HISTORY Paul Gambaccini worked for BBC Radio 1 for 15 years, presenting the US chart show on Saturday Afternoons for much of that time. He is renowned for his music and chart knowledge for both the USA and UK industry. Born 1949, New Yorker Paul attained degrees in History (USA), Philosophy, Politics and Economics (at Oxford). He wrote articles for the US magazine Rolling Stone from 1970. At Radio 1, he presented 'All American Heroes' from 1974, a series showcasing US talent. Later, in September 1975 Paul began the show he was to front for the next 11 years, highlighting the weeks' US chart music. In 1982 he helped launch the career of the UK pop group Kajagoogoo. He worked at London Independent Radio from 1986 to 1991 when he came back to present at Radio 1 for another three years. He was heard on Classic FM 1992-1995. In 1998 he joined BBC Radio 2 to present America s Greatest Hits on Saturday evenings. From the same year until 2002 he presented The Classic Countdown on the UK's national Classic FM. Throughout the 1980's and 90's Paul was regularly heard on programmes broadcast on BBC Radio 4. In 1994, Paul Gambaccini launched the Terence Higgins Trust's fundraising initiative, the '300 Club' at the charity premiere of 'The Age of Innocence'. In 1996 he was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio award from the Radio Academy. He was a regular on each of the first four British terrestrial television networks including a film review spot on GMTV for 13 years. He was the co-author of The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and British Hit Albums, with Tim and Jo Rice. Amongst other books he has published Television's Greatest Hits, with Rod Taylor (1993), Love Letters (1996), The McCartney Interviews: After the Break-up (1996), Close Encounters (1998) and The Eurovision Companion (revised edition) (1999). 
September 1975... Paul (left) begins his Saturday programme 'America's Greatest Hits' Picture: Chris Pugh | 
