History Of DJ - Part 9 - The Pirate's Last Stand

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The British labour Government thought it was all over when introducing the Marine Offences Act in August 1967. Radio London, Radio Scotland, Radio 270 all closed down but Ronan O’Rahilly, the Irish owner of Radio Caroline continued to broadcast.
After the new law was introduced off-shore broadcasters from Switzerland launched Radio North Sea International which, for a while, after Radio Caroline had gone aground, took on the name Radio Caroline pumping out anti-Labour propaganda which saw the Conservatives take power.
North Sea was attacked by real pirates with real bombs as you will see in film taken during the incident when DJ's scrambled into lifeboats.
Dutch gangsters also tried to take over the ship as DJs bolted down the hatches to stop them entering the studio.
Here is actual film of the events from the mouths of the DJs who were there and are still alive today to tell the story with DMCTV.
Tony Prince produces a final episode in the amazing story of British pirate radio.
This was the golden age of pirate radio with high seas spinners such as Mark Wesley, Tony Blackburn, Ron O’Quinn, Johnnie Walker, Robbie Dale, Andy Archer, Ed Stewart, Bob Stewart, Spangles Muldoon (alias Chris Carey), Daffy Don Allen, Kenny Everett, Colin Nicol, Dave Lee Travis, Jerry King, Alan West, Brian McKenzie, Keith Skues, the Emperor Rosko and the story-teller himself the Royal Ruler.
Exclusive interviews include Radio Scotland’s Richard Park now boss at Global Radio, Sir Roger Gale was one of the most toured pirates starting with Caroline, Radio 270, Scotland until eventually he joined BBC Radio One on the Newsbeat team.
Mark Wesley too was well travelled on the seas around the UK,. He eventually became a record plugger for The Beatles and Elton John but not before playing their music from forts and ships before and after the act of Parliament which made it illegal to work or advertise on the pirates.
The end of this episode is an emotional time-line from 1964 to that fateful day in August 1967 when DJs risked prison sentences or came ashore to seek work with the BBC or Radio Luxembourg.
“We changed the face of radio in Europe”, said Tony Blackburn.
“Not arf”, said Alan Freeman!
Welcome on board this 35 minute cruise back in time.

[@spangles3654]

Please bring back times like this. Thank you Offshore dj's we love you.

[@rogernorman2621]

Benn was a complete pratt and im glad that I did a bit to keep Caroline afloat!

[@frankedwardcurry]

Great series of documentaries! Kenny Everett was right - Radio London is remembered after all these years - so are the others. They were great times and I lived through it. Best years of my life.

[@Rhymes_In_Truth]

Great piece of history... it shows how crazy the whole thing was. Especially from the government. Why should you ever have a problem listening to the radio for free?? Crazy!! Great video man. 👏

[@brettcooper3893]

Rhymes in Truth agreed, and these issues persist today and that's why the Pirates still persist.

[@martynkorol5322]

Great, great days. I work as a dj in pubs & clubs playing punk and classic rock.These people paved the way.. RESPECT.! Martyn (MARTYNS ROCK SHACK).

[@10meandyou]

Great times great video. Never be the same again.

[@stevebaker9709]

These were the greatest days of radio .radio from the ships was magical .I was just to young to go out there and work as a DJ but I really wanted to .right from the fist days of radio Atlanta then Caroline started next to Atlanta .the Caroline took over radio Atlanta .and called it Caroline south and the Caroline ship went to the isle of man to broadcast as Caroline north .such great days .I'm very glad that Caroline has come though it all and is now broadcasting legally on land and have keep their ship the Ross revenge .but the magic has gone .but still listen every day and always will 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@altfactor]

In the late 1980's, there was a similar offshore pirate ship anchored off the coast of New York City, called Radio New York International, which I think broadcast on 1620 kilohertz (this was before the AM/medium wave broadcast band in North America was expanded to 1700 kilohertz). It didn't last long as the FCC seized the ship.

[@elvishpaisley]

When the random dude in the restaurant claps for Ronan saying "Our responsibility is to the listeners we turned on, it's not to any government..."

[@djray2001]

what a great insight into pirate radio back in the day and into djing over the years THANKS TONY PRICE

[@agedejong5198]

we kunnen mooi terug kijken ,naar de zenders, fijn van youtube, dat er nog zo veel te zien valt, uit de tijd toen we nog jong waren, vol van idealen

[@jp-um2fr]

I'm nearly 77 so I remember it all. I never voted Lab nor will I EVER. How can you tell a politician is lying ? His lips move.

[@colindale3027]

RIP Reg Calvert and David Lord Sutch - I remember you ..

[@fibboobbif]

Still very important topic. The gov should never have a monopoly, and never give privilege to 100% commercial global radio stations to simulate a market competition.

[@hauntedhouses9248]

my late mother loved radio Caroline and later radio 1

[@benmorris955]

Great to hear Johnny Walker not swearing !

[@arjovenzia]

As a Ham, the technical aspects of these ships transmitters and antennas fascinates me. there is alot of info on the cultural and political aspects, but scant technical info. if anyone has something along these lines, Id very much appreciate a nod in the right direction

[@michaelrock5615]

Benn was a pompous champagne socialist. It's a familiar, recurring story of a controlling government shutting down freedom and enterprise. Even as a very young child, I hated the BBC monopoly and I despise them even more so today. Commercial radio on land never captured the magic of offshore radio. Even today, hearing these clips from the sixties sound thrilling! Can't say that about any radio stations today. Forever love the pirates.

[@libertinoradio4597]

I wish this series featured my old workplace The Voice Of Peace.

[@redeye_]

here in nz we had radio hauraki. i just know that they were a offshore station till 1970

[@dirigistus4761]

great looking forwards for more

[@stevebrown4185]

that song got a brief play

[@Bulletguy07]

21:10 onward....i have the recording of this Mayday and it's a shame they couldn't have included more of it on the clip. So i found it here!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZvCdYGrp86JeaM I always remember when i first heard it i visualised DJ Alan West sitting surrounded by flame as the signal weakens toward the end. BUT "Man of Action" plays throughout in the background and Alan continues calling the Mayday. Totally surreal!!! That's dedication folks!!!

[@Sheffield_Steve]

I remember reading a YT comment from a uploaded link of the bomb attack & fire on the RNI ship that someone possibly the uploader asked Alan West about it and he couldn't recall any of it. Seems like maybe his subconscious was helping him forget the trauma & terror he must have been feeling at the time maybe?

[@benmorris955]

Is it still feasible to run a ship in off-shore waters?

[@royalregalruler]

And now the book: www.dmcworld.com/store/the-royal-ruler-the-railway-dj-hardback-book.html