It’s now called Radio London. Again.

It’s been called Radio London, GLR, London Live, BBC London and from today, Radio London once more. For me, Radio London is synonymous with Robbie Vincent, one of the most influential broadcasters this country has ever produced. His show in the late 70s and early 80s was just about the only place you could hear black music. Listeners would record the show on Saturday mornings to play in their Cortinas on Saturday nights. A former Evening Standard reporter, Robbie had a dual career as a phone-in host during the week and a funk DJ at weekends. His influence is impossible to over-state. On Radio 1, his was the first soul show to be broadcast on national radio and it led directly to the dance music phenomenon of later years. I cannot count the number of tunes I first heard on Robbie Vincent’s show on Radio London. I’ll just have to pick one at random.