The 1960s pirate radio phenomenon was founded on a simple loophole and a cunning understanding of maritime law.
If a ship was moored three or more miles off the British coastline, it was technically sailing in international waters. A commercial radio station broadcasting from that ship – without a licence, on a stolen frequency, and with no intention of paying taxes – was legally untouchable.
The British government, police, Navy, Customs & Excise and Coastguard had no jurisdiction.
The pirates first appeared in 1964, and by 1965 Radio Caroline and Radio London (‘Big L’) had revolutionised British radio.
By giving airplay to new groups the pirates curbed the dominance of the major labels and made the BBC (which rationed its pop output to a few hours a week) look like a dinosaur.
Pirate broadcasters frequently had to broadcast in atrocious weather while their ships rolled giddily.
The British Government’s Marine Offences Act of 1967 silenced all British offshore pirate radio stations apart from Radio Caroline.
Related Posts
Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers Originally based in East Anglia (they formed at a Norwich college), The Jaywalkers pre-dated the British Beat Boom but scored…
Georgie Fame Clive Powell was born in 1943 in the small Lancashire town of Leigh (which was ultimately to be lost in…
2JJ (Double Jay) Radio In late 1974, Gough Whitlam’s Australian Labor government allocated a new AM radio license to the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)…
Wanda Jackson Wanda Jackson started her career as a dare. Her church friends dared her to audition for a local radio station's…
Smoke, The If ever there was a psychedelic one-hit wonder, it was The Smoke. Not that My Friend Jack was much of a hit…
Screaming Lord Sutch David Edward Sutch (formerly a plumber's mate from Harrow) based his act on Screaming Jay Hawkins and presented his musical horror show…
Symbols, The The Symbols were one of the very best of the Essex-based UK 60s harmony outfits who benefited from the regular…
Radio Caroline The first British pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, was founded by Ronan O'Rahilly in 1964 - he chose the name of…
The British government, police, Navy, Customs & Excise and Coastguard had no jurisdiction.
