Absolute Radio has announced that in honour of the
75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May, it will launch a pop-up
radio station entirely dedicated to the 1940s. Created to honour the
inspiring
generation of people who lived through the Second World War and the sacrifices they made, this innovative new launch will be made available across the UK for 24 hours.
generation of people who lived through the Second World War and the sacrifices they made, this innovative new launch will be made available across the UK for 24 hours.
At a time when sales of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ has soared, Absolute Radio 40s
will bring older generations the comfort of a trip down memory lane, by
playing an uplifting mix of songs from artists including Billie
Holliday, The Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby,
Doris Day, Gracie Fields, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and of course Vera Lynn.
For audiences who have been inspired by war veteran Captain Tom Moore’s
story and wish to know more about World War II, Absolute Radio 40s will
play special news bulletins which chart events as they unfolded on 8th
May 1945. There’ll also be poignant speech content from those who were
part of the original celebrations. Presenters featured on the station
across the day include Dave Berry, Jason Manford, Leona Graham and Claire Sturgess.
While VE Day celebrations have been scaled back nationwide, Absolute
Radio 40s will allow listeners to mark the truly momentous occasion.
Uniting care-homes, hospitals and residences across the country, the
station will create the biggest virtual self-isolation street party in
the UK. Whether audience members wish to listen to heart-warming stories
and pay their respects or tip off elderly relatives of their chance to
hear some of their old favourites, this 24-hour event on 8th May is not
one to be missed.
Absolute Radio Content Director Paul Sylvester says:
“The 75th anniversary of VE Day is a momentous event in our history and
it’s tragic that celebrations have had to be rightly curtailed because
of the Coronavirus. The incredible music and compelling stories you’ll
hear on Absolute Radio 40s will bring comfort and entertainment to those
older listeners in self-isolation and remind the rest of us of the
importance of this day. Taking the Absolute Radio decade strategy and
creating this unique pop-up station for 24 hours is the simplest way
that we can pay our own very small tribute.”
Absolute Radio 40s will broadcast from 24 hours launching at midnight
on Friday 8th May. The station will be available on 1215AM across the
UK, on DAB+ in London and online at absoluteradio.co.uk.
Absolute Radio 40s is a co-production with TBI Media who recently
partnered with Absolute Radio to create the Front Room Festival, a
celebration of live music in self-isolation. The whole project has been
made possible thanks to a grant from The Audio Content Fund.
