RADIO SUTCH



Pictured Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages on the Cornucopia on the Thames, in front of London Bridge, May 1964
left to right: Terry King (Kings Agency), David Sutch, Brian Paul (road manager), Candy Calvert (13 year old broadcaster), Reg Calvert (Sutch's manager) with the Savages, dressed in animal skins and stone age gear - Pete Phillipps (drums), Geoff Mew (lead guitar), Colin Dale (disc jockey on Radio Sutch), Paul Dean and Ronnie Harwood (bass guitar). At the back is Screaming Lord Sutch pictured on a kite.


Radio Sutch launched at the end of May 1964 from Shivering Sands anti-aircraft fort in the Thames - "Britain’s First Teenage Radio Station" on 194 metres (1542khz).

Brian Paul was the road manager of ‘Screaming’ Lord Sutch who used him for publicity. Sutch's manager, Reg Calvert took the idea of the launch a pirate radio station seriously. So Brian found himself roped into becoming a broadcaster.

First, they decided to do a gimmick to promote Sutch by hiring a fishing trawler Cornucopia and having a Rock’n’Roll party with the Savages and friends on the Thames. They sailed “through London playing Rock’n’Roll - saying that this was Radio Sutch.”

As his daughter, Susan recalls, Reg Calvert had always dreamed of having his own local radio station – “and when the family moved to Clifton Hall - near Rugby - he applied for a Radio Broadcasting licence - although at the time - no one in the country was allowed to run commercial radio.”

“When Radio Caroline started (using 'Caroline' as the theme tune which was recorded by the Fortunes, a group my father managed), Reg knew that his dream could become reality - if he had enough money! Unfortunately - he had just spent all his 'spare' cash trying to get a nightclub started at Loughborough.”

“Dave and my father sat in the car all evening - outside the Co-op Hall in Nuneaton on a Saturday night just after Radio Caroline first broadcast, planning how they could have a station.
On the way home, he was really excited. They couldn't afford to have a 'ship' suitable to run a radio station from - but they were going to hire a boat on the Thames and had a Rock’n’Roll party with the Savages and friends - and do another publicity stunt for David - saying it was Radio Sutch.”
Again - great publicity - which made Screaming Lord Sutch even more 'famous.'


In fact, Screaming Lord Sutch had been using this boat during 2 weeks, to anchor off Shoeburyness in the Thames estuary he broadcast as Radio Sutch, until he discovered the Shivering Sands army fort.

Susan:
“A little later - my father discovered the war time forts in the Thames estuary - and he and Dave went out and messed about trying to do a broadcast with bits and pieces from the Towers - as a bit of a lark and publicity campaign. David however - soon lost interest and back to performing - but my father was determined to make it a success. He decided to carry on and changed the name to RADIO CITY.”

In late May 1964, along with the Savages, dressed in animal skins and stone-age gear, Sutch set sail from Leigh-On-Sea, Essex on board the Lowestoft registered fishing trawler The Cornucopia. Along with the motley crew, a large amount of equipment and supplies were taken aboard for later use in the station's new base.

Sutch's party boarded the tower, and began transferring the supplies and equipment for the station from The Cornucopia.
On the last trip in from broadcasting on the Cornocopia Sutch and his crew spotted the old wartime gun platforms at Shivering Sands.

On 27th May 1964, Radio Sutch was back on the air with it's first track being Screaming Lord Sutch's very own Jack The Ripper.

In September 1964, fed up with the bureaucratic side of running a pirate radio station (due to touring and recording commitments), Screaming Lord Sutch sold the station to his manager Reg Calvert who changed the name of the station to Radio City and installed new, and better equipment. A new more powerful transmitter was installed and over the months that followed the station gradually grew in power, in proficiency and in revenue.

Unfortunately this big adventure ended with Reg Calvert’s death, 2 years later.
It was a tragic loss not only for Reg's family and friends but also for the whole British music scene and entertainment. It signalled the beginning of the end for British offshore radio as the killing spurred the Government into legislative action.
BBC Radio One started to broadcast in September 1967, using the disc-jockeys from the former pirate radios and playing pop music for the younger audience.


Thanks to Dorothy Calvert and Susan Moore (nee Calvert), respectively Reg Calvert’s widow and daughter for their recollections and photographs

If you want to know more about the subject, Susan Moore has just completed writing a musical play 'THE SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLL' and the 'DEATH OF PIRATE RADIO.'



Susan Moore (nee Calvert)
I remember him very well. He used to come to stay at Clifton Hall with us. He was quite a character - and my father got on with him very well. They 'bounced' ideas off each other.
My mother disliked David. She thought he was 'dirty' i.e. he didn't bath enough - and she disliked his greasy black hair that was tied back in a pony tail. Unusual for the times - as all the other singers had short well groomed hair. All the other singers and musicians used their own kitchen - which adjoined our kitchen, and knocked the door when they wanted to come into our 'family' kitchen. David however, had no respect for this, and would come and sit with us in our kitchen - much to my mother's disapproval. Dad did not mind - and we would talk about anything and everything.

I remember my Dad and David planning the first political campaign - round the kitchen table. We thought it was a crazy idea! 18 year olds would never get the vote!! They really enjoyed the politics - and did it as a one-off publicity campaign for David - never expecting him to carry on with the Monster Raving Party.

My father used to pay for most things - David rarely contributed to anything and I believe he didn't pay commission either for the bookings he had.

After this we moved from Clifton Hall - and I didn't see David again.

Pictures courtesy Colin Dale


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

THE STORY OF RADIO SUTCH, 1964. THE GUNTOWERS, SHIVERING SANDS, THAMES ESTURY, ENGLAND. ( MOST INTERESTING ) BUT SLIGHTLY MYTH AND LEGEND. AS ONE OF THE FIRST DISC JOCKS ON RADIO SUTCH ( I WAS THERE AT THE BEGINING ) THE STATION WAS STARTED ON THE GUNTOWERS WITH REG CALVERT, DAVID SUTCH, BRIAN PAULL. GEOFF MEW, AND MYSELF COLIN DALE. READ MY STORY ( FACT ) ON www.colindaleradiosutch.com THE FIVE OF US WERE ON THE GUNTOWERS FROM THE VERY BEGINING. BOTH GEOFF MEW AND ME, COLIN DALE HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN OUR TRUE RECOGNITION. I FOR ONE WILL NOT BLAME ANYONE FOR THAT, BUT NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT. THANK YOU BEST, COLIN DALE colindaleradiosutch@live.co.uk

COLIN DALE said...

THE SAUCY OLD SEA DOG IS AT IT AGAIN-
TRY www.youtube.com/colindaleradiosutch
Your Havin a Larf - Aintcher ?
Regards, Colin Dale.

COLIN DALE said...

THE PICTURE AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE ON THE CORNUCOPIA WITH DAVID SUTCH - SAVAGES - TERRY KING - REG CALVERT - CANDY CALVERT IS SLIGHTLY INCORRECT.
Between Geoff Mew and Paul Dean Nicholas, is myself Colin Dale - where you got the name John from is a mystery to me ?.
Also Candy Calvert never did any broadcasting on Radio Sutch -
Again not trying to be awkward ? but Susan Calvert Moors account of the start of Radio Sutch is incorrect.
It seems to me who ever wrote this story forgot about the fact that I was their, and I know the full story
www.colindaleradiosutch.com
I have sent you some photos and they give a far better picture of wot really happened. I hope you print them ?
Read my true account of wot happened on Radio Sutch on Jon Myers Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - thats www.offshoreradio.co.uk under D for Dale

COLIN DALE said...

THANK YOU AT LAST THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER - RADIO SUTCH WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE.
I like to see that the facts are correct, thank you.
The guys I worked with were Geoff Pussey Mew - Tony Dangerfield - Brian Paull - Paul Dean Nicholas - John Gilbey - Tony Marsh - Pete Philips - Carlo Little - Reg Calvert - David Sutch - I knew Joe Meak when he was recording David Sutch and Tony Dangerfield. I also knew Terry King of Kings Agency, Denmark Street. Pete Newman is a friend of mine also Terry Clemson.
Once again Thank you, www.colindaleradiosutch.com

COLIN DALE said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014 - YES I'M STILL ALIVE..
Bet that's upset a few ?
www.youtube.com/colindaleradiosutch

Anonymous said...

Colin Dale is a liar and fantasist. He was not a DJ on Radio Sutch, but in fact nothing more than a dogsbody for Dave Sutch and a roadie for the Savages for barely a few months. He now revels in made-up stories from this short period of time and weirdly seems to think this makes him some kind of 'celebrity'.

COLIN DALE said...

I SEE ANOTHER GUTLESS WONDER HAS COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK ( there are still a few out there ) I ALWAYS PUT MY NAME TO ANYTHING I WRIGHT OR SAY, SO IF YOUR COMMENTS MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD MR/MRS ANONYMOUS ! THEN CARRY ON REGARDLESS..A week is a long time in politics ? AND 50 YEARS IN THE POP BUSINESS IS EVEN LONGER..
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS..and may you get wot you wish for !
www.colindaleradiosutch.com
YOUR HAVIN A LARF - AINTCHER.

Anonymous said...

I Totally agreed with everything you've written Anonymous, the man's a dreamer.

COLIN DALE said...

The Problem with Modern Day Air Travel ? Is, one has to sit next to people who Fart, and smell of B O..
www.youtube.com/colindaleradiosutch
Your Havin a Larf ? Aintcher ?

COLIN DALE said...

DECORATING THIS WEEKEND ? Let me pop round and fill your crack with Polyfilla !
www.youtube.com/colindaleradiosutch

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COLIN DALE said...

MORNING ALL - THIS MONTH I'M RUNNING A CAR BOOT SALE ON LAND I OWN AT/IN WENDOVER BUCKS ENGLAND - SOLD MY HOTEL - COULD NOT PUT UP WITH THE PUNTERS - GOD THEIR CRINGE WORTHY - FOR £300- QUID A NIGHT THEY WANT ME AND MY STAFF TO WAIT ON THEM FFS -I SAID YOUR HAVIN A LARF AINTCHER ??? Just seen that PAUL DEAN NICHOLAS ON A TV PROGRAM IN INDIA - THEY WERE IN A HOTEL CALLED THE MERYGOLD I THINK ??? HE WAS TALKING TO THE FAT OLD BIRD MARGOLIS - Said he had no real friends ( not surprised ) but that's not true - he had one friend - they used to fiddle about with puzzles and things in the back of the Van - I hope your all feeling well and not got a dose of the Hospital Clap ( COVID 1984 ) This Government could not run a piss up in a brewery - Some of my best friends have died recently Alistair Stuarts mum and dad have passed away - we were friends for years RIP JIMMY AND JOAN - I miss them - Well as you can see theirs life in the old dog yet - that will upset some ??? do I care ?? no no no - Got to go now HER INDOORS HAS PUT ME BREAKFAST ON THE TABLE - TALKING ABOUT HER INDOORS - SHE'S A WONDERFUL WOMAN - UNLIKE THE FIRST ONE I MARRIED - SHE WAS SHAGGED BY THEM ALL - COST ME ONE OF MY HOUSES - WORTH IT TO GET RID OF HER - NEVER LOOK BACK THEY SAY ??? LOL Will rite again soon - Regards, from COLIN DALE RADIO SUTCH 1964 - PS, and if you think that's all i'v done with my life - YOU WOULD BE SO WRONG - TAKE YER FINGER OUT RON - PAUL DONT LIKE IT !!!!

COLIN DALE said...

WOT LARKS - DAVID SUTCH AND MYSELF COLIN DALE-MILLS know as COLIN DALE Grew up in Charteris Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 - I lived at no 39 and he lived at no 41 - In the mid 1950s I moved to the PINNER ROAD HARROW and aprox 12 months later DAVID SUTCH moved to SOUTH HARROW into a flat next to a Car Sales - It's true that I worked for DAVID for aprox 2/3 years - YES I DROVE VANS FOR HIM - BUT THEY WERE MY VANS BROUGHT AND PAID FOR BY ME - He used to pay Me £25- a night/gig to cart a load of HOP HEADS from North London to places like LEEDS MANCHESTER SHEFIELD ETC All over Britain - Getting back to the Hop Heads ?? most of them were smoking THE WEED - DAVID PAID These musicians during my time with him - £5- Five Pounds a Night to perform for him - HE HAD LOADS OF THESE GUYS WORKING FOR HIM - Only about a handful ever got to the Top - The rest went by the wayside - In Later Life ONE WAS FOUND SELLING HOT DOGS OUTSIDE WEMBLEY STADUIM - After each Gig was over the Hop Heads would go in search of the Groupies ( young birds who wanted a s--g ) After the Hop Heads had finished with them - the Hop Heads would pile into my van and Sh-g each other - yes a lot were bysexual - DAVID used to get me to copy his autograph - I did thousands of these and sold enm for two shillings each - I did work on the GUN TOWERS AS A DISC JOCK - Wots hard about putting discs on a turn table and Chatting - don't forget RADIO SUTCH only lasted about 6 months - Then DAVID was gone along with me - Your rite about DAVID SUTCH getting REG CALVERT to pay for evrything HE WAS AS TIGHT AS A DUCKS ARSE - DAVID SUTCH NEVER EVER GOT ELECTED - But I did - I WAS THE ELECTED DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FOR WENDOVER AND HALTON FOR MANY YEARS also THE PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN - Also Chairman of the TORY BRANCH OF WENDOVER CONSERVATIVE BRANCH and a Guvnor at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and President of ST JOHNS AMBULANCE WENDOVER On Aylesbury District Council I was Chairman of Transport and Vice Chair of Planning - I had 40/50 men work for me over the years in my company I had most of the contracts for the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HOUSING ASSOCIATION IN THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND - My Foreman LEN was with me for 25 years - At one time in 60/70/80s I bred and trained racing Greyhounds WON SOME BIG STUFF - Even had Show Dogs who won first prizes at CRUFTS - I'v had a Hotel and an ANTIQUES SHOP that I still own - THIS IS ONLY HALF OF WOT I'V DONE WITH MY LIFE - BEEN SELF-EMPLOYES SINCE I WAS 17 - REGARDS, FROM COLIN DALE RADIO SUTCH 1964.

COLIN DALE said...

WOT LARKS ???? I don't normally run people down??? BUT WAS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO RIP INTO DAVID SUTCH - ( View SUSAN MOORS Comments on my friend David Sutch ) David was not dirty - you try travelling in a van hundreds of miles to gigs getting to said gig to find no means of having a wash etc ( One Gig in Manchester THE OASIS CLUB had a 6 by 6 foot dressing room that held all the acts for that night ) We had to live in my Vans some times for days when doing gigs up north - FACT DAVID ALWAYS TOOK A BATH BEFORE LEAVING HIS HOUSE IN HARROW TO GO ON GIGS - AS DID MOST OF US - Dont mention Hotels - as soon as they saw a ROCK/POP Group they shut the doors -
Also the comments about HOW DARE DAVID SUTCH ENTER YOUR KITCHEN - He was a name before he met up with your family - I CANT STAND SNOBS - Your Dad and DAVID were friends and they both got together to advance their lives - I am beginning to think SUSAN That it's you who are the Anonymous writer who has ripped into me???? DO I KNOW TO MUCH??? HAVE I LET TOO MUCH OUT OF THE BAG??? Well I'v GOT PLENTY MOORE TO TELL - BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH LOL REGARDS to all you POP PICKERS OUT THEIR - Yours COLIN DALE RADIO SUTCH 1964 - PS, Woops thats upset the apple cart !!