208 Medium Wave  (MW) Radio Luxembourg ran from the mid-1950s, well into the 1960s. 

Radio Luxembourg’s Top Twenty Show each Sunday (11 pm until midnight)  was listened to by thousands of teenagers. 

Although boasting one of the most powerful transmitters in the world, it needed much tuning as most times when it faded away it was probably your favourite pop tune you were listening to! 

However, this did not detract from listening to the full Top Twenty finishing off just before midnight with the week's number one, the best-selling songs in one hour. Whether it was your favourite ballad, vocal, instrumental or, just the music of the time there was always something in that one hour that you would like.

Of the many radio programmes that were popular, it seems that almost everyone listened to and enjoyed Radio Luxembourg’s Top Twenty Show. 

Barry Alldis (1930-1982)

It was perhaps Australian-born Barry Alldis 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 when introducing the records, he built up a considerable following throughout Britain. For many listeners especially of that era, Barry Alldis was Radio Luxembourg. His two well-known catchphrases were

“Your D.J., B.A.” and “Whether at home or on the highway, thanks for tuning my way”.

Listen to a recording of Barry Alldis below. Do you remember his words?

Authors note:

During my six years as a DJ with Top Rank, I tried many times to emulate Barry Alldis, all to no avail!

As rock 'n’ roll as we knew it, was on the wane in the mid-1960 the introduction of pirate radio took on a whole new dimension for the youth of the time. 

Offshore pirate radio did not begin in 1964.  It started in Scandinavia in 1958; then copied in Holland in 1961. Outside national waters, it was completely legal to broadcast under a loophole in the law.  In 1964 Radio Caroline took to the air, being the first offshore pirate radio in the UK. It sold ads and played 24-hour music, making it a revolution in sound for teenagers.  It helped break several new artists and gave airplay to many artists who had never been heard on the BBC. 

The disc jockeys who would spend a fortnight at a time on the vessel became minor celebrities and were feted by teenagers. However, Radio Caroline, and those that followed, roused the wrath of the government and there had been questions in Parliament, as it was draining too much of the BBC’s audience and the pirates were making too much money. 

It took until 1967 that the law closed the loophole allowing the pirates to operate, and on August 15 the pirates were put out of business.