Capital Gold

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Capital Gold is a oldies radio station which started in London in 1988 on Capital Radio's AM frequency, as the British government urged radio stations to end simulcasting (broadcasting the same programmes simultaneously on FM and AM) and threatened to remove one of their frequencies if simulcasting continued. Original DJs included Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett and David Hamilton, although in the case of Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton, they are no longer there. Current presenters on the station include David Jensen, Nicky Horne, legendary soul DJ Greg Edwards and Drivetime presenter Paul Coyte.

Capital Gold Network
Broadcast area	London, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, South East Wales, Birmingham, Manchester (AM, DAB Digital Radio) UK and Ireland (Sky Digital)
First air date	28 November 1988 (London), 1997 (Kent, Sussex, Hampshire), 1998 (Cardiff and Newport), October 2001 (Manchester)
Frequency	1548 kHz (London), 1242/603 kHz (Kent), 1323/945 kHz (Sussex), 1170/1557 kHz (Hampshire), 1305/1359 kHz (Cardiff and Newport), 1152 kHz (Birmingham), 1458 kHz (Manchester)
Format	Classic Hits
Owner	GCap Media
Website	www.capitalgold.com

Contents 1 History 1.1 Pre-launch 1.2 Launch 1.3 1970s presenter team 2 Capital in danger (1975-1980) 2.1 Charities and the Flying Eye 3 Music Power (1980s) 3.1 1980s presenter team 4 One becomes two- the frequency split (1989-1996) 4.1 1990 presenter team 5 Syndication (1996-present) 6 Going digital (2000-2007) 6.1 Current programming (2007) 6.2 The future (2007-beyond) 6.3 2000s presenter team 6.4 Local Breakfast hosts 7 Capital Gold Legends 7.1 2001 7.2 2002 7.3 2003 7.4 2004 7.5 2006 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

See related articles Capital Radio, Independent Local Radio

[edit] Pre-launch

The Conservative Party, under Edward Heath promised in their 1970 General Manifesto that should they win, they would introduce local commercial radio in addition to the commercial television which started in 1957. This was a result of much lobbying from a particular pressure group, the Local Radio Association, who felt that commercial radio should be introduced following the launch of Associated Rediffusion and Independent Television. The Tories won and swiftly introduced the Sound Broadcasting Act 1972 which allowed for the introduction of Independent Local Radio and the newly-renamed Independent Broadcasting Authority from the Independent Television Authority.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority advertised local radio licences in certain locations in the United Kingdom under the umbrella term of Independent Local Radio. London was due to receive two ILR licences- one for news and general entertainment. Capital Radio, a consortium of the "great and good", backed by dentist Barclay Barclay-White [1] and Chairman Richard Attenborough were one of fifty applications. Other applications came from a consortium headed by Opportunity Knocks television presenter Hughie Green, who had openly voiced the need for commercial broadcasting, having previously got his break on Radio Luxembourg.

The IBA awarded Capital Radio the "London General Entertainment" service, while "London News" was awarded to the London Broadcasting Company, LBC.

IBA transmission tests commenced in January 1973 and Capital Radio went on air on October 16, 1973, ten days after LBC, using the following FM and AM frequencies: 95.8MHz FM from Croydon transmitter station and 558 kHz (534 metres) MW from the London Transport Lots Road Power Station, Chelsea. The mediumwave frequency and location were temporary sites as the then new high-powered mediumwave station at Saffron Green, Barnet was incomplete.

[edit] Launch

Capital commenced regular transmissions with the Royal National Anthem God Save the Queen, then a message from Director Richard Attenborough "...This, for the very first time, is Capital Radio". Then followed the Capital Radio theme jingle, made by Blue Mink:

"Isn't it good to know,
Capital Radio
You can turn on your friends, you can turn on the show,
you can turn on the world with Capital Radio
Such a good way to make your day
Capital sounds go round and round,
Up and down London town
The brightest sound in London town
Capital Radio in tune with London (yeah)"...

Simon and Garfunkel's song, Bridge over Troubled Waters followed the jingle. The first radio commercial came from Bird's Eye fish fingers, which incidentally was also the first ever legal radio commercial on LBC.

Capital's programming remit, as with all ILR stations at the time, was to appeal to the broadest range of people as possible, which included specialist music programmes, radio plays, classical music, community features and news documentaries. Capital's breakfast show was hosted by popular television entertainer Kenny Everett and disc jockey Dave Cash.

Immediately after going on air Capital Radio suffered co-channel interference from Radio Veronica, a pirate radio station off the coast of the Netherlands. Veronica commenced in the 1960s and it was suggested that the allocation of 534 metres to ILR may have been an attempt to block reception of overseas broadcasts- a battle which preceded the launch of BBC Radio 1. Capital finally moved into office blocks in Euston Tower in November 1973, just a few yards away from Thames Television headquarters. Euston Tower at the time London's tallest office tower.

In 1975 the IBA finally opened the transmission facilities at Saffron Green which allowed both LBC and Capital Radio to move up the dial- Capital moved to 1548 kHz mediumwave (194 metres) and LBC to 1152 kHz (261 metres). Saffron Green needed to be highly configured as it was sharing the same frequency as other ILR stations and needed to prevent co-channel interference from new ILR stations in Birmingham and Manchester. Previously the Lots Road site gained Capital and LBC the semi-humorous nickname of "Radio Clothesline" [2], however both stations could be heard as far away as the Midlands. FM reception remained unaltered.

[edit] 1970s presenter team

• Kenny Everett and Dave Cash - Breakfast (1974-1980)
• Michael Aspel Mid-morning
• Roger Scott - Afternoon
• Joan Shenton and Tommy Vance - Drivetime
• Tony Myatt

[edit] Capital in danger (1975-1980)

The commercial radio climate was very tough, recessions, the Miners' Strike and high inflation brought on by the Three-day Week meant that revenues at Capital Radio suffered. Throughout the 1970s Capital reduced its broadcasting hours and cut its staff, including many journaists- a move which angered the NUJ. Richard Attenborough intimated in the 1990s in a 'Capital Facts' sheet that the station almost contemplated closing down:

"Although one can say it now, one couldn't at the time, there were some weeks when the viability of the whole operation was in question and we might had had to close down. We almost didn't make ends meet."

Capital saw off the recession and continued broadcasting, eventually increasing its hours. The so-called 'needle-time' restrictions on playing music, imposed by the IBA had been lifted, which meant it could play more music during the day as well as in the evenings where the eight hours were concentrated.

[edit] Charities and the Flying Eye

The Mid seventies saw Capital Radio expand with the launch of the Help a London Child charity, which aimed to raise money for London's poorest children, which despite the wealth of the city, still existed. The charity went on to become one of the longest-running charities in broadcasting and the most recognised in British radio. In 1976 the Capital Radio Helpline launched, in conjunction with Thames Television , London Weekend Television and British Telecom which helped listeners through matters ranging from how to cook a turkey at Christmas time, to suicide inervention. The station has also lent its support to London based orchestras, choral societies, the British Film Institute Children's Film Festival and many other ventures.

1976 saw the first-ever launch of the Flying Eye, a traffic helicopter, which could see traffic congestion spots from below onto the streets of Central London. LBC originally had such a helicopter but was forced to suspend operations due to cost. The helicopter was originally a Piper Seneca model, and latterly as a twin-engined Cirumma Cougar.

[edit] Music Power (1980s)

A new radio jingle package from Sue Manning brought along the new refined sound of Capital Radio, concentrating more its core playlist of contemporary chart music and relegating the specialist music to evenings, however its jazz and soul programmes at the weekends, presented by Peter Young were well received by listeners. Some of Capital's early presenters had moved on, to be replaced by newer disc jockeys, some of which had presenting gigs at Radio Luxembourg.

A brand new breakfast show started in 1987 and featured Chris Tarrant who arrived from popular television programme Tiswas. Chris initially arrived at Capital presenting the weekday lunchtime show before being promoted. He was joined by unknown sidekick Kara Noble and went on to become a very popular partnership and one of the most listened to radio programmes in London and British radio. It is widely regarded today among radio circles that Capital Radio in the 1980s was at its broadcasting peak with its jingles from Midlands-based music producer Muff Murfin still recognised today as an essential part of the 'big' sound.

[edit] 1980s presenter team

• Brian Hayes
• David Symonds
• Gerald Harper
• Graham Dene - synonymous with the phrase diddly dum de doo by Kenny Everett
• Mike Allen
• Nicky Horne
• Gary Crowley
• David Jensen

[edit] One becomes two- the frequency split (1989-1996)

See also Capital Radio

As required by the 1990 Broadcasting Act the IBA and the Home Office in 1987, all ILR stations were to permanently split simulcasting output on both its FM and AM frequencies in order to create new local radio staions and improve choice. Capital responded by launching a golden oldies station, 1548 AM Capital Gold in November 1 1988 on its AM frequency while Capital on FM became 95.8 Capital FM, a chart contemporary music station. Both stations received brand-new jingle packages from Californian jingle house Who Did That Music (later Groove Jingles [3] ) which went on to become well known and essential parts of its music programming.

Capital Gold featured a strong presenting lineup such as "Diddy" David Hamilton and Tony Blackburn, Tony having arrived from BBC Radio London. Kenny Everett returned to Capital, having being disgraced from the BBC following an on-air insult on a politician's wife many years previously. Everett hosted daytime shows until his death in 1994, a tribute followed on air by presenting staff. The mid to late nineties saw Capital Gold rated London's most listened to AM radio station and third most listened to music station, behind Capital and Radio 1.

1987 also saw the launch of live, uninterrupted football coverage, entitled Capital Gold Sportstime and hosted by sports commentator Johnathan Pearce, who was known for his loud, enthusiastic delivery. Prominent football clubs featured on the show included Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham, Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Wimbledon F.C.

[edit] 1990 presenter team

• David Hamilton
• Kenny Everett
• Tony Blackburn
• David Jensen - who subsequently moved to Capital FM
• Paul Burnett
• Alan Freeman

[edit] Syndication (1996-present)

See also GCap Media

Capital Gold as a station was very popular, however only London got to hear such a strong lineup, so station management decided to syndicate Tony Blackburn's Sunday soul show and expand its popular 'Sportstime' brand to Birmingham station Xtra AM which Capital Radio had purchased along with BRMB to form the Capital Radio Group plc in 1993. This was followed in 1994 with the purchase of the Southern Radio Group, which owned;

• Power FM and Ocean FM, - South Hampshire
• Southern FM -Sussex
• Invicta FM and Invicta Supergold - Kent
• South Coast Radio- Hampshire and Sussex

Both Capital Radio plc and GWR Group lobbyed the then Radio Authority to allow syndicated programmes to be broadcast on its AM-owned stations. The Radio Authority agreed and it was announced early in 1998 that Capital Gold from London would replace the following:

• South Coast Radio - Sussex and Hampshire
• 1152 Xtra AM - Birmingham
• Invicta Supergold - Kent

Invicta Supergold was the first station to be replaced within weeks of the announcement being made with Xtra and South Coast following on June 1.

The networking was agreed by the Radio Authority with the stipulation that at least four hours a day of weekday broadcasting were kept and local news, traffic announcements and advertising remained on each station. Listeners to the previous local stations listed above were dismayed that such a huge chunk of local broadcasting were to be eliminated resulting in the loss of jobs. Capital Radio boss David Mansfield maintained that AM listenership had steadily declined and required a consistent, high quality programme offering across all stations to remain competitive.

Initially the four hours were scheduled in the afternoon drivetime slot (3-7pm) with a networked breakfast/morning show hosted by comedian Mike Osman (7-11am). This surprised many people in the industry as this sidelined Capital Gold's biggest radio name at the time Tony Blackburn who had previously presented the weekday breakfast show to weekends. However a few months later Blackburn was moved back on the weekday schedule although on the afternoon drivetime slot while local breakfast shows were reintroduced to meet the four hour requirement.

A new jingle package from now defunct jingle company AJ Productions and a new slogan- Great Time Music heralded the major change.

In 1999 Capital Radio plc acquired Red Dragon FM and Touch Radio in South Wales with the end result being Capital Gold replacing AM station Touch Radio. 1999 saw the station's reach increase yet again- across the UK and Ireland on Sky Digital

In 2002 brand new logos and imaging re-launched the Capital Gold Network, with the new slogan, "The Greatest Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s", and added a further medium wave station in Manchester after the former Wireless Group agreed to sell Big 1458 AM's broadcasting licence.

[edit] Going digital (2000-2007)

In 1999 CE Digital, a consortium made up of Capital Radio plc and Emap Radio won local DAB digital radio licences for Manchester, Birmingham and London. This was followed by similar wins by Capital Radio plc in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. Capital Gold actively encouraged listeners to switch to DAB Digital Radio as the added benefits of digital enable stereo broadcasts for the first time in its history.

In a dispute with station bosses Tony Blackburn left the station in 2002, having been at the station since Gold's launch in 1988. He hosted weekday drivetime and the Soul Spectrum until being replaced by Greg Edwards.

In 2004 station management decided to stop broadcasting live football coverage under the Capital Gold Sportstime title. It was felt that the loss of Jonathan Pearce to BBC Radio Five Live and the cost of acquiring live radio coverage rights became cost-prohibitive to continue. A replacement sports show, "Sports Saturday" now covers sports results. A Saturday Football League preview magazine was shortly aired in 2004 but discontinued a few months later.

[edit] Current programming (2007)

Capital Gold is an incredibly popular radio station and plays a wide range of music from well-established music superstars, from the 60's, 70's and 80's, but recently added a fair amount of 90's music and later. The station now has a weekly playlist of new material, plus a "Rated And Recommended" list which is chosen by David Jensen, who returned to Capital Gold after a stint at Heart 106.2 in 2003, played exclusively in his show. Predominantly the station plays classic hits, and almost every song played will be by a major artist.

The station has some regular feature shows. On Saturday morning David Jensen hosts a celebrity and showbiz programme, and recent notable guests have included Paul Weller, Jools Holland, Jeremy Irons, Smokey Robinson and Juliette Lewis. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings Greg Edwards hosts an excellent soul show called "Soul Spectrum". And on Sunday afternoons Nicky Horne has a classic album show. All of these are really well produced and highly recommended.

Capital Gold also has a series of intimate live concerts which go under the banner of "Legends Live". Artists who have played a Legends Live gig include Hall & Oates, Donny Osmond and The Zombies. The latest announcement is that in December 2006 Jools Holland is playing one of these Legends Live gigs, with special guests Lulu, Paul Carrack and Ruby Turner.

It is currently available on Digital audio broadcasting, Sky Digital (EPG number 0121) and Digital cable throughout the UK. You can also hear Capital Gold online via their website. [4]

[edit] The future (2007-beyond)

Following the merger of Capital Radio plc and GWR Group plc to form GCap Media in 2005, a reveiew of station assets were carried out by Chief Executive Ralph Bernard. One of their aims for 2006 and beyond is that Capital Gold would be carried on a national digital multiplex- enabling near-nationwide coverage- by the merger of it and digital-only station Capital Life [5]. The end result is that Gold will expand its playlists to span from the 1960s to current. It is also noted that AM transmissions would cease in 2007 [6], this has yet to happen however.

[edit] 2000s presenter team

• David Jensen
• Nicky Horne
• Greg Edwards
• Paul Coyte
• David Andrews
• David Jensen
• Keith Butler
• Mike Sweeney
• Gary Ziepe

[edit] Local Breakfast hosts

• Mick Brown London/UK (Sky Digital)
• Tom Ross Birmingham
• Neil Winfield Kent
• Mike Sweeney Manchester
• Tony Wright Cardiff and Newport
• Kevin King Sussex and Hampshire

[edit] Capital Gold Legends

Realising potential commercial revenues and the massive pulling power of the station brand, Capital Gold released a CD compilation early 2001 called Capital Gold Legends, featuring well-known artists such as Blondie, Queen and Tina Turner. This was followed in November 2001 by Capital Gold Legends Vol. 2 and in March 2002 of Volume 3. Since these releases Capital Gold have once again released another series in November 2002 with Sixties Legends, Seventies Legendsand Eighties Legends. The full list of releases are as follows:

[edit] 2001

• Capital Gold Legends Vol.1

[edit] 2002

• Capital Gold Legends Vol.2
• Capital Gold Legends Vol.3
• Capital Gold Sixties Legends

[edit] 2003

• Capital Gold Reggae Classics
• Capital Gold 70s Legends

[edit] 2004

• The Very Best of Legends
• Capital Gold - Just Great Songs
• Capital Gold Soul Classics: the Soul of a Nation

[edit] 2006

• Capital Gold Fifties Legends
• Capital Gold Country Legends
• Capital Gold - the Very Best of Love Legends

[edit] References

• Independent Radio by Mike Baron, ISBN 0-900963-64-6
• The Radio Companion by Paul Donovan, ISBN 978-0-586-09012-1
• Commercial Radio Pocket Book by Commercial Radio Companies Association
• Radio Authority Pocket Book 1992-2003 by the Radio Authority
• MDS975 Radio History
• Aircheck UK
• Vntage Broadcasting
• Official station history
• GCap Media group history

[edit] External links

• Capital Gold website
• GCap Media