78rpm Radio - Europe

A list of good radio programmes featuring Vintage Popular Music originating from 78rpm recordings

this page first published by John Wright, 18 May 1997
last update 12 May 2008vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk

E-mail John Wright if you know a good radio programme to add to this list

In UK:

1. Dance Band Days. For vintage music tune in on Sunday night, on BBC Radio 2 at 10.00-11.00pm
   -Malcolm Laycock plays British dance band music from the 1920's - 1940's for about 30 minutes (Ambrose, Lew Stone, Roy Fox, Ray Noble, Al Bowlly, Sam Browne etc.) then for the remainder of the programme it's American swing (Miller, Shaw, Basie, Goodman etc). Listen live or to last week's archived show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/laycock/
   
   
2. Tony Bradley writes:
   You are welcome to listen to my show 'Dance Band Days' on Thursday evenings 8.00pm on Thornbury 87.7FM. You can hear the show on your radio in the Bristol area on FM, or listen on-line at http://www.thornbury-fm.org.uk/
   
   
3. Desmond Carrington's Show is on BBC Radio 2 Tuesdays 7.00-8.00pm. Desmond plays a wide selection of tunes mainly 1920's-1960s. Listen live or to last week's archived show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/carrington/
   
   
4. Russell Davies' Songwriters' Show is on BBC Radio 2 Sundays 9.00-10.00pm
   -Russell plays a wide selection of records, tunes from the dance band era and Broadway/Hollywood era mainly 1920s-1950s. Listen live or to last week's archived show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/davies/

On the continent:

1. Bavaria, Germany
   Stephan Eichenberg wrote: BR 2 (bayerischer Rundfunk - public statewide Network)
   almost every Sunday from 8:03 to 9:00 pm either "Ich hab zuhaus' ein Grammophon" or "Schellack Souvenirs" 1920-1950's.
   
   
2. Sweden
   Kristjan Saag has the following update on the Swedish Radio (Sveriges Radio) scene:
   Da Capo, Sundays 21.03 on Channel Four
   This is a weekly one hour programme with music on 78's, hosted by Anders Eldeman. Eldeman possesses a genuine interest in popular music from the earlier part of the 20th century and has been a 78's collector from his teens. The programme primarily plays Swedish 78's, but now and then international recordings. "Da Capo" can be heard online at http://www.sr.se/p4/dacapo/ and on satellite.

   Other Swedish programmes with a good deal of 78's music:

   Stardust, Sundays 21.00 on Channel Two
   This one hour programme for classical jazz (1920's to 1950's) replaced the legendary "Smoke Rings" which was discontinued in late 1999 when its host, Leif Andersson, died. "Star Dust" is presented by bass saxophonist and radio producer Frans Sjostrom, who also produced "Smoke Rings". In 2007 Frans Sjostrom retired and for the time being reprise programmes of "Stardust"  are broadcast. A new programme with classical jazz will probably be announced in the near future. "Stardust" can be heard online at http://www.sr.se/p2/stardust/

   Rendezvous, Fridays 18.14 on Channel Two
   Kristjan is also hosting his own 75 minute programme on Channel Two, "Rendezvous", in which music from the 78 rpm era plays an essential part. Dance Band music from the 1930's and 40's, various kinds of Exotica and Latin, Cool Jazz, Light Classical, Popular songs from the pre-rock era, Mood Music, Big Band - all is featured in his laidback mix. "Rendezvous" is also available online at http://www.sr.se/p2/rendezvous and via http://www.myspace.com/rendezvousmix (website in English).
   Please note that all times given are CET.
   
   

3. Belgium
   Paul Coysh writes:
   "La Troisieme Oreille" (The Third Ear) is broadcast live every Saturday between 1.30pm (sometimes 1.15) and 3.00pm (CET time) on La Premiere which is the flagship station of RTBF in Belgium. The programme is presided over by Marc Danval a genial host who insists on bringing 78s into the studio, often from his own collection or those given him by enthusiastic listeners. The 78s are themselves played direct (very rarely are they copied in any way) which occasionally results in records in really bad condition getting on air! But Danval prides himself on being one of the very few - perhaps the only show - at least in Europe if not the world, to play 78s and certainly vinyl live on air.
   To hear the programme each Saturday live online in real time through MP3 streaming go to http://www.lapremiere.be/rtbf at the times shown above The main web page for the station shows the words "Ecoutez et reecoutez La Premiere", click on this and the options of 24k or 128k appear, click your choice.
   If you miss any shows, recordings going back several weeks are available as podcasts or on demand. Just click on these words on the main web page and dated selections will appear, identify preference and click.
   For those who might like to hear the regular and extensive jazz output of radio in Belgium go to http://www.jazzinbelgium.com and click on "Radio" under the heading "Media" at the foot of the left-hand column. All details will appear.

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