Radio Caroline

A Repost From March 26, 2013 With Edited Updates & Links


Pirated Music.. It's as old as I am

In 2006 the headlines shouted,
"RIAA seeks to shut down entire internet by criminalizing all file sharing"

What many of my younger readers may not realize this battle has been raging since Friday, March 27, 1964 when 'Radio Caroline' first signed on the air 50,000 watts strong.

Which also happens to be the strongest transmission power allowed in U.S. on the AM band.
The studio & transmitters were installed on a ship 3 miles off the coast of England. It was just out of range of legal authorities (or so they believed).

Before then Britain's kids had nearly no exposure to Rock & Roll like we here in America since the early 50's. They were hungry for this. Therefore the ship broadcasts of 'Radio Caroline' thrived on and off for 25 years.

The ship you see above is the MV Ross Revenge. It played host to 'Radio Caroline' starting in 1983. It was a converted fishing trawler. They used this ship after it's original ship, the Mi Amigo, sank in 1980 nearly drowning all those aboard. It was the last ship they broadcasted from.

The ships of 'Radio Caroline' were around from 1964 until the second ship was boarded. The equipment was either smashed or confiscated in 1989 by authorities.

'Radio Caroline' has been off the air and back on several times since that time. Currently they can be no longer found on the satellite SKY CHANNEL 0199, but still remain broadcasting to this day via streaming audio on their website Other streaming formats can be found HERE.

Will there ever be an end of 'Radio Caroline'?

Maybe, maybe not. They are like the mythical bird of the Greeks, 'the phoenix' ever returning.

Now here's a few clips that showcase this legendary radio station.

A Sad Tribute Song To The Orginal Ship That 'Radio Caroline' Broadcasted From



The 'Radio Caroline' Story



The Johnnie Walker Show- Radio Caroline 1968



Radio Caroline is Silenced - August 1989

See Wikipedia: "Radio Caroline"
Pictures of 'Radio Caroline' (1983-1989)

So you see music piracy is not something new. The legal battle between the recording industry and those who pirate musical recordings rages on to this very day.

But there never will be a battle the likes of the legendary 'Radio Caroline'.