Joining BBC Radio 1 in 1970, former newspaper journalist Annie Nightingale was the UK's first female national radio DJ, the station for which she still broadcasts. She also became a well known TV presenter, hosting BBC TV's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' between 1978-82. She was known for her husky voice and her greeting of 'Hi....'. One of her greatest successes on radio was her 'Sunday Night Request Show', which became a cult hit programme that ran for 12 years from 1982-1994. Annie's Sunday Afternoon Request Show theme was an instrumental "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" by Steely Dan. Annie has also broadcast for BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4, Radio 5, British Forces Broadcasting worldwide, and was Britain's only broadcaster at Live Aid Philadelphia in 1985. Annie travelled extensively making music orientated TV and radio documentaries, including an around the world trip with The Police, programmes from Russia, Romania, The middle East and the United States. Her long time partner and husband Binky Baker is famous for having poured a port and brandy over Tony Blackburn's head during a Mallory Park fun day. He later released a rather unfavourable record about the DJ titled 'Toe Knee Black Burn' which ended with the words 'burn Tony Black!'. Annie received an MBE for services to radio broadcasting in the 2001 New Years Honours. From 1997 she presented a BBC Radio 1 show playing 'nu skool breaks', future funk and tech-house music for clubbers returning home. Originally aired 4am Sunday mornings, in July 2004 it was moved to 1am on Fridays. The show was popular with listeners from as far afield as Tokyo and Australia. From 2014 Annie was regularly heard on Radio 2 with an early morning chill - out music show for clubbers arriving home. Annie came back to Radio 1 in 2023 with a late night eclectic world music show. Annie died after a brief illness in January 2024 aged 83.
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Annie on a Thursday 'What's New' Show Sunday Afternoon Theme - East St. Louis Toodle-oo - Steely Dan. The following clips are taken from a Sunday Annie Nightingale show 10th November 1985 Richard Skinner hands over to Annie Andy hasn't yet met Dana Bet with Bates Fast Postcard What's wrong with Jane The following clips are taken from a Sunday Annie Nightingale show 1st December 1985 Start of Sunday request show (Dec 1985) more from Show Dec 1985 The following clips are taken from a Sunday Annie Nightingale show 23rd February 1986 Richard Skinner hands over to Annie the Godfather! Dolphins can train a Man! Freddie mercury - was he Lord Lucan The following clips are taken from a Sunday Annie Nightingale show 7th December 1986 Bruno hands over to Annie (I wasn't here you know) Annie's 'little voice prattling away' A Lisa Joke ******************************** Ode to Annie by Mark Evans (mp3 32kbps) Start of a Chill-Out Zone Show c1997 Trail for 4am Sunday Show |