Richard Searling To Quit Smooth Fm

[Guest]

Gutted to hear this!.

Richard's shows have played a huge part in getting me hooked on soul music.

A very mixed show today, chuffed to hear Richard announce he has Chapter 8 on live at Blackpool Hilton weekend

in January but gutted to hear the show will be no more.

3 more shows to go I think, 5th Sept to be the last.

Jayne.x

[Davetay]

Gutted to hear this!.

Richard's shows have played a huge part in getting me hooked on soul music.

A very mixed show today, chuffed to hear Richard announce he has Chapter 8 on live at Blackpool Hilton weekend

in January but gutted to hear the show will be no more.

3 more shows to go I think, 5th Sept to be the last.

Jayne.x

It has been on the cards for a while now, it was never the same when it moved from sun's to sat's.

Plus the times seem to keep changing on the sat's.

Good news about the Hilton and Chapter 8.

P.S. The whole radio station went downhill when it changed from Jazz FM to Smooth FM (IMHP).

Edited August 15, 2009 by davetay

[Phil_H]

Gutted to hear this!.

Richard's shows have played a huge part in getting me hooked on soul music.

A very mixed show today, chuffed to hear Richard announce he has Chapter 8 on live at Blackpool Hilton weekend

in January but gutted to hear the show will be no more.

3 more shows to go I think, 5th Sept to be the last.

Jayne.x

Hi Jayne,

With you there, his program dragged me back into this scene around 1994, after a 14 year break, thinking that i'd seen the last of it .

I'm gonna have to make the effort to get to the Hilton in Jan.

Phil

[Greety]

Have listened to Richard since Wigan. The man has impeccable taste in music. Will have to start going out earlier on Saturdays now. What a blow!!

[Guest]

Hi Jayne,

With you there, his program dragged me back into this scene around 1994, after a 14 year break, thinking that i'd seen the last of it .

I'm gonna have to make the effort to get to the Hilton in Jan.

Phil

Deffo - We booked whilst we were there this year. There is no better event on the calendar. (imho)

Agree with you Dave - it would be great to hear Richard back on the radio soon, maybe somewhere with no restrictions or consideration for those 'normal' types..

Jayne.x.

[Eddie Hubbard]

Terrible news , the thing with Richard is he has such good taste , whether it's a new release , or a classic oldie , the guy has that knack for knowing a great record when he hears it , will really miss his show . As Jayne says ,lets hope he gets back on radio with no restrictions , then you'll hear a radio show ......Best,Eddie

[Guest MBarrett]

Is his show only on the North West version of Smooth Radio?

It's not on in West Midlands or London.

They get Dave Brown's Motown Show from 6-8 p.m.

Maybe the plan is for that to go to the North West too.

It's a good show in it's own way - listening now - just played The Reflections.

MB

[Guest soul4life]

indeed a sad day for many soul listeners! a great influence on me personally first had the pleasure of listening to richard when he began on radio hallam (sheffield) thru to the present day..a legend to many im sure!!!!

regards terry gee

[Guest Perception]

Have listened to Richard since Wigan. The man has impeccable taste in music. Will have to start going out earlier on Saturdays now. What a blow!!

He should be on RADIO 2 with his own Soul Show!!!! He is an excellent polished presenter and great taste in Soul music.

Its such a waste that he is not on National Radio!!

Edited August 15, 2009 by Perception

[Guest]

He should be on RADIO 2 with his own Soul Show!!!! He is an excellent polished presenter and great taste in Soul music.

Its such a waste that he is not on National Radio!!

Absolutely!.

Terry - Didn't know RS had been on Radio Hallam, I'd heard about shows on Rock radio (before it was rock radio) and was it sunset? I found him on Jazz Fm on sunday lunchtimes.

Jayne.x. (Impressed I can still type after several bottles of wine!!)

[Jim Elliott]

A great shame,

not sure the show was ever the same when it all became 'Smooth', all rather watered down and more 'commercially viable' I suppose for the new owners.

Prior however, it was a different kettle of fish, the likes of Dean, Mr Godin, Ady, Mick Smith Andy Rix, Arthur, Sam, Nancy Yahiro, Tim B, Ralph Tee and of course Ian L and lord knows who else playing some of the most obscure and tremendous music on the planet every Sunday was an education turning me onto the whole soul spectrum. Still listening to those tapes now!

Thanks Richard.

Jim

[dthedrug]

Hi it,your favorite Hammer who live in Sunny Wolverhampton! Yes got to get it in first Wolverhampton 0 A Big Fat Zero the lovely lads from the EAST of London 2 a little duck, all I can say at least we showed you the way by the first of many

Right I have been a fan of R S since the Twist of 73 Torch T Wigan, the VAVA, he was always well spoken sort of grammar schoolboy type, remember the with shiny satchels you just wanted to push them of there racing bikes you know not that I am suggesting Richard is a merchant indeed he is not,

From a young kid he had a good business head, and he is in the top tier of northern soul hall of fame, I only listen to his show a few times, and he was a very good presenter, my personal favourite radio DJ was DAVE EVERSON, however all my adult life there has been issues with playing black music on the BBC, Mike RAVEN the Late Great Alexis Korner who worked with in the 7ts a very special Man, Andy Peebles, Stewart Henry and ROSKO, ALL TRIED TO PUT SOUL REGGAE ON THE RADIO OVER A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS.. and what do you get Tossers who buy there way in to our scene talking about Mrs Woods at the Casino what that rude old bag who ripped your money out of your hand I never would of known her name, and if they do play Northern Soul in the 7ts meaning, my hates are and you always see it in every NS documentary "we have people come here from ehh Lands End to the Tip of Scotchland" even Adey "Horseradish Bro" has utter these crap words, the other is 3 before 8 my fucking lord save us Dave Everson and Eddie Parker dave its not a very good record mate? wheres this leading to, do a petition to Radio 2 and we could run a Poll on Soul Source that we want Richard to represent our music on the Radio as our Music will be picked up again by the younger age group and he is clearly the person I would vote for, he is also decent at interviewing, Any way He has the mantle lets let them know. DAVE KIL A "HAPPY HAMMER"

[Dave Thorley]

A real shame Richard has been a powerhouse on radion for many years.

Radio Hallam

Radio Red Rose

Jazz FM (NW)

Smooth FM (NW)

Think thats the order of the stations he has been on. Knowing Richard he will bounce back with something.

Dave

[Guest Darks]

A real shame Richard has been a powerhouse on radion for many years.

Radio Hallam

Radio Red Rose

Jazz FM (NW)

Smooth FM (NW)

/quote]

Not forgetting SUNSET Radio 1990 to 1994 I think?

Local Manchester station which ran tandom to the great nights at Parkers Hotel. It was important at the time cause the Parkers new release playlist ended up on day time radio. Kev Roberts, Mike Shaft also had shows as well as Leakie Fresh and the 808 State Show. Give me another coffee and I will remember it a bit more clearly!

Richard is a great broadcaster. A real end of a era.

Regards Alan

[Guest east rob]

Hi it,your favorite Hammer who live in Sunny Wolverhampton! Yes got to get it in first Wolverhampton 0 A Big Fat Zero the lovely lads from the EAST of London 2 a little duck, all I can say at least we showed you the way by the first of many

Right I have been a fan of R S since the Twist of 73 Torch T Wigan, the VAVA, he was always well spoken sort of grammar schoolboy type, remember the with shiny satchels you just wanted to push them of there racing bikes you know  not that I am suggesting Richard is a merchant indeed he is not,  

From a young kid he had a good business head, and he is in the top tier of northern soul hall of fame, I only listen to his show a few times, and he was a very good presenter, my personal favourite radio DJ was DAVE EVERSON, however all my adult life there has been issues with playing black music on the BBC, Mike RAVEN the Late Great Alexis Korner who worked with in the 7ts a very special Man, Andy Peebles, Stewart Henry and ROSKO, ALL TRIED TO PUT SOUL REGGAE ON THE RADIO OVER A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS.. and what do you get Tossers who buy there way in to our scene talking about Mrs Woods at the Casino what that rude old bag who ripped your money out of your hand I never would of known her name, and if they do play Northern Soul in the 7ts meaning, my hates are and you always see it in every NS documentary "we have people come here from ehh Lands End to the Tip of Scotchland" even Adey "Horseradish Bro" has utter these crap words, the other is 3 before 8 my fucking lord save us Dave Everson and Eddie Parker dave its not a very good record mate?  wheres this leading to, do a petition to Radio 2 and we could run a Poll on Soul Source that we want Richard to represent our music on the Radio as our Music will be picked up again by the younger age group and he is clearly the person I would vote for, he is also decent at interviewing, Any way He has the mantle lets let them know. DAVE KIL A "HAPPY HAMMER&amp what??

Edited August 16, 2009 by east rob

[Rob Wigley]

Richard Searlings "Soul-Source" was on Hallam late 70s early 80s 6pm til 8 pm-Saturday evenings- he used to travel to Sheffield to do it Live-ran for about 4 years I think-he used to play all the Casino MONSTER sounds of the day-60s and 70s- there's a bootlegg album somewhere and several of the tracks were obviously lifted from Richards radio sets of the day ! We all used to tape it over in Mansfield but it used to fade "In and Out" sometime-I still have some of the tapes- Great shows.

Richard will not sit still for long he'll be back with a bang-a quality Radio DJ

R & K

Edited August 16, 2009 by Karen and Rob Wigley

[Guest]

Richard Searlings "Soul-Source" was on Hallam late 70s early 80s 6pm til 8 pm-Saturday evenings- he used to travel to Sheffield to do it Live-ran for about 4 years I think-he used to play all the Casino MONSTER sounds of the day-60s and 70s- there's a bootlegg album somewhere and several of the tracks were obviously lifted from Richards radio sets of the day ! We all used to tape it over in Mansfield but it used to fade "In and Out" sometime-I still have some of the tapes- Great shows.

Richard will not sit still for long he'll be back with a bang-a quality Radio DJ

R & K

Ah, I see.

I found the shows around early 98 I think, recommended to me by the boss at work. I think one of the first shows I heard was RS with Chris King in the studio straight after a niter. Still got loads of them on tape, I heard many songs on Richard's show for the first time. The best for me were the bank holiday shows on a sunday before the Ritz nighters.

We were lucky enough to go in one day a few years ago, RS was DJ'ing at one of the Bury anniversary nighters and invited Neil in for a chat on air about it on the sunday before. It was a really interesting afternoon, met Kenny and Rhona there too.

Jayne.x

[Guest welshruss]

To us over here in our little "outpost",richards shows have been a lifeline.

Was over in Bolton last night staying with friends.....had the show on before we went out.....when we heard the show was to end the whole bloody house was in uproar.....It will be missed,but i somehow dont think he will be off the air for long.

[Tony Jackson]

A great shame,

not sure the show was ever the same when it all became 'Smooth', all rather watered down and more 'commercially viable' I suppose for the new owners.

Prior however, it was a different kettle of fish, the likes of Dean, Mr Godin, Ady, Mick Smith Andy Rix, Arthur, Sam, Nancy Yahiro, Tim B, Ralph Tee and of course Ian L and lord knows who else playing some of the most obscure and tremendous music on the planet every Sunday was an education turning me onto the whole soul spectrum. Still listening to those tapes now!

Thanks Richard.

Jim

I too have still got most of the Sunday show's tapes.....essential listening then, and still great now.....a top man who's talents deserve a more sympathetic radio station........Tony

Edited August 16, 2009 by Tony Jackson

[Guest millerswinners]

Richard used to do Northern at 6.30pm on his Radio Hallam Show , usually 5 tracks. He also did a couple of Clifton Hall anniversary specials with Alan Senior in the studio, still got all the tapes somewhere Was fantastic at Clifton Halls , Richard would take requests on Friday night and play on his show on Saturday!

Would be good to get him to come on Steve White's show on Radio Sheffield to go back over old times,

Mark

[Larry Semmins]

I too have still got most of the Sunday show's tapes.....essential listening then, and still great now.....a top man who's talents deserve a more sympathetic radio station........Tony

Spot on Tony,also have tapes of Richards shows from Hallam to Smooth,would like to hear Richard on Solar meself sure he will be back on air somewhere.

ATB Steve.

[Mike Lofthouse]

5th Sept to be the last.

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

[Constellation161]

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

Not just the end of a radio show - the end of the BEST radio show and from what I have read it is nothing to do with being in awe of Richard, in fact he is a very approachable guy who I have found has time for everyone whether friend or stranger. Not many other DJs would operate the industrial heater in order to keep people warm as he did in the tent one year at the Cala Gran. As for not contributing anything to the music - what about the expansion lable with the likes of Peggy Blu and Cloud 9 also royalties paid to 60s/70s artists that have been bought over to appear at various weekenders. I would say Richard along with other well known promoters and DJs has contributed an enormous amount of interest in the music and this soulscene of ours.

[Guest Nick Harrison]

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

Mike - I totally agree with your post - a very sincere thank you to you. I'm so glad someone else can see a whole lot further than the soul masses filled with wonder and respect, mixed with dread filled postings.

Thank you.

[Larry Semmins]

Bet he's an happy bunny at the moment anyway.

[Guest Paul]

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

Thanks for putting things into perspective.

[Greety]

Yes of course Richard did'nt contribute anything to the music. How selfish of him to be born white and in Lancashire instead of a black American!

His choice of music has given myself and tens of thousands of others a whole lot of pleasure over a lot of years.

[Jim Elliott]

Crumbs, was just saying I thought the show and the guests guests were great , not sure there was any hero worshipping going on.

Oh well.

Jim

[Guest]

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

No, it's not just the end of a radio show, it's the end of something I enjoy very much. He has contributed HUGELY to my enjoyment and discovery of northern soul over the past 11 years.

As I said, without discovering Richard's show's I may not have got 'the soul bug' in quite the way I did, many people coming back into the scene in the late 90's too before the internet was about may not have done so either. I remember many many people telling me they were back out because of soul nights they didn't know about being advertised on Richard's show at the time. That's what all the fuss is about.

Jayne.x

Edited August 16, 2009 by Miss BurySoul

[ImberBoy]

A long Bosnia tour was made a little special to me by the people who taped and sent me Richards show on Jazz FM.

I think this was the first time I had ever heard Northernsoul being packaged and served with such care and profession, a credit to Richard and his craft.

[spot]

Who's Richard Searling?

Take care,be safe & remember,"This is the end, my beautiful friend",

Spot .

Edited August 17, 2009 by spot

[Ernie Andrews]

Has he died? what's all the fuss about?

.....this is a man who has made a very good living out of what we do for a hobby! he is a very lucky man - he has not contributed one iota to the creation of the music that has made him so well off - all he has ever done is play records that more often than not he has been given!!

Why are you all so in awe of him? it's just the end of a radio show!

Iget annoyed when idiots like yourself make comments without first engaging Brain!

If you had worked with Richard or been quite close to him at various points in the last 35 years or so you would know that he has made a great contributuion to the scene as well as music in general .

He has been fortunate at times but sometimes you need that little bit of luck or know how to become quite successful.

You obviously knew him when he worked for RCA - I think not or Global I think not because if you knew how much time is spent sifting through millions of records to find the elusive crowd pleaser you would crawl back into your cocoon.

Old saying- If you aint got nothing positive to say - Then say Nothing!

[macca]

Are you saying that people like Adey have exaggerated the travelling aspect?

Did they all come from within a 50 mile radius of Rawtenstall after all?

Could all those different accents you would hear in the record bar, some requiring an interpreter, be a product of someone's speed addled brain?

I used to travel up from Peterborough in the middle years. I took all bloody day and was quite far enough for me.

It was only in the later years that it became more bearable as we used to go to warm up sessions at The Brit in Notts and then take the coach.

You're right about Richard. This scene has a tendency of dissing its key players.

Let's not forget that these guys actually brought the music to us, even though it was sourced (in some cases) by the Soussans, the Koppels and the Andersons. The man is worth far more than his salt and perhaps with the exception of the godawful 'Hey Little Wayout Girl' he was bang on every time.

[Ady Croasdell]

Macca, don't try and decipher what he's saying please. It's bad enough once.

[Guest REVILOT]

The switch RS show from Sunday afternoon was a big mistake. Listener numbers dropped dramatically and then to put him later was ludicrous.

Anyway. Richard will, I am sure, return with VaVa voom.

[Guest Paul]

Iget annoyed when idiots like yourself make comments without first engaging Brain!

If you had worked with Richard or been quite close to him at various points in the last 35 years or so you would know that he has made a great contributuion to the scene as well as music in general .

He has been fortunate at times but sometimes you need that little bit of luck or know how to become quite successful.

You obviously knew him when he worked for RCA - I think not or Global I think not because if you knew how much time is spent sifting through millions of records to find the elusive crowd pleaser you would crawl back into your cocoon.

Old saying- If you aint got nothing positive to say - Then say Nothing!

With respect, Ernie, in your support of Richard Searling I think you may have overreacted and have been disrespectful to Mike Lofthouse. If you knew Mike, you certainly wouldn't call him an idiot or question his "qualifications". He's been around longer than I have and he doesn't deserve such criticism.

The Mike Lofthouse that I have known for thirty-five years is a life-long soul fan who has always supported music by buying records and CDs, magazines and books, going to events, artist gigs, regional DJing etc. Despite being a busy man, he has also selfishly given important behind-the-scenes support to record companies and publishers.

I doubt he has anything personal against Richard Searling, it's just that he was wondering what all the fuss is about. So was I.

We all know that Richard will get another show very soon, if he wants one. And I hope he does.

Personally, I was quite disappointed when I last tuned in to Richard's shows a year or so ago. The music was a bit bland and there were endless plugs for his events and Expansion Records etc. But, as Richard himself often says, it's a business.

So good luck to Richard but let's keep things in perspective. I don't think any soul radio DJ has had a significant influence on record sales in the UK since Andy Peebles and Robbie Vincent had prime-time shows on BBC Radio 1. Just one play on their show could sell a thousand indie records the next week and could influence A&R men.

Anyway, I'm sure your comments were unintentional.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

[Ernie Andrews]

With respect, Ernie, in your support of Richard Searling I think you may have overreacted and have been disrespectful to Mike Lofthouse. If you knew Mike, you certainly wouldn't call him an idiot or question his "qualifications". He's been around longer than I have and he doesn't deserve such criticism.

The Mike Lofthouse that I have known for thirty-five years is a life-long soul fan who has always supported music by buying records and CDs, magazines and books, going to events, artist gigs, regional DJing etc. Despite being a busy man, he has also selfishly given important behind-the-scenes support to record companies and publishers.

I doubt he has anything personal against Richard Searling, it's just that he was wondering what all the fuss is about. So was I.

We all know that Richard will get another show very soon, if he wants one. And I hope he does.

Personally, I was quite disappointed when I last tuned in to Richard's shows a year or so ago. The music was a bit bland and there were endless plugs for his events and Expansion Records etc. But, as Richard himself often says, it's a business.

So good luck to Richard but let's keep things in perspective. I don't think any soul radio DJ has had a significant influence on record sales in the UK since Andy Peebles and Robbie Vincent had prime-time shows on BBC Radio 1. Just one play on their show could sell a thousand indie records the next week and could influence A&R men.

Anyway, I'm sure your comments were unintentional.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

Sorry to dampen your mediation Paul but the comments were intentional

Before engaging brain Mike should get his facts right because I am sure that Mike was not one of Richards inner circle in the 70s or worked with him so his judgements are based on pure hearsay.

As for Andy Peebles - I totally disagree as he was influenced by many local Manchester people which I am afraid unless you were privvy to in the 60s and early 70s you would not know either- Robbie Vincent is a different Kettle of Fish and agree that what he played was often picked up by the massess

Its so easy to slag someone off without having factual evidence and I found Mikes Comments way off the mark.

Richard did influence what was played sometimes by luck but sometimes by hard work and eventually he got what he worked for!

Which Andy Peebles show are you talking about that influenced so many people to go out and buy thousands of records?

Where are you from Paul?

ATB Steve

[Guest Paul]

Sorry to dampen your mediation Paul but the comments were intentional

Before engaging brain Mike should get his facts right because I am sure that Mike was not one of Richards inner circle in the 70s or worked with him so his judgements are based on pure hearsay.

As for Andy Peebles - I totally disagree as he was influenced by many local Manchester people which I am afraid unless you were privvy to in the 60s and early 70s you would not know either- Robbie Vincent is a different Kettle of Fish and agree that what he played was often picked up by the massess

Its so easy to slag someone off without having factual evidence and I found Mikes Comments way off the mark.

Richard did influence what was played sometimes by luck but sometimes by hard work and eventually he got what he worked for!

Which Andy Peebles show are you talking about that influenced so many people to go out and buy thousands of records?

Where are you from Paul?

ATB Steve

Oh well, Steve, at least I tried to be tactful and diplomatic, being the mild-mannered soul that I try to be (at least sometimes).

You shouldn't assume that everyone wants to be in someone's "inner circle" as if it's a little gang. That might be fine for you but not for everyone else. Nothing against Richard but I'm more focused on the music and I have my own circle of friends, thanks.

As for Andy Peebles and Robbie Vincent, and for a short time a couple of DJs on Kiss and Choice, I was running a couple of labels in the late 1980s and we often sold an extra five hundred or a thousand copies after getting just one play on BBC radio 1 on a Saturday afternoon or evening.

Our UK wholesalers included G&M, Panther and Record Corner at that time and I remember getting calls or faxes from them on a Monday morning, saying "Please send another thousand copies, it got played on Radio One on Saturday" ...or a call from Phonogram (for example) to say "Can we pick it up?".

Where am I from? What does it matter??? I'm just a nobody who likes music.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

[Steve G]

I am sorry to hear this about Richard's show. He's been at the top of the new release game for decades now. Frankly 'fly by nights' like Andy Peebles don't even come close! Andy was a bit of a "Somebody" on Radio 1 for a couple of years in the 70s - wow! Sorry guys and galls but it is not those championing Richard that need to get a sense of perspective here! By comparrison Richard has made sure the 'show goes on', on a series of far less attractive stages (Red Rose and Hallam for example) for nearly 30 years - now that IS some achievement.

Let's hope Richard is back on air soon.

Edited August 18, 2009 by Steve G

[Guest kelvinx]

Did he jump or was he pushed?

[Guest Paul]

I am sorry to hear this about Richard's show. He's been at the top of the new release game for decades now. Frankly 'fly by nights' like Andy Peebles don't even come close! A bit of a "Somebody" on Radio 1 for a couple of years in the 70s - wow! Sorry guys and galls but it is not those championing Richard that need to get a sense of perspective here! By comparrison Richard has made sure the 'show goes on', on a series of far less attractive stages (Red Rose and Hallam for example) for nearly 30 years - now that IS some achievement.

Let's hope Richard is back on air soon.

Hello Steve,

I admire your praise of Richard Searling but why does it have to be at the expense of Andy Peebles, for example, or anyone else for that matter?

This isn't a competition. Why not admire and support all radio DJs who have contributed to exposing soul music in this country? Especially in the regions, I can think of some very influential DJs who worked hard for many years but hardly ever get a mention.

And it should be considered that Andy had an obligation at BBC radio 1 to play a broad sprectrum of contemporary music. I'm sure his personal taste in soul music is as wierd and as wonderful as yours and mine.

If Richard was on BBC radio 1, I expect he'd have to adjust his playlist.

Best regards,

Paul

[Steve G]

Hello Steve,

I admire your praise of Richard Searling but why does it have to be at the expense of Andy Peebles, for example, or anyone else for that matter?

This isn't a competition. Why not admire and support all radio DJs who have contributed to exposing soul music in this country? Especially in the regions, I can think of some very influential DJs who worked hard for many years but hardly ever get a mention.

Best regards,

Paul

Well of course, and indeed I did a radio show for over five years myself and damn fine it was too . However the point of my post was to emphasise the time RS has been involved on radio playing good new releases, so when people bring up names like Peebles, for comparrison we can put it in perspective, that's all.

[Guest Paul]

Well of course, and indeed I did a radio show for over five years myself and damn fine it was too . However the point of my post was to emphasise the time RS has been involved on radio playing good new releases, so when people bring up names like Peebles, for comparrison we can put it in perspective, that's all.

Hello Steve,

I think we should agree that perspective is subjective.

And your show was mighty fine, I agree, but sadly it had limited reach - as do most shows these days. Andy and Robbie were lucky enough to have giant audiences but they had to tailor their playlists accordingly.

My own favourites are some of the important regional radio DJs who had significant influence in their areas. People like my old friend Kevin Keatings who presented soul music for years on Radio Tees (as it was then) before he became a successful football commentator. And Ian Hughes who presented shows on BBC Newcastle which were broadcast on the "night network" via a dozen other regional BBC stations.

And, although I could only hear it via tapes, Steve Aggasild's Aberdeen-based shows did a lot to expose soul music in Scotland in the 1980s and 1990s.

The internet has further damaged radio in much the same way it has damaged newspapers and magazines etc. These days we are lucky to get a little bit of exposure once in a while on Radio 2, BBC SixMusic or BBC Radio Stoke or whatever.

I'd love it if we had a regular soul show on national radio and I've no doubt it would boost sales of CDs etc.

Best regards,

[Guest Paul]

And let's not forget Ian Dewhirst on Starpoint and Mick O'Donnell on Solar and 209, both of whom present great shows.

And I miss the Shaun Robbins show on Solar.

[Soulfinger]

If Richard wants to carry on doing a radio show, I wouldn't have thought he would struggle to get a gig.

As for his contribution to soul music, what do you have to do to get some people on here to acknowledge you might have had a part to play?

I've heard him DJ from the early seventies at the Blue Rooms in Sale and the Casino onwards, through the wide open dance floors of the early eighties, the fantastic nights at the Halfway House, the Trafalgar and Parkers and wherever he's been on, he always had tunes I wanted to dance to. I remember him guesting on Soul Train in the 70's and livening Andy Peebles up. I stumbled across his show on Red Rose in about 1985; I've listened to his shows ever since. He's introduced me to many more great records than anyone else and I thank him for it. I've spoken to him about half a dozen times in 30 odd years - usually to ask him to play something.

Sure, he's made some money but it only seems to be with the True Believers in rare soul circles that this is a crime. I hero worship no man save Denis Law, Eric Cantona and Curtis Mayfield but Richard? He seems like a good bloke...and if it wasn't for him I would never have seen the Dells.

[Steve G]

Hello Steve,

I think we should agree that perspective is subjective.

And your show was mighty fine, I agree, but sadly it had limited reach - as do most shows these days. Andy and Robbie were lucky enough to have giant audiences but they had to tailor their playlists accordingly.

My own favourites are some of the important regional radio DJs who had significant influence in their areas. People like my old friend Kevin Keatings who presented soul music for years on Radio Tees (as it was then) before he became a successful football commentator. And Ian Hughes who presented shows on BBC Newcastle which were broadcast on the "night network" via a dozen other regional BBC stations.

And, although I could only hear it via tapes, Steve Aggasild's Aberdeen-based shows did a lot to expose soul music in Scotland in the 1980s and 1990s.

The internet has further damaged radio in much the same way it has damaged newspapers and magazines etc. These days we are lucky to get a little bit of exposure once in a while on Radio 2, BBC SixMusic or BBC Radio Stoke or whatever.

I'd love it if we had a regular soul show on national radio and I've no doubt it would boost sales of CDs etc.

Best regards,

OK well we are moving off topic a bit here, but suffice to say that back in the days of Peebles, Vincent etc soul music was trendy, and a recognised music genre. So it was perhaps easier to 'do a soul show'. If my memory serves me correctly Vincent started off as the BBC's Northern Ireland correspondant didn't he?

The point I have been trying to make is that Richard has championed the music throughout unfashionable times, and for that alone he gets a big thumbs up from me. Every week, year in year out for nigh on 30 years - come on man where are your "Emperor Rosko" types now?

Surely we can regret the demise of Richard's show without implications of sycophantic behaviour and implications of brown nosing? I take no prisoners and always call it as I see it, and I see it that Richard has done a great service to us all with his show - even if I am not a regular listener these days.

Let's hope he is back with a regular show soon.

Edited August 19, 2009 by Steve G

[Jerry Hipkiss]

If Richard wants to carry on doing a radio show, I wouldn't have thought he would struggle to get a gig.

Sadly with the increasing blandness of bigger stations , Richard will never be able to reach a mass audience, I hope he gets a regular show somewhere but it will either be on a specialist station (so preaching only to the converted) or a small community station...I really hope he does get something.

[Mark Oliver]

Taking us back to basics, if you know Richard he is true gentleman and a great dee-jay who has brought so much to both the scene for 30+ years alongside introducing 1000's of unknown and obscure sounds to both the soulies etc on the scene and the listeners to his radio shows.

Agree with Hippo and others, I hope Richard continues to get the opportunity to be perform his once listened and never forgotten radio shows.

Reference taping the show, I have memories of a certain vicar playing Richard's "Rose Valentine (Little Ann) - When he's not around c/u in his spot, that I was told at the time was recorded from Richards show and put on emi-disc.

Mark

[Guest]

Surely we can regret the demise of Richard's show without implications of sycophantic behaviour and implications of brown nosing?

Hey, don't bring that bl*8dy S word on this thread - it's caused enough problems elsewhere!!

Seriously though, you've nearly all completely lost me now...

I can't see any brown nosing, just an appreciation of a radio show that's meant something to people. (in a thread about its end)

No one was comparing what RS did with what any other DJ's have done, brought or influenced either.

No one's saying anyone were shi1te and we all acknowledge the effort put in by all. Now everyone stop looking for arguments where there isn't one.

Though going slightly OT (others are so I'm joining in!).. did you know that Andy Peebles played a major part in the launch of top band Def Leppard by playing their

first single and tracks of their first EP on his show back in 1980.

Jayne.x.

[Steve G]

Agree with you Jayne, we are not brown nosing, just calling it as we see it as far as Richard and his immense contribution is concerned. But the implication was that we were over egging it......I don't buy that.

Andy peebles and Def Leppard - why am I not surprised!!!