THE BIG BOPPER'S WEBSITE.

RADIO.

THE ROCKER RETURNS.

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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.

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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

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