Bob Harris (radio)
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Bob Harris OBE |
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Bob Harris on 26 May 2012 at the Concert@theKings in Wiltshire and the Kings.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Brinley Joseph Harris |
| Born |
11 April 1946 Northampton, England |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Website | www |
Robert Brinley Joseph "Bob" Harris, OBE (born 11 April 1946), known as "'Whispering Bob Harris", is an English music presenter known for being a host of the BBC2 music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test, and as a co-founder of the listings magazine Time Out.
Harris has been broadcasting on the BBC for over 40 years and has been recognised with the Americana Music Association of America Trailblazer Award, a UK Heritage Award, and a MOJO Medal, as well as his OBE for services to broadcasting.
Harris was credited as the inspiration for The Fast Show character, Louis Balfour, whose catchphrase "nice!" delivered in close up to camera followed universally dreadful modern jazz acts. This closely mirrors Harris' trademark laconic enthusiasm on both Old Grey Whistle Test and his radio shows.
Born in Northampton, England, Harris first followed in his father's footsteps and joined the police force as a cadet for two years. He then helped found Time Out magazine, as co-editor. Years later, he still refers to himself as "a journalist who can broadcast".
He began at BBC Radio 1 in 1970 where he hosted the original incarnation of Sounds of the Seventies until 1975. Sounds of the Seventies was initially an hour long, broadcasting from 6 to 7 pm on Monday evenings. The next year, it was expanded to two hours and moved to 10 pm to midnight, still on Mondays. In January 1975, 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 9 pm-from and Saturdays and Sundays 10 am–2 pm and 9 pm–1 am. He left the station for a few months in 1978 due to ill health, but came back in 1979 to present a Friday evening rock show from 9 pm to 1 am and weekend afternoons 12–4 pm. He was also head of music and presentation.
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