Aircheck Tracker
Profile: Martin Kelner: Martin has been in the radio biz since 1976. He started at Radio Hallam in Sheffield (now Hallam-FM) with a four year stint. Since then he stayed around the Yorkshire area with periods at Radio Aire (Aire-FM), Pennine Radio (now The Pulse), BBC Radio Two (where he presented the late night slot around the same time as Steve Jones), BBC Radio Five, and Jazz FM.
Musically, Martin is into Soul, Jazz, Swing and Big Band with particular focus on Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Billie Holliday, Marvin Gaye & James Carr. The Beatles, Beach Boys and the Tamla Motown sound make Martin equally nostalgic. In fact, his favourite song is by Old Blue Eyes, 'It happened in Monterey' by Frank Sinatra.
He has a liking for American TV comedy, in particular, Seinfield and The Simpsons, his favourite films are 'This is Spinal Tap', 'Duck Soup' starring The Marx Brothers, Claire's Knee (Eric Rohmer) and The Lacemaker (Claude Goretta).
It's not been an easy ride with all of Martin's interviews, Victoria Wood walked out on him in Sheffield, but he really enjoyed interviewing Caroline Aherne as Mrs Merton - apparently, his interview lasted about six years! Alternatively, if given the right opportunity, he'd like to ask Saddam Hussein what sort of music he likes.
Whereabouts: Martin has been on-air for BBC Radio Leeds for two years. (92.4, 95,3FM & 774AM). He also writes a weekly column for the The Guardian, and occasional pieces for GQ, Later and other magazines.
Mark Atherton sent us this update in June 2003: 'Hiya Ian. Something to add to your profile on MK from a man who listened to him on Hallam and somewhere has the tape of the last show on the same day as the wedding of Charles and Diana. MK has just brought out a book called 'When Will I Be Famous?'. I haven't read it but an interview on BBC North was pretty favourable. MK is one of those presenters who deserves more recognition than he gets and would be good doing his usual stuff on late night Radio 2. Cheers, Mark.
AIRCHECK (Ian) replies: I do remember him presenting late nights on Radio 2, and Martin presented a thoroughly entertaining programme....
Martin Kelner updates: 'From Friday April 2nd 2004, I will be presenting a late show on BBC radio in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire every Friday and Saturday from 10pm-1am. Several of the elements of my legendary Late Martin Kelner Show will return including vintage recordings of Caroline Aherne as Mrs. Merton. BOOK: My book, by the way, is 'When Will I Be Famous?' an is available on Amazon. There's a bit of radio stuff in it, including mention of my time at Radio 2 and an appreciation of Andy Peebles.'
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