R2OK!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:54 pm Post subject: Old Radio 2 presenter

I read this on a non-radio forum and wondered if anyone here knows the answer?

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I'm pretty sure Sam Costa used Skyliner, but I can't find reference to it anywhere. Jack Jackson followed him on a Saturday and if it's anyone else it's him.

You're right, though, Costa was very "wordy". Didn't actually say much but expended a lot of hot air doing it.
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Ron

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:44 pm Post subject:

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Sam Costa (1910-81) was a singer, comedian and DJ. He had a lunchtime show on R2 for a few years, which was very popular with older folk, and he was heard around the station at various other times. My last memory of him is introducing a series of Marching and Waltzing not long before his death.

Ian.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

RockitRon is correct, nice bloke Sam Costa but he didn't haf go on, loudly and never to the point. He was on a comedy show on the Light Programme for years.

I have an interview recording when he was guest on Alan Dell's dance band show in the late 1970s. Alan wanted to get across to him that the listeners to the show very much enjoyed Sam's records that he made in the 1930s, but Sam just wasn't taking any of it just joked and waffled around even after one or two of his records were played. Alan wanted to know what it was like working in the recording studios with the musicians then but Sam just larked about and we learned very little.

I enjoy Sam's singing and have featured his records many times on my webcasts, not a proper jazz singer but clear diction and singing on key I find his vocal refrains a joy, here's an example. (he doesn't do the tap dance!)

http://www.r2ok.co.uk/yougottaknow.mp3

The lovely sax playing at the end is by a fella named Freddy Gardner.

The record was made in 1936, I restored the music from the 78rpm disc. Band is the Six Swingers.

John W
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John W

Gnasty Gnome · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 313 Location: West Wales

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

ColinB · Guest

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

That's the one! On Radio City and Radio Caroline. Also announcer on Thames.

Came across this article from 2009 only just recently:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1158007/My-stormy-life-aboard-boat-rocked-Britain---A-DJ-looks-pirate-radio-era.html

ColinB · Guest

I'll have a look into my Pirate Radio Bible (aka "Offshore Radio" by Gerry Bishop, publ. 1975) when I get a minute. I'm sure there's something on him there.

Edit: Yep, there's a full page picture of him at the studio desk on page 47!

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Is that Pirate Radio book any good, Colin?
I always keep meaning to get "Pop Went The Pirates" by Keith Skues which sounds excellent.
I've always enjoyed documentaries about that era, a fraction too young to have been a part of it sadly.

ColinB · Guest

The Gerry Bishop book is long out of print, unfortunately. It's more of a reference book with each section devoted to one of the many stations. The Skues book is a proper "read", however, and is quite autobiographical as well as being superbly well researched and written. I recommend it to anyone who wants a faithful insight into the pirate radio days.

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Thanks for that Colin, I'll definitely have to get old Cardboard Shoes book now.
Did you know that he has done a Pop Goes The Pirates II, it's available from his website
http://www.keithskues.co.uk/books.htm