RIP Alan Freeman
Alan "Fluff" Freeman (1927-2006)
A broadcasting legend has passed away peacefully. Only a few deserve such a description. For many his voice was instantly recognisable as is the memory of his "Pick Of The Pops" on a Sunday teatime waiting to hear which record was number one.
He did so much more than that programme and had a love of music from many genres especially Opera though again the other show he'll be credited for was a Rock Programme which ran on Saturday afternoons.
Over the years he worked on BBC Radio's 1 and 2, Capital Radio, Virgin Radio and I have seen Classic FM mentioned too.
Maybe, because of a lack of images available, it was a story mentioned in passing by television. At least Simon Bates(ex colleague)and Nick Abbott gave Alan respect and played two pieces of music associated with him...a classical and rock choice. They may seem far apart from each other but in the days the great classical composers were writing music they were often treated as today's Rock Stars.
Born in Australia he came across to the UK in the late 1950's and whilst here he managed to secure employment around the time he was due to go back to Australia. He started with Radio Luxembourg which was based in London and programmes were sent out to the radio station, his popularity soon had him appearing on the BBC Light Programme.
He had been in poor health for some years especially with arthritis and had been in Brinsworth House where showbiz people stay who are in poor health or have fallen on Hard Times(some money from the annual Royal Variety show goes towards this home)
His nickname "Fluff" came from a big woolen jumper he used to wear and the way you those bobbly bits form on such clothes.
On the lighter side many may remember him doing commercials on television for Brentford Nylons.
In 1987 the Radio Academy paid tribute to his outstanding contribution to music radio.
There is much more to Alan than the above and I am sure that in coming weeks we will see and hear a number of tributes to him. A repeat of his contribution to the series on Radio 1 called Radio, Radio is a good choice if they decide to repeat previous material.
Thanks for the memories Alan...
posted by The Great Gildersleeve | 6:32 am
6 Comments:
Very sad, Gildy, I remember listening to him when I was a teenager.
I shall miss old Fluff too, Gildy. Seemed a nice chap. Peel was more my kind of thing but another voice from the great days of popular music has gone. :-(
By the way to see how this blog has developed over the months has been a highlight of my blogging year Gildy. It really is terrific.
Thank you kind Sir ;-)
Yep, sad to say one by one the special talented people that we have been around for years keep being lost and bring home memories of our past that perhaps we do forget about and suddenly we are pulled up a second or two.
As Paul said elsewhere one of the best threads on the board was when we started remembering products, events, television, radio and performers from our past.
I'll also miss Fluff.
Poor old pop pickers have lost a good old friend. :-(
...not 'arf Rupe...
Its probably a good policy to respect the privacy of those who end up at Brinsworth House but I do know that Richard O'Sullivan(Man About The House/Robin's Nest/Dick Turpin)has or is still there and many of the old troopers have ended their days there.
Someone on a messageboard hoped that he had not been lonely whilst there but Steve Allen(LBC presenter)lives in the area and pops in ocassionally and told a tale today that suggested for various reasons visitors over the last number of years had been very few. It appears alongside the Arthritis he had also another rather rare condition(mentioned in the papers today)so he's at peace now.
Memories for us and hopefully a life fulfilled for him.
Best remembered as Rupe and Augustus says by his catch phrase and his infectious laugh.
As for dj's I have a kind of affinity or closeness to many from the 50's to perhaps the 80's...some I never heard and wish that I had(but I know of their reputation)some I wish I had heard more of. A lot of music radio presentation has gone the way that television has these days.
Another one that I liked was "Daffy" Don Allen who passed away too young but like "Fluff" seemed a nice guy. He was involved with Caroline but I discovered him on Radio Northsea International years later. That closed and then he was involved with the Irish Radio scene but of course whereas that would've been heard via the net etc...today, in theory working there meant he could not be heard in mainland UK.
Many have I remember Barry Aldis(he passed away in his car in London)with stomach ulsers. Not pleasant.
No more mobid thoughts for now...
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