Pictured above is DJ Paul Peters of Pirate Radio Essex, a "pirate" radio station fashioned off the coast of Britain in the 1960s on an abandoned WWII sea-fort. A number of these off-coast stations popped up around the UK during the early 1960s as a way for youth broadcasters to play and say whatever they wanted without the patriarical regulations of the United Kingdom's government. These "pirates" were activists, protesting through the art of radio broadcasting, representing a generation whose voice was not heard via traditional terrestrial radio-waves.
This blog will be an examination of activism through radio. Just like the pirate stations of 1960s Britain, every individual, radio station, and movement covered on this site will represent a unique approach to changing the world through broadcasting. All sorts of radio - music, political talk, free-form - will be represented.
Often radio is an overlooked or unrealized medium. I believe this to be more true today with the ever increasing presence of digital technology. Most people do not stop to think about the radio yet it is everywhere. For over a century, broadcast radio has been a ubiquitous part of everyday life. How, then, can this omnipresent audible artform affect the way we live? The way we treat each other? The way we think about the world around us?
I like the idea of researching music of lyrics representing a change for the people. Listening to music is very influencial to me while I am making art, working out, or even making dinner. Although, the question is do we as the public listen to the words in the songs or are we just listening to the rythum? Most of the time I am listening for the story and the words of each song. I will have to say it is disappointing most of the time. However, there are a few good artist out there. I love the idea of making a collection of these artist who sing about issues or events.
ReplyDeleteThis is a topic I have never even thought about save for the Kink's song Around the Dial. I love the thought that everything that has been played on the radio is still in the air. Its like the liturgy--connecting to words that have been said in the same way for centuries--radio is a little like that.
ReplyDeleteAre there any audio clips of these types of activism protests? Very cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive feedback, everyone! Lynn, very cool idea comparing radio to liturgy. Sarah, yes, there will be audio clips to come. Later tonight I will publish a new post featuring some examples to listen to.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I love that you are giving history of the radio and ways it was used. You are so right most people do not think about this sort of thing. I love music and often wonder which comes first the music or the lyrics. I love Texas Music because the bands/artists write most of their own music and it is usually from their own experiences not just crap that will get the ratings up. I love music from the soul, from the heart, music that changes us, not just a cool rhythm or beat, but songs that touch us, or move us to become better people. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDaniel, nice historic start with pirate radio. I grew up with radio in our house and always have one on. as you add to this, think about women in radio as well. You have a rich history in the medium and YES it is legit--just like oral histories. Great job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!! I am aware of the lack of women represented in my project and there are some women I will be adding to the list. Traditionally, radio has definitely and unfortunately been a boy's club when it comes to on air personalities. However, there is a long history of women working on the technical side of broadcasting - off-mic, if you will. Even since early radio, many women have worked as sound engineers and wireless operators. Also, during WWI and WWII, women played a big part in both civilian and armed-forces radio presenting. International Association of Women in Radio and Television is an amazing organization I plan to write about. Also, Terry Gross from NPR's "Fresh Air" program is as important a radio broadcaster as any today. There is a particular event in her career that I plan on blogging about that exemplifies her struggles of being taken seriously as an empowered woman in media.
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