Since 2010 I’ve been collecting, archiving, cataloging and publishing to the web (see link) the many wonderful BBC Radio 2 shows that UK broadcaster and record collector Mark Lamarr presented from 1998 until 2010. I’ve managed to bring together over 1000 hours of extraordinary radio and I’m pleased to say the many people have found the archive and been able to listen again to the shows, or even more pleasingly listen for the first time. If you don’t know the shows or the content, rather than me explaining here, the best next move would be to visit the site and start listening. What I will say is that the shows are presented by a knowledgeable, avid and passionate collector of 20th century popular music and I doubt you will hear anything more entertaining anywhere if that is your thing.
But this post is more than an advert, in fact it’s an appeal. We are frustratingly close to completing the mission to bring all the broadcasts back to life, but for over a year now the trail has gone cold. No doubt these shows were recorded by many who knew at the time how special they are – many of the shows in the archive we have received from kind followers and supporters.
So, perhaps reading this has jogged a memory – do you have a cassette, mini disc, CD or mp3 file stored away anywhere that might be of help to us? If you think you do (or you think you know someone who might) please take a look at the missing shows page on our web site and then follow the email link on the same site to get in touch.
Or perhaps you know another forum or place tucked away online where this appeal might be placed?
Thanks for reading
Mike
Are you responsible for any of the playlists on Spotify? They’re my favourite “go to”, playlists of an evening and I never get bored of them. A window on stuff I’d never encounter in a million years otherwise. I’ve been a fan of Mark Lamarr as a curator since his great GLR shows in the 90s and, having moved back to Ireland in 2000, I haven’t been able to tune in to him since. I’ve really enjoyed his Doo Wop and vintage Ska compilations too. As an aside, he was a brilliant stand up in his day too. Probably still is.
Yes, the Spotify playlists are ours, although there are one or two others who also compile – I’ve put the links to them on our web page. There are YouTube links too as around 20% of the tunes Mark played aren’t on Spotify
I used to tape ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ every week (Thursdays, or was it Wednesdays?) religiously, and would play that tape nine or ten times until the next episode, but I unfortunately now no longer have those cassettes. Sorry. I replaced them with all the recommendations on the show, and must have also won about ten CDs (including Combo material, the fantastic Jin, Fats Domino… usually with a signed photo!) while he was on air… until, of course, the competition debacle… the protagonist of which is now on GB News, I believe. Thanks for that. Triffic.
The BBC lost their best broadcaster (easily – by miles) when he left, and Radio 2’s history since 1967 essentially reads… lousy/lame/woeful without Lamarr… vital, entertaining/quirky with Lamarr… back to (arguably, even more) lousy/lame/woeful without Lamarr.
My own listening turned on its axis when I started tuning in to ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ and has never really recovered, and it was the only time in my life when I regular tuned into music radio. I know more about Rock ‘n’ Roll than anyone on Radio 2 or 6Music now, so why on earth would I tune in to hear anyone talk about it! A recent Radio 2 3-show series on Rock ‘n’ Roll was strictly That’ll Be The Day, Johnny B. Goode and Summertime Blues with a voiceover from someone who didn’t know anything else.
Mark’s Christmas shows – pretty much the only thing recorded live on Christmas Day, as he wasn’t that into Christmas! – were brilliant.
I have written down the info and will definitely be revisiting those wonderful programmes.
Great- you’re in for a treat then! All 296 Shake, Rattle & Roll shows are safely archived and can be heard from the links on our page. And also many of the Christmas shows, although we’re still looking for two of these, along with a number of Reggae and Alternative Sixties shows and the first ever God’s Jukebox, which began 20 years ago tomorrow, plus one other GJB
Cor! Just the thing to soundtrack a day of database mangling at work.
Many thanks for this.
So looking forward to many hours of listening.
Having coughed and sneezed my way through most of 2024 so far, I’m working… starting today… on the adage: “A ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll A Day’ Keeps The Doctor Away”.
First episode, based around the King & Federal labels, is from 14th February 2000.
Nothing has changed my mind that this is the way to do music radio. No one can accuse Lamarr of not having a personality, but he uses his to propel the show – and the music – along, it is not ‘the’ show.
Over one hour, he’s probably on air for no more than six or seven minutes, and yet I learnt more about Rock ‘n’ Roll in today’s episode than I would have done if I’d been force-fed Radio 2 and 6Music for the past year.
Another observation, in 2000 there was no vinlys/CD apartheid going on.
Can’t help, but incredible work.
I wish I could assist, but sadly can’t.
I rate ML very highly, particularly for his genuine catholic taste- always loved the fact that he’s as passionate about Alton Ellis, Brian Auger and utterly obscure Rockabilly.
A dream of a DJ & as far as I know the only person to have played ‘Raw Power’ on a Greater London Radio afternoon drive time show – great accompaniment for cycling furiously around the West End!
Show 2 (26/9/2002) has a ringing endorsement from John Peel at the beginning of the broadcast. If I remember in an interview just before he died, maybe his last one, Peel said the only DJs he listened to were Gambo and Lamarr.