Profiles

Terry receives a Sony Award in 1986

Putting me in charge of the Rock Show wasn't going to make me cool - that much I knew.

What I didn't know, though, was how entertaining it was going to be working with Terry Christian and the rest of the then 'Barbed Wireless Team' - some of whom looked as though you might cross the road to avoid them, but who came to sit solemnly in the Ops room with me during the show to give me lessons on sticky-up hair, leather lacings and assorted piercings. 

Taking a drink

They were Terry's musical army - his exercise in democracy, as they added their expertise on air in everything from Heavy Metal to Jazz Funk to Northern Soul and all points west.

There was Pete Sadler, whom I loved not least because he was even older than me: Gordon Taylor - with a first in Philosophy and a taste for stuff so strange he christened it Isometric Dancing.

There was Gavin Claxton who went on to work for channel 4 and make his own movies. Tim Hopewell became a director for Granada. Devon Daly went to work with Trevor Nelson - and came back to Radio Derby to play you more Soul. 

Kevin Fernihough, who stood in for his nibs on rare days off,  also became a radio presenter - not least here on his old patch.

I won't laundry-list them all, but under Terry the show was a magnet for all kinds of talent, and he did his best to promote local musical talent too: he rarely got to sip his pint before someone sat at his table and produced a demo.

By the time the show ended Terry had two Sony's under his belt and something of a cult following.

It was a tribute to his appealing combination of intelligence, wit and warmth.

Those who see him on the box from time to time get only a glimpse of the real McCoy. I was his producer. I made the coffee and took the blame. HE made radio magic.

THAT I Do know.

Jan Rogers