Paul Burke » BlogPaul Burke

Fifty years since man first went to the moon.

Paul — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:38:36 +0000

It’s the first real moment in history that I can actually remember. Throughout the 1960s, the whole world was obsessed with space. And yet, once the USA had beaten the USSR to the moon, the “Space Race” slowed down dramatically then fizzled out completely. This despite predictions that we’d all soon be travelling to Outer Space and possibly moving to Mars. And yet no human being has journeyed outside the Earth’s orbit since 1972. Bit odd, isn’t it? A lot of people believe – with quite compelling evidence – that the Moon landings never happened. I’m not sure I agree but if this famous conspiracy theory turned out to be true, I wouldn’t be entirely surprised. For me, this record sums up that era perfectly. Because in 1969, there were two things I desperately wanted to be: an astronaut and a skinhead.

The only other person I heard say “Gertcha”.

Paul — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 14:16:50 +0000

Was my Grandad. I remember him saying it whenever his displeasure was incurred. Which was quite often. My sister remembers him uttering some other words, mostly beginning with F when she was with him on the No.52 bus and he forgot to ring the bell. His vocabulary could be quite mysterious. At bedtime I remember him telling me to “Get up the apples to your Uncle Ned”. I was reminded of him yesterday at the news that Chas Hodges, one half of Chas & Dave had died. My Grandad would have loved Chas & Dave but died a few years before they came to fame. He spoke just like Chas Hodges, even when he wasn’t saying “Gertcha”. Maybe because, contrary to popular belief, Chas was not from the East End. Like my grandad, he was born and bred in North – sorry, Norf – London.

He was older than the BBC.

Paul — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 18:28:19 +0000

RIP Jimmy Young, who died yesterday aged 95. “JY” was one of the most famous broadcasters this country has ever produced. A British institution and host of Radio 2’s mid morning show from 1973 until 20002. Broadcasting was, of course, his second career. He’d already enjoyed great fame as crooner in the 1950s. It’s well known that he took Unchained Melody to No.1 decades before The Righteous Brothers, Gareth Gates or Robson & Jerome. He had quite a few hits before the advent of rock ‘n’ roll. Though oddly enough, this classic 80s floor filler was not one of them.

Testing again

Paul — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 23:50:30 +0000

Just seeing if this works…

One, two. One, two…….

Paul — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:06:06 +0000

I used to be a DJ. I’ve spent much of my working life in recording studios. And every time anyone ever tests a microphone, they say “One, two. One, two” or maybe “Testing – one, two. One two”. It’s as though there’s a law against saying anything else. This is my first attempt at writing a blog and posting it on my spiffy new website. So I’m testing it. I should write “One, two. One, two…..” but I’m going to follow the sample of an actor who tested the microphone with the following words….

“I went to the market with my brother Jim.
And somebody threw a tomato at him.
Tomatoes are soft, they don’t break the skin
But this fucker did – it was still in the tin”

Let’s see if it works.

Hello world!

Paul — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:20 +0000

YORKSHIRE TV HILL Welcome to my brand new website. Slowly I’ll be adding some cool stuff and an insight into what I’m doing – so check back regularly. Until then enjoy the site.