The Wild History of Pirate Radio: How Offshore Ships and Underground Stations Changed Music Forever

Send me a text message with your thoughts, questions, or feedback

Ever wondered how rock and roll conquered British radio? It all started with rebellious DJs broadcasting from ships in the North Sea. In this episode, we dive into the wild world of pirate radio - from Radio Caroline's first broadcast in 1964 to the underground stations that introduced reggae, house music, and hip-hop to British audiences.

We'll explore how a loophole in international law led to floating radio stations, why the government was so desperate to shut them down, and how pirate radio moved from ships to land when the authorities cracked down. Plus, we'll talk about the fantastic movie "The Boat That Rocked" and why pirate radio's legacy still matters today.

From cramped ships rolling in rough seas to mobile transmitters dodging detection vans, this is the story of the rule breakers who believed the airwaves belonged to everyone - not just the people with licenses.

Topics covered:

• Radio Caroline and the offshore pirate fleet
• The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967
• Land-based pirates and music revolution
• Kiss FM's journey from pirate to legal
• Cultural impact on marginalized communities
• "The Boat That Rocked" film discussion

Contact & Social: 

• Email: [e-mail] 
• Facebook: fullymodulated 
• Instagram: @fullymodulatedpod

Buzzsprout - Podcast Hosting
Podcast hosting made simple. Sign up and we both get $20 credit when you upgrade to paid plans.

Support the show

If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

Fully Modulated is not affiliated with or endorsed by any station, media company, or network. All opinions are solely my own.