Radio Clyde is turning 50
Scotland's first commercial radio station is celebrating half a century on the airwaves
Last updated 22nd Dec 2023
Radio Clyde’s debut was at 10.30pm on Hogmanay, 1973 broadcasting on 261 metres medium wave from studios at Anderston in Glasgow, with Tony Currie as the first voice on air on commercial radio in Scotland.
Over the decades its presenters have become trusted and much-loved voices including Dougie Donnelly, Bill Smith, ‘Tiger’ Tim Stevens, Tom Ferrie, and Richard Park.
Others who got their first break in broadcasting at Clyde went on to become household names on radio and TV across the UK including Paul Coia, Ross King, Steve Jones, Ben Brown, Jackie Bird and the late-breakfast TV favourite Bill Turnbull.
Having won the broadcasting licence, backers including Scottish luminaries Sir Sean Connery, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jimmy Gordon – later Lord Gordon of Strathblane – had the task of getting Clyde on-air.
From the outset news and information, produced in Glasgow, for Glasgow, from a Glaswegian perspective, was a vital part of the mix.
The station’s output was given weight and authority by the presence of already-established journalists including Alex Dickson, Sheila Duffy and Tom Steele, in Scotland’s only newsroom broadcasting round-the-clock, 365 days a year.
TELL US: What are your best memories of listening to Clyde?
As well as the hourly bulletins, the news team produced award-winning specials and documentaries, something which continues to this day with a string of honours for programmes exploring some of the biggest moments in the city’s history including winning the 2014 Commonwealth Games and hosting global leaders at COP26.
Radio Clyde bucked the trend for commercial radio in the early days by becoming an instant success, making a profit of £20,000 in its first year.
Trend setting
Radio Clyde was in the vanguard as broadcasting in Britain started to change.
Commercial radio was launched in the early 70s to meet the demands of the public; a way to keep people connected and a way of sharing information and entertainment. Clyde was the stand-out success because of its instant rapport with people of the West of Scotland.
Hearing a Glasgow voice on the ‘wireless’ as if it was the person next door was something special. It was unusual to listen to a raw ‘weegie’ accent speaking to the people of the city. It was powerful, it was Radio Clyde.
“Were you at the game, caller?”
Radio Clyde latched onto Glasgow’s passion for football.
‘Superscoreboard’ was launched in 1974 dominating Saturday afternoons with the fastest goal news and information. It marked the introduction of the Open Line: the phone-in players listened to, and managers tried to ignore.
It was a game-changer for sport broadcasting, as for the first time listeners could talk back to the radio, and pundits including Jimmy Sanderson and Hugh Keevins. It is still the number one choice for listeners across Glasgow and the west.
Making a difference
In the early 80s, Radio Clyde launched what would become one of the most successful charities in Scotland, Cash for Kids.
Initially an annual eight-week campaign held throughout November and December, it was set up to help children in Glasgow and the West with disabilities have a better Christmas.
As poverty continues to grip the country, Cash for Kids has become a year-round charity now providing for families in poverty, having raised millions of pounds.
Its success has been extended across the UK, and what started here is now a nationwide call to action.
New studios
In 1983 the station moved to purpose-built studios in Clydebank – still one of the few purpose-built broadcasting centres in the UK – complete with its famous swimming pool.
The new HQ was graced with a visit from HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 who was pictured admiring the bulging trophy cabinets in the reception area, a habit the station has kept up!
READ MORE: Remembering Queen Elizabeth: the day she opened Radio Clyde.
The 90s brought the need to cater for a wider demographic with the station’s popularity meaning listener numbers were climbing. Radio Clyde was therefore split into Clyde 1 on 102.5 FM, focussing on the top 40 and songs from the last 20 years, and Clyde 2 on AM 1152 playing a range of music from the 50s to the early 80s.
Keeping Glasgow moving
Glasgow and the West woke up to Mike Riddoch and Dave Marshall every morning with more than a million people tuning in each week. Together, they brought us essential information to start the weekday with news, weather and travel delivered with flair and a smile.
The station was synonymous for the ‘Eye in the Sky’; a traffic-spotting helicopter flown by the late Captain George Muir who broadcast live on a radio link from the pilot’s seat of the chopper.
If you keep your eyes peeled, you can still see some of the official blue road signs on the M8 and M74 telling you to tune into Radio Clyde for all the latest travel news.
Waking up Glasgow and the west
Over the last 50 years, you can count the number of breakfast show hosts that have controlled the desks at Radio Clyde with one hand.
In 1997, it was the turn of George Bowie who’s recently celebrated a quarter of a century waking up Glasgow and the West with the number one Bowie at Breakfast.
He has won two Sony awards and three New York awards including gold for an interview with Tony Blair on devolution. He then did the show live from Times Square to celebrate.
Awards keep coming
Clyde 1 won The John Myers Station of the Year award at the Arias in 2022 and 2023, the first time any station has won it back-to-back in 30 years.
READ MORE: CLYDE 1 TAKES HOME HISTORIC GOLD AT 2023 ARIAS.
The only other station to do the double with this prestigious award – which began back in 1983 as the Sony Music Awards - was Clyde 2 in 1993 and 1994.
The music, the people, and most importantly the listeners have all made Radio Clyde one of the world’s greatest commercial radio stations.
Thank you and here’s to the next 50!
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.