goodbye(pause)-and
God bless you! And now our Managing Director Ted Allbeury.
Edward
ÓTedÓ Allbeury in Radio News(in London Weekly Advertiser and National
Advertiser) of February 21st, 1967.
Photo: Unknown.
Saturday,
August 19th, 1967
The Caroline South djs on the ÒMi AmigoÓ after
August 14th, 1967, of which ÓSpangles MuldoonÓ was one, has been wondering why
the Radio England vessel ÒOlga PatriciaÓ has remained at anchor. There has been
talk that with Radio LondonÕs ship ÓGalaxyÓ now gone, Don Pierson wants to put
ÓSwinging Radio EnglandÓ back on the air[18]. But the radio ship this day leaves for
Holland.
Thursday,
September 1st, 1967
The radio ship leaves Vlissingen in South Holland
for the Azores.
Thursday,
September 15th, 1967
The radio ship waits for a taker off the Azores[19].
Thursday,
September 22nd, 1967
The radio ship arrived in Miami with a broken antenna(3rd
time antenna damage).
3 times antenna damages. This is the second round.
In Zaandam, Holland, March, 1967 for repairs. Is it Dave MacKay and Alan Black
up front on the ship? Photo: Dutch Press.
Early 1970
The radio ship is still intact in Miami,
says press report[20].