A master of the medium who made great radio sound easy
For those of us who are lucky, indeed privileged, to work in radio, and like many millions of listeners, it has been a sad week. The news of Steve Wright’s passing shocked and saddened everyone. He was a master of the medium. At its peak, his Radio 2 show was listened to by more people than any other across Europe, let alone the UK. Like other radio legends such as Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan and John Peel, Steve made great radio sound easy – that was his skill – a communicator and entertainer of the highest order. Whether not you enjoyed the music he played, or were a fan of his “zoo” radio format, he was undeniably one of the finest exponents of the craft. It was all the more sadly ironic that in the same week we lost Steve Wright, the home of Radio
2 for the last 20+ years, Wogan House, fell silent. Originally called Western House, a few steps across the road from Broadcasting House, the building was re-named “Wogan House” in honour of Sir Terry. It was also my “work home” for eight years; it accommodated various BBC departments such as Engineering, HR and “The Proms” team, as well the Radio 2 and 6Music studios. I have life-long memories of the brilliant people I used to bump into on the stairs or share a lift with. Steve was one of those people, who always had time for a cheery hello on his way to the studio, clutching a bag full of ideas, zany scripts … and probably with Mr. Angry or Elvis on the phone!
These past few years have felt like a watershed in the UK radio industry. First it was the commercial behemoths swallowing up local stations such as our beloved Spirit FM (and many more like it) to make something that was anything but local. Now the BBC are diverting funds away from local radio to feed the ever-growing clamour for everything “digital” and on-line, leaving hundreds of wonderfully talented people without jobs.
It is a loss for everyone, whether you are a fan of commercial radio or public service broadcasting.
At V2 Radio, we have strived to create a radio station which builds on its local origins and roots in the community. Our most recent audience survey showed that over half of all V2 Radio listeners have bought a product or service from one or more of our advertisers – all of whom are Sussex-based businesses like us.
Yes, we play great music and have lots of fun, but above all, we try to make everything we do relevant to where we live - that’s the enduring power of proper local radio. And by the way, loved the show, Steve.