1980s tape captures day George Michael performed in Macc
ARECORDING of when George Michael and BBC Radio One came to Macclesfield more than 30 years ago has emerged online.
DJ Kid Jensen and the Roadshow rolled into town on Sunday, May 29, 1983. The show was broadcast live from South Park during the Macclesfield Carnival.
Wham! duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were joined by pop-rock band The Belle Stars to appear in front of several thousand visitors.
During the recording Kid Jenson describes the ‘romantic’ views towards Derbyshire and the Pennines and Macclesfield as a ‘lovely pretty town with winding streets and cobblestones’.
He also gives a shoutout to three-month-old Roger Whittam, who was having his christening at South Park lodge. The recording mentions Macclesfield High, Rainow, the Salamander Venture Unit, who were ‘wearing funny masks’, and Macclesfield 18+ Club.
Kid Jenson told listeners that producers had to abandon autograph signing sessions with the Wham stars after the clamour from crowds turned into ‘absolute madness’.
There were also mentions for Macclesfield Rafters, a group who were taking on a raft race on the River Wye for charity, and ‘audio postcards’ from Katrina Hayes from Rainow, Jan Firwood from Macclesfield and Chris Whitley from Bollington.
Macclesfield band New Order’s hit ‘Blue Monday’ was played and there was an interview with the late Dr John Clandillon, who found the Silk Heritage Trust.
There is also a special mention for Radio One production engineer Dick Wilson, who came from the town.
The audio recording was been shared by Simon Leah, from Macclesfield, who wasn’t at the roadshow, but recorded it on his tape player.
Simon, who works as an ICT and audio/visual technician at King’s, said: “I’ve always had a fascination with audio and electronics and have cupboards full of tapes.
“I imagine loads of people would have recorded the show but I bet few survived. It must be quite rare.
“There has been an amazing reaction from people to the recording. It’s incredible.”
It is the second time this month one of Simon’s recordings has been an online hit. His camera footage driving around Macclesfield in the early 1990s was seen more than 50,000 times.