Part Two of my British Jingle retrospective of 1966 to 1975 we look at two Easy Listening stations, AKA MOR. The ship that housed Swinging Radio England, the brash very American top 40 station, also was the home of Britain Radio, a smooth middle of the road format. They bought their jingle package from PAMS called "The Smart Set". This had no series number since PAMS only numbered top 40 packages, whilst all other packages were titled only. 

By September 30th 1967 with the start of Radio One with great fanfare, Radio Two, basically a rebranded 'Light Programme' started up more low key,  rather a Cinderella. The BBC did not buy them any jingles, but did lyric a few of Radio One's order with "Radio One & Two" since they would frequently simulcast programmes, thus saving needle time for Radio One. There were also a few that mention 'BBC' but with no station ident, and these could also be used on Radio Two. 

That is where we start with this montage. When Radio One went to Pepper Tanner in 1968, Radio Two finally bought it's first own jingles, although a much cheaper deal that PAMS! 

This they had to make do with right through until 1972 when the BBC finally went to PAMS for Radio Two and bought it's first package proper along with more for Radio One. To confuse proceeding for this montage, just as Radio One had copied Radio London's series #31 at the start in 1967, Radio Two bought amongst others, Britain Radio's Smart Set package. 

Hence I have inserted a selection of Britain Radio's package amongst the Radio Two versions, for easy comparison, although of course the pirate actually had them six years earlier! I hope that chronological misfit does not confuse you too much.

We go on as in part one with additional comparisons with the same jingles as heard in the States and around the world. Radio Two was to buy more jingles in 1974 from PAMS and this included some additional Smart Set jingles, and some of the custom jingles of KRLD, KULF, KNBR and WWWE (Also known as 3WE - Smilin' thru) Although PAMS had made them especially for said stations, they also syndicated them just like all the other packages that have gone before. 

That completes the Pre JAM era for both stations. The third part of my series to be posted here, will focus entirely on a selection of excellent jingles from Jon Wolfert's JAM, With the demise of PAMS, Jon carried the torch with exciting and imaginative material using the same singers that had sung on PAMS packages.

Starting in 1976 JAM continued to supply both stations, as they changed styles and frequencies right up until 1997. A date that marked the end of the golden era of jingles in Britain. (My personal opinion of course) But more on that later. Meanwhile please enjoy these smooth sounds....

British MOR Radio Jingles 1967 - 1975 Part Two (compared With Other Stations Around The World)


Former Disc Jockey on Radio Caroline, Radio Seagull & Radio Mi Amigo 1973-74 Also technician for Radio Veronica 11th-18th April 1973 whilst the broadcast from our ship. I am a radio historian with extensive audio archive, comprising airchecks, jingles and commercials. More of my material  an be found at 

https://www.mixcloud.com/norman-barrington/

New tracks tagged #BBC Radio Two