Martin Newton

Martin Newton, one of sixties offshore radio's best known engineers, died in December 2002. The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame remembers his time at sea.

Martin Newton


Martin's first job in broadcasting was with the BBC. He was a technical operator for the World Service, based in Bush House in London. In 1964 he joined the new Radio Atlanta and stayed on as the station became Radio Caroline South. He was frequently mentioned on the air and one of his most memorable achievements was mixing the Jimmy Smith Trio, as they performed live from the deck of the Mi Amigo. Jimmy's Hammond organ was too large to fit down the corridor into the studio so the session had to take place out on the deck. (You can hear a brief extract from this session on the Simon Dee audio clip and there are some colour photos of the event on the Radio London website.) Martin also spent some time on Caroline North before transferring to Radio London in September 1965. Here he was responsible for completing the construction of a new on-air studio. In 1966 he was one of the team who visited Radio City's fort, Shivering Sands, to inspect the technical facilities. Big L was planning to buy the installation to launch UKGM, a sweet music station, but fate intervened. (See the entry on Reg Calvert for more details and a photo.) Martin stayed with Radio London until its closure. He then worked in the field of studio installation, both in the UK and abroad. He died from cancer on Sunday 8th December 2002. Our sympathies and condolences go to his family and friends.


 

Thanks to Chris Edwards of Offshore Echo's for passing on this sad news. The photograph of Martin enjoying a beer on the station tender was taken by his Radio London engineering colleague, Dave Hawkins.


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