Tony Blackburn ‘thankful’ as famous Scouser’s gesture changed his life forever

The radio DJ spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about the Sound of the 60s show coming to the Liverpool Empire and his incredible career in broadcasting

Tony Blackburn may have turned 83 this year, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. The DJ shot to stardom on the pirate radio stations in the early 60s before becoming the first broadcaster to host a show on BBC Radio 1.

Tony’s voice is synonymous with this period and he has continued his lifelong association with the decade with his popular Sounds of the 60s show on BBC Radio 2. A live edition of his popular show is coming to the Liverpool Empire on November 12 and Tony said it feels particularly special to bring the show to the city, which was at the centre of the cultural explosion in the decade.

He told the ECHO in an exclusive interview: “It’s where it all started, The Beatles, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers and people like that. It was a very special time. They started the whole thing. It’s got so much history so when I’m doing the show in Liverpool, I’m very aware it’s a very special place to be. It represents the 60s more than anywhere else.”

Tony’s role as a broadcaster means he met many of these legendary figures. He was friends with Gerry Marsden, has interviewed Sir Paul McCartney and has Cilla to thank for his long association with Radio 2.

He said: “She was asked to do a Radio 2 show and she wanted to do it with somebody and she suggested me. I wasn’t on Radio 1 at the time, and from that moment on, I’ve always been on radio too. So I’ve got a lot to thank her for. I started on the radio in 1964 and to be on the number one radio station, Radio 2, after all these years is a real thrill.”

The show has been touring for the past six years and sees Tony introduce classics from the period, which are played by a live 60s all star band. He said: “This was the music that we used to play in the early 60s.

“So it’s an evening of memories, and we have a lot of fun with the audience. The audience knows all the music and all the songs, so it’s a sing along as well. Everybody sings along and has fun. It’s just a fun evening.”

Being on tour in his 80s can’t be easy, but Tony can’t imagine life without the show now, as he said: “We call it the never-ending tour. I couldn’t be happier, to be honest with you.

“Every career has its ups and downs and things like that. But I’ve really enjoyed every moment. I’m particularly enjoying it now, actually and I think probably this is my happiest time because I didn’t expect to be touring with a band.”

Tony is as bright as ever and shared the keys to staying young in his chat with the ECHO. He said: “My wife said I was a freak of nature. I honestly don’t know. I mean, it’s the luck of the draw, isn’t it, really?

“My dad, who was a doctor, always said to me, ‘For God’s sake, don’t do too much exercise’. And I haven’t. I don’t go to the gym. I can’t stand too much exercise. So, I don’t know, I took his advice. I don’t think it’s probably some of the best advice, but he did say that all those people who run, their knees and hips go.

“I done a bit of walking yesterday, but I actually hated it. I’d much rather sit down, watch television, have a cup of tea.” He added: “I’m not doing any exercise so that’s the secret. Sit down, enjoy yourself and watch Coronation Street like I do.”

From the pioneering radio shows, Tony has lost none of the love for talking to people 60 years later as he laughed: “I remember when I did my first show on Radio 1, a journalist said to me afterwards, ‘What do you think you’ll be doing next year?’ And I thought, well, I’d like to be doing what I’m doing now’. I’d just come off the pirate ship and been in the North Sea for three years.”

Six decades later and he is still adding new strings to his bow as Tony will be releasing a joke book named “Joketastic: A Hit Parade of Punchlines” later this year. Like anyone in their 80s, Tony is often faced with questions on if he has thought about retirement.

But the DJ isn’t entertaining the thought of walking away from the mic just yet as he is excited for what comes next. He said: “I don’t want to go on doing the show when it’s not doing as well as I could do. But I sometimes listen back to myself on BBC Sounds, and I think it’s alright.

“I know where I am. When I turn up to Liverpool, I don’t think I’m in Southend. That’s when I should worry. But at the moment, I still know where I am and I’m still breathing.”

Tony Blackburn Sounds of the 60s is coming to the Liverpool Empire on November 12. You can find out details on how to get tickets here.