South Coast Countdown with Keith York

South Coast Countdown with Keith York
Keith York (RIP) pictured in the South Coast Radio studio in March 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Dononghue).

South Coast Radio (1982-1984) was one of the successful Cork stations of the pirate era. Although it never achieved the longevity of the other Cork giant ERI, South Coast was a slick operation from its launch on March 3rd 1982 and introduced professionalism not heard on the earlier wave of pirates in the city. This recording from the final year of South Coast was made on a sunny Saturday in the spring of 1984. On air is one of the high-profile DJs associated with the station, Keith York (RIP), presenting the weekly Top 50 countdown. A promo voiced by the legendary Tony Allan (RIP) informs listeners that the countdown is compiled from phone research, record sales and station airplay in Munster. In this recording, Keith is followed by George Long.

South Coast Countdown with Keith York
Cassette inlay from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

South Coast Radio closed down on 13th July 1984. The tape was made from 102.15 FM, announcing 104, from 1440-1615 on 7th April 1984. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Top 100 love songs on South Coast Radio

Top 100 love songs on South Coast Radio
Keith York in the South Coast studio (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

On the October bank holiday 1982, South Coast Radio broadcast the Top 100 love songs of all time for seven hours from 12 noon. Presented by Pete O’Neill and Keith York, the programme was produced by Hugh Browne. This recording is of the final hour of the show from 1800 on Monday 25th October and includes the full countdown from 100 to 1, read by Hugh and Keith. There are some edits and although recorded from 104 FM, audio quality is only fair in places due to either issues with recording or cassette degradation.

Both Hugh and Keith went on to work in many other pirate and licensed stations. Keith died in 2010 and Hugh in 2013. Thanks for Lillian O’Donoghue for the recording and photo.

Pamela Wilson and Keith York on WLS

Pamela Wilson and Keith York on WLS
WLS advert from 1986/7 (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This recording of WLS Music Radio from Galway was made in the autumn of 1985 and features two of the station’s top presenters, Pamela Wilson and Keith York (RIP). It begins with a love songs spot on Pamela’s programme, which is packed with local adverts. There are also shout-outs to listeners in shops and businesses around town. News on the hour is read by Chris Ashford. Pamela is followed at midday by Keith York, who was one of the station’s founders. There’s an indirect reference to the Voice of Peace, the offshore station where Keith worked before coming to Ireland.

Pamela Wilson and Keith York on WLS
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Made from 102.7 FM on 4th October 1985, part 1 above runs from 1121-1207 and part 2 below from 1207-1253.

Part 2 from 1253.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Keith York on South Coast Radio

Keith York on South Coast Radio
Keith York on 24.03.82 in the South Coast studio (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Originally from Yorkshire, the late Keith York (‘Yorkie’) worked with many Irish pirate stations on both the engineering and presentation side, including the first South Coast Radio in Cork. In this recording, he presents the drivetime show on South Coast from 5pm on Tuesday 13th April 1982, a few weeks after the station’s launch. News on the hour is read by Mark Lawrence and a promo for the ‘jobline’ service is voiced by another late radio legend, Tony Allan. In the licensed era, Keith worked as chief engineer with Midlands 103 and was well known in the midlands. He died prematurely in 2010.

Keith York on South Coast Radio
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Part 1 of the recording above runs from 1659-1746 and part 2 below from 1746-1833.

Part 2 from 1746

Both were made from 104 FM in stereo and are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Birthday cake on South Coast Radio

Birthday cake on South Coast Radio
Pete O’Neill blows out the candles on his birthday cake (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue)

Today we feature three hours of afternoon programming on Cork super-pirate South Coast Radio from 1982, not long after it was launched. Pete O’Neill is on air with his usual mix of music and requests, including the Listener’s Top 5 after the 2pm news, the ‘3 at 3’ after the 3pm news and oldies spot ‘South Coast Supergold’. Station staff and loyal fan Lillian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Pete who is presented with a cake in studio. The voice of legendary DJ Tony Allan is heard on ads and on a promo for South Coast Radio ‘jobline’, a service to advertise job vacancies. There’s also a promo for the American Country Countdown, a syndicated programme from the US, and Pete announces a new events spot ‘What’s on in Munster’ that will air every weekday afternoon.

The recording is divided into four segments, running from 1305-1610 on 25th March 1982. News on the hour is read by Mark Lawrence and Pete’s show is followed by the late Keith York.

Part 2 from 1353
Part 3 from 1440
Part 4 from 1525

The recording was made from 104 FM but is in mono. South Coast also broadcast on 1557 kHz AM, announcing 194 metres. Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the recording and photo.