The development of pirate radio is examined in a study , focusing on Radios Caroline and London, that looks beyond its hip image to analyse the populist consumerism and economic machinations involved.
Was it a non-stop psychedelic party or was there more to pirate radio in the sixties than hedonism and hip radicalism? From Kenny Everett's sacking to John Peel's legendary Perfumed Garden' show, to the influence of the multi-national ad agencies, and the eventual assimilationof aspects of unofficial pop radio into Radio One, Selling the Sixties examines the boom of private broadcasting in Britain.
Using two contrasting models of pop piracy, Radios Caroline and London, Robert Chapman sets pirate radio in its social and cultural context. In doing so he challenges the myths surrounding its maverick Kings Road' image, separating populist consumerism from the economic and political machinations which were the flipside of the pirate phenomenon.
Selling the Sixties includes previously unseen evidence from the pirates' archives, revealing interviews and an unrivalled selection of rare audio materials.
`It is doubtful that Robert Chapman's attempt to situate offshore radio in its social and political context will be outstripped as the definitive tome on the subject.' - Q
