Aircheck Tracker
Profile: Tony Brandon. Tony
Brandon claims to have been working in radio before it was even a glint in
Marconi's eye! Despite referring to himself as "The Dorset
Dinosaur" he made his start on the wireless at Radio Luxembourg back in
1966. After a year he was invited to join the presentation team at Big L -
Wonderful Radio London. "One of the happiest periods of my whole
career", he reflects.
When
the "pirates" were outlawed and Radio London closed, he auditioned
successfully for the newly opened BBC service, Radio
1, where he remained for
four years. This was followed by a move to Radio 2 presenting daily shows for
the next twelve years.
In
1984 Branders had a hankering to return to the theatre and spent the next three
years touring the UK and Canada in plays, and ten consecutive years in
pantomime. (Oh no he didn't - oh yes he did! Ed)
"I've
certainly had plenty of variety in my life" says Tone. "What with all
those years in the theatre, my own television series "Learning Tree"
for Granada, "The Brandon Exchange" for Southern TV and a couple of
long-running situation comedies for BBC Radio 2. There was even a chance to do a
spot of scriptwriting on the BBC series "Ackers Arf 'Our" featuring Mr
Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazz Band which ran for four years".
Tony
even ventured into the popular music world having released several singles
including a Christmas song "Sleep Little Children" produced by the
distinguished songwriter Les Reed, who was recently awarded the O.B.E. for his
services to music.
"I
only hope they don't find out about him having worked with me or they might ask
him to return it" laughed Tony.
Tony's first love is, and always will be, the "Wireless".
Whereabouts: Tony has made a welcome return to the "Wireless" and he says he couldn't think of a nicer place to round off his professional career than at Saga 105.7fm in the West Midlands which launched 16/10/2001. Tony, or 'Branders' as he is affectionately called, presents the 'Wireless Workshop' every Sunday from 10:00am - 1:00pm. For more on Saga 105.7fm, visit AIRCHECK RATED & RECOMMENDED.