Simply Magnificent!!!

Yesterday, friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable individual. His name was Colin Walters! Colin was the founding Programme Controller, then later, Managing Director of Piccadilly Radio and changed the lives of so many individuals including me. The stories told by the likes of Jim Hancock, Brian Beech, Chris Briar and others will live long in the memory. The more personal family contributions were simply beautiful. Having been in this game for quite a long time I have some favourite songs for times like these. I think Vince Gill says it best.

Piccadilly Radio was one of the first Independent Radio Stations back in the day in the UK. It launched in 1974 and I had the great pleasure of working there between 1978 and 1986. These truly were the formative years of Commercial Radio in the UK and it was a joy to be a part of it.

This April, 2014, Piccadilly Radio will celebrate its 40th Anniversary. I had the great pleasure of working at the Station for 8 years between 1978 and 1986. See some of the articles I have written about the station here.

Piccadilly Radio was probably the best radio station on air in the UK through the 1970s and 80s. These were the early years of Independent Radio in this country and many of the stations on air were experiencing difficulties, financial and otherwise. Piccadilly, under the stewardship of Managing Director Philip Birch and Programme Controller Colin Walters, somehow managed to keep problems away from the station and when there were problems, they were managed in a way which always showed the station in an excellent light.

Piccadilly Radio was probably the best radio station on air in the UK through the 1970s and 80s. These were the early years of Independent Radio in this country and many of the stations on air were experiencing difficulties, financial and otherwise. Piccadilly, under the stewardship of Managing Director Philip Birch and Programme Controller Colin Walters, somehow managed to keep problems away from the station and when there were problems, they were managed in a way which always showed the station in an excellent light.

Piccadilly Radio was probably the best radio station on air in the UK through the 1970s and 80s. These were the early years of Independent Radio in this country and many of the stations on air were experiencing difficulties, financial and otherwise. Piccadilly, under the stewardship of Managing Director Philip Birch and Programme Controller Colin Walters, somehow managed to keep problems away from the station and when there were problems, they were managed in a way which always showed the station in an excellent light.

Well back in 1978, I opened a National Newspaper to read that Andy Peebles was leaving Piccadilly Radio to go to Radio 1. This was the chance I'd been waiting for. Within 45 minutes I was at the station making my case. Eventually I landed my dream job

Today, BBC Radio Manchester (fmr GMR) is celebrating its 50th Birthday. I have had the great pleasure of being a part of it for 21 years in 2 stints. My 1st encounter was in 1986 when, after being interviewed by the legendary and Late Phil Sayer, the then Manager, Tony Inchley offered me a job on the spot.

You have got to love it when a plan comes together. On this page I am going to reflect some of the interactions that we have had over the last few months.