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Where were you on August 31st 1974, the Day the Music Died?
On August 31st 2009, Spectrum Radio will be rebroadcasting the final hours of Radio Veronica on 558kHz AM. So where were you on August 31st 1974? Many people know where they were when J.F. Kennedy died. Some close their eyes and can still see the first man on the moon. Historic events that we can relive time after time thanks to DVD, video, MPeg4, I-pods and whatever. You see the same and still.... it's different. A lot of people in the Benelux, who were over twelve in 1974, can remember where they were during the close down of Radio Veronica, Radio North Sea and Radio Atlantis. Veronica was a ship based radio station, which started broadcasting in 1960 from a former German light vessel anchored outside the terrotorial waters in the North Sea. At that time radio in Holland consisted of Government controlled broadcasting companies radiating programs as exciting as watching grass grow. In 1959 a couple of entrepreneurs decided to follow the Scandinavian example of broadcasting "free" radio from outside the jurisdiction of the authorities. Free of charge, free of Government interference and available at no costs. The content? Music! Radio Veronica, as the station was called, built up an audience beyond belief and forced the Government to launch a new National station (radio 3) broadcasting pop music all day as a (non successful) attempt to take away the reason for Veronica's existence. It was that same success that made the authorities reticent to act as no political movement had the courage to jeopardize an election over the popularity of Radio Veronica. An explosion on board a competing radio ship pushed the Government into gear however. After September 1st 1974 anyone working for, supporting or advertising on offshore stations would be breaking the law. Radio Veronica decided to cease broadcasting August 31st 1974 at 6pm (CET). From then on the 538 meters wavelength, (558 kHz AM) remained silent until much later other stations started using it. Do you remember the last hour? Did you hear it but forgot? Was it before your time and have you always regretted not to have been there? Now here is your chance. On August 31st 2009 the sound of Radio Veronica will be back on 538 meters, 558 kHz. By courtesy of Spectrum Radio in London and Radio Seagull in The Netherlands the final two hours of Radio Veronica are going to be re-broadcast. Not on I-pod or MP3 player, but on the same old Medium Wave frequency as 35 years ago. So dig up your AM receiver and tune to 538 meters, 558 kHz on Monday August 31st between 15.00-17.00 CET, but also all over London on DAB from 3-5 pm UK time (16.00-18.00 CET). Same date, almost same time, same frequency, just 35 years later...Can't listen to AM? Use Spectrum Radio's Website to listen live via the web or to listen to the recording later. If you missed it in 1974, here is your chance. If you heard it then, relive the sentiment and listen again. All the others, ask the people who missed it last time and they'll tell you why you shouldn't...
On August 31st 2009, Spectrum Radio will be rebroadcasting the final hours of Radio Veronica on 558kHz AM. So where were you on August 31st 1974? Many people know where they were when J.F. Kennedy died. Some close their eyes and can still see the first man on the moon. Historic events that we can relive time after time thanks to DVD, video, MPeg4, I-pods and whatever. You see the same and still.... it's different. A lot of people in the Benelux, who were over twelve in 1974, can remember where they were during the close down of Radio Veronica, Radio North Sea and Radio Atlantis. Veronica was a ship based radio station, which started broadcasting in 1960 from a former German light vessel anchored outside the terrotorial waters in the North Sea. At that time radio in Holland consisted of Government controlled broadcasting companies radiating programs as exciting as watching grass grow. In 1959 a couple of entrepreneurs decided to follow the Scandinavian example of broadcasting "free" radio from outside the jurisdiction of the authorities. Free of charge, free of Government interference and available at no costs. The content? Music! Radio Veronica, as the station was called, built up an audience beyond belief and forced the Government to launch a new National station (radio 3) broadcasting pop music all day as a (non successful) attempt to take away the reason for Veronica's existence. It was that same success that made the authorities reticent to act as no political movement had the courage to jeopardize an election over the popularity of Radio Veronica. An explosion on board a competing radio ship pushed the Government into gear however. After September 1st 1974 anyone working for, supporting or advertising on offshore stations would be breaking the law. Radio Veronica decided to cease broadcasting August 31st 1974 at 6pm (CET). From then on the 538 meters wavelength, (558 kHz AM) remained silent until much later other stations started using it. Do you remember the last hour? Did you hear it but forgot? Was it before your time and have you always regretted not to have been there? Now here is your chance. On August 31st 2009 the sound of Radio Veronica will be back on 538 meters, 558 kHz. By courtesy of Spectrum Radio in London and Radio Seagull in The Netherlands the final two hours of Radio Veronica are going to be re-broadcast. Not on I-pod or MP3 player, but on the same old Medium Wave frequency as 35 years ago. So dig up your AM receiver and tune to 538 meters, 558 kHz on Monday August 31st between 15.00-17.00 CET, but also all over London on DAB from 3-5 pm UK time (16.00-18.00 CET). Same date, almost same time, same frequency, just 35 years later...Can't listen to AM? Use Spectrum Radio's Website to listen live via the web or to listen to the recording later. If you missed it in 1974, here is your chance. If you heard it then, relive the sentiment and listen again. All the others, ask the people who missed it last time and they'll tell you why you shouldn't...
