Happy Birthday, Radio Caroline

The pirate radio station Radio Caroline celebrated its 47th anniversary on March 28.

Launched in 1964, Radio Caroline provided content to listeners that was not available anywhere else at the time and quickly became the first radio home for rock and roll. It was created by Ronan O’Rahilly, a young Irish businessman who was heavily involved in the London music scene, to broadcast the music of artists he was managing.

O’Rahilly set up the offshore station in his boat, the MV Caroline, and on March 28 the station went on the air. The first song broadcast on the station was The Rolling Stones’ cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.”

The station has been shut down many times over the years but still plays music today. Radio Caroline currently broadcasts as an Internet station, since the Office of Communications has refused to grant the station a medium wave frequency. Radio Caroline continues to fight for their right to rock the airwaves. “Fair’s fair,” the website declares. “Let Radio Caroline on the air!”

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