Piccadilly Radio 261
Piccadilly was the pioneering and fearless radio station which launched the careers of national personalities such as Chris Evans, Timmy Mallett, Gary Davis, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Crane, Steve Penk and Andy Peebles, plus a host of journalists , TV and film producers, businessmen and women and entrepreneurs.
At the same time, it discovered and nurtured local personalities who had never worked in radio before such as Susie Mathis,
Phil Wood, Dave Ward, Mike Shaft, James Stannage,
Mike Sweeney, Becky Want, James H Reeve and Stu Allan.
They all became a huge part of listeners’ daily lives.
This site has been put together by former members of the radio station, and is run not-for-profit. Please enjoy plenty of memories from the great days of Piccadilly Radio and hear for FREE a special 17-chapter AUDIO version of the Piccadilly story featuring the voices from the station. Please click around the menu to enjoy nostalgic photos and memorabilia. Scroll down to listen to the whole audiobook free of charge, but please consider a donation to the Christie.
Now there's an exclusive FREE new audiobook based on the best selling "For the Record" book. Listen by scrolling down and clicking each chapter on this web page or you're welcome to download the mp3 files on this link: https://we.tl/t-Rw4jrCRKko 17 audio chapters, almost 5 hours of memories, interviews with your favourite personalities, those iconic jingles and the full story of how Piccadilly Radio, launched on April 2nd 1974, became the UK's most successful radio station. Thanks to all the contributors to these chapters. It was produced at the audio studios of former Piccadilly DJ Pete Baker. Enjoy!
All profits from this project go to The Christie, and if you enjoy what we have for you on this site, please make a donation here, thank you.
Click the link or use the QR code to donate.
Not got your copy of For The Record yet?
This is the excellent book by Brian Beech and Tony Ingham, (and Timmy Mallett just LOVES his copy!) now available from all good bookstores or simply click the link to order from Amazon UK.
173 pages of pure entertaining nostalgia, with many behind-the-scenes stories never told before!
BONUS TRACK
Listen to Piccadilly archive programmes!
Manchester Central Library is home to many magnetic tapes that have recorded many historic programmes that were produced at Piccadilly Radio. Slowly but surely, and subject to funding, the old tapes are being digitised for all to enjoy.
This is an important project which will save the programmes from decay and make them accessible to future generations for research and enjoyment.
The sound archive department at Manchester Central Library already has digitalised some material which means anyone can visit the library and listen to a range of Piccadilly Radio programmes for free.
Ask the staff at the library for more information.
Here is a short taster of Dave Ward with Suzi Quatro!
https://northwestsoundheritage.org/2021/07/26/uap-009-piccadilly-radio/
Further information about other audio archives is here: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/soundarchive
STOP PRESS! September 2024 - The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded Manchester Central Library the £99,000 grant to make the Piccadilly Radio archive catalogues available for anyone to listen to!
The lottery grant has been topped up with match funding from Manchester Libraries Trust and former Piccadilly Radio staff. Contact the Manchester Digital Music Archive at Manchester Central Library to find out how you could be listening back to those classic and often award-winning programmes from the 70's and 80's!
News story here: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/9534/piccadilly_radio_archives_turn_digital_with_99k_national_lottery_grant