Tony Allan
Encyclopedia
Tony Allan was a British
broadcaster and voice over artist. He broadcast almost exclusively on pirate radio
stations and was highly regarded for his professionalism, his distinctive voice and clear diction, and for his ability to produce highly professional commercial
s and promotions.
between 1966 and 1967. He had originally intended to work on another pirate station, Radio Caroline
, but was rejected due to his age. When the Marine Offences Broadcasting Act (1967) was passed, he was the last DJ to broadcast live from the ship before managing director Tommy Shields's pre-recorded closedown programme.
He subsequently worked for Granada Television
as a voice-over artist, and in Europe.
In the 1970s Allan worked on the revived Radio Caroline, finally fulfilling his original ambition. When the Dutch Marine Offences Act came into force on 1 September 1974 it was Allan who announced that Caroline would continue broadcasting (following in the footsteps of Johnnie Walker
who had done the same when the British law was passed in 1967). When Caroline's owner Ronan O'Rahilly
announced that the station was to begin promoting his philosophy of "Loving Awareness", Allan became one of its most enthusiastic advocates, producing some of the most professional and memorable promotional ads for it.
Discussing Loving Awareness with fellow DJ Stuart Russell
in 1977, Allan said:
Allan worked on Caroline on and off between 1973 and 1979. During this time he also worked on The Voice of Peace
which broadcast to the Middle East
.
In the late 1970s he went to Ireland
and worked for Big D and ARD, two of the first 24 hour land-based pirate stations in Dublin. He later also worked for Sunshine Radio
, and Chris Cary's Radio Nova
amongst others.
He was also for a number of years the voice of the Guinness
commercials Worldwide.
He returned to Britain in 1990 to work for the now re-launched satellite Radio Caroline but was already ill from cancer. Despite this, he kept working as long as he could attending pirate radio conventions and fundraising events for Caroline until he became too ill to do so.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
broadcaster and voice over artist. He broadcast almost exclusively on pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
stations and was highly regarded for his professionalism, his distinctive voice and clear diction, and for his ability to produce highly professional commercial
Radio commercial
Commercial radio stations make most of their revenue selling “airtime” to advertisers. Of total media expenditures, radio accounts for 6.9%. Radio advertisements or “spots” are available when a business or service provides valuable consideration, usually cash, in exchange for the station airing...
s and promotions.
Career
Allan was 16 years old when he first worked for the pirate radio station Radio ScotlandRadio Scotland
Radio Scotland was an offshore pirate radio station broadcasting on 1241 kHz mediumwave , created by Tommy Shields in 1965. The station was located on the former lightship M.V...
between 1966 and 1967. He had originally intended to work on another pirate station, Radio Caroline
Radio Caroline
Radio Caroline is an English radio station founded in 1964 by Ronan O'Rahilly to circumvent the record companies' control of popular music broadcasting in the United Kingdom and the BBC's radio broadcasting monopoly...
, but was rejected due to his age. When the Marine Offences Broadcasting Act (1967) was passed, he was the last DJ to broadcast live from the ship before managing director Tommy Shields's pre-recorded closedown programme.
He subsequently worked for Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
as a voice-over artist, and in Europe.
In the 1970s Allan worked on the revived Radio Caroline, finally fulfilling his original ambition. When the Dutch Marine Offences Act came into force on 1 September 1974 it was Allan who announced that Caroline would continue broadcasting (following in the footsteps of Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker (DJ)
Johnnie Walker MBE is a popular British veteran radio disc jockey and broadcaster....
who had done the same when the British law was passed in 1967). When Caroline's owner Ronan O'Rahilly
Ronan O'Rahilly
Ronan O'Rahilly is an Irish businessman best known for the creation of the offshore radio station, Radio Caroline.O'Rahilly's parents owned the private port of Greenore in Carlingford Lough, County Louth...
announced that the station was to begin promoting his philosophy of "Loving Awareness", Allan became one of its most enthusiastic advocates, producing some of the most professional and memorable promotional ads for it.
Discussing Loving Awareness with fellow DJ Stuart Russell
Nigel MacArthur
Nigel MacArthur, also known as Stuart Russell and Nigel Harris, is a freelance broadcaster in Kent on Radio Caroline, EKR and KMFM.-Career:...
in 1977, Allan said:
Allan worked on Caroline on and off between 1973 and 1979. During this time he also worked on The Voice of Peace
Voice of Peace
Voice of Peace was an offshore radio station that served the Middle East for 20 years from the former Dutch cargo vessel MV Peace , anchored off the coast of Tel Aviv...
which broadcast to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
In the late 1970s he went to Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and worked for Big D and ARD, two of the first 24 hour land-based pirate stations in Dublin. He later also worked for Sunshine Radio
Sunshine Radio
Sunshine Radio may refer to:* Sunshine 855, a radio station station covering South Shropshire, North Herefordshire and North Worcestershire* Sunshine Radio , a radio station based in Hereford...
, and Chris Cary's Radio Nova
Radio Nova (Ireland)
Radio Nova was a pirate radio station broadcasting from Dublin, Ireland. Owned and operated by the UK pirate radio veteran Chris Cary, the station’s first broadcasts were during the summer of 1981 on 88.5mhz FM and 819khz AM.-Early history:...
amongst others.
He was also for a number of years the voice of the Guinness
Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
commercials Worldwide.
He returned to Britain in 1990 to work for the now re-launched satellite Radio Caroline but was already ill from cancer. Despite this, he kept working as long as he could attending pirate radio conventions and fundraising events for Caroline until he became too ill to do so.
External links
- Official Tony Allan tribute site - includes audio clips
- Tony Allan page on The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame
- Offshore radio mp3 page featuring numerous Tony Allan recordings among others - part of http://www.azanorak.com/