Memories of radio

I READ with interest recent letters from Russell Wilson and Patrick Boyce. My interest in radio began 63 years ago initially with station music format from 1957 when as a student at Gatton College.

I would listen to the 4IP hit parade with songs such as Pat Boone’s April Love, the Everly Bros’ Wake up little Suzie, Paul Ankas’ Diana and Johnny Mathis with Chances Are and many more. How could we forget The Platters’ Smoke Gets in your Eyes released in 1959.

It was then that I used to visit the studios of 4GR (The Voice of the Darling Downs and then Funtastic 4GR under Russell Wilson’s management) above Palmers Silk Centre where my cousin was employed as a panel operator for the announcer. It was my view then that I wanted a career in radio, but not so as I spent the next 50 years in the finance industry. I was always fascinated as to who was the face behind the voice and the music.

I remember so well in those early years some of the great voices behind the microphone such as Cal Lowney, Robert McLeod, Frank Warrick, Ian Elstob, Trevor Sutton and Bern Lewis who conducted a program on week days at 12.45pm called Choice of the People with intro music from Les Baxter and his orchestra. All had good careers in the media.

Who could not forget Aunt Dorothy Taylor in her stiletto heals who conducted the Hospital Half hour each weekday afternoon. Each Mother’s Day for many years, my late uncle Charlie Trappett would visit the studios and sing The Holy City with Dorothy on the piano.

The closest I got to a microphone was recording 30 second commercials for the Building Society and broadcasting a Christmas message on radio 99.9fm when I was chairman.

These days, I am happy to listen to 4WK relays from 2HD/Sm with Graeme Gilbert and Gary Stewart at slumber time and then rolling into 6am with experienced presenter Graham Healy with local content and oldies music.

The Beatles, Cliff Richard, Abba, Elvis and many more certainly enhanced our listening pleasure in later years in the 60s and 70s.

Don’t get me started on Brisbane radio with none better than Jim Sweeney and Bill Gates on 4BH. Jim later managed 4AK with a beautiful music content.

ERROL SPENCE, Blue Mountain Heights