R2OK!

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1189 Location: London

Sneaking under the radar for most last Sunday, was the last show of the magnificent old presenter, Keith Skues, after 61 years of broadcasting. Yes. 61 years.

I'm too young to remember his Caroline or London days, but I do remember him being the DJ to take over Saturday Club from Brain Matthew when Radio 1 opened in Sept 1967. In fact' he was the second DJ to be heard after Tony Blackburn on the Saturday morning.

He's fronted a lovely Sunday night show for many years, under different guises, including a Pirate themed one. Some of you may remember him from the once a year Pirate programmes we used to listen to over Easter a few years back, along with Johnnie Walker and the sorely missed Dave Cash.

So, because of the covid, the BBC has decided to take away all of their local radio in order to save a few quid and let us listen to lockdown phone-ins, which is kinda sad, I think.

Keith has a lovely old fashioned style, which I think would appeal to most of us on here. Really lovely nostalgic programmes. So in case you would like to enjoy the last few of his shows, which reflect and remember various times of his career, I've put up the links. They really are a lovely, warm listen, fitting of the man.

The last Keith Skues Show of all

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08rfxtw

11 hours to hear this one! Just look at the playlist...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08nvsck

7 days to listen. Ditto..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08phf9x

Keith looks back to the start of his career...14 days to listen

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08q994m

Keith looks back to his Radio 1 and commercial days

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08qrp6z

The playlists and the content is really old school and I'm sure that if you do decide to give any of them a go, then you'll be glad you did. One thing's for sure, you'll never get anyone else with 61 years of broadcasting under his belt.

Or will you? I'm beginning to think that Tony Blackburn is an Android. He's on more stations than British Rail.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Thank you so much for this Raver!

It's unbelieveable just how much is being lost supposedly because of Covid 19, utter madness if you ask me. Don Black as well. Hope you've heard his Tracks of My Years so far this week. Not a good line from him to Ken but at least it's a recent one.

I'm almost too late to catch the show from 30th August but I've set Total Recorder up so I'll see how it goes!

I think I've a few from several years ago already recorded. I'll look them up later.

I'll record all those you have mentioned too.

I remember Keith from the early days of Radio 1. As you say the playlists are amazing!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1189 Location: London

You're welcome H. I only got to hear an hour of the oldest one myself yesterday, but I think the last three shows he made would be the ones not to miss. I'm currently on the fourth last as I type. I shall use my trusty Audacity for the last three.

Coincidentally, it's the 53rd anniversary of Radio 1, according to Tony Blackburn's Twitter account, so I'm nothing if not topical!

I have heard Don's Tracks so far. Was there ever a more beautiful record than Every Time We Say Goodbye? And I was very happy to learn he (and Macca) rates Fool On The Hill as one of his best, because I always have, but seldom gets mention when these things are talked about.

About the playlists...he usually sticks in a comedy record at the start, which don't appear on the list. Goodness Gracious Me on this one. I remember it well, on the old red Parlophone label, with Bangers and Mash on the flip side. Happy days!
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans