BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Cleo Laine

31/08/1997

Cleo Laine

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Cleo Laine

Sue Lawley's castaway is jazz singer Cleo Laine

Sue Lawley's castaway is jazz singer Cleo Laine.

The castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is the jazz singer Cleo Laine. Although driven by a great desire to be a performer, and travelling from one audition to another, she confesses to Sue Lawley that when her big break came, it wasn't jazz which attracted her, so much as the leader of the band - John Dankworth. Whether he spotted a cheap singer for the night, or recognised a great talent in the making, it was to be the start of a hugely successful partnership both professionally and personally.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: Don't Look Back by Jacqueline Dankworth
Book: The Jazz Revolution by John Dankworth
Luxury: Perfume

BBC 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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Princess Diana of Wales (1961-1997)

Princess Diana of Wales (1961-1997)

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Princess Diana of Wales (1961-1997)

The American reaction to the death of Princess Diana.

The impact of the  death of Princess Diana of Wales in the US, and the moral regulation required for freedom of speech and a free press.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Princess Diana of Wales (1961-1997)

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data