Greg Wood 1992 to 1997, Scott Kelly 1994 to 2000 Scott Kelly and Greg Wood were primarily 95bFM "creatives" -- ie they wrote advertisements -- but their contribution went much further. Sometimes too far. They were co-creators of "the fart bank" and "the fart button", and along with "Mystery Celebrity", were hosts of the reasonably-long-running and decidedly average radio show, "The Friday Night Allen". In this episode, you can hear examples of their (ahem) "work", a classic News injection from Vas Deferens, and they ask, "Do you like chicken?" (Episode 35, Parts 1-3 of 3)
Stuart was the sales representative for the short-lived 95bFM magazine Monitor, which succeeded the mid-80s incarnation as The Book of Bifim. He went on to be the manager of such 90s bFM stalwarts as Supergroove, Semi Lemon Kola and Thorazine Shuffle, as well as founding the AK venue now kniown as the Dog's Bollix. (Episode 20, Parts 1-2 of 2)
Chris Esther was part of the post-punk generation which transformed Radio b in the early 1980s. He steered the New Zealand Music Show into a territory where what he played was an accurate reflection of a new breed of young musicians, and became the programme director at the age of 19. He was also a co-conspirator in Auckland's first rave, Housequake. (Episode 36, Part 1-3 of 3)
Simon Grigg was involved in Radio b from 1975 until 2002. During that time, he started NZ's first punk group the Suburban Reptiles, launched Propeller Records, was instrumental in this nation's club and DJ culture, took How Bizarre to the world - and even turned down opportunities to license both Factory Records and Stock Aitken & Waterman. He hosted the long-running BPM show, introducing hip-hop, house and techno to the b airwaves. Finally, he reveals the truth: between 1977 and 1980, b was so conservative that NO punk or post-punk was on the airwaves. (Episode 21 Simon Grigg Parts 1-2 of 2)
How do! Murray was the host of Land of the Good Groove between 1983 and 1993, playing classic soul, modern soul & funk, & early hip-hop at a time when b's airwaves were biased towards music that did not emanate from those streets on that side of the Atlantic. Amongst his many towering achievements, Murray introduced the "continuous mix" to NZ, and of course, the reason had something to do with food. (Episode 37, Partis 1-3 of 3)
Roy The Lawyer had "a voice like gravel" to "save you from the gavel". Campbell Smith does not. In this episode, he reveals why; and discusses how 95bFM was his entry into the music biz where he now heads RIANZ, brings the Big Day Out to Auckland, and has offices that nobody breaks the toilet or hits anybody with ironing boards. (Episode 22 Parts 1-2 of 2)
Peter Urlich (1986; 1993 to 2001, 2008 to present) and Bevan Keys (1995 to 2001). I'll never forget whats-is-name...Peter Urlich & Bevan Keys inspired an entire radio station based solely on their Sat AM show, issued 3 mega-selling compilation CDs that made it as far as the Egyptian desert, sold out parties nationwide, and peculiarly enough are two of the most pleasant and level-headed individuals in radio. Peter currently hosts Bright & Urlich after becoming a multi-media sensation; while Bevan is no longer a boxer. (Episode 38, Parts 1-3 of 3)
When you think of an archetypal bFM DJ in the late 80s and early 90s, you think of a character very much like Owen 'The Jackal' Harris; a dedicated musical omnivore who would go hungry rather than pass up on buying records. Buying LOTS of records. Owen also was partly responsible for the world's first-ever documentary series on Split Enz, as well as frequently hosting The "surprise" and "special" parts of 95bFM programming, focusing on one artist, label, or era. He has been a resident of the USA this century, where he works for the space program (we think). (Episode 23 Parts 1-2 of 2)
Steve Simpson 1996 to 2006 Does anybody recall when he was Steve "The Jaguar" Simpson on Monday Drive? No? But you remember when he was "Natalie" on Breakfast. Anyhow, Steve was a Drive host, Wire host, Breakfast producer, Sales rep, Sales Manager, Brand Manager AND member of a bunch of bands formed for bFM events. Oh, and he was in Pash: they played the Nth Shore Events Centre with Garbage & Ash, on a bill which should have been listed "Ash, Pash, and Trash". (Episode 39, Parts 1-3 of 3)
In this episode, Dubhead turns the mic on himself & relates tales of his 24 year involvement in 95bFM - 19 of those as the host of The Rhythm Selection. From rocksteady to roots reggae, experimental avant-garde to singing a commercial for car stereos, Dubhead asks himself the hard questions and explains why the magic of radio has never ceased to amaze him. (Episode 24 Parts 1-2 of 2)
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