Hello Again . . .: Nine Decades of Radio Voices - Softcover

Elmes, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099559781 ISBN 13: 9780099559788

Publisher: Random House UK, 2013

Synopsis

October 18, 2012 marks the 90th anniversary of the formation of the BBC and the beginning of England's love affair with radio. This fascinating book takes as its starting point those early, tentative programs broadcast from Marconi House on the Strand, and follows the story of radio through the years of economic depression, war and austerity, to the swinging 1960s and up the present. Above all, it celebrates the great, the forgotten, and the notorious figures of radio from the last nine decades and the programs they made: Marion Cran in the 1920s, who pioneered the first gardening program; Lord Haw Haw, whose sinister catchphrase "Germany calling" punctuated broadcasts throughout World War II; the comedy greats of the 1950s—the Goons, Kenneth Horne, and their ilk; Tony Blackburn, Simon Dee, Dave Lee Travis, and other heroes of Radio Caroline; not to mention the John Humphrys, Zoe Balls, and Simon Mayos of today. The result is a wonderful blend of insight, history, and nostalgia that will appeal to radio's many aficionados.

About this title

About the Author:

Simon Elmes is creative director of the BBC's Radio Documentary Unit, where he oversees a wide range of programs. He was executive producer of the long-running magazine Word of Mouth from its inception until 2004. In 1996 it was awarded one of the world's premier broadcasting prizes, the Premio Ondas. He produced the award-winning The Routes of English, a 26-part series on the history of the English language, and has written four books to accompany the series. He also produced the 2005 radio and TV project Voices.

Review:

"A lovely book, especially for those who, even when we throw the tea towel at it, still love the radio" -- Gillian Reynolds * Daily Telegraph * "Pulses with [Elmes'] own love of the medium ... an engaging read" * Scotsman * "Elmes' beguiling book offers an appealing blend of history and nostalgia" * Good Book Guide * "[A] charming history of the call signs, catch-phrases, repetitions and modulations of tone that make up the world of the radio ... The stories behind the voices are told with real affection for the subject" * Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine * "[A] fascinating book charting the story of the great and forgotten names of radio from today and the last nine decades" * Full House magazine *

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House UK
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0099559781
• ISBN 13: 9780099559788
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368