Culture
17 Jan 22

BBC announces radio special for late DJ Janice Long, featuring all-star tributes

Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and more will celebrate the decades-long career of Janice Long.

BBC has announced a radio tribute to pioneering radio presenter Janice Long, hosted by Zoe Ball.

Long, who was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1, died at 66 last month. Her tribute broadcast, A Life in Music, will air on January 23 in a simulcast on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Merseyside from 7pm-9pm.

The programme will celebrate the English DJ's decades-long career with tributes from the likes of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Peter Hook of New Order, Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, Ian Broudie of The Lightening Seeds, and BBC DJ's Jo Whiley and Greg James.

Long's career in radio began with her assisting on BBC Merseyside in 1979 before she was given her own programme, Streetlife. Long then moved to BBC, where she became the first woman to have her own daily show in 1983.

The presenter was also the first woman to be a regular presenter on Top of the Pops and later had a running show on BBC 2 until 2017.

McCartney says he will remember his "old Liverpool mate" on the programme. On Twitter he expressed his sadness at the loss of a "great Scouse girl" who was "very knowledgable about the music scene."

I was very sad to hear that my old Liverpudlian friend Janice Long has passed away. Janice was a fun-loving lady who always had a twinkle in her eye. She was very knowledgeable about the music scene and whenever we met it was a pleasure and we had a great laugh. pic.twitter.com/ueb858HLO1

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 7, 2022

Costello is set to discuss Long's more recent work, including her interviewing style and managing technical difficulties.

Other close friends will comment on Long's impact. Actor David Morrissey will recount visiting her on air shortly after he joined the Liverpool Everyman theatre. BBC radio 4's Jane Garvey will describe how Long paved the way for women in radio.

Along with the tribute, listeners will be given a second chance to hear the first series of A Long Walk With... which will be available as a boxset on BBC Sounds from January 23.

Photo Credit: Family Handout/PA