Radiofax
Britain's Number Two Short Wave Station
1988-1992
Archive Photographs and Audio
LONDON STEREO
RADIOFAX
HOME PAGE
London Stereo.
This page features the 1975 station London Stereo.
OTHER HISTORY - London Stereo achieved outrageous coverage broadcasting from a high spot on the North Downs
London Stereo broadcast from Pilgrims Holt on top of Reigate Hill over the snowy Easter of 1975 on 96.4MHz FM (1kW), 1331kHz MW (250W) and 6225kHz SW (100W). Programmes were linked up from studios several miles away in Merstham using a special UHF ultra-wideband FM studio to transmitter link (difficult to track spread spectrum 6MHz wide).
Apart from being on three different wave bands, the station was unusual in several other ways; being probably the first stereo pirate, the first to live link a remote studio, carrying experimental Dolby B transmissions and providing transmission facilities for a variety of groups, including Radio Invicta, North Surrey Radio, Radio Aquarius and Radio London Underground.
  
|
Radio Invicta was given one of the stereo coders which was used regularly to great effect on 92.4 FM from their tower block sites.
The design was subsequently published in Wireless World and constructed by others. Dick Gustavsson remembered the novelty of transmissions in stereo, which is also noted in Grant Goddard's book KISS FM: From Radical Radio to Big Business. Appearing in the photographs, the Triumph Spitfire belonging to Tony Johns of Radio Invicta was remembered in 2018. |
London Stereo: The Mark Stafford Show and Radio Invicta with Roger Tate/Bob Tomalski, Good Friday 28th March 1975
8:53-10:19am & 11:00-11:02am. This hissy and distorted mono recording (with bursts of interference, gaps and gain jumps) starts with the transmitter switch on and has songs in their entirety. Parts are duplicated in the fourth recording. Running order:
* FM receiver white noise
* Transmitter on, 1kHz tone
* TAPE PAUSE EDIT
*
* Music: unidentified instrumentals
* Mark Stafford
* Music: Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar by Duane Eddy
* Music: Instrmental versions of 2 songs
* 9:00am London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips, jingle
* Music: Shoorah! Shoorah! by Betty Wright
* Music: Please Mr. Postman by The Carpenters
* In mono at the moment, short wave shortly
* Music: Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar by Duane Eddy
* If you think you're tuned to Capital or LBC, you're not
* Music: Rock Your Baby by George McCrae
* 9:12am London Mono
* Music: Star In A TV Shoow by The Stylistics
* Ring 01 654 4092
* Music: Year of Decision by The Three Degrees
* Programme brought to you by the makers of Weller soldering irons
* Music: Pick Up The Pieces by Average White Band
* Should be on short wave
* 9:22am Music: One Fine Day by The Chiffons
* 9:25am Music: There's A Whole Lot Of Loving by Guys 'N' Dolls
* 9:28am Music: Wizard Of Love by The Pearls
* 9:32am Music: Don't Pull Your Love by Hamilton & Joe Frank & Reynolds
* 9:35am Snowing outside! Music Sing A Happy Song by George McCrae
* Requests for Keith of Camberley, Oval in Catford, Mike in Biggin Hill (hello to the big Kaleidoscope mob), Tony in Strood
* Music: Angie Baby by Helen Reddy
* 9:38am Music: January by Pilot
* Message if you are meeting Bob at Sutton station
* Music: Bye Bye Baby by the Bay City Rollersd
* Jingle
* 9:49am Music: Your Mamma Won't Like Me by Suzy Quattro
* 9:53am Music: Shame, Shame, Shame by Shirley And Company
* 9:56am Music: Only You Can by Fox
* Goodbye, Roger Tate next
* 10.00am London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips, announcer Colin Pearse
* Radio Invicta with Roger Tate
* Music: I Just Can't Say Goodbye by Philly Devotions
* Music: Love Corporation by Hughes Corporation
* Sting: Radio Invicta, snap, crackles, pops, Radio Invicta guarantees to tickle your tranny
* Music: Love Uprising by Otis Leaville
* Tony Johns brings in a hot cross bun. Hello to the East End Mob Alan Bradman and Martin Messias and Rik Jackson
* Music: One Day Of Peacce by Love Committee
* 10:16am Hello to Sid of Reading, Rex of Horsham, Ron of Hayes, Steve of Walton on Thames, Gerry of Fulham and Peter of Ashtead
* Music: Scrub Board by The Tramps
* 10:20am Music: Bump Me Baby by Dooley Silverspoon
* EDIT
*
* Part of the 11am News: Frigate Lowestoft, fall of Da Nang, President Lon Nol of Cambodia leaving beseiged capital, fishermen's blockade, wife and daughter of Everest's Sir Edmund Hillary killed in plane crash, Alexander Shelepin visit to Britain, Suez Canal to reopen, son's beheading likely after King Faisal assassination in Saudi Arabia, British Rail industrial action, collapse of Dr Kissinger's peace plan
Duration: 1h29m54, First broadcast: 28th March 1975
MP3 file size: 205 MB
London Stereo: Midday Request Show with Colin Pearse, Good Friday 28th March 1975
12:39-1:30pm. Mono recording, Running order:
* Music: Mandy by Barry Manilow
* ID
* Music: Shoorah! Shoorah! by Betty Wright
* Request from Stoltenberg, Germany
* Music: Nice To Be With You by Gallery
* 12:48pm Requests for John in Reading, Cyril in Harpenden, for Phil and Steve, John in Eastbourne and Dave in Walton on Thames
* Music: I Survived by Adam Faith
* Requests for Nick in Harpenden, Julian in Bromley and Scott in Stevenage,
* Music: When Will I See You Again by the Three Degrees
* Requests for John in Tooting, Carole in Dagenham for all the family and Christine in Chessington
* Music: Star On A TV Show by the Stylistics
* 1:00pm London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips, station announcement
* Music: January by Pilot
* 1:06pm Requests for John in Chelmsford, Pete in High Wycombe receiving us on short wave and Jeff in Bookham
* Music: Rock Your Baby by George McCrae
* Requests from someone in Horley for Brian and Mike, Colin in Liverpool on short wave who says it's very, very good and Bernard in Kingston upon Thames
* Music: I Shot The Sheriff (Full Length Version) by Eric Clapton [tape turn-around]
* 1:13pm Requests for Alan in Walthamstow, Jack in Crawley and Bob in Hastings on short wave
* Music: In The Mood by Bette Midler
* Request from Steve in Harrow for Alan's mum and John and Paul
* Music: Let Me Be The One by The Shadows
* Request for Dave in New Malden
* Music: Never Can Say Goodbye by Gloria Gaynor
* 1:23pm This is London Stereo, the Sound of Alternative Radio
* Music: Sound Your Funky Horn by KC & The Sunshine Band
* 1:27pm Dolby B upcoming
* Music: Pepper Box by The Peppers
* Dolby Time on London Stereo is 1:30pm Radio London Underground continues in stereo in the following entry
Duration: 49m58, First broadcast: 28th March 1975
MP3 file size: 114 MB
London Stereo: Radio London Underground, 1:30pm Good Friday 28th March 1975
RLU Information and Site List of September 1971
1:30-2.00pm. Running order:
* Radio London Underground programme introduction
* Dolby Tone
* Music: The Cosmic Couriers Meet South Philly Willy by Wallenstein
* Talk of tonight's programme and Dolby B decoding to reduce noise
* Music: The Savers by Perrey & Kingsley
* Music: No One's More Important Than The Earth Worm by Stackridge
* Music: Nature's Disappearing by John Mayall
* Music: Falling Down by Joe Walsh
* Music: Brasilia by Dick Dia & His Mandolin Orchestra (briefly)
* Music: Changes by Loggins & Messina
* This is a trailer for the London Underground programme later today
* Music: Intro/If You See Kay by Hammerhawk
* Music: D-Rider (1966 Remastered Version) by Hawkwind
* Music: (Reality is nothing but a fantasy) All Together by The Rowan Brothers
* Bugs Bunny - That's all folks
* You have been listening to London Stereo on 96.4. Tune in tonight, more cosmic... please
* Submarine, forward hatch closed
* Bugs Bunny - That's all folks
* Now we return you to the studio, goodbye.
Recording beyond 30 minutes not transmitted:
* Music: I'm Glad That I'm Bugs Bunny by Mel Blanc
* Music: I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat by Mel Blanc
* Echo
* Laughing
* Music: Down By The Riverside by Al Hirt (briefly)
* Silly noises
* "It's a raid"
* Street noises
* Music: The Prophet: Coronation March by Virtuoso Symphony Of London (briefly)
* Reveille
* Music: Mr Slater's Parrot by The Bonzo Dog Band
* Music: Noises For The Leg by The Bonzo Dog Band
* Music: Veronica Sorry by Peter Koelewijn En Zijn Rockets
Duration: 49m16, First broadcast: 28th March 1975
MP3 file size: 112 MB
London Stereo: Mark Stafford Show, Radio Invicta and North Surrey Radio, Good Friday 28th March 1975
8:55am-5:08pm. A rather hissy and distorted mono recording with music and much content edited out. Running order:
* Music: unidentified instrumental
* The Mark Stafford Show
* Music: Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar by Duane Eddy
* This programme is brought to you by the makers of Weller soldering irons...
* Music: Pick Up The Pieces by The Average White Band
* 9:22am Music: One Fine Day by The Chiffons
* Music: Only You Can by Fox
* 10.00am London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips
* Radio Invicta with Roger Tate/Bob Tomalski
* Music: I Just Can't Say Goodbye by Philly Devotions
* Music: Love Corporation by Hues Corporation
* Sting: Radio Invicta, snap, crackles, pops, Radio Invicta guarantees to tickle your tranny
* Music: Love Uprising by Otis Leaville
* Requests for Roy King of Battersea, Hugh of Peckham, Peter of Selsdon, Paul of Bournemouth, Clive of Crawley, Mick of South Croydon, Mick of Horsham, Chris of Loxwood, Ray of Luton, Mark of Windsor, Phil of Luton, Pete of High Wycombe and Pat of Mitcham
* Music: Express by B.T. Express
* Sting: Radio Invicta presents a star soul single
* Music: Higher and Higher (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) by Jackie Wilson
* 10.51am Hello to Pat of Mitcham and she loves soul music, mention in Mitcham News and Mercury, Max of Ealing, Jason of Worthing
* Music: This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) by the Isley Brothers
* Music: Someway Somehow Honey I'm Keeping You by The Tymes
* 11:00am London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips
* Radio Invicta with Tony Johns
* Music: We're On The Right Track by Ultra High Frequency
* Music: Waterbed by LTG Exchange
* 11:00am London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips
* Roger Collins/Colin Pearse
* Music: Jig-Saw Girl by Clifford T. Ward
* Pile of requests... (VHF off the air)
*
* Music: Angie Baby by Helen Reddy
* Music: Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar by Duane Eddy
* Music: Let It Grow by Eric Clapton
* North Surrey Radio, John Christian presenting
* Music: In May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring) by Love Unlimited
* 4:00pm London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips, news
* Music: Backfield In Motion by Mel & Tim
* For the past 8 hours you have been tuned to the transmitters of London Stereo
* 5:00pm London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips
* John Christian thanks everyone for listening
* Music: African Beat by The Famous Seven Orchestra
* Station announcement, thanks to everybody, technical details, bank holiday upcoming Sun Radio 92.8FM, Radio Concord 225m/1331kHz, Radio Invicta 92.8FM & 270m/1115kHz,
* London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance)
* 5:08pm Close Down
* 1kHz tone
Duration: 46m20, First broadcast: 28 March 1975
MP3 file size: 106 MB
London Stereo: North Surrey Radio with Dave Sinclair, Easter Monday 31st March 1975
12:29-1:58pm. Running order:
* Music: Honey Honey by Abba
* 12:30pm Dave Sinclair. Thanks to Roger Collins
* Music: Don't Turn The Other Cheek by Guys 'N Dolls
* Music: Watch Out by Abba
* 12:27pm ID
* Music: Streets Of London by Ralph McTell
* For John and family in Thornton Heath
* Music: Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues
* 12:47pm North Surrey Radio
* Music: After The Show by Kevin Ayers
* 12:51pm
* Music: The Big D.J. by Settlers Alive
* North Surrey Radio
* Music: Brandy by Scott English
* For Alan on the phone
* Music: How Does It Feel by Slade
* 1.00pm London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance) and cuckoo time pips, station announcement
* News
* 1:06pm
* Music: Roll On Down The Highway by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
* 1:08pm North Surrey Radio
* Music: Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar by Duane Eddy & The Revelletes
* North Surrey Radio
* Music: Dreamer by Supertramp
* Phone number 01 654 4092
* Music: Lady Marmalade by LaBelle
* Link by Colin Pearse - Dave Sinclair has run down the corridor
* Music: Hangin' On (You Keep Me) by Cliff Richard
* Requests for Norman in Hove, Peter in Belmont and would Paul please collect him and John in Reading
* Music: There's A Whole Lot Of Loving by Guys 'N Dolls
* Dave for Pete the vandal, Anne of Kingswood, Mark of Bromley for Mike and Roy of Battersea
* Music: She's A Winner (Win, Place or Show) by The Intruders
* 1:27pm Requests for Tony in Southend listening on MW and Eric in Medway listening in VHF stereo
* Music: Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
Continued from a separate recording which has music edited out:
* 1:48pm
* Music: Pickin' Up The Pieces by Average White Band
* Request for Pete in High Wycombe
* Music: Fox On The Run by Sweet
* 1:53pm London Underground at 2pm
* Music: Let's Put It All Together by the Stylistics
* 1:57pm Requests for Patricia doing all the typing for the news staff, Garry Stevens in NW1 VHF stereo very good, Justin in Orpington, Howard in Kenley VHF & MW very good, Tony in Sunbury Town VHF good, Ed in Hounslow VHF very good, for Alan, him mum and John
* Music: You Wear It Well by Rod Stewart
Duration: 1h03m, First broadcast: 31st March 1975
MP3 file size: 144 MB
London Stereo: Radio London Underground, Radio Aquarius and the raid, Easter Monday 31st March 1975
3:57-4:10pm. A rather hissy and distorted mono recording with music and much content edited out. Running order:
* Radio London Underground
* Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Voiceover: The Mountain Chant Of The Navajo
* Handing you back to the studio
* 4:00pm London Stereo Theme (a special version of Mexican Hat Dance)
* News
* Radio Aquarius with Michael Knight
* Music: Rose Garden by Ronnie Aldrich
* Music: Sound Of Silence by Kai Warner Orchestra
* Transmission cut, white noise - Pilgrims Holt transmission site raided at 4:10pm
Duration: 12m53, First broadcast: 31 March 1975
MP3 file size: 29.5 MB
London Stereo: Radio Invicta Extract and Raids Documentary, Easter Monday 31st March 1975
A 1991 documentary by West and North Kent Radio, WNKR, presented by Andy Walker. Running order:
* Radio Invicta on London Stereo
* Music: Do It Baby by The Miracles
* Jingle: Roger Tate/Bob Tomalski super soul DJ
* Music: One Beautiful Day by Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
17 minutes after the raid on London Stereo, Radio Sheila, on 230 metres medium wave, reports the action by Mr Eric Gotts of the GPO and police
* 4:27pm. 230 metres, telephone 01 697 3598
* Music: Star On A TV Show by The Stylistics
* Music: Song by Middle Of The Road
* 4:35pm, confusion, deciding what to do
* Music: Yellow River
* Carry on regardless
* Music: What are you doing Sunday by Tony Orlando & Dawn
* 4:42pm, telephones also 01 654 4092, address 71 Pinnacle Hill, Bexleyheath, Kent
* Music: Can't get no satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
* 4:50pm Radio Sheila raid, transmission cut
Duration: 6m33, First broadcasts: 31 March 1975
MP3 file size: 15 MB
London Stereo Theme
London Stereo's instrumental theme tune was a rare version of Mexican Hat Dance by Werner Twardy (1926-1977), apparently only released on the non-Dolby stereo 1971 Polydor 'Demonstrations-Cassette' GEMA 3158 014, made in Germany and recorded by Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, where it is the final track on Side 2, curiously titled 'Mexican Heat Dance' (Trad./Bearb. Werner Twardy/Cariten). These cassettes were supplied with Becker car radios and certain HiFi units.
Duration: 1m35, Released: 1971
MP3 file size: 3.5 MB
London Stereo: Some Station Identification Demos
These are demos of 15 different London Stereo station IDs, produced by KPM Sound Studios in Denmark Street (Tin Pan Alley), London WC2.
Duration: 16m31, Created: February 1975
MP3 file size: 37.8 MB