Skip to content

Radio Caroline: The pirate radio station turns 60

Radio Caroline Radio Caroline moored in Bradwell on SeaRadio Caroline
Radio Caroline broadcast for the first time on 28 March 1964

A legendary pirate radio station is to host a special three-day broadcast to mark its 60th anniversary.

Radio Caroline defied the authorities when it started broadcasting non-stop pop music, offshore, on 28 March 1964.

More than 100 people were expected to visit and tour the Ross Revenge vessel, moored in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, during the celebrations over the Easter weekend.

Station manager Peter Moore said its turbulent history had built a "legacy".

Many well-known broadcasters started their careers on Radio Caroline, including Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker and Simon Dee.

The station was founded at a time when broadcasting was dominated by the BBC and pop was played for an hour a week.

Getty Images 20th January 1966: The disc jockeys of seagoing pirate radio station, Radio Caroline at Walton police station in Essex after their ship ran aground in bad weather. The DJ's, including Dave Lee Travis (in hat) and Tony BlackburnGetty Images
The Radio Caroline DJs were photographed at Walton police station, in Essex, after their ship ran aground in 1966.

Artists, such as The Kinks, Status Quo and Chris de Burgh, credited their success to airtime on the station and all recorded messages for the special anniversary broadcast.

"The broadcast promises a journey through the station's turbulent and often dramatic history, with classic tunes from the past six decades, memorable moments and interviews with key figures who shaped the station's legacy," Mr Moore said.

He added that broadcast operations were continuing to be expanded.

Built in 1960, the Ross Revenge is a 200ft (61m) former deep sea fishing trawler that was converted into a fully-functioning radio ship.

Radio Caroline was broadcast from the ship until 1991 when it was shipwrecked off the Kent coast.

Getty Images MV Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline's second shipGetty Images
The MV Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline's second ship, ran aground in 1966

The station continued to exist and is currently an internet and digital service that serves England and northern Europe.

The anniversary celebrations would give listeners the chance to tour the boat and meet the presenters, organisers said.

They hoped it would help to raise funds to send the 64-year-old vessel for a major shipyard overhaul.

presentational grey line

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830