BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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Sounds of the 20th Century

Trevor Dann

Sounds of the 20th Century: Episode 4: 1954

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Factual: History

1954

Episode 4

Episode 4: 1954

BBC Radio 2 - Sounds of the 20th Century, 1954

Jeremy Vine looks at 1954, the year when the mambo craze was ousted by the Teddy Boys.

Jeremy Vine introduces an audio journey through five decades. 1954 was the year of Roger Bannister's amazing four-minute mile, Tony Hancock and the Goons, mambo and the Teddy Boys.

Sounds of the 20th Century is an audio journey through five decades of triumph, tragedy and trivia in 50 hour-long episodes.

Each programme is dedicated to one year from 1951 to 2000 and features nothing that wasn't heard, seen or read at the time. There's no hindsight, no "I-heart-the-80s"-style reminiscences; just the music, the news, the radio, the TV and the movies as they were first experienced.

Jeremy Vine introduces part four of the 50 part series: 1954. The year when Roger Bannister breaks the "unbreakable" record - the 4-minute mile; the Prime Minister celebrates his 80th birthday; and a young American preacher launches his London Crusade.

Journey into Space is the big radio hit; and Ted Ray, Tony Hancock and The Goons keep Britain laughing as rationing continues for yet another year. The big dance hit of the year is the mambo. But the Teddy Boys are slipping on their drapes and creepers and starting to shake, rattle and roll!

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Jeremy Vine introduces Radio 2's audio journey through the years

Jeremy Vine introduces Radio 2's audio journey through the years from 1951 to 2000, helping listeners to relive the music, news, radio, TV and movies of the times

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Episode 4: 1954

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