Media, Music

Farewell to a legend by Clive Dickens

September 2nd, 2008

Posted By adam

How does anyone say goobye to a legend? Tony Hadley is just that. No ’80s tv documentary passes without his face within, singing those great songs which spell out that decade to a generation. For almost two years now, it’s been a privilege to have had him on the schedule, most recently hosting Party Classics on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Now, our changes mean that we will be saying farewell to Tony; and I know that it will be a sad one, given he is such a popular, genuine and enthusiastic figure in the building.

The plan going forward is to echo our weekday ’80s offerings at the weekend in a new music-intensive show called ‘Absolute 80s’ on a Friday night, with Neil Francis. Then on Saturdays from 6.00 p.m Leona Graham will be hosting a special ‘Absolute Classic Rock’ show, part of our strategy of showcasing the digital brands on the main station.

31 Comments

  1. Marty from new yawk,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm:

    I’m very happy that Leona is getting the showcase that she so deserves.

    The best programme that I’ve ever heard on Virgin Radio was when Leona covered for Gordon Loncaster on Virgin Radio Classic Rock and did a live show. The music selections were superb and it was hard for me to explain to my employer (aka the lazy fat asshole boss) why I was bouncing off the walls for that couple of hours in the accounting office.


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  2. Bingethink,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm:

    Clive, could you, going forward, stop using the awful management-speak phrase “going forward”? Is there any other kind of plan other than a “plan going forward”? Can you plan for things that have already happened?


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  3. Marty from new yawk,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm:

    @bingethink- Please cut Clive some slack on that stuff. I’m sure he’s got plenty of other crap and assholes to deal with right now.


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  4. MARKO,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pm:

    Sorry to see you leave Tony. Best of luck with your other projects what you were discussing on This Morning the other week. ( Pint Of Bitter ) for me ( WINK!! )

    Nice Leona is getting a regular gig on Virgin, sorry Absolute Radio…


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  5. Bingethink,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm:

    I think it’s very relevant - this blog is a really good example of a company seeking to explain itself to its interested customers. It’s very deliberately addressing us (and its staff) as real, intelligent, individual people, not just some lumpen mass audience. The management-speak doesn’t fit with that idea. It sounds too close to the over-researched, stilted, timid corporate world that Clive tells us he is trying to move away from.

    I believe that a lot of management-speak makes communication harder, not easier. It obscures what people really mean. That can’t be good in a communications business.

    Plus, it’s not very rock’n'roll. Or very “real”, if you prefer.


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  6. Clive Dickens,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm:

    Hi Guys, Going forward I will try not to use the phrase ‘Going Forward’. Seriously, thanks for all the feedback


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  7. Alistair MacPherson,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm:

    It is a real shame Tony Hadley is going and will be sorely missed like Suggs. I do hope you plan (going forward) to have more famous guest DJs in the future.


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  8. Jason Bourne,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 pm:

    Does that mean the Xtreme show will be on a Sunday night then? I look forward to the return of a new music show on the station and hopefully not at a stupid time of the day like The Edge used to be on before Steve Harris left for XFM.


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  9. Lynda Ashton,
    September 2nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm:

    Devastated to read Tony is leaving - I’m an 80s child and whilst I love current real music, any Friday / Saturday night spent in or getting ready to go out was was always livened up by his show - just good fun, cheesy and lots of happy memories of being 14 and dreaming of marrying all of Duran Duran…..I think you’re losing a good bit of fun and a show that really got you into the weekend mood! Mind you, as long as you stop rotating the Feeling, Scouting for Girls and the Hoosiers continuously, then things have to be getting better!


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  10. jane in northampton,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 am:

    like lynda i am an eighties child so sad to see Tony go- good luck to you Tony. Also think Lynda makes a good point- there is more to new music than the Feeling, Scouting for Girls & the Hoosiers so come on Absolute find some more “new usic” to play!


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  11. jane in northampton,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 am:

    oops of course i meant “Music”!! :)


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  12. Mark O,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am:

    If Absolute want to break into the world wide radio market then hopefully we will hear some bands from other countries heard on the station? ( Sung In English )


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  13. LMitchell,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm:

    Here’s another idea: one of my favorite local radio stations here in Virginia plays “The Last Letter Game”. Its really fun and a great way of getting listener participation. The way it works is that the presenter plays a song, let’s say Brown Sugar (because that’s what’s playing on Absolute right now), then next song has to start with an “R,” and so on. Its really fun and it produces a crazy mix of tunes.


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  14. Emmiebyrd,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm:

    Incredibly dismayed at the loss of Tony. I loved listening to him on Fridays here in the States. My friend Connie is going to be crushed as she loved his accent. We would listen to him as we closed out her cash register here at the hospital cafe where we work and I always have Virgin/Absolute streaming on my computer. He was one of my teenage crushes as I had posters of him on my locker door. Glad you’re keeping Geoff though.


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  15. ivan cohen,
    September 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm:

    How could they get rid of party classics. oh well another radio station for me. Tony good luck in will miss you.


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  16. Serena Maya,
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am:

    Here’s some FEEDBACK for you CLIVE! You’re making an ABSOLUTE mess of a once MUCH LOVED RADIO STATION..!!


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  17. adam,
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am:

    Serena, please try to use civil language here. We’re not out censor anyone, but I’ve had to edit your comment slightly.

    Perhaps you’d care to explain what you don’t like about what you’ve heard so far. We’re genuinely interested to find out.


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  18. Serena Maya,
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:56 am:

    We are going to MISS Robin Burke, Tony Hadley, Geoff Lloyd’s usual show @ 10pm-1am, Roque on the Breakfast show - Richie Firth has so far been really disappointing. The only good things are Jo Russell & JK & Joel leaving. But what do we know anyway - we’ve only been Listening to VIRGIN RADIO since DAY ONE..! Serena and Aidan


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  19. Russ,
    September 4th, 2008 at 3:32 pm:

    Its dissapointing to hear so many negative comments.
    I was unsure of the thought of change when it was first announced. But now things are becoming clearer I’m looking forward and dare I say excited about whats coming next.
    Its inevitable people will come and go but the spirit of the station will still be there.
    Like many others I have also listened since the test transmissions and there have been many changes in the 15 years that have been good and bad. Just because the name and a few of the people on Absolute. are different doesn’t mean its a different station.

    I will give Absolute. a chance and I think everyone else who takes the time to read and post here does too.

    Good luck for the future Robin,Tony JK and Joel.


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  20. andrew,
    September 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm:

    the changes sound really good to me. leona on a classic rock show sounds great, it will also be geat to have geoff at drivetime and an expanded playlist! i think clie at the team at one golden square are doing a great job.


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  21. Anthony Carter,
    September 8th, 2008 at 5:07 am:

    Where is Robin Burke this morning? I hope he’s not left as yet.


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  22. Ralph (wizzard999_,
    September 8th, 2008 at 8:38 am:

    Great to see that Leona is at last getting a good slot. I personally think that she deserves this or even a weekday daytime slot.

    When she does holiday cover for the rest her shows are great, they have excellent music content along with loads of artist trivia.

    Give her the break that she deserves.


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  23. Steve,
    September 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm:

    Tony was great and will be missed. His knowledge of the 80’s is great and his stories entertaining.


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  24. teicneoir,
    September 11th, 2008 at 12:40 am:

    Tony’s show was the a great way to end the week. I looked forward to the show to get the weekend started. I loved Suggs show and was a little hesitant about the show but he played a great selection of songs. He will be really missed.


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  25. wwwjim,
    September 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm:

    Just a note to say thank you, Tony — I’ve always enjoyed your show, and your absence on Friday nights will be greatly felt.


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  26. melissa,
    September 20th, 2008 at 1:00 am:

    i am verr y devestated that Tony Hadley is leaving this week he was very good I love him very much his show meantso much to me he he actually share his life with his audience and he was gentle and caring i will miss him a great deal now week end would not be the same with out Tony Hadley.


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  27. Tim,
    September 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm:

    Clive. Can you please tell me if Iain Lee is leaving? I find his show painfully unfunny & come 10pm on a Sunday, I tune to a different station.


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  28. Lynda Ashton,
    September 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 pm:

    Iain Lee is fabulous - v funny original & I normally hate ‘phone in’ type shows. I love the way he cuts off a song half way through if he’s bored with it. But then I think Chirstian O’Connell is dull & 100% unfunny. He should stop stealing ideas from Red Dwarf (Ace?)& Extras (would you rather)and try some of his own. Painful to listen to, but lucky for him (I suppose) that I can’t be bothered to re-dial each morning.


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  29. Mark Occomore,
    September 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm:

    Hi Lynda Ashton,

    Not being rude or anything. If you don’t like tuning into Christian then you might as well tune too another radio Breakfast show? As normal DJ’s usually say you lose some and gain some. It’s the listener choice now with lots of numbers to choice from. I can’t see many will leave because of the name change?

    Take Care x


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  30. Lynda Ashton,
    September 23rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm:

    Thanks for the helpful advice, Mark, I never knew there were other stations….and who mentioned name change! Anyway, getting back to the lovely Tony Hadley, I just wanted to say I love the way that he is clearly refusing to say the words ‘Virgin Rafdio, soon to become Absolute’. I hear your Vs up to the bosses, Tony - nice one!


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  31. matt baker,
    October 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm:

    iain lee cant leave its my favourite radio show on the planet,its comedy genius.


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