Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio first broadcast to the Northwest in April 1974, and now ‘For the Record – Celebrating Piccadilly Radio’s 50th Anniversary’ is a unique book about a unique time, written by Piccadilly old boys Tony Ingham and Brian Beech and published on October 1.
It’s the story of an institution that became the most popular and successful radio station in the country, listened to and loved by millions. It’s the story of the people who made it happen; the presenters; the journalists; the producers; the engineers; and most important of all, the listeners.
For many people, the pioneering and fearless Piccadilly Radio was the soundtrack to their lives, its iconic 261 logo and jingles quickly becoming part of the fabric of everyday life in the Northwest, in homes and factories, offices and cars, schools and colleges. Much of its success was down to having listeners who embraced the cavalier spirit of the station and who were responsive, imaginative, and loyal.
‘For the listener, Piccadilly Radio was their music and their friend,’ comments Ingham. ‘Mention it to anyone of a certain age and immediately they are back under the bedclothes with Dave Ward; asking for some more Wood on the Wireless; shouting “SWEENEY!” at the top of their voice; or remembering “It’s a goal!’ and “Oh no!” which generated anxiety and excitement in equal measure.’
The station spawned the careers of national personalities such as Chris Evans, Timmy Mallett, Gary Davies, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Crane, Steve Penk and Andy Peebles, plus a host of journalists, TV and film producers, businessmen and women and entrepreneurs.
At the same time, it nurtured hugely popular local personalities including Susie Mathis, Phil Wood, Dave Ward, Mike Shaft, Pete Baker, James Stannage, Tim Grundy, Becky Want, Mike Sweeney and Stu Allen. They became part of listeners’ daily lives.
“It’s all in there,” says Ingham, “from how the franchise was won in the first place, to the frequency split and the takeover, which effectively signalled the end of Piccadilly. The colourful on-air characters and the cock ups, of which there were many; the ground-breaking news team; the award-winning producers; and the innovative promotions department.’
Full of photographs and written in a fun, light-hearted, anecdotal, and self-deprecating style, the book is a poignant snapshot of the characters, music and significant events in Greater Manchester, the UK and across the world between 1974 and 1987, a time when people listened non-stop to the radio from breakfast to bedtime.
As Chris Evans said: “Piccadilly Radio knew exactly who it was and what it was about. It was a new voice for a new generation. It was about the Northwest and everyone who lived there.”
‘For the Record – Celebrating Piccadilly Radio’s 50th Anniversary’, published by i2i Publishing, is available from October 1st from Amazon and all good bookshops, price £11.95.
