Embarrassing 80's - Uncool Radio 1 DJ's

Back in the 80's Radio one and Top of the pops were presented by DJs who were way too old for the target audience.

[@chloejones1548]

These talking heads are a thousand times more irritating than the DJs, especially Grant and Deering! Who?

[@annother3350]

Grant who?!?! The one and only. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXaUl6yBiM94gNk

[@sheilamitchell2215]

These alternative comedians couldn't fill a phone box bunch of pretentious prats....

[@BBC1announcer]

"People just push it too far, if you're good at playing records, play records"- says David Grant, singer turned TV presenter. Pot, kettle?? These Channel 5/Sky "world's most embarrassing" TV shows are always so lame- find better researchers

[@cryingonion2]

I think that's cool Mike Read doing a london version of Promised Land. Look at Pat Sharpe slagging him off - and he had the most ridiculous mullet of all in the 80s!

[@eric-ff9fc]

this was one of the better novelty songs of that time , it was always cool to write songs about american cities and states so why shouldn't someone write a song about slough or basingstoke typical channel 5 cheap documentary starring z listers and has beens who don't have anything good to say .

[@danellis-jones1591]

And he used about 10 or 15 jingles at the start of every show!

[@RetroReminiscing]

@@danellis-jones1591 👌😆

[@user-zt1er1uj6i]

Favourite DJ's for me, Tommy Vance, Fluff Freeman and Adrian Juste.

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Wow wow wow. Its easy to say that TODAY... BUT back then they were the epitome of cool... Don't kid yourself

[@lewstone1934]

I grew up in the 60s and 70s. Radio 1 Roadshow in 1975; a hot summer's day, my girlfriend in a bikini, and The Stylistics "I can't Give You Anything" at No1. Just wonderful times. And terrific music. The 80s onwards were pretty much dross - both in music and presentation at the BBC. Incidentally I no longer have a TV Licence (since 2015) - and I don't miss it one bit !

[@jsilkcut]

Happy days Lew gone forever now......

[@petecoventry6858]

I grew up on board Caroline - literally my dad was one of the founding DJ's died last year

[@andrewdavis1712]

It's what it was. And Radio 1 back then was far far better than Radio 1 is now.

[@WallyPyneoil]

Trouble is, the DJs were not 'cool' in the 70s either. Jimmy Savile, Paul Burnett and Tony Blackburn and... Sid Vicious. Yeah, right! Radio 1 never really left the 1960s.

[@rtc9063]

Thing is the BBC never wanted Radio 1 forced on them after the pirates were forced to end. Even looking back at the first pic of them all, hardly any of them were trendsetters

[@ianmcgregorhart9354]

Preferred John Peel, Kid Jensen and Janice Long whom put more emphasis on the Music & Artistes.

[@vistron888]

Would any of us at that age wanted people hosting who were our age? Of course not.

[@alanmusicman3385]

The whole concept of a DJ was that they were part music expert and part entertainment personality. The balance between those two factors varied a lot more here in the UK than it did at comparable periods in the US. One reason for that was the foot-shooting tactics of the musicians union imposing "needle time" restrictions on radio stations - restricting the percentage of airtime they could fill with records and thus the need for more chat. The pirate radio stations which effectively gave birth to Radio 1 (which took their place when legislation closed down the numerous pirate radio ships moored off the UK in 1967) could - and did - play as many records as they liked, which meant that the DJ links on those stations were usually very short and the programming was very fast moving - much more like the American prototype. When it all came under BBC control via R1 and R2 the needle time restriction, plus the overall ethic of BBC Light Entertainment directorate (which those stations came under) still had a residual 1940s 1950s variety approach and found it acceptable and convenient to allow the personality side of the DJ job to grow. It was almost as if the BBC couldn;t quite believe that the public were happy listening to a station that mostly just played records! So between about 1967 and the early 1970s when local music commercial stations began to arise (Metro, Capital etc) the British public became used to this style of presentation (with exceptions) and it became normalised and predominated on R1 through the 1970s. By contrast, American FM radio of the 1970s was far more slick and the balance was more skewed toward the music - though of course there were some big egos and personalities on Ameican radio as well. Anyone interested in hearing how that balance sounds in practice should sample some 1970s Radio 1 daytime output (there's a fair few clips here on YT) and compare it to American radio clips (also here on YT) of about the same era. American DJs such as Dan Ingram on WABC or Charlie Tuna on KHJ are unmistakably the prototype for the British guys - but that's where the comparison ends. Of course in the UK we did have John Peel - who was all about the music, we had Kenny Everett who was all personality and a radio genius (though IMO was never anything like as good on TV). On local commercial radio we had people like Roger Scott who had the prototype voice for so many subsequent DJs and who (having worked on US radio) brought a slickness that few could match at the time - but nonetheless retained an obvious love of the music and there were others who sat in some way outside the mainstream.

[@jsilkcut]

As usual you had to be there to appreciate the impact Radio 1 had in the 60s & 70s...... HUGE.....!! David Grant was still in short trousers so he should shut up!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Pat Sharp and Mick Brown 1989 'I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet', one of the most cringeworthy records and performances ever made. It was for charity but that does not detract from the absurdity of it. He must have forgotten.

[@barrelrolldog]

chariDy

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Thanks for lodging that in my inner jukebox lol. "Since we met on the first date, I haven't stopped luvvin you bbbbaabbbby s'alright alright etc....." nooooooooo!

[@djbobhoskins]

Is anyone else reminded of the David Brent song 'Life On The Road' when they hear Mike Read singing?

[@mikethemusicman1978]

now that you mention it, definitely

[@JamesWho1]

Or that song called slough he did must of been inspired by it

[@kevint1719]

In the era they're talking about, everyone watched Top Of The Pops and Radio 1's listening figures were enormous. After the BBC became embarrassed of them and made their music shows self-consciously young and cool, the ratings dropped off a cliff. Also I'm not sure how any of these people are qualified to talk about who is cool. Vanessa Feltz especially.

[@Hertfordshire247]

Yet, people would watch and listen to this lot a million times over than any of the talking heads, especially Vanessa Feltz who, still to this day, still unsure how she got anywhere, doing anything.

[@audreyperrin320]

I don't like her she is full of her self

[@anthonyperkins7556]

I loved 80's Radio 1, because it had great shows and good music and wasn't the dumbed down disaster that Matthew Bannister Trevor Dann and The BBC imposed under orders from the Tory Govt in 1994.

[@dollydoll6452]

Totally Wrong Gary Davies, Mike Read and Kid Jensen and Simon Bates were bloody good DJ's who knew about the Music.

[@vivkies8984]

Exactly! Compare the audience figures now! Radio 1 is awful!

[@lemsip207]

@@vivkies8984 It was mostly boy bands and hip hop in the 00's. Most people who liked music listened to Absolute Radio and Radio 6 instead.

[@sheilamitchell2215]

@@vivkies8984 even my youngsters at work aged between 18 and 25 all hate radio 1 as its trying to sound all ghetto gangsta and appeal to young black kids. I'm sure some black teenage boy from Sarf London is going to listen to Miley Cyrus or Bieber.....at least in the 80s there was a huge choice of music you could listen to....now it's just absolute bilge....

[@spencercorker7013]

All household.names everyone one of them! I couldn't name a single radio 1 DJ today. I worked on a building site in the.80s and I didn't need a radio as everyone else had a one and all of them were listening to these guys. I was always in earshot of a radio.

[@superzamo]

It's quite funny watching this video as Neil Fox,Vanessa Feltz and the Grants very much viewed as in a similar uncool light. I'm giving Pat Sharp a pass due to Funhouse nostalgia but I'm not sure him and his mullet should get off so lightly. Ultimately some of Radio 1 DJ's I don't think ever were trendy such as Simon Bates/DLT even in the 70's but David Jensen is hard done by here, he had left the station by 84 and was close to John Peel in many ways. These programs are fun to watch but so lazy sometimes

[@lemsip207]

I always liked Tony Blackburn. He was like everybody's favourite uncle and he left Radio 1 before the others to move to commercial radio. He didn't pretend to be trendy.

[@markg6860]

@@lemsip207 Blackburn moved because he was sidelined to weekends and Junior Choice, which he hated doing. Like him or hate him, Tony is certainly a survivor in the radio business.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Agreed- they do not provide context and look at the past through a lens of 'cool' from today. Current programme will not even be remembered in years to come in most cases.

[@Redsleather]

David Jensen should not be included in this. He actually was interested in music! The likes of Savile, DLT, Bates, Read, Brookes etc. were more interested in themselves and their huge egos

[@geoffjoffy]

The people in this video who are slagging off the DJs for being old, are themselves old now. Karma! LOL.

[@garethrees100]

Top of the pops was the best music show. Nothing before or after can top it.

[@junfa8686]

Not sure I'd say that to the victims...

[@billcobbett9259]

Butch and sincere.... but what was the year?

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Kid Jensen was great, laid back, a quiet enthusiasm for indie or left field music, and not embarrassing at all, don't know why he was lumped in with the Simon Bates lot, he's more in the Janice Long/John Peel camp. BTW where's Dave Lee Travis and Peter Powell lol? There's no need for DJs to just play records, that's quite dull tbf, a bit of a chat or comments about the music is fine.

[@audreyperrin320]

Peter Powell started to manage people lik ant and Dec Phil and Holly and I think a few footballers it was called James grant but I think they sold it a few years ago

[@paulcharlesvanbrandon]

That Rob fella, is about as funny as Covid.

[@paule6945]

Loved the old dj's fucking hate all these unfunny so called comedians commenting on them.......who are ya....!!

[@sheilamitchell2215]

Today it would be the same old talking heads who appear on Dave and every other ruddy show who are as funny as a dose of genital herpes......and I'd struggle to name one that is genuinely funny.......

[@martinwedge7732]

David Grant was totally ridiculous when he went solo in 1983 and looked like a cheap Michael Jackson clone with that awful Watching You Watching Me single on TOTP. So he has no need to chirp on about the Radio 1 DJs x

[@sutherlandA1]

I'm pretty sure Total Eclipse of the Heart was filmed at Holloway sanatorium not Royal Holloway College

[@2010gtoner]

Very good chance Gary Davis will be given Ken Bruce,s slot on radio 2...UNCOOL

[@paulsmith2577]

Vanessa Feltz is one to talk and Pat Sharp was the naffest of the lot.

[@nigelwilliams9307]

Radio 1 was great. Vanessa Feltz is in no position to criticise anyone because she's a huge silly moo.

[@peterharris1717]

It was Holloway Sanatorium Psychiatric Hospital in Virginia Water NOT Royal Holloway College in Egham where Bonnie Tyler made the video for Total Eclipse of the heart. I know because i worked there before it closed and filming could happen...

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Yes that was so then too of course.

[@flares]

I don't care what anyone says, Radio 1 in the 80s was a Trillion times better than it is now. I listened to it all the time and the DJ's were great, they knew how to present shows without talking like kids. You don't need to speak like a kid or look young to attract kids. These people slagging off Radio 1 in the 80s are trying to make themselves look cool by slagging off Radio 1 in the 80s which makes them look ridiculous. How can she say that the DJs who presented TOTP in the 80s were old. They didn't look old. Those days were fun and these people slagging it off deep in their hearts know that

[@billcobbett9259]

Bates was the one who always refused to do the R1 Roadshow, and when he finally did one (Brighton?), he threw a wobbler because because they didn't remember to bring down the EQ that made him sound deep voiced

[@alanmusicman3385]

He was very badly thought of by all and sundry I'm afraid.

[@AlxFitz]

Yeah they were naff, but there was something comforting about having them around as I remember. At least they weren't always trying to be "ironic" and self consciously cool all the time.

[@mikekaraoke]

I agree the other ones shown here were cringy, apart from Peel + Gary Davis.

[@helipeek2736]

Venessa Fuzzy-Felt commenting on radio DJs oh POT KETTLE BLACK.

[@sheilamitchell2215]

Another with an ego the size of Texas and she sounds bitter and malevolent here sorry to say.....

[@amyclarke41]

Wasnt all bad

[@jamara3330]

Pat Sharp wished he was one of them but never made it to full time R1

[@RetroReminiscing]

Last night a DJ saved my life 😉 Loved Peter Powell🥰

[@audreyperrin320]

I loved him to he went on to manage ant and Dec and a few more

[@RetroReminiscing]

@@audreyperrin320 He wasnt just a handsome face was her he he 👌😁

[@audreyperrin320]

@@RetroReminiscing yes he was and a great voice to

[@RetroReminiscing]

@@audreyperrin320 👍He did indeed

[@dougiemcbriar1998]

Vanessa Feltz,, is that it . Yip she can shout down other people

[@anthonyperkins7556]

Uncool? Better radio 1 than you think

[@marty-fh1rw]

And these are better?

[@annother3350]

David grants wife is called carrie grant!!!

[@1989NickyD]

Gary Davies was always so wooden on TOTP :D

[@rob16248]

And he looks just like Stephen Mangan >: (

[@mikekaraoke]

@@rob16248 no he doesn't, totally diagree. Same eye and hair colour and that is where it ends!

[@rob16248]

@@mikekaraoke Well, I totally disagree with you. So there.

[@sheilamitchell2215]

He was so gorgeous though.....

[@Pkia-tm7gw]

Where's Savile?

[@anonUK]

Down the memory hole. He never existed.

[@Redsleather]

Frying in hell, hopefully

[@getsensus]

Now everybody could tell that, then seemed all bit different, look in US middle aged beardy djs all over radios, just because of low registries voices

[@alanoneill3065]

This format with g list celebs making sarky comments soon wore thin...played out now

[@BossySwan]

*_Hammersmith fly-oveeer_*

[@lemsip207]

Simon Bates was the worst of them all. Our Tune made you really depressed so you had to switch the radio off quickly or change stations. Steve Wright not so much as he used a lot of humour with his various characters such as Nigel from the Arts Council. And Alan Freeman did the run down of the charts on Sunday evening.

[@alanmusicman3385]

Steve Wright was strongly mimicing what Kenny Everett had done in the late 1960s and early 1970s - though of course he stamped his own personality on it. That style of radio with drop-in "personalities" (usually played by the presenter themselves) such as Sid the Manager and sound effects such as the geese and so on - was very much like what Kenny had done - though of course, Kenny had adapted those ideas from the Goon show of the 1950s - so heaven knows where THEY got their ideas from! The posse radio (group presentation) style which became popular in the late 1990s was a development of this - though that style is now well past its sell by date and hopefully waning.

[@sheilamitchell2215]

@@alanmusicman3385 I can't stand the man he's so full of himself and you're lucky if you get a minutes worth of music without him butting in. As for that fawning syncopathic posse of his.....they feed his humongous ego even more. Totally overrated!

[@alanmusicman3385]

@@sheilamitchell2215 Well generally, music radio used to be a lot more about music than it is now and if you listen to one of Steve's 1980s shows and one from now, you can hear that change - in spades!

[@sheilamitchell2215]

@@alanmusicman3385 true but he still likes the sound of his own voice!!!

[@gilly4881]

208 was the best.

[@yoshimitsu1971]

Operation yew-tree…..🤘🏻

[@Stejll1]

Who are these people????? 😂The Mike Reid song was a Chuck Berry tune ' Promised land' glad Chuck never heard it or Mr Reid would've been in big trouble!😊😊

[@thedangler1754]

I have to say I don't agreed with most of the critique, particularly from those far less known and base their career on slating others. I grew up in the 80's and like many others loved watching Top of the Pops, and to look back and say its looks creepy with youngsters and older DJ's on each episode is not taking into account the times. The only creepy one was Jimmy Saville and most of those criticising this period don't even mention Saville...what does that tell you.

[@scallywagstv2439]

I never had a problem with the presenters on there and still don’t, apart from the obvious one. It was just how it was and you never thought about it. It was always the music I wanted to see. Didn’t matter who was doing the in between bits.

[@prodigalson56]

I never knew Mike Read died, just found out

[@historicmilitaria1944]

errrr..he gave an interview to the express newspaper last month...I think your confusing him with Mike reid...actor on eastenders /comedian/presenter of 1970s kids show runaround.....he died yonks ago....you may also be confusing him with dj Mike Smith who died a few months ago

[@rob16248]

I didn't know ether, until you mentioned it. Thanks to make my day ; )

[@sheilamitchell2215]

@scf85 I genuinely didn't know that. Always found him pretty smug and in love with the sound of his own voice but I'm sorry to hear he'd passed .....

[@Redsleather]

Did they play ‘UKIP Calypso’ at the funeral?

[@markpunt9638]

Needless knocking

[@stonkez8452]

I once read in a dance music magazine that a DJ's record players should be designed to implode as soon as they become middle aged.

[@97channel]

See, the flipside to this is that it's not a good thing to target youth with only 100% cool. You have to look a certain way, talk a certain way, wear the right clothes, behave in a very tightly fashionable manner or you're only worthy of ridicule. The result of all this pressure is kids going around being all Ali G, desperately seeking approval of who they are trying to be, when who they actually are is supressed. What do you need, to be a DJ? A good voice and being able to push some buttons. What does anything else matter? Okay, I know this is all just meant as a bit of fun, and the Smashy and Nicey thing was funny. And I know I could be taken as missing the joke, I'm not. It's just that, when you really think about it, it's not great that youth are only spoken to in a certain voice. Be exactly like this, or "you're sad.". There must be so many kids out there who are not truly like the way they feel pressured to behave, and feel isolated because nobody speaks to the person they really are.

[@joebrown5016]

Saville..

[@BillOdyssey]

Yeah...Pat Sharp and Dr Fox - waaay cooler than Mike Read..

[@thomasbrookes2266]

WHAT , DJ s STARS, anybody can play a record, doesnt take a lot of skill does it

[@Pkia-tm7gw]

WALDOS!

[@therespectedlex9794]

That black guy looks like he has watched a programme of who this programme is about, before he tells everyone what this programme is about.