Ian McCrae Recalls the Golden Age of Radio

Imagine embarking on a breathtaking journey through a maze of frequencies and sound waves, led by none other than the legendary radio personality, Ian McCrae. Our conversation with Ian takes you from the robust radio scene of Melbourne to the audacious pirate radio era in the UK, peeling back the layers of this misunderstood and romanticized period. Ian pulls no punches as he shares his unique perspective on the life of a pirate radio broadcaster, debunking the overly glamorous depiction of the industry in the movie, The Boat That Rocked.Our chat meanders through the annals of Ian's illustrious career, highlighting the wild stunts he pulled off during his time at 3AW Melbourne and 3CS Colac. Brace yourself for an epic yarn about a jumbo jet flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a daring prank that had the Australian public on the edge of their seats. Ian gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the making of this audacious hoax, guiding us through the meticulous process of crafting characters, sound effects, and even bringing a Boeing designer on board to lend credibility to the prank.The final act of our chat with Ian takes us down memory lane to his tenure at 5 AD in Adelaide and 5KA in South Australia. He opens up about his foray into teaching with the Ian McCrae Radio School and his involvement with the hit ballad of Lady Di. Ian shares the bittersweet memory of announcing Elvis Presley's death, the triumph of having a hit song on the charts, and the fierce rivalry that came with the rise of new stations in Western Sydney. This episode, dear listeners, is not just a ticket to the golden age of radio but a masterclass in storytelling from one of its most enduring figures.Support the show