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Len Goodman – On The Air

Len Goodman remembers the radio shows and stars from his years growing up in 1950s London.

Strictly judge Len Goodman enjoyed a happy childhood and teenage years growing up in 1950s London.

Pride of place in the Goodman living room was the radiogram - a fine piece of furniture with a cocktail cabinet on one side (for entertaining the neighbours) and a gramophone and radio on the other. After school Len would come home and play records on the gramophone. But it was the names on the radio dial that fascinated young Len - Luxembourg, Hilversum, Moscow, Vatican - faraway magical places. Then, of course, there was the 91Èȱ¬ 91Èȱ¬, Light, and Third Programmes and Overseas Service. The arrival of commercial radio was still a good 20 years away - so the 91Èȱ¬ had our full attention when it came to home listening.

Len Goodman, with the help of the 91Èȱ¬ Archives and some back copies of the Radio Times, remembers the radio shows and stars of the 1950s. The programme includes memories of Jack Jackson, Two Way Favourites, Mantovani, Semprini, Music While You Work, Take It From Here and Educating Archie.

Tomorrow in Len's second programme for Radio 2 50s he'll take a look the television shows and stars of the decade.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 15 Apr 2016 17:00
91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 50s

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Iggy Pop

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Friday Night Is Music Night – Fabulous Films of the 50s

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Recipes

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Music Played

  • André Kostelanetz and His Orchestra

    With a Song In My Heart

    • On The Air.
    • 91Èȱ¬.

  • Al Martino

    Here In My Heart

    • Housewives Choice (Various Artists).
    • Music & Memories.

  • Winifred Atwell

    The Poor People Of Paris

    • Premier Coll'n Of Instrumental Hits V.
    • Kenwest.

  • Jack Jackson & His Orchestra

    You Can't Do That There 'Ere

    • Radio Fun.
    • CONIFER: CDHD-208.
    • 23.

  • Doris Day

    Everybody Loves a Lover

  • Eddie Calvert

    Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White

  • Eric Coates

    Calling All Workers

    Performer: Eric Coates Orchestra.
    • British Light Classics.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.

  • Little Richard

    Rip It Up

    • Little Richard 22 Classic Cuts.
    • Ace.

  • Mantovani

    Charmaine

    • Best of Mantovani.
    • Decca.

  • Ted Heath

    Hot Toddy

    • (Single).
    • Decca.

  • Dickie Valentine

    Finger of Suspicion

    • Great British Number 1s.
    • Pickwick.
    • 1.

  • Joe Henderson

    Trudie

    • Sleepy Shores - Instrumental Classics.
    • Old Gold.

  • Jack Strachey

    In a party mood [Housewives' Choice theme tune]

    Orchestra: West End Celebrity Orchestra. Conductor: Jack Strachey.
    • On The Air.
    • 91Èȱ¬.

  • Billy Williams

    I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself...

    • Simon Bates: The Golden Years Of 50's.
    • Pickwick.

  • Semprini

    Mediterranean Concerto

    • Albert Semprini.
    • EMI.
    • 1.

  • Edmundo Ros

    Mambo No 5

    • DECCA.

  • Ernie Fields

    In The Mood

    • THE CLASS & RENDEZVOUS STORY.
    • Ace.

Broadcast

  • Fri 15 Apr 2016 17:00
    91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 50s

People's History of Pop

Journey through a decade of exhilarating music with a selection of tracks from the 50s