Peter Drummond-Hay was born in Wales in 1943 and set out to be an actor, but was sidetracked into radio while touring America, capitalising on his Britishness when the ongoing “British Invasion” sparked a massive demand for English accents on the airwaves in the USA.
Returning to the UK with a smooth, resonant “mid-Atlantic” vocal style, he began broadcasting with Radio London in August 1966 from the pirate ship MV Galaxy. He wrapped up all his shows with his trademark piece of advice: “Smile – it makes everyone else wonder what you’ve been up to.”
He remained with Radio London until its final day on air on 14 August 1967, when the government’s Marine Offences Act forced the station to close.
When the BBC launched Radio 1 on 30 September 1967 to legally replace the pirate stations, Drummond was hired as part of the historic original line-up alongside legends like John Peel and Kenny Everett.
He stayed with Radio 1 until 1991, also presenting music slots across Radio 2, Radio 4, and the BBC World Service.
Drummond also hosted the BBC 2 music show Rock Goes to College between 1978 and 1981, and served as an on-screen host for the innovative simulcast series Sight & Sound in Concert, which broadcast rock concerts simultaneously on BBC2 television and in stereo on Radio 1.
After moving away from radio in the 1990s, Drummond transitioned into a highly successful career as a commercial voice-over artist and voice actor, lending his booming voice to various TV continuity announcements, BBC audio dramas, and animated series.
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He stayed with Radio 1 until 1991, also presenting music slots across Radio 2, Radio 4, and the BBC World Service.
