Beach Boys at 50 Promo

The Manuscript - Absolute Radio

Friday 17th May, TBI marked the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid with a series of programmes on BBC Radio 2. Culminating in a special Friday Night is Music Night, live from Biggin Hill, the programmes reflected upon an operation which changed the course of the Second World War.

On the night of 16th/17th May 1943, nineteen Lancaster Bombers from 617 Squadron, took off from Lincolnshire. Each aircraft carried one of Barnes Wallace’s famous ‘bouncing bombs’. Their targets were the dams of Germany’s Ruhr Valley: the industrial heart of the Axis war machine. Eight aircraft did not return from the raid, while almost 2000 lives were lost when the dams themselves were breached.

To commemorate the raid, Chris Evans’s Breakfast Show came from RAF Scampton: the home of 617 Squadron. After the show, Chris flew in one of the two remaining flying Lancaster bombers. On touching down, he was met by Jeremy Vine, before sharing his experience on Jeremy’s show.

The day culminated with a Friday Night is Music Night special, recorded in front of a live audience assembled in the aircraft hangar at Biggin Hill. Combining recorded testimony and the voices of actors, Jeremy Vine and Dermot O’Leary bringing to life the events of the Dambuster’s raid and the stories of those individuals at its heart. The BBC Concert Orchestra and the Central Band of the RAF played throughout the programme, resurrecting the music of the war years and performing a new anniversary composition.

Dambusters Audio Reel

The first ever detailed account on radio of the remarkable story of Elbow, tracking their journey from the 6th form common room to Wembley Stadium fillers. One of those heartwarming stories of nice guys eventually getting what they deserve, the programme also explores the unique way in which the band create their sound. The inner workings of one of Britain’s best bands are laid bare as the band describe the recording process and note by note, layers of sound are turned into Mercury-winning songs before our very ears.

“The Elbow Story was an inspirational hour for a wide audience”
The Guardian

‘The Elbow Story’ was nominated for Best Music Special at the 2010 Sony Awards.

The Elbow Story - Absolute Radio

This documentary brings together generations of Rock Gods as lifelong Led Zeppelin fan Dave Grohl celebrates his hero, drummer John Henry ‘Bonzo’ Bonham. The story features exclusive interviews from those who knew John the best ‘“ including all three surviving members of Led Zeppelin along with close friends and family ‘“ over an irresistible soundtrack that tears through the band’s rich back catalogue. The listener is left with an enduring image of a man whose destiny would be forged by his ferocious drumming style and his insatiable appetite for living life to the full. 

The John Bonham Story won Gold as the ‘Best Music Special’ in the 2011 Sony Awards.

The John Bonham Story

The legendary ‘Tony Bennett Presents The Great American Songbook’ with TBI on BBC Radio 2 as he offers his thoughts about 40 of the greatest songs ever written.

The revered living legend from the American swing era guides the Radio 2 audience through his selection of 40 of the defining songs from the ‘Great American Songbook’. As Sir Michael Parkinson leads the way through the 10 songs covered each week, Tony gives his unique perspective on the selections, recently captured in his New York recording studio,  complete with personal anecdotes about those who created them, the pantheon of singers who have interpreted them and, of course, his views about what makes each one special.

Tony Bennett Presents The Great American Songbook

Way back during the Christmas recording of Not Just Cricket with Greg James, Graeme Swann and James Anderson for BBC 5Live, guest Derek Acorah psychically predicted the blanket of snow we are experiencing in January!

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