Like A Virgin (Radio) (Virgin Radio)

Member Name: marandina

Product:	Virgin Radio
Date:	09/10/05 (803 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some very good shows, a fascinating history

Disadvantages: You may not like it

There’s nothing quite like tuning into the radio in the morning is there? There’s so little effort required in just turning it on and tuning in to your favourite radio station. Personally, I like to try a number of different stations on different days so that I don’t get bored. Amongst my favourites for some time now is Virgin.

Launched in 1993, Virgin Radio was yet another facet of the sprawling business empire of Richard Branson. Aimed at the baby boomers of the 1960’s, Virgin set out to capture the listening audience of a particular generation and the plan was to play pop and rock avoiding the more techno/lightweight tunes that scourge the charts. The original DJ line up consisted of luminaries such as Russ Williams, Richard Skinner, the late Tommy Vance and Chris Evans. Virgin Radio was the UK's first national commercial pop music station and remains the only national commercial pop station today.

Virgin can be found on medium wave at 1197, 1215 or 1233 depending on where you are in the country. Unfortunately, I can never find the FM version at 105.8 but this is mainly available in London and surrounding areas unless you have a digital radio, of course (really must get me one soon). You can also listen to Virgin online as many do all around the world.

The main shows I listen to include Pete and Geoff’s Breakfast Show, Sugg’s Party Classics and Russ Williams either when he stands in or if I’m listening to the after 9.30am slot. Needless to say, there are plenty of other shows to listen to and you’ll find more info at Virgin Radio’s excellent web site at http://www.virginradio.co.uk.

I was originally drawn to Virgin through the ephemeral talents of Chris Evans. The ginger whinger always did fascinate me and it was a mixture of admiration for his broadcasting genius and loathing of the way he surrounded himself with sycophants on his morning show that made him so interesting. He’d always have something to say and often make very personal comments either about his own life or the lives of others. His courtship of Billie Piper was played out on air like some love-sick teenager’s obsession but it all made compulsive listening. It’s well documented now but Evans did buy the station at one point subsequently selling it for a handsome profit. One drinking bender too many ultimately led to his sacking as a DJ when he still thought in his own mind that he ran the station even after selling it. These days the station seems a lot less turbulent and Russ Williams is more the kind of steady, reliable DJ that the Virgin station relies on.

Pete and Geoff provide a manic start to the day with their morning show from 6am. Interspersed amongst the songs are witty exchanges, silly phone ins and numerous nods to the sponsor of the day – currently Toyota Rav 4. Geoff Lloyd hails from Macclesfield and started his radio career in 1992 at Signal Radio Cheshire. Moving on to Piccadilly Radio, Geoff joined up with Pete Mitchell in 1996. Pete is the older, more sobering half of the duo and has an illustrious CV. Whilst involved with Piccadilly radio, Pete managed, produced and performed in bands whilst helping to establish acts such as Oasis, 808 State and the Inspiral Carpets. At the time of meeting, Geoff Lloyd was a budding writer, comedian and fellow radio presenter. Within 2 years, the Pete & Geoff Show had built a loyal following in the north, which was recognised by the radio industry with a prestigious Sony Radio Award. Pete Mitchell also hosts his own show on Virgin called “Razor Cuts” which is mix of music, interviews and commentary about rock bands of today.

I’ve been listening to the Virgin Breakfast show for a few years now and I do like the combination of Pete and Geoff. They compliment each other nicely with Geoff all high tempo lunacy whilst Pete anchors the show with his sage-like dry observations. Typical of the silliness is things like “Whose that what’s got a box on their head?” which is a short blast of music whilst Pete, Geoff and helper, Annabel pass a cardboard box around (or even a Storm Trooper’s helmet). At the end the listener has to guess who has got the box on their head to win a prize. I know, silly but fun.

I’m afraid I suffer like most from constant bouts of nostalgia. This means that when the former front man of 80’s nutty boy band, Madness, is allowed to play a succession of 80’s classics on a Friday evening then I can’t help but listen in. The show starts at 6pm and plays throughout the evening. It’s a real lift when you’re driving home after a late finish on a Friday evening and Sugg’s irreverent tone always makes me smile. You could encounter anything from Bad Manners to T’Pau but it’s all good, clean fun. Suggs is currently at the centre of the “£25,000 Joke” as well where listeners send in their best jokes and the eventual winner gets 25 grand.

On a similarly humorous tone, Vic Reeves now has his own show on Virgin called “Big Night In” and having listened to the show the other night, Vic Reeves comedic talents translate well onto radio. I particularly like the chemistry he has with listeners that call in as his gently mocking humour is always guaranteed to bag a few laughs even if he is utterly unconventional at times.

Virgin even has Tim Lovejoy (Lovejooooooy!!) from Soccer AM fame fronting his own show on a Sunday afternoon from 4pm. I haven’t tried this one yet but if it’s anything like the fabulous Soccer AM then it just has to be good. This looks like a mix of footie and music that could well be an extension of the Saturday afternoon "Rock and Roll Football Show" that punctuates music records with latest scores.

There’s a huge amount of choice these days on the radio. The advent of digital has made the decision as to which station to listen to harder than ever with a plethora of new stations on the air waves courtesy of new technology. Richard Branson’s original concept of appealing to 30-somethings still has a lot going for it. Demographics notwithstanding, I feel that I can still say that even though I’ve moved on a decade since *sigh* Go try it and definitely try the web site too.

Thanks for reading

Marandina

Summary: Overview of Virgin Radio