Twenty Thousand Hertz

Pirate Radio: Britain’s AM rebels of the ’60s

Feb 16, 2022
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ANECDOTE

Ronan O'Rahilly's Pirate Radio Launch

  • Ronan O'Rahilly founded Radio Caroline by buying a ship to broadcast pop music beyond British legal reach.
  • This pirate radio ship challenged the BBC's music monopoly by playing the popular rock music the public craved.
ANECDOTE

Life Aboard Pirate Radio Ships

  • DJs aboard Radio Caroline endured rough seas, seasickness, and challenging broadcasting conditions.
  • Despite chaos and pranks, they persisted, bonding deeply over their dedication to music and listeners.
INSIGHT

Pirate DJs as Music Influencers

  • Pirate radio DJs wielded real influence by breaking new records and launching artists' careers.
  • Their growing audience forced the BBC to recognize the significant shift in popular music broadcasting.
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