Happy September to you.
Today is the 15th anniversary (I think) of the launch of the now defunct Atlantic 252. I only mention this because it strikes me that the radio landscape in the UK has changed dramatically since it launched. I am no expert but, if I recall, there was something about DJ’s having to stand-up when presenting (which made it sound very American). Gary King was the first voice (Mine is the first voice you will ever hear…on Atlantic 252) but I remember it for Charlie Wolfe and Dusty Rhodes (whose web site I can no longer find) and was Rusty Nails a presenter or did I make that up? It was pop music on very heavy rotation, small amounts of talk and this hiss and crackle of long wave. In 1989 it was exciting and different and, the fact it was really are Irish radio station, gave the feel of a pirate broadcaster. Long wave really was the home of hit music (even if only for a little while).
And for Atlantic 252 fans, a couple of quick links:
- David Lloyd’s Radio Moment: Atlantic 252 launch
- Fan site: history and memories of the UK’s most influential national radio station
- Facebook: tribute one and tribute two
- Wikipedia: Atlantic 252
- Video aircheck: Charlie Wolf on the air
- Video: Atlantic 252 station launch news report (1st September 1989)
Long wave radio Atlantic 252: Born 1st September 1989. Ceased transmission 20th December 2001.
Updates
2014: The fan links on this page were updated as many of the old sites had disappeared and the launch audio embedded.
SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET IT BACK ON IT WAS A MISTAKE TO SWITCH TO DANCE MUSIC,THATS WHAT DESTROYED IT IN THE END.BUT THIS TIME GET IT ON FMOR DAB AND KICK RADIO ONE’S ARSE.WHICH IT WOULD DO NO DOUBT ABOUT IT WITH THE ORIGINAL TEAM 2.
I agree they should try to get it back on air although it might be difficult to get the original team together as they will have moved on to new jobs, 252 was a world beater especially in the mid 90s when radio 1 had virtually no listeners and was on its arse, I know the sound quality wasnt as good as FM but i think LW gave it its character.
Please please bring back Atlantic 252!!! There was is and will never be anything as good! It would have been a travesty if they tried to put it on FM, Long Wave gave it its character! Forget DAB, FM or anything! My favourite presenters had to be Charlie Wolfand Enda Caldwell, my least favourite was that awful Marc Brow.
The official Atlantic 252 site is now online, featuring memories from the presenters, staff and listeners that made 252 the mighty station that it was.
http://www.atlantic252.com
What format could 252 take now? Pretty much most of what Atlantic did back then is being done is several different forms by pretty much all of the commercials nowadays (mind you, it was still my favourite radio station during the early to mid 90s, nowadays I find myself listening to 6 Music, XFM, Kerrang, Arrow and (blush) Heart, bit of a shame that you HAVE to get a DAB radio for decent music eh?)
Still boffins are working on a new form of digital radio suited for Long Wave, Medium Wave and Short Wave http://www.drm.org …so you never know, RTE mind bring back an all new digital Atlantic 252 type station (RTL, who own five btw, are already relaunching Radio Luxembourg on DRM digital SW radio http://www.radioluxembourg.co.uk (but who’s got a Short Wave Radio of any type nowadays?)
Hi – Good to see that so many people want Atlantic back on! Hey I do too! – Enda