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 7: 1957

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Factual: History

1957

Episode 7

Episode 7: 1957

BBC Radio 2 - Sounds of the 20th Century, 1957

Jeremy Vine introduces 1957: a new prime minister, and Russia launched the first Sputnik.

Jeremy Vine introduces an audio journey through five decades. 1957 saw a new prime minister for Britain, the first Sputnik and April Fool's Day mischief from Panorama.

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.

This week, Jeremy Vine introduces 1957, a year when Britain gets a new Prime Minister and Russia wins the space race by launching the first Sputnik. On television, the kids are watching Six-Five Special; a schoolboy from Esher makes his TV debut in a skiffle group; and Mum and Dad are baffled by Panorama's April Fool's Day hoax. 

Meanwhile, Jack Jackson is the spinning the platters that matter on Radio Luxembourg. Elvis is All Shook Up, Tommy Steele is Singing the Blues and there's a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin' On.

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 7: 1957

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