The Brian Matthew Story
A special programme paying tribute to Radio 2’s Sounds of the Sixties presenter, legendary broadcaster Brian Matthew, a true icon of the airwaves.
Brian began his broadcasting career in Germany in 1948 and trained as an actor at RADA. He worked as a milkman before joining the BBC in the 1950s. He became a popular voice on the BBC Light Programme, hosting shows such as Saturday Club and Easy Beat . In 1961, Brian became the regular host of TV pop show Thank Your Lucky Stars, where leading pop performers of the day lined up to appear including The Beatles and the Supremes.
In 1973, Brian hosted a series called My Top Twelve, in which performers shared their favourite music. Notable guests included Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond and Bryan Ferry.
From 1978 to 1990 Brian hosted the nightly Radio 2 Arts programme Round Midnight, for which he won the 1987 Pulitzer Publishing Award. In 1990 came another long-running show, Sounds Of The 60’s, winner of a Gold Sony Radio Award in 1996 and which is still going strong on Radio 2 today.
In 2008, Brian was presented with a well-deserved Sony Gold Award to celebrate his impressive record of more than 50 years of national and international radio broadcasting.
Writer/Russell Davies, Producer Graham Pass for PING productions
Radio 2 Publicity
Wednesday 1 February
10.00-11.00pm
BBC RADIO 2
