The Collection Closes

There are just three broadcasters whose careers started in the 1940s that are still on-air today. All three started off in forces broadcasting. All three did a bit of acting, worked on the Light Programme and Radio Luxembourg and appeared regularly on our TV screens in the 1960s. This broadcasting triumvirate can all be heard on BBC Radio 2. They are David Jacobs, Brian Matthew and Desmond Carrington.   Sadly David is hanging up his headphones (as the old DJ cliché goes) and presents his final show (the occasional special, health permitting, apart) this evening after nearly 70 years with the Corporation. For those, such as myself, who have been regular listeners it is a sad day.

With David’s retirement we lose yet another link with the past. When he plays a record by Frank Sinatra, he actually met him. Lena Horne, Alma Cogan, Bing Crosby, he’s worked with them too. That breadth of knowledge and the personal anecdotes are, quite simply, irreplaceable.

The final show in the David Jacobs Collection airs this evening at 11 p.m. But, if you can’t wait, here’s an edition I recorded on 8 May 2005.

I also urge you to listen to Desmond Carrington’s Friday night show as he played, in full, a show from May 1986 in which he and David reminisced about their broadcasting careers and their favourite music.