Radio Silence

Icon

Radio City is as iconic in Liverpool as the Liver Birds, (I hate to say it) the Superlambanana or (dare I say it) The Beatles. That iconic status was guaranteed when it took over the old revolving "Tower Restaurant". 450 feet high, it can be seen for miles around and is part of Liverpool's world famous skyline.

I grew up listening to 'City'. The alternative was BBC's Radio Merseyside. My dad listens to Merseyside. That's for old people!

Morning radio

Getting ready for school and then in later years, for work, the Breakfast Show would always be on. I listened to Johnny Kennedy, Tony Snell (I still remember listening to the spilt milk saga c1996), Kev Seed and Simon Ross. I'm sure there were others in between.

I was getting bored near the end of Rossie's reign and there was another local radio station available - Juice FM. I started switching between the two and would stop at the one playing the best music.

After Rossie left the Breakfast Show, the radio was permanently tuned to Juice. Rossie was replaced by a presenter who moved from a later time slot. I didn't like him during 'The Big Drive Home' and he is far too annoying to listen to first thing in the morning.   

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in"

There was one programme I'd always listen to and that was the weekend football with live commentary.

Listening to John Aldridge was like listening to the most passionate fan down at the local. He is an ex-Liverpool player and clearly still hasn't lost his love for the club. He doesn't hold back during his commentary. If a player isn't playing well, he doesn't make excuses, he tells you as he sees it.

Aldo in his Liverpool playing days.

Bauer Media, the owners of Radio City, have announced this week there will be no more live commentary (click here for the local report). I don't know why they have made this decision, they've been quoted as saying it's "part of a restructuring at the station". Their LinkedIn profile states "We’re obsessed about our brands and relentless about going the extra mile to delight our audiences and customers alike". This decision goes against their own ethos. I think this is a massive gamble and a bigger mistake.

There is more to this programme than the commentary. There is the talk show and phone in before and after the match, where fans can have live debates with the experts. This will all be missed.

The only station that will be broadcasting live commentary now is Radio Merseyside. As I've previously stated, this is for old people...but there is no alternative.  I just hope I stay awake long enough to listen to a full 90 minutes.

My old dad has got the last laugh now!

So, after 40 years, it's time to part way with Radio City 96.7 as Bauer have cancelled my weekend visitation schedule.

Thanks Bauer.