Radio Caroline still exists? Wasn't that the name of Radio 1 when it was a pirate station (or basically those DJ's went to fledgling radio 1; I forget)?
Hi Fletch- yes Radio Caroline is still going and currently hoping to get a licence for an AM frequency. They're just on't'internet and Sky now. The station hasn't broadcast from the high seas since 1990 though they still have the ship, forlornly imprisoned in dock at Tilbury.
Radio 1 was the UK Government's derisory response to the demand for pop music on the radio after they outlawed offshore broadcasting from within the 12 mile limit in 1967. The other offshore stations like Radio London cow towed and closed down, but Caroline simply upped anchor to 12.1 miles out and continued, sticking two fingers up at the bastards in suits and bloody good thing too!
I grew up with offshore Caroline in the 80's and a thing called Laser558 - Radio 1 was always a pile of pathetic pants in comparison. Eventually, the UK and Dutch Governments starved the ships off the high seas via an illegal blockade and violent raid on Caroline in 89' (an act of piracy in itself, as it took place in international waters), introcuced increasingly absurd legislation until it was just impossible for the guys to carry on. I just can't bring myself to this day to listen to music on the radio unless it's crossed at least 12 miles of sea!
Radio Caroline
These days they play an eclectic mix of stuff which won't be to everyone's taste, but the presenters are volunteers who love their music and have encyclopedic knowledge of it. Plus they're not 'The Borg' (R1, 2, 6, Heart, Galaxy, Smooth, Yawn etc....)
