This week the BBC announced that the long-running Radio 2 show Melodies for You is to end. The programme has been part of the station’s Sunday schedule for the last 44 years. As the BBC’s press release makes no mention of the original presenter of the show, nor its second longest presenter after Richard Baker, I thought I’d provide a brief history of Melodies for You.
Eric Robinson |
Light Programme billing 1967 |
David Jacobs was the next host of the show in a run lasting from 1974 until December 1984. He only gave up the programme when he started his Radio 2 daily show in early 1985 and remains the second-longest running presenter.
From January 1985 to April 1986 Robin Boyle was at the helm. Robin already had a long association with classical and light orchestral music having been the presenter of Friday Night is Music Night since the 1950s.
Richard Baker |
When Richard Baker left the show in late 1995 a number of guests presenters took it in turns –Tom Conti, Valerie Solti, Edward Heath, Denis Healey, Nannette Newman, Bryan Forbes, Jeffrey Archer, Hugh Scully, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Beryl Grey, Charles Dance, Angela Rippon and Denis Quilley before Hugh Scully became the permanent host from June 1996 until July 1999
After Baker’s second stint presenting duties were taken up by Brian Kay from June 2003 to May 2004. Brian had been with the King’s Singers for many years before joining Radio 3 as an announcer and presenter and later one of the hosts of Friday Night is Music Night.
Sheridan Morley |
With the loss of Melodies for You the radio also looses yet another outlet for non-pop music. Radio 2 controller Bob Sheenan promises to “review” how the popular classics and light orchestral music will be broadcast in the future but I suspect that the likelihood is the occasional series rather than a regular weekly show. Experience suggests that when the BBC “reviews” or “rests” a show we are unlikely to see or hear it again.
The only old Light Programme shows still on air today are Friday Night is Music Night and Sunday Half-Hour.
With thanks to Malcy B for additional information.
With thanks to Malcy B for additional information.
How sad!
ReplyDeleteI always like Radio 2 for its variation of musical styles and although I don't regularly listen to Melodies For You, I respect the importance of having a show of its type on Radio 2
Yes, I am a keen listener to light music and yet again another show of its ilk bites the dust. When will it end: watch out Friday Night is Music Night and Desmond Carrington
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