Some of the famous names who started out at Piccadilly Radio gathered in Manchester last night to unveil a plaque to mark its 50th anniversary.
The station, which was listened to by more than 1m across the North West started life at City Tower – then Piccadilly Plaza in April 1974. It was later split into Key 103 and Piccadilly Gold – now Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio Manchester.
During its lifetime it launched the broadcasting careers of Chris Evans, Timmy Mallett, Gary Davis, Mark Radcliffe and the late Andy Peebles. It also discovered Andy Crane, Mike Shaft, Pete Baker, Phil Wood, Mike Sweeney, and Becky Want, all of whom attended last night’s celebration.
But it was the station’s first employee, Jim Hancock, who was given the responsibility of unveiling the plaque.
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“A major part of the station’s success was the fact that it was based in such a dominant and recognisable location, right in the heart of the city. With Piccadilly Gardens just below, Piccadilly was a bright and fun name for the dynamic music and news station that it became,” he said.
Matthew Baddeley, Lead Asset Manager at Schroders Capital, which owns the building added:
“Piccadilly Radio is an icon of City Tower that we are thrilled to commemorate. The new plaque is the perfect way to honour the rich history of this building and celebrate the legacy that the station has created.”
