Bob Harris (radio)

"Whispering" Bob Harris (born Robert Brinley Harris in Northampton, England on 11 April 1946) is a radio host who currently works for BBC Radio 2, presenting music two nights a week. His programmes feature a moderately eclectic blend of mostly American and British rock, country, and occasional folk music from the 1950s to the present. His on-air delivery suggests a deep enthusiasm and affection for the music and musicians featured on his shows.

Harris was credited as the inspiration for The Fast Show character [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/fastshow/characters/louis_balfour.shtml Louis Balfour] , whose catchprase "nice!" delivered in close up to camera followed universally dreadful modern jazz acts. This closely mirrors Harris' trademark laconic enthusiasm on both "Whistle Test" and his radio shows.

Early career

Bob Harris first followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Police Force as a cadet for two years. He was then involved in journalism at "Time Out" magazine.

He began at BBC Radio 1 in 1970 where he hosted "Sounds of the 70s" until 1974. He also presented "The Old Grey Whistle Test" rock music show on BBC television from 1971 until 1978. His hippie-style beard and laid-back presentation made him a favourite target for parody, most notably by Eric Idle on the 1970s BBC comedy show "Rutland Weekend Television". His velvety voice and quiet delivery earned him his enduring nickname.

"Sounds of the 70s" was initially an hour long, broadcasting from 6 to 7pm on Monday evenings. The next year, it was expanded to two hours and moved to 10pm to Midnight, still on Mondays. In December 1974, the show was axed due to BBC cutbacks.

Harris then went on to present shows for Radio Luxembourg in 1975–77. In 1977, he joined Radio 210, firstly presenting a Saturday afternoon sports show. He then presented many shows at the weekend, such as Friday nights from 9pm-1am & Saturdays & Sundays from 10am-2pm & 9pm-1am. He left the station for a few months throughout 1978 due to ill health, but came back in 1979 to present a Friday evening Rock Show from 9pm-1am & Weekend afternoons from 12-4pm. He was also head of music and presentation.

1980s

1981 saw Harris move to BBC Radio Oxford, presenting the weekday afternoon show 3-5pm taking over from Timmy Mallett. Bob remained there until 1984. He then joined London's LBC Radio Station, presenting a weekly half hour music review & also joined GWR, where he did shows on Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday afternoons.

In 1985 Bob was heard on Norwich's Radio Broadland, presenting a Saturday evening show, and on a Sunday afternoon show on Hereward FM in Peterborough. At the same time he was still continuing with his half-hour music review on LBC and was recording shows for GWR.

In 1986 he was then offered the Weekend Nightline phone-in on LBC every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10pm-1am, which he hosted until 1989

He was also heard on BFBS from 1986 to 1998 and on the UK Commercial Radio sustaining service, The Superstation.

Return to Radio 1

He rejoined BBC Radio 1 in late 1989, standing in for Richard Skinner for two weeks on the weekday 12–2am slot, before being offered his own weekly show on Sunday nights from 11pm to 2am following the death of Roger Scott. Harris then took over the weekday 12–2am slot from April 1990, which then became 12–4am when Radio 1 started broadcasting 24 hours a day on 1 May 1991.

Move to GLR

Harris then left Radio 1 in October 1993 as he, along with many other Radio 1 DJs, wasn't felt to fit in with the changes being made by new controller Matthew Bannister. Lynn Parsons took over his 12–4am slot, but Harris continued to do the occasional documentary for the network for some time afterward.

In the summer of 1994, Harris ended up at BBC GLR, presenting a three hour Saturday night show from 10pm to 1am, then additionally on Monday to Wednesday evenings from 8pm to Midnight. He later left the Saturday night show to concentrate on the Monday-to-Wednesday evening shows.

Return to national radio

Spring 1997 saw Harris return to the national airwaves, this time on BBC Radio 2, where he took up a 11pm–1am Saturday night slot. He still continued to present on GLR, but at this stage he quit the Monday-to-Wednesday evening shows and presented a Saturday afternoon show from 2 to 6pm.

Harris eventually quit GLR in late 1998 as he took over another show for Radio 2, "Bob Harris Country", (Previously David Allan's "Country Club") on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8pm, and his Saturday night show then went out from 10pm to 1am.

Current work

In addition to his Radio 2 programmes, in 2002 Harris became an original presenter on the newly launched digital station BBC 6 Music, presenting a Sunday-evening show from 5 to 8pm. He left 6 Music in 2004 to present another show on Radio 2, which broadcasts on Friday nights/Saturday mornings from midnight to 3am. Bob has recently finished up doing that show, and Mark Lamarr now presents. The end of the Friday show has allowed Bob to concentrate more on producing one-off shows like the 'Maple Leaf Revolution' under the auspices of the Whispering Bob Broadcasting Company. His Saturday show now goes out from 11pm-2am.

Bob was heard covering for Chris Evans on Drive time BBC Radio 2 over the festive holiday 2007 / 2008, He lives with his girlfriend Marie Crichton.

Leave due to Illness

During his broadcast on Saturday 4th August 2007, Bob announced he had prostate cancer and would be taking a break for a few months. He started broadcasting the Country Programme again in November and the Saturday Programme on 1st December.

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bobharris/ BBC Radio 2: Bob Harris]
* [http://www.bobharris.org/ Bob Harris's official website]
* [http://www.wbbc.biz/ The Whispering Bob Broadcasting Company]