Remembering Janice Long

Janice Long takes the electronic pioneer, who David Bowie once credited with writing two of the finest songs in British music, back to some West London haunts and looks at influences and highlights from Gary Numan's Tubeway Army and solo career, which spans nearly four decades.

Gary was born Gary Webb in Hammersmith. His Dad drove buses at Heathrow Airport and his Mum bought him his first acoustic guitar at the age of five.

School didn't go so well, but he was always obsessed with music and machines, specifically airplanes and racing cars.

Gary and Janice return to Heathrow to talk about childhood and plane spotting and the site of a record shop in Earls Court where Gary signed a deal for his punk band in 1978. Gary mentions discovering a Moog synthesizer in the studio and arguing, successfully, with his record company to re-interpret all the punk recordings as electronic numbers.

They discuss his visits to the Hammersmith Odeon, the pressure of his number one singles and albums, world tours and retirement on location at Wembley Arena.

The story comes up to date with Gary's move to California and his 22nd studio album.

Janice takes the electronic pioneer, who David Bowie praised, back to some London haunts.

Janice takes the electronic pioneer Gary Numan, who David Bowie once credited with writing two of the finest songs in British music, back to some west London haunts.

[LISTEN NOW]

Holly will take us on his own magical mystery tour from the local church where he sang as a choirboy, through the streets where he delivered papers, over the Mystery Park to Penny Lane while we hear The Beatles, David Bowie, The Human League, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and T-Rex amongst others.

Holly and Janice also pass through the 'posh bit' of Liverpool where he first walked along an avenue humming the song that would become Relax. Holly also visits the Everyman Theatre (where he auditioned as a young man), the Cavern and Erics (where he performed with Big In Japan alongside his contemporaries like Echo & The Bunnymen and Ian Brodie).

Holly has fascinating anecdotes and memories to share about the Fab Four, Joe Meek, the Liverpool Empire, record shops and boutiques, Bob Wooler, Allan Williams, The Silver Blades Ice Rink & Disco, Matthew Street, Pete Burns and Jayne Casey as they affected his life.

First broadcast in 2017.

Janice Long walks through Liverpool with Holly Johnson, remembering key people and songs.

Janice Long embarks on a very personal journey with James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers, taking him back to Oakdale School which he attended with all the other members of the band, the steps where he was handed the first of their lyrics, and the Railway Hotel in Crumlin where they played their first gig. Pen-Y-Fan Pond where they spent their evenings imaging they were beat poets and the Mynyddislwyn Mountain between his father's home and the studio where they first recorded demos and singles.

James talks eloquently and passionately about his working-class roots and the political and social events in the area and beyond - all of which inspired him to be a musician and are still part of new songs like Liverpool Revisited. He also chooses some favourite tracks from the band's catalogue and others like Public Enemy, Public Service Broadcasting and Gwenno.

A memorable journey in Wales with James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers.

Janice embarks on a very personal journey with James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers, going back to School, their first gig and the studio where they first recorded.

[LISTEN NOW]

First broadcast in 2018, Janice Long takes a walk with one of the finest voices in the country, Tracey Thorn.

They hear some songs off her solo album 'Record', and others, with references to the places they visit, her family history and early gigs as both a performer and music fan attendee.

For four decades Tracey Thorn has been one half of worldwide best sellers Everything But The Girl, an acclaimed writer and journalist, wise woman of social media, solo artist and vocalist, who everyone from Paul Weller to Massive Attack wants on their tracks.

Tracey is an enchanting and fascinating guide as they walk around the streets, churches and music venues of North London and Soho. These include Ronnie Scott's, The Hope and Anchor, The Lyceum on The Strand and St. Martin's Church in Gospel Oak where her parents and grand parents were married - described by the architectural expert and historian Nikolaus Pevsner as 'one of the craziest of London's Victorian Churches'.

Tracey Thorn guides Janice Long around the streets, churches and music venues of her life.

One of our finest voices Tracey Thorn is an enchanting guide as she joins Janice Long for a walk around the streets, churches and music venues of North London and Soho.

Janice undertakes her final walk of this series with one of the finest voices in the country, who has just released her first solo album of entirely original material for seven years, which she describes as 'nine feminist bangers'.

They hear some songs on that release called 'Record', and others, with references to the places they visit, her family history and early gigs as both a performer and music fan attendee.

Tracey Thorn guides Janice around the fine streets, churches and music venues of her life.

One of our finest voices Tracey Thorn is an enchanting and fascinating guide as she joins Janice for a walk around the streets, churches and music venues of North London and Soho.

[LISTEN NOW]