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

BBC Radio 2

Zoe Ball

Zoe joins Radio 2's weekend line-up to present the Saturday Early Breakfast show, after recent stints sitting in for Dermot O'Leary and Ken Bruce.

Each week Zoe has puzzles and difficult questions in Ball of Confusion, plus guest contributors Kirsten O'Brien, Hilary Oliver and Ambrose Heron take turns to round up family events and movies in Here Comes The Weekend.

You can also join the Sleepover Club. It's junior choice for the new millennium. If you've got a houseful of kids camping in the lounge for the weekend, or you're going to be up all night partying with your friends, then you can join. Every week Zoe and Emma Forbes will be inviting a group of members to pick a favourite tune and make a special dedication on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Zoe Ball: 26/12/2009

26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - Zoe Ball, 26/12/2009

Lynn Parsons sits in for Zoe with Hilary Oliver looking at the DVDs of the year.

Lynn Parsons sits in for Zoe with Hilary Oliver looking at the DVD releases of 2009, including An Education and Star Trek, plus new releases such as Rome.

Lynn Parsons sits in for Zoe, with Hilary Oliver looking at the DVDs of the year, including 'An Education' and 'Star Trek' and some new releases such as 'Rome' & 'The Sopranos' on Blu Ray in Here Comes The Weekend.

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

Lynn Parsons

Sounds of the 60s

Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn

Tony Blackburn spins the biggest sixties hits and shares fond memories of the decade.

Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn: 26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn, 26/12/2009

Brian Matthew presents a special edition of the show where every record links to the next.

Brian Matthew presents an end of year edition of the show, where every record links to the next. He starts and ends with Come On by the Rolling Stones.

Brian Matthew presents the programme for all fans of the music of the 1960s.

This end of year edition is a sequence of 60s tracks which are linked. The linkage could be through the composer, the performer, the lyrics or even the subject of the song. We start with Come On by The Rolling Stones and we eventually come full circle back to the same track.

Find out how Glen Campbell connects with The Beach Boys and how they then connect to Lonnie Donegan. And how on earth does Lonnie Donegan link to The Moody Blues?

Sounds Of The 60s began in 1983 and Brian has been at helm since 1990, bringing to the programme his distinctive voice and unmatchable experience of 60s pop shows.

Jonathan Ross

Music, guests and lively conversation with Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross: 26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - Jonathan Ross, 26/12/2009

David Tennant and Catherine Tate in for Jonathan Ross with festive cheer and music.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate sit in for Jonathan Ross with gossip from Doctor Who, festive cheer and a selection of music. They are joined by guest Peter Davison.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate are reunited live on Radio 2, following starring roles in David's last adventure as the Time Lord. They will be joined by special guest Peter Davison

Follow up the excesses of Christmas Day with some Whovian gossip, festive cheer and a selection of music that's very likely to include The Proclaimers.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate

Music and humour.
The new face of David Tennant: p26

Pick of the Pops

Counting down two popular music charts from this week in decades past.

Pick of the Pops: 26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - Pick of the Pops, 26/12/2009

Dale Winton counts down the charts from this week in 1962 and 1981.

Dale Winton counts down the charts from this week in 1962 and 1981, with hits from The Crystals, Ray Charles, Rolf Harris, Foreigner and The Police.

Sting: On A Winter's Day

BBC Radio 2 - Sting: On A Winter's Day

Sting talks to Paul Gambaccini about his life and music and plays acoustically.

Paul Gambaccini talks to Sting about his life and career and his new Winter album. Sting also plays some of his key compositions acoustically in the studio.

Paul Gambaccini talks to Sting about his life and career and plays some of his key compositions acoustically in the studio. 

In a no holds barred conversation, he discusses everything from his early life and family, through jazz bands and teaching in Newcastle; onto the heady days of first success, the tempestuous relationship with his fellow band members in The Police and their reunion tour. He also covers his successful solo career, which continues with the release of his new Winter album; charity work and his feelings on the X Factor and contemporary music.

Sting: On a Winter's Day

Paul Gambaccini interviews Sting, who performs acoustic songs from his album If on a Winter's Night...

Bon Jovi's Guide to Rock with Richie Sambora

Bon Jovi guitarist and songwriter Richie Sambora discusses his influences, shares anecdotes about Les Paul, Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger, and chooses music, from Led Zeppelin to Kings of Leon.

Bon Jovi's Guide to Rock With Richie Sambora

BBC Radio 2 - Bon Jovi's Guide to Rock With Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi plays two hours of classic rock music.

The lead guitarist with Bon Jovi plays classic rock music and shares stories of his years as a member of one of the world's biggest rock bands.

As lead guitarist with one of the biggest rock groups on the planet Richie Sambora has an immense knowledge of rock music and some amazing stories to tell from his 26 years in the band.

In Bon Jovi's Guide To Rock, Richie hand picks two hours of classic rock music, and the reasons behind his choices provide compelling stories about his musical influences. Expect to hear music from the likes of Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Kings Of Leon, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and more - plus of course a selection of new and classic Bon Jovi tracks.

In the course of the programme, Richie talks about the time Bob Dylan tried to steal his guitar; his relationship with the inventor of the electric guitar Les Paul; his meeting with Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger; and loads more. An essential listen for any rock music connoisseur, and a must for anyone looking for a beginners guide to the world of rock.

Radio 2 Live

BBC Radio 2 presents exclusive live concerts from the best singers, songwriters and bands

Radio 2 Live: Bon Jovi

14/11/2009

Bon Jovi

BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2 Live, Bon JoviSearch BBC

Another chance to hear the American rock band Bon Jovi in concert for Radio 2.

Another chance to hear Bon Jovi in concert for Radio 2. Recorded at the BBC Radio theatre in November 2009, the performance includes classic hits and tracks from their latest album.

Another chance to hear the American rock band Bon Jovi in concert for Radio 2. 

The live set, recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in November and introduced by Chris Evans, features tracks from their latest album and old favourites like Livin' On A Prayer and You Give Love A Bad Name.

The Record Producers

Series exploring the work of individuals who have had a lasting impact on popular music.

Programme exploring the work of individuals whose recordings have had a lasting impact on popular music history.

The Record Producers: 26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - The Record Producers, 26/12/2009

Richard Allinson and Steve Levine look at the work of Smokey Robinson.

Richard Allinson and Steve Levine look at the work of a singer, songwriter and producer who was instrumental in establishing Motown Records - Smokey Robinson.

On the next edition of The Record Producers, Richard Allinson and Steve Levine look at the work of a singer, songwriter and producer who was instrumental in establishing Motown Records and is now beginning his sixth decade in the record industry, Smokey Robinson.

Smokey was one of the key people Berry Gordy relied on in the early days of Motown. He wrote and produced for several acts on the label, including Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and his own group, The Miracles.

Smokey talks about his career to date and, as is usual for this series, Steve Levine analyses some of the original multi-track recordings Smokey produced. These include his recording with The Miracles, More Love; and his epic solo track from the mid-70s A Quiet Storm.

Richard Allinson and producer Steve Levine celebrate the studio prowess of Motown giant Smokey Robinson, who discusses his career with and without the Miracles. Levine analyses multi-layered recordings of the Miracles' More Love (1967) and Robinson's solo works Quiet Storm (1975) and Being with You (1981).

Electric Proms

A festival of music featuring a series of concerts with rock's most established names

A festival of music featuring a series of concerts, including some of rock's most established names, as well as new and experimental musicians making waves

Electric Proms: 2009

Electric Proms: 2009: 26/12/2009

2009

BBC - Electric Proms, 2009, 26/12/2009

Smokey Robinson celebrates 50 years of Motown records with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Smokey Robinson takes to the Roundhouse stage with the BBC Concert Orchestra and his band for an Electric Prom celebrating 50 years of Motown records.

Another chance to hear Smokey Robinson take to the Roundhouse stage, with the BBC Concert Orchestra and his band, for an Electric Prom celebrating 50 years of Motown records. He performs brand new arrangements of some of his greatest hits, alongside tracks from his new album, Time Flies When You're Having Fun. 

Operating out of the Hitsville U.S.A. studio in Detroit, Motown Records defined what popular music could be; and Smokey Robinson was integral to the label's success. One of Berry Gordon's first signings, Smokey delivered a string of hits with his band the Miracles including singles like The Tracks Of My Tears and Tears Of A Clown. 

With their pounding rhythm tracks, jubilant string arrangements and that intoxicating, instantly recognisable falsetto, Smokey's recorded output is emblematic of The Motown Sound. He was also the primary songwriter for the Temptations from 1963-6, penning classics like My Girl and Get Ready. 

Paul Gambaccini introduces this special celebration of Motown, which was recorded on Saturday 24th October, 50 years after Smokey first sang for the label.

Series of live concerts performed exclusively for the BBC Electric Proms

Series of live concerts performed exclusively for the BBC Electric Proms at the Roundhouse in London

BBC Electric Proms: Smokey Robinson

Radio 2 Elvis Season

BBC Radio 6 Music

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley in the fortnight which would have marked the star's 75th birthday, on 8 January 2010

Radio 2 Elvis Season: Elvis: Gospel According to The King

Elvis: Gospel According to The King

BBC Radio 6 Music - Radio 2 Elvis Season, Elvis: Gospel According to The King

Jerry Hall explores the importance and influence of gospel music in Elvis Presley's life.

Radio 2 presents two weeks of special programming leading up to Friday 8 January - when Elvis Aaron Presley would have celebrated his 75th birthday. 

The season covers the music, the films, the brand, and Elvis Presley's personal life, including a 1970 meeting with President Nixon to discuss his desire to be appointed "Federal Agent At Large". Presenters include Martin Sheen, Jerry Hall, Rob Brydon and Suzi Quatro, who travels to Graceland 35 years after Elvis invited her to his home.

First up is Gosepl According To The King, in which Jerry Hall explores the importance and influence of gospel music in Elvis Presley's life. Long before he became known as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll", Elvis was a poor kid from Tupelo, Mississippi who was fascinated by the power and the passion of gospel music.

He grew up singing spiritual music with his family in his local church and when they moved to Memphis they regularly attended all night gospel sessions at the Ellis Auditorium. As a teenager Elvis was allowed to sneak in the back door because he couldn't afford a ticket. After he became a huge rock star Elvis would regularly return to the 'all night sings' and join his favourite gospel groups on stage.

The only three Grammy Awards Elvis won were for his gospel recordings, he incorporated gospel songs into his stage repertoire and even convinced studio bosses to include gospel songs in several of his movie soundtracks. Throughout his life it was the gospel music that he turned to for inspiration and consolation: "Elvis was never happier than when he was surrounded by his friends belting out the gospel songs he remembered from his childhood when he attended church with his parents" (Priscilla Presley)

The documentary features members of gospel groups who recorded and performed with Elvis including The Jordanaires, The Imperials & The Sweet Inspirations; musicians DJ Fontana, James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt. There is also archive material from Sun Records founder Sam Phillips who recorded the famous "million dollar quartet" sessions on 4 December 1956, when Elvis sang gospel songs with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

Gospel According to the King

In anticipation of what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday on 8 January, Jerry Hall presents the first of several specials celebrating his life and music. This programme explores the influence of gospel music in the rock 'n' roll star's sensibility.

Bob Harris Sunday

DJ Bob Harris picks an eclectic mix of new tracks

Bob Harris plays an eclectic mix of new tracks from the worlds of Americana, Alt Country, Indie, World, Nu-Folk and Blues

Bob Harris

Bob Harris Sunday: 26/12/2009

BBC Radio 2 - Bob Harris Sunday, 26/12/2009

Hull-based musician Val Marshall makes her acoustic debut on national radio with Bob.

Fresh from supporting Pete Molinari, Great Lake Swimmers and Corinne West, Hull-based musician Val Marshall makes her acoustic debut on national radio with Bob.

Val Marshall, who started song writing and playing at open mic nights and festivals on her own in Hull five years ago, makes her acoustic debut on national radio with Bob tonight.

Her first self released CD entitled If I Had My Time Again was released in January 2007 and her second CD, Love's Ghost, was launched in April last year. Val has supported many artists in the UK, including Pete Molinari, Great Lake Swimmers, Corinne West, Gina Villalobos, Eleanor McEvoy, Angie Palmer, Clive Gregson, Derrin Nauendorf and Rachel Harrington.

Richard Allinson

Richard Allinson in his early-morning weekend residency with music and features

Richard Allinson in his early-morning weekend residency with three hours of music and features

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Programme Index

Sounds of the 60s

Contributors

Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn

26/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Bon Jovi's Guide to Rock with Richie Sambora

Contributors

Bon Jovi's Guide to Rock With Richie Sambora

Genres

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