LEGENDARY BBC RADIO DJ ANNIE NIGHTINGALE CELEBRATES HER 50TH YEAR IN BROADCASTING
Very few can lay claim to the kind of legacy created by Annie Nightingale. Best known as the first female DJ on the BBC, she is also Radio 1's longest serving broadcaster, and holds the world record for the longest ever running radio show.
Throughout her 50-year career, Annie has always specialised in championing underground music, staunchly supporting artists from classic rock and pop, through new wave, acid house, breakbeat, grime, trap and much more. Ever refusing to compromise her taste, she describes the personal value of her selections, saying: 'if I couldn't choose the music I played, I wouldn't want to do it at all'.
Most evident from Annie's career is her commitment to the musical culture of the UK. She says that 'we actually have quite a responsibility to keep our standards, because for such a tiny country we, you might say, punch above our weight musically. Hearing British invasion music when I was very young changed my life - I thought: I have to be in music somehow''.
This commitment has led to all manner of accolades including an MBE, an honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Westminster, and a unique 'Gold Award' at the Sony Radio Academy Awards in 2011. As a key figure in the history of British broadcasting, she remains an ambassador for The Princes' Trust and patron of Sound Women, an organisation which promotes women in broadcasting.
Outside of radio, Annie has proved just as influential, hosting the classic BBC2 music show 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. Annie also continues to DJ live at festival mainstays and high profile gigs around the world, including regular appearances at Glastonbury, Bestival and Sziget Festival. She has even appeared in a special show at The Royal Festival Hall alongside Goldie to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, in which she spun and narrated the story of 60 years of popular music.
Her work is now due to be celebrated with two documentaries on Radio 2, airing on 15th and 22nd July, as well as with a special compilation released by Ministry of Sound - part of their 'Masterpiece' series. The series represents an opportunity for highly respected, pioneering acts to curate a three-disc musical journey of their influences and inspirations.
Past editions speak volumes about the quality of the series, compiled by the likes of Armand van Helden, Goldie, David Rodigan, Andrew Weatherall, and Gilles Peterson. Annie's compilation is an effort to document her own impact on British music over the last 50 years.
Such is her impact that a number of her great heroes of the British invasion - The Byrds, The Who, Paul McCartney, Prodigy and The Rolling Stones - have all agreed to share their music in this special collection. In the case of the latter, this will be their first appearance on any compilation not exclusively featuring their own tracks. In bringing together such a diversity of artists - all of whom she helped break to a mainstream audience - Annie leads the most fitting tribute to a peerless career.
01. The Rolling Stones - Miss You Remastered
02. Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed 2011 Remaster
03. The Who - Baba O'Riley Original Album Version
04. Cameo - Word Up! Single Version
05. The Marvelettes - Too Many Fish In The Sea Single Version
06. Propaganda - Duel
07. Scott Walker - Jackie
08. Moonflowers - Get Higher Get Dubber Mix
09. The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City
10. Frances Nero - Footsteps Following Me
11. Heaven 17 -Temptation
12. Rozalla - Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) Single Version
13. The Byrds - All I Really Want To Do Single Version
14. London Grammar - Hey Now Tensnake Remix
01. Primal Scream - Don't Fight It (Scat Mix)
02. Lou Reed - Vicious Digitally Remastered 1999
03. Joy Division -Transmission
04. Blondie - Rapture
05. Meat Beat Manifesto - Radio Babylon
06. Basement Jaxx - Rendez-Vu
07. Plutonic - Tubular Bells
08. Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On
09. Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out Album Version
10. La Roux - Bulletproof Zinc Remix
11. Underworld - Rez
12. The Cure - A Forest Shortened Edit
13. Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
14. William Orbit - Barber's Adagio For Strings Ferry Corsten Remix
01. The Prodigy - Out Of Space
02. The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize
03. Tinie Tempah - Pass Out Explicit
04. Dizzee Rascal feat. Armand Van Helden - Bonkers Radio Edit
05. Magnetic Man feat. Angela Hunte - I Need Air Digital 0Soundboy Remix
06. Flux Pavilion - Blow The Roof
07. The Streets - Blinded By The Lights
08. Example - Stay Awake Radio Edit
09. Keys N Krates - I Just Can't Deny Original
10. MGMT - Kids Soulwax Mix
11. Troyboi - Fireman
12. Moby - Go Woodtick Mix
13. Shamir - On The Regular
14. The Mitchell Brothers feat. Sway - Harvey Nicks Radio Edit