HOWARD ROSE
Many people remember Howard Rose, under the name of
Crispian St John, when he first started on Radio Northsea International in 1971.
Whilst with RNI, Crispian recalled " I was in constant communication with Gerard (van Dam)
about Caroline coming back and at the right moment I just took off via Gatwick
and arrived across there and went out to the ship, that had just arrived off the
coast. I still don't believe to this day the state of the ship, it was just
unbelievable. There was water and muck and filth and damaged equipment, what
equipment there was, there was very little left. It was a right state, but
somehow the guys who ended up on the station, got it looking fairly reasonable".
From Caroline, Crispian moved to Radio Atlantis, where he was programme
director. "We can't compete against Caroline because they're doing
something unique and different" he recalled " it was very much into
the heavy music at that time, so they had that market. RNI was doing its thing
and we thought let's be tongue in cheek and let's do a cross between Radio
London and Radio England in the Sixties, but here in the Seventies and have a
fun time, because, like today, there was something missing out of a lot of radio
then. Just the word 'Fun' People
going on the air and having a ball and hopefully carrying the listeners along
with them". That policy and ideal, took him to the Mediteranean
and the Voice of Peace. The next stop on the radio dial was the re-launched
Radio Caroline, and a change of name - Jay Jackson, head of Caroline Newsweek
news and public affairs, before reverting to his old name of Crispian John, in
the mid-80's to launch Radio Sovereign, the UK's first oldies station.
Between his spells at sea, Howard also worked for a
number of independent local radio stations, and was instrumental in launching
KCBC in Kettering. Since then he has run the UK radio industry weekly The
Radio Magazine, a job he was well qualified for, with his varied experience,
over a number of years and in a variety of areas. His style, wide ranging views
and clear passion for radio, led to the Radio Magazine becoming much respected.
Howard always remembered his offshore radio days, and often acknowledged the
inspiration and energies they gave him. As editor of the Radio Magazine, he will
be very hard to follow. Howard was 49 years old. Our sympathies and thoughts
go to his wife and family. |