Stay tuned for the 1950s

By Jayne Warren - 14/07/2008

Many Mature Times’ readers have been switched off from radio in recent years because they can’t find the kind of music they want to listen to anymore. But now it’s time to tune in again to the Fabulous 50s Radio Show, which only plays records released between 1950 and 1959 - and has even been picked up as far away as Alaska.

The Fabulous 50s Radio Show, which goes out every Wednesday and Sundays on Forest FM community radio station, is the brainchild of Paul Peters and Geoff Kemp, both from the New Forest, where they own and run an old “Grace Brothers” style department store.

Paul has been involved with radio since 1965, when he left home to become a D.J. on the offshore “Pirate” radio station Radio Essex, broadcast from a disused WW2 ship called Knock John. He said: “It was a great time. But we wouldn’t have listened to 50s music then - not when we had The Beatles, The Stones and The Kinks!”

Back then Paul rubbed shoulders with Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker, Kenny Everett and Ed Stewart, but, in his words: “I was one of the ones who didn’t make it”, and he left the radio world for the next 35 years, switching to working with the PDSA, running hotels and finally setting up the department store, Palfrey & Kemp, with business partner Geoff.

But life has a strange way of going round in circles, and one day Paul got a call from Radio Four producer Dilly Barlow, asking he if he would tell his story on John Peel’s former show, Home Truths. He did. And he liked doing it so much that he had the courage to approach Forest FM with the idea of a 50s Radio Show - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Paul and Geoff play music from across the era, rather than specific styles, and it really appeals to young people as well. Even Tommy Steele, Frankie Howerd and The Goons get an airing alongside greats like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Doris Day.
Geoff is the co-presenter and record expert, spending days on end researching the records and the artists. ”The thing is,” says Paul,”you turn on the radio and there isn’t a single 50s station, but on the television there are countless adverts using the music, so interest is higher than it has been for years.”

But it’s the internet that really expanded the Fabulous 50s Show beyond their wildest dreams. “We had an email from the veteran broadcaster Bob Kern, asking us to send him a copy of the Show over the internet. Then he asked if he could broadcast it. Now we’ve had an email from a station in Arizona, so we might be going out there as well!”

The whole experience has reminded Paul of the heady old days. “I live near Yeovil, and the other night I was putting the car away and I could just pick up Forest FM. I ended up sitting in the car in my dressing gown with a cup of Horlicks.
“Not quite the same as being under the bedclothes with a torch listening to Radio Luxemborg, but...”

The Fabulous 50s Radio Show is broadcast every Wednesday from 10pm-midnight, and again on Sunday from 2pm to 3pm on Forest FM, 92.3. It is also available as a podcast from “American Oldies” station KFMJ at the first link below. Alternatively go to the second link, click onto the presenters page, then click onto Paul Peter’s photo.

And if you’ve got a request or a song you haven’t heard for years, then try the “lost record spot” and write in. Paul and Geoff are happy to help. Email: fab50.radio@yahoo.com or write to: Forest FM, Unit 2, Enterprise Park,Verwood, Dorset, BH31 6YS.