taintradio Special Programming: Radio Geronimo's 40th Anniversary Show 2/15/10

Radio Geronimo was the first European free-form station, some 40 years ago. One of Geronimo’s prime movers and most popular program hosts was London-based Barry Everitt, host of taintradio’s weekly House of Mercy program. Radio Geronimo provided many colorful moments in the saga of pirate radio, beginning with the fact that its transmitter was built in Monte Carlo in 1940 for use as part of Hitler’s propaganda apparatus.

On February 15, 1970 Radio Geronimo began weekly broadcasts from Radio Monte Carlo. Presenters Hugh Nolan & Barry Everitt played the now historic version of “Amazing Grace” by The Great Awakening and Radio Geronimo was born. The signal was heard over the entire continent and even though it was a legal transmission it was referred to as a pirate by many countries, including the UK. Geronimo's free-form programming and use of very free speech seemed to upset the British Government and the BBC jammed the signal. Radio Geronimo hit back by jamming the BBC headquarters in London (with strawberry jam). Hugh & Barry were arrested and made the front page of the daily papers, thus creating a massive new audience for Geronimo.

The success of the station also riled other broadcasters, and as often happens , other companies bought their way into Monte Carlo; by November 1970 Geronimo was off the air and in the realm of legend. Barry’s Geronimo sidekick Hugh Nolan is departed, as are Radio Geronimo backers Jimmy Miller and Tony Secuna.

Barry Everitt ’s London-based House of Mercy Productions and listener-supported taintradio.org presents a two-hour special program celebrating Radio Geronimo’s 40th anniversary from 1:00-3:00pm (Eastern) on Monday, February 15th, exactly 40 years after its initial broadcast. The program will repeat as follows (all times are Eastern):

Wednesday, February 17th - 7:00-9:00pm

Sunday, February 21 - 3:00-5:00pm

Thursday, February 25 - 2:00-4:00am

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Bob Rogers
taintradio.org, an international venue for independent producers
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