FOR THE past six years, he’s been championing the sound of the sixties, proving that he’s still got six appeal, nearly 60 years since he first set sail with pirate radio.
King of corny jokes, celebrant of soul and master of Motown, Tony Blackburn has a black belt – and then some – in music.
The self-confessed workaholic is now in his 80s, having broadcast on a myriad of stations including being the first voice on Radio 1. Even now, at a time when most people his age would be knocking dominoes down the pub, he is live on air from early morning to late at night with an eclectic mix of shows, including a Sunday afternoon slot with Andy Jones on BBC Radio Berkshire.
And next month he will be bringing his hugely popular Sound of the 60s tour to The Hexagon in Radio.
The day we speak, he is just off-air from one radio show and preparing to go on the next, having had a week where the theatre shows have taken him to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southend.
“The shows are great, and they always sell out,” he says with all the energy of someone a quarter of his age. “They’re marvellous nights and it’s really nice to be part of it.”
He does admit that the travelling can be a bit much at times, and it did see him have a spell in hospital earlier this year – Johnny Walker stood in for his radio show – and even with him “easing off a little bit” he’s still championing great music.
“We do some shows in winter, then have a break, come back in February, then have a break in the summer, then do some more. I enjoy doing them and I’m very proud of them. It’s a fun evening with some great musicians and singers,” he says, adding that the performers are West End standard, top musicians and terrific.
“It’s a real privilege,” he says of being on stage with them. “We all have such fun and it’s a really good evening.”
The show features a large mixture of music from across the decade with hits from Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and many more.
“I think the 1960s was very special, while the songs are 60 years old, their great memories live on. I’ve always loved the music, especially Motown and soul, and the show features some great medleys that celebrate the early 60s, radio ships, Motown…”
With so many great tracks from across the decade to choose from how does he select them?
“We don’t have a playlist,” he says of his radio shows. “With all my shows, I have the final say and that’s great. With Sound of the 60s, when I took over from Brian Matthews, I wanted to play familiar tracks that people know. That’s the secret to a good show.
“I don’t like playing what people don’t like, and we aim to never repeat the same songs within a three- or four-month period.”
With Radio Berkshire and his other local shows: “As long as it’s good, I’ll play it. These shows are doing quite well.”
Tony loves live radio as it means he gets audience reactions… and that includes the jokes he is famous for.
“I’ve got loads. When I was on the pirate ships with time to spare, I’d sit down and write them. I’ve still got the exercise books, but they are falling to bits now.
“People love sending me jokes, some are really good. Listeners love them, they love the cheesy gags. It’s marvellous fun … but I don’t need to write them anymore, I can rely on the audience.”
Back to the stage show. Tony says a large part of the audience are people who grew up with him broadcasting – he was the first voice on Radio 1, was a 70s stalwart on Top of the Pops, the first King of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity, and been a constant presence on the airwaves. He’s aware that people are coming to see him because of that.
“I’ve never been to The Hexagon before for a show,” he says. “This is the first time. I’ve always wanted to go there, and I’m looking forward to it.”
And for his many fans, from his pirate days, and now his Radio 2 and Radio Berkshire shows, so are they.
Sounds of the 60s Live hosted by Tony Blackburn is at The Hexagon on Tuesday, October 3. Tickets cost £32 or £42. For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to: whatsonreading.com
