Webby to lead Pirate Radio tour of Europe

Join Graham Webb this August for a unique and once-only 50th anniversary tour of Europe, commemorating pirate radio’s contribution to the British invasion of the world music scene.

Webby recalls, “Back in 1966 I was a DJ on both Radio Caroline North and South in Great Britan, having been the South Ships Programme controller, the embarresment occured when I was describing a wedding on the North Ship to some 8 to 10 million listeners.”

Below is the itnerary and contact details if you’re interested.

Rock The Boat Again!
July/August 2014
London/Liverpool/Harwich and Rochester PLUS Pirate Radio Beat Boat Cruise!!
 
Participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Radio Caroline and Pirate Radio…..PLUS explore the UK’s amazing musical history, its sights and sounds.
 
Day One:
31 July 2014

London
 
Upon arrival in London you will make an independent transfer to our accommodation, check in and relax for the reminder of the day. N.B. If you arrive on the same flight as your tour leader, a transfer will be provided but only if you arrive on this same scheduled flight.
 
In the evening we’ll have a Welcome Cocktail Reception where you’ll get the opportunity to meet all your fellow travelers. It’ll be an early night as most will be still tired from their respective journeys from around the world so we suggest a dinner in the hotel or nearby pub, followed by a long rest!

Inclusions:
Meals: Welcome Cocktail Reception
 
Accommodation:
Jurys Inn, Islington:
 
IMPORTANT: To really maximise the experiences and fun to be had on the trip, we suggest all travellers consider arriving into London two nights earlier than the commencement date. This will assist greatly in getting over jetlag and travel fatigue in general. If you do this it’ll make you much better prepared for when we get into the tour highlights etc. Contact us for the cost of additional night rates at your London hotel.
 
Day Two:
01 August 2014
London
 
This morning following breakfast (yes, it’s included!) and suitably refreshed, we head out on the first of many musical highlights associated with our Rock The Boast….Again tour.
 
Today we depart on our privately hired coach for a morning Magical Musical Tour of London with our very own ‘musicologist/tour guide’. On our trip this morning we’ll see so many famous landmarks, clubs and segments of London’s rich musical history you’ll be exhausted afterwards. We’ll (of course) walk across the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing and see where Sir Paul McCartney still lives! You’ll see Jimi Hendrix’s former home and where he died – where Freddie Mercury hung out and Led Zeppelin’s HQ. Sites associated with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Cream, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Elton john, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, The Who and much more will also be on our Hit List!
 
The afternoon and evening are free to prepare for our next day’s adventures and to give you time for some independent shopping or sightseeing with new friends.
 
Inclusions: Magical Music Tour of London (Part One)
Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)
 
Accommodation:
Jurys Inn, Islington
 
Day Three:
02 August 2014
London
 
This morning is free to rest up after a (hopefully late night of entertainment options which Webby will be suggesting) prior to our exclusive afternoon tour where we continue our Magical Musical Tour of London.
 
There’s still lots to see including Apple HQ, Ringo Starr’s house and legendary ‘Tin Pan Alley’ where The Rolling Stones cut their first disc. We’ll also see Pink Floyd’s studios, the place where Jimmy Hendrix burned his first (but not last) guitar and where sadly Amy Winehouse both lived and died. There will be over 50 sites visited over the two days and all are associated with an element of British and London’s musical history. These are two days you’ll remember for the rest of your lives!
 
The evening has again been left free for independent entertainment options but rest assured Webby will have something up his sleeve for us to consider!
 
Inclusions: Magical Music Tour of London (Part One)
Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)
 
Accommodation:
Jurys Inn, Islington
 
Day Four:
03 August 2014
London / Liverpool
 
This morning we say goodbye to London (but we will be back) this morning and transfer to the rail station for a leisurely journey to Mersey Land! – Beatles Territory, Liverpool, England. Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel and home for the next 2 nights. Once we settle in there’s a special treat late this afternoon. We’re going to take trip on a Ferry Across The Mersey which should bring back memories of that classic Gerry and the Pacemakers song.
 
There’s more because tonight we’ll be attending a gig at the legendary Cavern Club. The original building is no more unfortunately but the current version of the iconic club is just across the street. There’s lots of memories and things to see and do in this area of Liverpool, where John, Paul, George and Ringo got their start along with many other artists of their time. A wonderful evening for music fans and something to remember forever!
 
We’ve even included a bus transfer back to our hotel so those who want to can let loose. If you wish to stay on longer than the scheduled departure time, transportation will be at own cost.
 
Inclusions: Half Day Liverpool Tour including Ferry Cross The Mersey / Attend The Cavern Club
Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)
 
Accommodation:
Jurys InnHotel

 
Day Five:
04 August 2014
Liverpool

 
Today we will undertaking one of the highlights of the Rock The Boat…Again tour.
 
We’re going on a full day Magical Mystery Tour of Liverpool. Much of Liverpool’s musical history of course, is centred on The Beatles so we’ll be definitely taking in Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, the statue of Eleanor Rigby, Liverpool Art College and so much more. We’ll be exploring all the spots synonomous with The Beatles and other Mersey Beat artists so you can look forward to a very full schedule and one sure to bring back some amazing memories of past radio days.
 
Inclusions: Full Day Liverpool Music History Tour
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
Jurys Inn Hotel

 
Day Six:
05 August 2014
Liverpool / Tilbury / Beat Boat Cruise
 
This morning we check out of our hotel and depart on a leisurely coach journey across England’s wonderful country side enroute to Tilbury, where tomorrow morning we embark on our fantastic 4 day/3 night Beat Boat Cruise aboard the MS Marco Polo.
After checking in to our hotel for the evening, the remainder of the evening is free to relax and explore this port city.
 
Inclusions:
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
TBA

 
Day Seven:
06 August 2014
Tilbury / Beat Boat Cruising
 
Today we will board our ‘Ship That Rocks’ and for the next 4 days we’ll be experiencing a cruise to remember. It’ll rock for sure with legendary DJs from the Pirate Radio Days on board to entertain PLUS there’s the LIVING LEGENDS House Band featuring Georgie Fame, Eddie Floyd and more. Relive the club scene of the 60’s with live bands and DJs in the live music bar. There’ll be an onboard 60’s fashion Show, All Nighters on the Dance Floor and even more still to be announced.
 
The cruise will also visit the locations of the famous Pirate Radio vessels as well as a port call to Amsterdam, another location strongly connected to the Pirate Radio Days. The accommodation included in your tour are Superior Plus Twin Ocean View (share basis) and upgrade options and single room surcharges are available upon request and subject to availability.
 
Inclusions: Beat Boat Entertainment
Meals: Full English Breakfast / All Meals on cruise
 
Accommodation:
MS Marco Polo
 
Day Eight:
07 August 2014
Beat Boat Cruising
 
A full day to explore, enjoy and be entertained by the legends of Pirate Radio, the live bands and the hundreds of fellow music fans you’ll meet.
 
Inclusions: Beat Boat Entertainment
Meals: All Meals on cruise
 
Accommodation:
MS Marco Polo

 
Day Nine:
08 August 2014
Beat Boat Cruising
 
Our last full day of cruising so let’s try and really make the Boat Rock. Hopefully by now you’ll have been able to meet with the DJs and band members as they too try and relax between performances. This will be a unique and once only opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the legends of the 60’s Beat Revolution and those heady days of Pirate Radio.
 
Inclusions: Beat Boat Entertainment
Meals: All Meals on cruise
 
Accommodation:
MS Marco Polo

 
Day Ten:
09 August 2014
Beat Boat Cruising / London
 
Today we arrive back into Tilbury where after disembarkation we’ll return for the second phase of our London Experience and all the sights and sounds still to be experienced. Using our London Public Transport Pass (Which is included), we’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the sights and sounds of London. We will meet for lunch and two beers (included in the tour) at the iconic Red Lion Pub, meeting place for the Pirate Radio DJs of the past…some of whom may be on our tour! A time for reminiscence, a drink or two with friends and to share a piece of London’s radio history.
 
This evening we again head out to experience yet another stage show – this time it’s Let It Be, a celebration of all things Beatles : their music in a stage setting. It’s going to be a magic night and another great memory from this very unique tour.
 
Inclusions: Let It Be stage show / London Public Transport Pass
Meals: Breakfast (On Board Beat Boat Cruise) / Lunch with two (2) beers at Red Lion Pub   
 
Accommodation:
Jury’s Inn, Islington
 
Day Eleven:
10 August 2014
London
 
Today, following breakfast, we have the day to individually explore this amazing city or stay with Webby as he has a few things planned. Included in our tour is use of a London Public Transport Pass and here’s your chance to really make use it. Lunch has been included at Bill Wyman’s famous Sticky Fingers Restaurant and we may even be lucky enough to see the old Rolling Stone himself hanging around. In any case it’s part of London Rock n Roll History so we’ll make the most of it.
 
This evening we have a special treat included – we’re going to the West End for a performance of the stage show We Will Rock You – this is one of the top shows currently in production in this famous entertainment precinct and we’ll probably spend time afterwards wandering around the area before heading home using our Public Transport Pass.
 
Inclusions: Performance of We Will Rock You, West End / London Public Transport Pass
Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet) / Lunch at Sticky Fingers
 
Accommodation:
Jurys Inn, Islington
 
Day Twelve:
11 August 2014
London / Rochester
 
This morning following breakfast, we depart via coach on a short ride towards our next destination – Rochester, and yet another important city in the history of Pirate Radio. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and prepare for some interesting experiences in this small English city which remains to this day a focal point for Radio Caroline history.
 
Our time in Rochester has been prepared by the fantastic staff and management still responsible for continuing the legacy that is Radio Caroline. The Pirate Radio ship, Ross Revenge, is located here and we’ll be going on board for a historic and special invite only tour!
 
There are more special treats to be announced during our time in Rochester which may even involve our Tour escort, Webby, spinning discs again in an iconic Pirate Radio location. Stay tuned for more information!
 
We’ll be looking for something to do tonight and relying on the Radio Caroline organisers to come up with some suggestions.
 
Inclusions: Coach Transfer from Liverpool to Rochester
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
Ramada Encore Chatham

 
Day Thirteeen:
12 August  2014
Rochester
                               
Today has been declared a rest day after all the travelling and late nights! Just relax and enjoy the community within this small city BUT for those keen to learn more, we’ll be working with the Radio Caroline organisers to suggest more items and locations of interest. Rest assured we’ll be doing everything we can to surprise and add to the overall experience on our Let’s Rock The Boat…Again! tour.
 
Inclusions:
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
Ramada Encore Chatham

 
Day Fourteen:
13 August 2014
Rochester / Harwich
 
This morning, we again board our coach for the short trip to Harwich and the culmination of this amazing historical musical tour so let’s make sure we really Rock the Boat…..Again! over the next 5 nights.
 
Harwich is the centre piece for the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Radio Caroline and we’ll be in the centre of it!
 
After checking into our hotel, we’ll take a short orientation of this charming English town and learn more about what we can expect over the next few days.
 
Inclusions: Attend Radio Caroline 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
Hotel Continental
 
Day Fifteen thru Eighteen:
14 August – 18 August 2014
Harwich – 50th Anniversary Radio Caroline Celebrations
 
Well the day has arrived! The 50th Anniversary of Radio Caroline is sure to be an action packed, interest filled day event.
 
Our tour has been prepared with the enthusiastic support of the Radio Caroline Celebrations organisers so we can be assured of seeing the best of everything. Over the next 4 days, here’s just a sampling of what’s planned with much more still to be announced.
 
There will be special Pirate BBC Essex broadcasts, a major ‘Pirate Radio 50’ exhibition on the Pier, Shoreside Events including ‘Audience with the Pirates’ shows at the iconic Electric Palace Cinema. There’s even a Mods and Rockers Revival Weekend to experience AND a special broadcast from one of the original Radio Caroline vessels, LV 18 Lightship which is now permanently berthed alongside Harwich Quay.
 
There’s still much more activity and entertainment to be announced at this once in a lifetime celebration of an event which changed radio as we knew it!
 
Inclusions: Attend Radio Caroline 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Meals: Full English Breakfast
 
Accommodation:
Hotel Continental
 
Day Nineteen:
18 August 2014
Harwich / London

Well it’s our last day in the UK and the end of a wonderful time exploring the musical history of London, Liverpool, Rochester and Harwich as well as having great memories of the Pirate Radio celebrations and the Beat Boat Cruise.

All that’s left is to pack our bags, transfer to Heathrow and board our flight for home. For those keen to get more, Radio Caroline celebrations look set to continue for a few more days following the official days. If you’d like to stay on or spend more time in London etc we can arrange additional night’s accommodation for you so just contact us. Enjoy the flight and most of all enjoy the memories!

Inclusions: Transfer to Heathrow Airport

Meals: Full English Breakfast
 

ALL enquiries to: [email protected] or 0433118454 (61 433118454)
       This tour is a tribute to the people who endured a daily battle with
      the  elements and authorities to provide a soundtrack to the
                                             Swinging Sixties.

 

                                                        Graham Webb Biography

Graham Webb began his career in radio in Australia hosting the first Top 40 radio show on Sydney radio in the late 1950s. After moving to the UK in the mid-1960s he became one of several Australian DJs who were prominent in the pirate radio scene that flourished at that time.

He joined Radio Caroline in May 1965, going on to become Programme Controller and later News Director. He was one of the staff rescued from the Mi Amigo when she ran aground at Walton in 1966. He left Caroline and returned to Australia after the proclamation of the 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act, which forced the closure of the pirate stations.  In the late 1960s he presented the Australian end of the long-running Family Favourites radio series.

In the early 1970s Webb moved into television – hosting and producing many popular TV shows, including the original version of iconic TV series, Blind Date. In 1973 he was the founding host and producer of the pioneering Saturday morning music video series Sounds Unlimited – the world’s first show featuring pop clips.

As producer of Sounds, Webb played a pivotal role in the career of music video and feature film director Russell Mulcahy. In need of material for the new show, Webb approached Mulcahy (then a staffer in the ATN-7 newsroom) and asked him to film some footage to accompany popular songs for which there were no purpose-made clips (e.g. Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking”). Using this method, Webb and Mulcahy assembled a collection of about 25 clips for the show. The success of his early efforts encouraged Mulcahy to quit his TV job and become a full-time director.

Graham Webb is still DJing and can be heard every week on Gold Coast’s community radio station 94.1FM.

He would love to have you travel with him on what will be a nostalgic journey unlike any other.
 
 Graham Webb

 

Tags: | |