BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Radio 4 (FM)

Uncool Britannia

Laurence Grissell

Uncool Britannia: Episode 2: The James Last Years

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

The James Last Years

Episode 2

Episode 2: The James Last Years

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Uncool Britannia, The James Last Years

How German bandleader James Last won over millions of Brits.

Steve Punt's history of unhip yet mainstream UK explores how the German bandleader won over millions of Brits. From May 2010.

Steve Punt continues his three part history of the Britain that's ubiquitous yet unashamedly uncool. Steve argues the nation's recent past has been hijacked by the fashionistas and that it's time to celebrate the past as it really was - deeply unhip. Forget the Rolling Stones, Mary Quant and the Aston Martin, what Britons really love is a nice melody, a sensible coat and a reliable motor...

Steve makes an assault on Punk, claiming it was James Last and his orchestra rather than Sid Vicious and his safety pins who embodied the 70s. Between the mid-60s and the mid-80s, Last racked up 52 hit albums - coming second only to Elvis. Whilst the Punks may have packed out a few obscure venues, James Last was selling out the Royal Albert Hall. Steve attempts to get to the bottom of how this German band-leader won over legions of Brits with his easy-listening tunes and why the maestro of the middle-of-the-road has never received credit for his chart-topping success.

Producer: Laurence Grissell
(repeat).

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Steve Punt presents a history of the Britain that is ubiquitous yet unashamedly uncool

Steve Punt presents a three-part history of the Britain that is ubiquitous yet unashamedly uncool

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Uncool Britannia

Episode 2: The James Last Years

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4