Sunshine Radio: Sunny Sixties, Seventies & Early Eighties AM/FM Pop

Katie Rodriquez

Enjoy this new episode of Sunshine Radio with some authentic AM & FM radio jingles and a sound clip from Bob Stewart on Radio Caroline! The tracks by Areray and Frank Pisani are from the new compilation Box Of Delights Vol.1.

At the beginning of the 1960s, AM radio (mostly on the so-called "medium wave") was by far the most popular format. It was the more tightly programmed, singles-oriented band on the dial that played the hits of the moment . "Big bang" pop songs, like the ones from Motown, sounded good on portable mono radios and in Europe they were mainly played by off-shore pirate stations, like Radio Caroline. Around the mid-70s FM radio on stereo hifi equipment replaced the transistor radio and pirate stations disappeared one by one, due to government decisions. Eventually, FM radio that played longer album tracks as well and had the advantage of a better sound quality, became the new standard. 

“AM Pop delivered songs by most of the best acts of the rock and soul era: the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the powerful Motown and Brill Building stables, Neil Diamond, the Mamas & the Papas, and Simon & Garfunkel, among many others.” (Allmusic)

Pirate Hall Of Fame

In 1965 dj Bob Stewart applied for a position with Radio Caroline and, after a brief stint on the South ship, was transferred to the North where he stayed for the next two years. It was while working for Caroline that Bob developed his new accent. The bosses were concerned that his natural Scouse tones might not go down well with some of the listeners, especially on the southern station, so it was suggested he try something less polarizing. His invented American accent was such a success that Bob stuck with it for the rest of his career. In 1969, he joined Radio Luxembourg, and, with a distinctive and powerful voice, became one of the key presenters on the station, sometimes credited as "Baby" Bob Stewart. He died on March 28, 2019 .

Tracklist:

Black Tie Affair & Dennis van Aarssen – Trippin’ (2025)
Areray ‎– Kansas City Girl (1983)
Martin Carlberg – Can I Come Over (2025)
Macky Feary Band – A Million Stars (1978)
Joseph Nicoletti – Night Time Stars (1977)
Carmen McRae – Can't Hide Love (1976)
Helen Reddy ‎– Minute By Minute (1979)
Lil Albert – Outrageous (1976)
Little River Band ‎– Reminiscing (1978)
Maddog – My Morning Sun (1975)
Liberation Of Man – Love Is Under Control (1976)
Yvonne Elliman – I’ll Be Around (1978)
Philips – Me And You, You And Me (1976)
Neil Diamond ‎– Cherry, Cherry (1966)
R. Dean Taylor – Woman Alive (1970)
Gene Pitney ‎– Last Chance To Turn Around (1965)
Bill Withers – Use Me (1972)
Lion – You’ve Got A Woman (1975)
Rupert Holmes – Get Outta Yourself (1979)
Septimus – Love Will Find A Way (1982)
Lee McDonald – I’ll Do Anything For You (1981)
Frank Pisani – Please Don't Make It Funky (1980)