Radio 1 Roadshow

The Radio 1 Roadshow was an annual summer event hosted and broadcast by BBC Radio 1 from the 1970s through to the 1990s. [http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/roadshow.htm] The concept for the Roadshow came from Radio 1 producer and later controller, Johnny Beerling.

Various disk jockeys from the station would visit British towns, usually those by the coast, to play a live set and meet local people to play their requests, take part in competitions and give away "goodie bags" of Radio 1 gifts. Accompanying the DJs were a support crew led by Tony Miles, nicknamed "Smiley Miley", who had provided the original caravan for the first Roadshow.

Several competitions were devised especially for participation in by the live audience. Most notable were 'Bits and Pieces' and 'Smiley Miley's Mileage Game'. In the former, contestants selected from the Roadshow crowd had to name a series of pop hits after hearing a tape containing a dozen or so brief excerpts, the winner being the one who accurately identified the most. In the latter, competitors had to assess how many miles the Roadshow truck had travelled from the previous venue, the one making the most accurate guess being deemed the victor.

The Roadshows became a key part of the summer schedules for Radio 1, and attracted much support during their run.

The first Roadshow was held at Newquay, Cornwall on Monday 23 July 1973 and was hosted by Alan Freeman. The largest attendance was at Sutton Park, Birmingham on Sunday 30 August 1992, when 100,000 fans turned up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Radio 1 with live performances from bands including Del Amitri, Aswad, The Farm and Status Quo.

By the 1990's the Roadshow had increased to 54 live dates over 9 weeks. Two trucks reversed back-to-back to form an impressive 75-foot stage frontage.

Under reforms to the station, the Radio 1 Roadshow was axed in 2000 in favour of one-day pop concerts. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/675523.stm]