SIMON DEE 1936-2009

Simon Dee was the first voice on Radio Caroline in 1964 and is shown here talking about life on board ship.

Mike Ahern on air in the Caroline South studio, 1966 (Photo: Carl Thompson)

MIKE AHERN 1942-2009

Mike Ahern was known as the DJ's DJ: with Caroline in the Sixties, first on the North ship (1965) and then Caroline South (1966-7) he built up a large and loyal following for his morning show and became the "housewives" favourite. 

He joined BBC Radio 1 for the launch in September 1967 but left soon after to broadcast in Australia where he stayed for two decades.  He returned to the UK and worked for Piccadilly Radio and then Capital Gold in the 1990s. His last radio work included the launch of North Norfolk Radio and  (Pirate) Radio Essex. 

More information

Sunday August 14 2011 (1967/68), 18:00 repeat

Sunday 21 August 2011 (1965/66), 14:00 repeat

Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Marine Offences Act that scuppered the UK pop pirates.

Sunday April 12 2009, 18:00 (1965/66)

Playlist

SPENCER DAVIS GROUP Keep On Runnin'
THE YARDBIRDS - For Your Love
Caroline Sounds of 65 commercial
THE BYRDS - Tambourine Man
Big Jim Murphy, Radio Caroline North, 26 July 1965
ROLLING STONES The Last Time
THE ANIMALS We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place
THE BEATLES We Can Work It Out
THE WHO I Can't Explain
THE TROGGS Wild Thing
THE STANDELLS Dirty Water
Emperor Rosko, Radio Caroline South, 13 August 1966
BOB LIND Elusive Butterfly
CAT STEVENS I Love My Dog
CLIFF BENNETT Got To Get You Into My Life
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE Hey Joe
Sunsilk, Caroline Transistor commercials
SMALL FACES All Or Nothing
THE KINKS Sunny Afternoon
THE MERSEYS Sorrow
THE EASYBEATS Friday On My Mind
World in Action, 1966

Sunday April 19 2009, 18:00 (1967/68)

SPENCER DAVIS GROUP I'm A Man
Tony Blackburn, Radio London, 12 February 1967
LOVIN' SPOONFUL Summer In The City
Tony Windsor, Radio London 11 July 1967
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Somebody To Love
JEFF BECK Rock My Plimsoll
John Peel 'The Perfumed Garden', Radio London, 6 August 1967
THE YOUNG RASCALS Groovin'
SCOTT McKENZIE San Francisco
Radio London closedown, 14 August 1967
TRAFFIC HOLE In My Shoe
Caroline continues, Johnnie Walker & Robbie Dale, 14 August 1967
Currys, St Raphael commercials
SIMON DUPREE & THE BIG SOUND - Kites
JOHN FRED & THE PLAYBOY BAND Judy In Disguise
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
DAVID McWILLIAMS Days Of Pearly Spencer
SPOOKY TOOTH Sunshine Help Me
Don Allen, Radio Caroline North, 21 January 1968
AMERICAN BREED Bend Me Shape Me
BRENTON WOOD Gimme Little Sign
STATUS QUO Pictures Of Matchstick Men
Roger Day, Radio Caroline South, 27 February 1968
LEMON PIPERS Green Tambourine
CLASSICS IV Spooky
Johnnie Walker, Radio Caroline South, 2 March 1968

Richard Curtis' comedy film 'The Boat That Rocked' has captured the imagination of  a new generation of radio listeners who have only known Radio 1 and commercial radio. And to a generation who grew up listening to the pirates, the film evokes the excitement and romance of broadcasting from the high seas.

Back in the sixties, Britain's coastline was dotted with offshore broadcasters offering a real alternative to the BBC. Their popularity coincided with an era of  liberation in terms of fashion and pop culture and provided a soundtrack for the youth and an outlet for new bands and record labels.

Our two programmes reflect the golden era of pirate radio, featuring music and documentary material.

The Boat That Rocked website