UK radio station remembers the dead

A UK radio station seems intent on immortalising dead musicians on the airwaves by playing only their songs.

Radio Dead, an online radio founded by broadcaster Steve Penk, plays 100 percent music by dead artists. The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Listeners can expect to be taken down memory lane, with hits from legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Prince.

Believed to be a worldfirst, the station seems to have garnered a diverse mass listenership.

Penk said one of the reasons it was a success was because it was available throughout the world.

“It’s amazing how a UK-based internet radio station, broadcasting in English, has sparked so much interest in the Spanish speaking world, I am genuinely surprised.

“I suppose music is the universal language everyone understands and the format appears to have connected with the Spanish-speaking world,” he said.

The station also aims to celebrate the many unsung artists, among them guitarists, drummers, keyboard players and backing singers.

Penk said people were yearning for something different from conventional radio.

“In the exciting digital age, this proves that people are looking for something a little different. Radio Dead is a worldfirst. Dead artist are generally receiving low airplay on UK radio stations, he said.

“Many of these great artists now very rarely get played on UK radio in 2016, so I wanted to create a radio station that remembers and celebrates these amazing artists 24/7.”

Radio Dead is available on the app store and can be streamed live at www.stevepenk.co.uk