I've always been a Radio 1 devotee myself. At least since the age of 14, that is, when I finally caught up with The Nation's Favourite after a dalliance with speech radio. I tuned in to the big One to listen to a mix of new singles and golden oldies, delivered by a succession of big name DJs with egos the size of the hits they were playing. There was DLT on breakfast, then Simon Bates with the Golden Hour, then Paul Burnett and Andy Peebles in the afternoon before Kid Jensen at drivetime, and Mike Read and John Peel in the evening. They may all have moved on, but I'm still there several decades later.
I never advanced to Radio 2 because I prefer a bit of challenge, not cosy comfort. I never elevated to Radio 3 because my taste is definitely popular rather than classical. I never matured to Radio 4 because I need music and entertainment in the background, not intellectual stimulation. I never jumped ship to Radio 5 Live because I can't think of anything more tedious than opinionated callers and racing results. And I never switched to local commercial stations because they're shallow ad-infested drivel. So every radio in my house is still tuned to 247275 98.5FM, and I can't imagine it any other way.
Obviously I don't listen to Radio 1's entire output, because some of the latest bunch of DJs are obnoxious vacant tossers, although wasn't it always that way? But there's still originality, humour and intelligent delivery if you know when to listen, coupled with a playlist that successfully drives music forward. I recognise that I'm now well outside the station's target age range, but I have no intention of growing old gracefully. You're welcome to your 2, 3, 4 or 5, but it's Radio 1 that still makes me smile.
