Royal Free Radio – Guests
We have welcomed many guests from across North London to take part in our programmes, including NHS specialists, local entertainers, members of other local voluntary organisations, drama groups and orchestras and the local MPs and Councillors amongst many others.
We have interviewed numerous personalities over our 52+ years on air, many of whom were performing or living locally including Helen Shapiro, Chas & Dave, Cliff Richard, Gerry Marsden (from Gerry & The Pacemakers), Georgie Fame, Des O’Connor, Les Dennis, Dr Magnus Pyke, Peter Noone (from Herman’s Hermits), Nicholas Parsons and many more.
Clem Cattini, drummer with The Tornados (“Telstar”) and latterly a session musician who has played on over 40 No. 1 hit records and worked with artists such as Cliff Richard, Paul McCartney, Gene Pitney and Dusty Springfield (the list is endless!), lives locally and visited our studios and told us some great stories of his very interesting life in show business.
Popular orchestra leader Geoff Love, who also lived in Enfield, visited us to chat about his long career in music and entertainment, working with Max Bygraves, Shirley Bassey, Russ Conway, Peter & Gordon, Frankie Vaughan, Connie Francis and many more, and of course as his “alias” Manuel & His Music of the Mountains. He was – and remains – the top selling artist on the Music for Pleasure record label.
We have broadcast “live” musical performances from the studio including the North London Banjo and Mandolin Band, local band Indecisive and classical guitarist Julia Franks.
Our mid-week mid-afternoon show has a guest most weeks to talk about their involvement in the community.
The late Lord Graham of Edmonton was always an interesting guest, visiting us several times to talk about his upbringing and career as a local Councillor, MP and Member of the House of Lords. He even gave our listeners an exclusive by revealing the date of the 2010 General Election some months before it was officially announced by the then Labour government. We were first to announce the date, beating the BBC, ITN and Sky News!
During the pandemic we were proud to be able to broadcast exclusive 1-hour specials by James Blunt, the Royal Opera House and HRH Prince Charles who each wanted to thank NHS staff and volunteers for their work during the lockdown.
We are always pleased to publicise the work of other local charities and voluntary organisations by giving out details of forthcoming events and sometimes offer an invitation to the studios to talk about their work.
For more information, including sending in a request for a patient in Chase Farm, North Middlesex or the Royal Free, and how to tune in, visit our website royalfreeradio.co.uk