Barry Alldis - 208 Medium WavE - Radio Luxembourg

From the mid-1950s well into the ’60s Radio Luxembourg’s Top Twenty Show each Sunday evening between 11pm and midnight was listened to by thousands of teenagers. Although boasting one of the most powerful transmitters in the world, it needed much re-tuning – but this did not detract from listening to the full Top Twenty, finishing just before midnight with the week’s number one. There was always something in that hour that you would enjoy. It seems that almost everyone listened to and enjoyed Radio Luxembourg’s Top Twenty Show.

It was perhaps Australian-born Barry Alldis (1930–82) who more than any other radio DJ is remembered for hosting the Top Twenty Show between 1958 and 1966. With a pleasant voice that always sounded enthusiastic, he built up a considerable following in Britain. For many listeners, Barry Alldis was Radio Luxembourg. His two well-known catchphrases were ‘Your DJ, BA,’ and ‘Whether at home or on the highway, thanks for tuning my way.’ During my six years as a DJ with Top Rank I tried many times to emulate Barry Alldis, all to no avail! 

In 1964, Terry (Dadio) called it a day at the Majestic and left Dal on his own. In early 1965, Dal also left the Majestic, which became bingo orientated. Soon afterwards it closed, reopening in May 1965 as a bingo hall. In 1965 Dal was a DJ for Peter Pugh Entertainments at the Victoria Hall in Keighley. The highlight of his time there was compèring the show with Screaming J. Hawkins. Dal was DJ for the Top Twenty Club in Idle and at summer fairs for Garth Cawood in 1966, and in 1967 he was DJ for guest spots at the Locarno Mecca. After this his show business life ceased.

 In the 1990s he did a few DJ and singing spots at the Pile Bar, Midland Hotel, as part of the Bradford rock ’n’ roll reunions organised by Garth Cawood. In 1991 a Rock ’n’ Roll Reunion CD (produced by Emile Ford) was made of eight of Bradford’s original groups, on which Dal sang Cliff Richard’s ‘Move It’. In 1997 he recorded Johnny Kidd’s ‘Shaking All Over’, which was produced by Richard Harding. . After four decades in sales he retired in 2003, after the full fifty years. Derek now lives in Harrogate.

When I started at the Gaumont in 1961 I was payed £1 10 shillings per night,  which would be around £42  pounds in 2025. It was quite good really, as this would continue into my Majestic days, especially when it was three nights Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Terry (Dadio) was paid the same.When Carl Glass was the manager at the Majestic he was great, as we ran the show.

This all changed when Carl left and a new manager arrived, Mr Harry Radly from Nottingham, who made it clear that Bingo was his main interest.  It was along story, as he cut record purchases, local groups appearing, and finally loosing two  rock 'n' roll nights, Wednesday and Friday. He got his wish when in late 1965  the  Majestic was closed for Bingo.It was during this time that Terry and myself asked Radley  for a  wage rise.This exercise got us nowhere only a curt inquiry as to whether one of us could manage each show. 

We were each still being paid £1  10 shillings a night. However this rebounded back on us as, withing a week we ha both been contacted by the Inland Revenue. The conclusion was we had not been paying tax on our DJ earnings back also to our Gaumont days. We would have to repay 2/6 per week. I remember paying that  sum over two years. Yes" IT WAS A MEAN OLD SCENE".

Living at Delph Hill estate  Wyke  meant that I had to catch the bus for trips to and from both the Gaumont and Majestic during my  five years of attending as the Disc Jockey.On leavings the dance hall after the show  for  the last Wyke bus at 10 55.

As you can imagine 75% of the teenagers were on the bus who had been to the ballroom  that night. Earlier in the evening when I had been introducing the Pop Star of the day to them,I could control, advise or ridicule any one of the hundreds of teenagers in the ballroom. 

However, on leaving the ballroom at 10 45 pm,walking for the bus, queuing at the stop and the on the bus,it was my turn to be controlled and ridiculed all the way home.Mostly though,it was good humored, I think!

"Dal, why didn't you play this or that Dal, whose on next week?" "Dal, your a rotten disc Jockey", and so on.Still if you can dish it out you should be able to take it back,as they say it went with the job. 

A TRIBUTE TO OUR GAUMONT AND MAJESTIC TEENAGERS

I must put on record that all the teenagers of both our venues were great. They were all our friends,and we knew most of their names with many hello's and greetings. 

Both Dadio and I looking back  could never remember any real  problems, fall-outs or misbehaving over our time with them.

We were very  lucky and remember that most of them had gone through the war as  children and then working at 15,and some lads would be off doing their National Service.  

 It was hard some days for  them,but were always compensated with their laughter,smiles, joy, and happiness for those few hours at the Gaumont and Majestic ballroom.l

In early 1962 and Joe Brown was to appear at the Majestic on Monday evening. It was his first visit to Bradford, well advertised and a capacity crowd.I was told by the then manager Bob Mitchell that Joe was paid £200 , the most paid to a star at that time. I had met Joe in the afternoon on his arrival and sorted his time on stage with his group The Bruvvers 8 30 until 9 30.The show on stage was tremendous success as I thanked him on leaving the stage a t 9 30.  Then I had to finish off the last hour with records. There was still lots of people, mostly girls still there as he was still in the dressing room signing autographs the the doormen brought down. It was chaos for a while, but had dispersed by 11 0 clock. I had missed my last bus home.  However as I was chatting to Joe he asked."How to to get to the A1 from here . I said  "Where I live is on the way to the A1, and I would show him better on the way home. 

Saying good bye to the  Bruvvers who were still packing up, we then departed the Majestic to the car park across the road.  The car was a mid- fifties red sports model not particular flashy,  but as Joe said 'she was a goer' Off we  sped through Bradford and up Manchester Road, Bankfoot,Odsal, Low Moor, and along Woodside Road where I lived on Delph Hill Estate. I stopped him while still on Woodside Road and said to travel on this road to Brighouse and there are directions to the A1. 

Joe drove off after many thanks, for his long journey home , made possible  longer by, yes. you've guessed, Huddersfield Road  was not quite in the direction to take the A1 in those days. I had vaguely pointed to Brighouse and watched him drive away. Well I thought,he has £200 in his back pocket and I've made 30/-, surely I qualify for a free ride home-needs must .Sorry Joe- a great guy .