THE BIG BOPPER'S WEBSITE.
RADIO.
THE ROCKER RETURNS.
The return to the Midlands took place in April
of 1977 and brought Brian & Annie to Oakham in
Rutland.
Soon the local press featured The Big
Bopper in the Stamford Mercury and the Rutland Times, He was soon
doing a few local shows. In October of ‘77 at Annie's instigation
He wrote to the Station Manager Mr Owen Bentley at BBC Radio
Leicester to see if he could promote original Rock n Roll on the
Radio. The response was more than he expected, He was asked to do
an audition tape. Brian Continues........
The tape got me a 20 minute spot on an afternoon programme with producer Steven Butt on a Monday in January 1978. After only four shows the audience response was to get me a half hour slot on a regular Saturday Morning basis, Owen Bentley called it “The Rocker Returns” a rather good title I thought at the time. My theme tune was what else but, “Chantilly Lace” and that theme tune was to remain with me for 15 years almost to the day.
It was
soon evident that the music was in demand in the area and indeed to
the very fringes of the transmission area. The show was moved to a
Monday evening slot from 7pm till 9pm Two hours of pure vintage
rock n roll.
More
features came on line, like the diary dates spot, whereby all the
rock n roll events in the region were advertised. I was able to
play more wider fifties style music with features on Doo-Wop,
Rock-a-billy, and Cajun Music along with the tradition old
favourites. The final change of programme came when a link with BBC
Radio Nottingham, Derby & Lincoln came about and the show moved
to Wednesday from 7pm till 9pm. The whole of the East Midlands
could hear “The Rocker Returns”
Below.
Outside Broadcast from Nottingham City Centre
RADIO TIMES FEATURES.
THE BBC RADIO LEICESTER STUDIO.
ANNIE JOINED THE STATION AS GRAM LIBRARIAN. ONE OF MANY OUTSIDE BROADCASTS.
AS WELL AS THE ROCK N ROLL PROGRAMME BRIAN ALSO DID OTHER PROGRAMMES FOR THE BBC.
THE BRIAN SHUTTLEWOOD MUSIC PROGRAMME FROM 8.45am UNTIL 10.00am WITH IT'S THEME MUSIC OF TERESA BREWER'S MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC.
HE ALSO COVERED THE SUPERBIKE GRAND PRIX FROM DONINGTON PARK.
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES TAKEN IN THE PITS. FEATURING BARRY SHEENE, "ROCKET" RON HASLAM, WAYNE GARDNER.
In February of 1995 the last “Rocker Returns” programme was transmitted. Despite a petition signed by thousands of original Rock n Roll fans the programme could not be saved. I was very disappointed to say the least but I knew the decision had been taken and would not be altered. I was asked to bring into the show the music of the 1960's and I just could not! I was not prepared to sell a product I did not believe in. I had done my bit, I was now into Karaoke and had bought the equipment to become only the second karaoke outfit in the East Midlands, I had gone back to what I had done little of for a great number of years, singing! I will always have a place in my heart for my time on the Radio. The interviews with the many established artists and stars as well as the up and coming bands. The thousands of letters from thousands of fans. Meeting them all at OB s and personally, being asked to open fetes and galas and even compering “It’s a knockout” at the Rutland Agricultural Show and would you believe a weekend Steam Engine Rally at Belper in Derbyshire. Magic memories.