A Radio Era has ended with the passing of Steve Wright. But whilst I knew him from his BBC Radio 1 & Radio 2 programmes, I was personally most impressed with one of his lesser-known programmes. Lesser-known in the UK, maybe, but broadcast world-wide on BBC World Service Radio: Wright Around The World.
During the 5 years for which it ran (1999-2003), I was often driving at Stupid O’Clock. Rather than travel to customer sites in the evening to work there the next day, I would spend the evening with my young children, and then leave very early in the morning. It was on these days that I would enjoy his show at 0400 UTC, before even Farming Today began.
There was no Mr Angry from Purley, no silly voices or sounds. It was this show that, to me, demonstrated what a consumate radio professional he was. For his worldwide audience, many of whom would not be native English speakers, his speech was extremely clear and well-enunciated pure BBC English. There were serious topics discussed, and a worldwide radio phone-in; we would hear views and comments from people on different continents all in the one programme.
At this point in his career, with the addition of this World Service programme, Steve was on UK radio every single day of the week. Amazing.
So whilst I, alongside millions of others, will remember Steve with great affection, my memory is slightly different; of a friendly BBC voice keeping me company in the late early hours of the morning as I tried within my life to balance children & work & travel & sleep.
RIP Steve Wright, 1954-08-26 to 2024-02-12.
Gânduri Eclectice - Eclectic Thoughts 