Northsound Radio
Encyclopedia
Northsound Radio was the name for the original Northsound Radio station, broadcast from Aberdeen
, Scotland
to the north-east of Scotland. In 1995, the station split to become two commercial local radio stations.
at Beechgrove, which broadcast specialist music programmes for just a couple of hours a week along with some regional news coverage. A group of local businessmen applied for a radio franchise to broadcast to Aberdeen, Peterhead and the surrounding areas, that was advertised by the then-regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
North of Scotland Radio Ltd won the franchise, and after a change of name, Northsound Radio commenced broadcasting at 6am on the 27th of July 1981 from its original studios in an old schoolhouse on Kings Gate, near Anderson Drive in the city. Originally, the station was broadcast from 6am - 8pm each day.
In 1995, the station split its services to become Northsound 1
and Northsound 2
. Northsound 1 broadcasts on 96.9FM and plays popular music from the 1980s to today whilst Northsound 2
broadcasts on 1035MW, and follows a 'classic gold' style, with music from the 1950s to today alongside some sports and specialist programming. Both stations now also broadcast on DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting
– i.e. Digital Radio).
almost bi-annually. Northsound delivered its first major outdoor event when the Tall Ships arrived in Aberdeen, which called Free at the Quay. Following its success, Free 2000 was staged at the Queen’s Links at Aberdeen Beach followed by Free at the Dee at Duthie Park. Due to the massive numbers attending these events, Northsound decided to move the event to Hazlehead Park
and the event was renamed to simply Free 2007.
More than 30,000 people attended Free 2007 which saw the likes of Beverley Knight, McFly, Shayne Ward, Booty Luv, MacDonald Brothers, Ali Love, Unklejam and more perform for free.
Northsound are also huge sponsors and organisers of the city's free Hogmanay street party, and have had stars such as Sandi Thom
, Travis
and Amy MacDonald
play to large crowds.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to the north-east of Scotland. In 1995, the station split to become two commercial local radio stations.
History
Up until summer 1981, the only local radio available to the listeners in the North East of Scotland was from the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
at Beechgrove, which broadcast specialist music programmes for just a couple of hours a week along with some regional news coverage. A group of local businessmen applied for a radio franchise to broadcast to Aberdeen, Peterhead and the surrounding areas, that was advertised by the then-regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
North of Scotland Radio Ltd won the franchise, and after a change of name, Northsound Radio commenced broadcasting at 6am on the 27th of July 1981 from its original studios in an old schoolhouse on Kings Gate, near Anderson Drive in the city. Originally, the station was broadcast from 6am - 8pm each day.
In 1995, the station split its services to become Northsound 1
Northsound 1
Northsound 1 is a radio station serving Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland. The station is owned & operated by Bauer Radio and forms part of Bauer's Place Network of stations and plays contemporary music from the 1980s to today, alongside news, sport and travel bulletins. Daytime and weekend...
and Northsound 2
Northsound 2
Northsound 2 is a commercial local radio station serving Aberdeen and surrounding area on 1035 kHz on the medium wave band. Owned and operated by Bauer Radio, Northsound 2 plays music mainly from the 1960s and 1970s, alongside talk, news and sports coverage...
. Northsound 1 broadcasts on 96.9FM and plays popular music from the 1980s to today whilst Northsound 2
Northsound 2
Northsound 2 is a commercial local radio station serving Aberdeen and surrounding area on 1035 kHz on the medium wave band. Owned and operated by Bauer Radio, Northsound 2 plays music mainly from the 1960s and 1970s, alongside talk, news and sports coverage...
broadcasts on 1035MW, and follows a 'classic gold' style, with music from the 1950s to today alongside some sports and specialist programming. Both stations now also broadcast on DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
– i.e. Digital Radio).
Free concerts
Since 1997, Northsound has held free music concerts in AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
almost bi-annually. Northsound delivered its first major outdoor event when the Tall Ships arrived in Aberdeen, which called Free at the Quay. Following its success, Free 2000 was staged at the Queen’s Links at Aberdeen Beach followed by Free at the Dee at Duthie Park. Due to the massive numbers attending these events, Northsound decided to move the event to Hazlehead Park
Hazlehead Park
Hazlehead Park is a large public park in the Hazlehead area of Aberdeen, Scotland. 180 hectares in size, it was opened to the public in 1920, having formerly been the estate of Hazlehead House, home of William Rose, shipbuilder....
and the event was renamed to simply Free 2007.
More than 30,000 people attended Free 2007 which saw the likes of Beverley Knight, McFly, Shayne Ward, Booty Luv, MacDonald Brothers, Ali Love, Unklejam and more perform for free.
Northsound are also huge sponsors and organisers of the city's free Hogmanay street party, and have had stars such as Sandi Thom
Sandi Thom
Alexandria "Sandi" Thom is a Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She became widely known in 2006 after a series of webcasts and the success of the single "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker ".-1984–2004: Early life:Thom was born in Banff, Aberdeenshire...
, Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
and Amy MacDonald
Amy Macdonald (singer)
Amy Macdonald is a Scottish recording artist. Macdonald rose to fame in 2007 with her debut album, This Is the Life and its fourth single, "This Is the Life". The single charted at number one in six different countries worldwide, and charted inside the top ten in another eleven countries worldwide...
play to large crowds.
Notable DJ's
- Nicky CampbellNicky CampbellNicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog...
- now a well-known BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
journalist and television presenter. - Bobby Hain - launched the station and played the first record, We've Only Just BegunWe've Only Just Begun"We've Only Just Begun" is the signature song of The Carpenters, written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams , and is often used as a wedding song. The song was ranked at #405 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".The song was recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend...
by The CarpentersThe CarpentersCarpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
. He is now the managing director of STV, incorporating STV Central (formerly Scottish Television) and STV North (formerly Grampian Television). - Robin GallowayRobin GallowayRobin Galloway is a Scottish radio and TV broadcaster, currently working for Clyde 1 and five other Bauer Radio FM stations in Scotland.-Career:...
- later became a continuity announcer and newsreader for Grampian TelevisionGrampian TelevisionGrampian Television is the ITV franchisee for the North and North East of Scotland. Its coverage area includes the Scottish Highlands , Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and parts of north Fife...
. He currently presents the drive time show on Clyde 1.