Viking Radio, launch - 1984

Viking Radio, from Hull, was one of the second tranche of commercial stations, launched in 1984 as part of a network which was growing in a juddery fashion, as governments oscillated, commissioned reports; and had a good old think. Ian Rufus of BRMB fame prepared the ground, with Roger Brooks assuming control after launch.

Someone really ought to do a study of ‘first songs played’ and any correlation to later reputation and success. The Carpenters ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ features quite highly, as does ‘Simply The Best’, but Viking chose ‘Celebration’ by Kool and the Gang.

The station was to become part of the Yorkshire Radio Network in 1987, alongside Hallam and Pennine, before the Metro acquisition of 1990; subsequently part of EMAP and now Bauer.

Alumni included Stephanie ‘Hirsty’ Hirst, Jon Culshaw, Steve KIng, Shaun Tilley, Keri 'Mr. Scilly' Jones, and John ‘Foxy’ Fox. Like so many stations which are not the ‘kings’ of their groups, I always got the feeling it was a station left alone by its various owners just enough for things to be tried just that little bit more for that little bit longer; with some considerable success.

On here, hear the first voices, laid over the Cath Baxter theme (with familiar Alfasound vocalists) – and lyrics to die for. Witness the searing vocals and the 'birthplace of Amy Johnson'.