Radio Daze

[Marshall Stack]

This was the mainstream at the time... throwaway song - but you wouldn't throw her out of bed for eating potato chips!

Earth and Fire - Weekend.

[Marshall Stack]

I'd been to see this band and it was a great scene - a total turn about to what was going on... when I heard it on my Philips portable... I was pleased these were getting recognition.

Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno.

[Marshall Stack]

Lennon was gone, I distinctly recall the airwaves full of Beatles songs and many tracks from Double Fantasy -
The lounge lizard pays tribute..

Roxy Music - Jealous Guy.

[Marshall Stack]

It was nice to hear this fella back on the radio-

Smokey Robinson - Being With You.

[Marshall Stack]

On Rotterdam radio, this topped Start Me Up-

Rolling Stones - Hang Fire.

[Marshall Stack]

This babe of hotness turned up!

Kim Wilde - Kids In America.

[Marshall Stack]

After two years painting oil tankers, I was back in blighty-
The 12" was the thing- I took a Tuesday night slot in a basement club (lesbian night) and made it my own!
Independent stations had sprung up all over.. the CB radio craze had gotten people connected... pirate stations from a guys apartment was the next logical step..

Culture Club - Love Is Cold ( you were never no good.)

[Marshall Stack]

Ex Equals man bounces back... viva Bobbie Jo!


Eddy Grant - Living On The Frontline.

[Marshall Stack]

Daytime radio became a barometer for what was happening in the clubs scene -

Freeez - Southern Freeez

[Marshall Stack]

Only at night did you hear this version :

David Bowie - Putting Out The Fire....

[Marshall Stack]

Lovers and Roots Rock was mainly heard on local Pirate Stations and sponsored by vaults of delight like this:

I'd began a new music venture in the form of 2 day house parties... I'd arrive with records, Dub plates and system.. plus a craft knife and a roll of black plastic garbage bags- slicing and taping the open sacks over the windows and doors to prevent daylight or time..
This with Ronnie Wood on riddim went down well -

Jimmy Cliff - Treat The Youths Right

[Marshall Stack]

Records on the radio seemed to change overnight, the mix n match of new and old dissappeared - snare drum fascination I used to call it. Very mainstream and if you wanted rock or reggae... you got nocturnal!

Rod Stewart - Baby Jane.

[Marshall Stack]

The rough edges of punk were smoothed off and became airplay friendly... Tom Robinson was a case in point.

War Baby.

[Marshall Stack]

Sheffield bahaus type synthers had become poppy.

The Human League - Keep Feeling Fascination.

[Marshall Stack]

This on the Korova label did squeak through, when you work nights- the music is different too.

Echo and the Bunnymen - The Cutter.

[Marshall Stack]

I was doing a Saturday spot in a real rough bar....no ladies drinks(which meant a small beer).. pints of heavy and you picked a window if you got lippy!
You needed three previous convictions to qualify for entry.. but I got on fine and sixty quid was not to be sniffed at.
The mod revival had fizzled out but Madness, The Specials and The Beat were very active and provided a springboard for old reggae hits to get a 1980s dusting. Paul Young did a fine job of Nicky Thomas's classic.

Love Of The Common People.

[Marshall Stack]

The UB40 was your dole card, you produced it each time at the welfare office you signed 'on'... mine was well worn, I'd sign every Tuesday and get a cheque on the Thursday. (Y cycle) this is mentioned in The Bangles song Going Down To Liverpool and of course UB40 who were all on benefits initially... hence their first album 'Signing Off'.
This flooded every channel.

Red Red Wine.

[Marshall Stack]

This was great to hear, and they were pushing the Give my Regards To Broad Street ..

No More Lonely Nights.