Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103

Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103
Bob Gallico (RIP) at Magic 103 in 1985 (courtesy DX Archive).

Magic 103 was one of the many offshoots of Radio Nova, broadcasting from April to September 1985. This recording was made on a sunny summer afternoon and features two of the station’s most accomplished presenters, Bob Gallico and Peter Madison, both since deceased. First up is the end of Morning Magic with both presenters, while Peter continues on his own with the Solid Gold slot after 1200. ABC Network News is read by Bob and Mark Weller. The music style includes classical, easy listening, big band and oldies. Listeners are also invited to bid for a rare Beatles picture disc, with the proceeds going to the forthcoming Live Aid concert. Although there is interest from listeners, virtually no adverts are aired, evidence of the financial problems facing Magic 103 throughout its existence.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.5 FM on Wednesday 24th July 1985 from 1150-1321. 199 metres (1521 kHz) is also announced.

ABC Radio still on air after raids

ABC Radio still on air after raids

The small Dublin pirate ABC Radio was one of a handful to stay on the air after the raids on the bigger station Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio on 18th and 19th May 1983. This short recording of ABC was made before 2300 on the evening of 19th May and includes a call from a listener who says she finds RTÉ Radio 1 and Radio 2 depressing and will miss pirate radio. The DJ is Jimmy Williams and the recording was made from 963 kHz, 312 metres. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

101 Hottest Hits of 1987 on Sunshine 101

101 Hottest Hits of 1987 on Sunshine 101
Sunshine 101 car sticker from 1987 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

On New Year’s Day 1988, Dublin super-pirate Sunshine 101 broadcast the ‘101 Hottest Hits of 1987’ presented by Nails Mahoney. The show was sponsored by the Evening Press newspaper and sounds like it was pre-recorded as there are no time-checks.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 101.5 FM between 1317-1403 on 1st January 1988.

Early Cork Series: Radio City on new frequency

Early Cork Series: Radio City on new frequency
New headed notepaper for Radio with with the 240 wavelength (courtesy DX Archive).

Radio City changed AM frequencies in summer 1981, moving from 1512 kHz (announcing 199 metres) to the slightly off-channel 1243 kHz (announcing 240 metres). This recording begins at the end of Seán Collins’s Saturday afternoon show with laid-back tunes and a listeners’ competition. He is followed by Alan Edwards who is running late for his weekly slot. Alan plays chart hits with some oldies and there are requests from listeners and plenty of adverts but also a break in transmission for a few minutes.

The tape was made from 95.5 FM from 1655-1852 (with an edit in the middle) on 18th July 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Audio quality is fair to good, with some wobble on the cassette in places due to the passage of time.

More Chris Cary on KISS FM

More Chris Cary on KISS FM
Chris Cary cartoon by Terry Villers (courtesy Sybil Fennell).

This is another recording of Radio Nova founder and boss, Chris Cary, using the name Harry cary on the Nova offshoot station, KISS FM. Chris mentions the visit of a youth club to the studios of Nova and KISS FM that day and says that other such groups would be welcome at the weekends. There are high-level agency adverts and news is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made between 1837-1911 from 102.7 FM on Sunday 17th April 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.