Anorak Nation: Discussion: Re: Rock Radio Manchester

Bloomin 'eck. I could get to like the bloke - almost!

I certainly agreed with the sentiments he expressed in the first video clip. These days it's ALL about the money and while I can't stand the guy, there's no denying his passion, something that's sadly lacking in radio today. He describes very accurately the reaction to Piccadilly Radio when that started in 74 - it was a MASSIVE hit in the city here, taking big chunks out of Radio 1's audience. Where his accuracy is way off, is in describing his contribution to local accents on the radio. For a kick off, nationally, we had the likes of John Peel, DLT and Andy Kershaw long before we were treated to Sweeney and even locally on BBC Radio Manchester and Picc we had quite a few accented locals such as Allan Beswick and James Stannage. As for his formula for the Drivetime segment, sorry, that's nothing new - I thought that's what they all did. As ever, Sweeney is a one-man PR machine bulling himself up.

I tuned in to Rock Radio on my way to the shops and back so listened to about half an hour in total - it was the automated segment so can't comment on presenters although the news on the half hour had a good local feel to it. Although rock isn't my fave genre, I thought the station had a good "sound" to it. It's not something I'd listen to regularly but might dip in when Sweeney ain't around.

As for the 106.1 minute programming blocks, that's just crazy - it's the usual mistake of doing something that means something to them but to no-one else.