Alan Leslie "Fluff" Freeman, MBE (6 July 1927 – 27 November 2006) was a British disc jockey and radio personality in the United Kingdom for 40 years. Born and educated in Scarborough, New South Wales, Australia, Freeman worked as an assistant paymaster/accountant for one of Australia's largest timber companies after leaving school. Freeman originally wanted to be an opera singer, but decided his voice was not strong enough.
Australian Radio Career[]
In 1952 he was invited to audition as a radio announcer and commenced working for 7LA in Tasmania, known as the teenager's station. Freeman's duties included that of continuity announcer; presenter of musical programmes incorporating opera, ballet and classical music; DJ for the top 100; news reader; quiz master and commercials reader. After moving to radio station 3KZ in Melbourne, in 1957 he took an agreed nine-month trip around the world with the promise to return to Melbourne by January 1958. He arrived in London, England, and on deciding to stay wrote numerous letters of delay, and later apology, to his former employer. Freeman started his British career as a summer relief disc jockey on Radio Luxembourg, and continued to present late-evening programmes on the station until the early 1970s.
UK Radio Career[]
In 1960 he moved to the BBC Light Programme as presenter of the Records Around Five show, which was introduced by his signature tune, "At The Sign of the Swinging Cymbal", written by Brian Fahey. In September 1961 he introduced Pick of the Pops as part of a Saturday evening show Trad Tavern. Pick Of The Pops became a permanent show in its own right in 1962, with Freeman presenting it until 1972 continuing with his 'Swinging Cymbal' signature tune. At the same time, he was one of the original team of presenters of BBC TV's Top of the Pops, a regular member of the Juke Box Jury panel, and had a brief stint as compere of the lunchtime pop music show Go Man Go on the BBC Light Programme in 1963.
Acting and Music Career[]
During the 1960s, Freeman briefly attempted acting, notably in Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, but his limitations were apparent, and in other films he has played himself or a similar character (e.g. Absolute Beginners). He also played God (albeit a God who sat at a mixing desk and said "Alright?") in two episodes of The Young Ones in 1984. In 1962 he recorded a dance single, "Madison Time", with the Talmy Stone Band. Released by Decca Records, F11523, it was reportedly one of the label's worst-ever sellers and is now, predictably, a rarity and collector's item.
1970's[]
In April 1972, Freeman joined the daily presenters on Radio 1, taking over the 3-5 pm show from Terry Wogan - he used "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones as his theme. This continued until 1 June 1973. During this time he spotlighted youth clubs and young people, and became Vice-President of the London Association of Youth Clubs. During the 1970s he also presented the Radio 1 series Quiz Kid on Sunday evenings, which was recorded at Youth and Boys Clubs all over the country; while on Saturday afternoons he presented his Rock Show, featuring heavy and progressive rock and a rundown of the current album chart, from 30 June 1973 to 26 August 1978. The Saturday Rock Show was voted Best Radio Show by listeners 5 years running, and was then axed by new controller Derek Chinnery. He left the BBC to work for Capital Radio from 1979 to 1988, presenting the Top 40 of the 70s, on 31 December 1979.
1980's & Early 90's[]
He later revived Pick of the Pops on 13 March 1982 (now called Pick of the Pops Take Two and combining the current Top 15 with an earlier chart) and The Rock Show previous to that on 7 January 1980. He returned to the BBC and Radio 1 in January 1989 to revive The Rock Show and Pick of the Pops. This run of Pick of the Pops ended on 27 December 1992, but he continued to host The Rock Show until 23 October 1993, when he, with other long-serving DJs, left the station as it was revamped by controller Matthew Bannister.
After Radio One[]
In December 1993, he presented the Alternative Chart Show on a trial one-off RSL broadcast by XFM in London. Throughout 1994 he presented the Radio 1 series The Story of Pop, broadcast in 52 hour-long episodes. He then hosted Pick of the Pops Take Three on Capital Gold from April 1994 until January 1997. In 1996 and 1997 he also hosted The Friday Rock Show on Virgin Radio, and he was heard presenting one-off shows on Classic FM. He returned to the BBC on BBC Radio 2, taking Pick of the Pops back to its home from 1997 until 2000. A lifetime love of classical music and particularly opera was developed in the show Their Greatest Bits.
Retirement And Death[]
But as arthritis got the better of his hands, he handed Pick of the Pops over to ex-Radio Trent DJ Dale Winton. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1998. In May 2000 he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Sony Radio Academy Awards. He died on 27 November 2006 in Brinsworth House, Twickenham, South West London after a short illness. He was 79. His funeral took place on 7 December 2006 at South West Middlesex Crematorium and was attended by DJs Paul Gambaccini, Dave Lee Travis, Nicky Campbell, and his Radio One Top 40 successors Wes Butters, Simon Bates and Richard Skinner.
Shows[]
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 01 February 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 February 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 February 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 April 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 September 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 December 1975 (Alan Freeman)
- 1976
- 28 February 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 May 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 May 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 November 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 November 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 December 1976 (Alan Freeman)
- 1977
- 01 January 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 January 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 June 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 July 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 July 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 October 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 November 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 November 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 November 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- December 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 December 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 December 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 31 December 1977 (Alan Freeman)
- 1978
- 07 January 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 February 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 May 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 August 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 August 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 August 1978 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 August 1978 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's last show on BBC Radio One before he returned in 1989)
- 1980
- 28 April 1980 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's Rock Show on Capital Radio)
- 1983
- 14 October 1983 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's Friday Rock Show broadcast during Capital Radio's 10th anniversary)
- 1986
- 20 October 1986 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's Rock Show on Capital FM)
- 1987
- 03 August 1987 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's Rock Show on Capital FM)
- 1988
- 03 April 1988 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's Rock Show on Capital FM)
- 1989
- 15 January 1989 (Alan Freeman) (Alan Freeman's debut show after returning to BBC Radio One)
- 22 January 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 January 1989 (Alan Freeman) (Pick Of The Pops - Sunday Archive Chart Show)
- 29 January 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 February 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 February 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 February 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 February 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 March 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 March 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 March 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 March 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 April 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 April 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 April 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 April 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 April 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 May 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 May 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 May 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 May 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 June 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 June 1989 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in for Fluff)
- 17 June 1989 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in for Fluff)
- 24 June 1989 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in for Fluff)
- 01 July 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 July 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 July 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 July 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 July 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 August 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 August 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 August 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 August 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 September 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 September 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 September 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 September 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 September 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 October 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 October 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 October 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 October 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 November 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 November 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 November 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 November 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 December 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 December 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 December 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 December 1989 (Alan Freeman)
- 1990
- 06 January 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 January 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 January 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 January 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 February 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 February 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 February 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 February 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 March 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 March 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 March 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 March 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 31 March 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 April 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 April 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 April 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 April 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 May 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 May 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 May 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 May 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 June 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 June 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 June 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 June 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 June 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 July 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 July 1990 (Alan Freeman) no known recording of this show
- 21 July 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 July 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 August 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 August 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 August 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 August 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 September 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 September 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 September 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 September 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 September 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 October 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 October 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 October 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 October 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 November 1990 (Alan Freeman) No show this week - Fleetwood Mac live at Maine Road
- 10 November 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 November 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 November 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 December 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 December 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 December 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 December 1990 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 December 1990 (Alan Freeman) No show this week - Donington, Monsters of Rock repeats.
- 1991
- 05 January 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 January 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 January 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 January 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 February 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 February 1991 (Alan Freeman) No known recording of this show
- 16 February 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 February 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 March 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 March 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 March 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 March 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 March 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 April 1991 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 13 April 1991 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 20 April 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 April 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 May 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 May 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 May 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 May 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 June 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 June 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 June 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 June 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 June 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 July 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 July 1991 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. "Summer XS" - INXS and friends live from Wembley.
- 20 July 1991 (Alan Freeman) No known recording of this show.
- 27 July 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 August 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 August 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 August 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 August 1991 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. Simple Minds and friends live from Milton Keynes Bowl.
- 31 August 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 September 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 September 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 September 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 September 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 October 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 October 1991 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. "Back By Public Demand" - In Concert repeats.
- 19 October 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 October 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 November 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 November 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 November 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 November 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 November 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 December 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 December 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 December 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 December 1991 (Alan Freeman)
- 1992
- 04 January 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 January 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 January 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 January 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 February 1992 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 08 February 1992 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 15 February 1992 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 22 February 1992 (Alan Freeman) (Tommy Vance sits in)
- 29 February 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 March 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 March 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 March 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 March 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 April 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 April 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 April 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 April 1992 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. "Norwich Sound City 92" hosted by Tommy Vance.
- 02 May 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 May 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 May 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 May 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 May 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 June 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 June 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 June 1991 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. Dire Straits live from Woburn Abbey.
- 27 June 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 July 1992 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. "American Music Festival" from Crystal Palace Bowl.
- 11 July 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 July 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 July 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 August 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 August 1992 (Alan Freeman) No known recording of this show.
- 15 August 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 August 1992 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. Donington, Monsters of Rock coverage.
- 29 August 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 September 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 September 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 September 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 September 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 October 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 October 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 October 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 October 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 31 October 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 November 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 November 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 November 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 November 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 December 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 December 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 December 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 December 1992 (Alan Freeman)
- 1993
- 02 January 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 January 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 January 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 January 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 January 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 February 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 February 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 February 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 February 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 March 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 March 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 March 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 March 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 03 April 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 April 1993 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. "Sheffield Sound City Rock Night"
- 17 April 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 24 April 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 May 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 May 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 May 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 May 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 May 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 05 June 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 June 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 June 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 June 1993 (Alan Freeman) No show this week. Glastonbury coverage.
- 03 July 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 10 July 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 17 July 1993 (Alan Freeman) Special show including Def Leppard live from Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.
- 24 July 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 31 July 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 07 August 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 August 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 August 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 August 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 September 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 September 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 September 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 25 September 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 02 October 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 09 October 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 October 1993 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 October 1993 (Alan Freeman) (Fluff's last show on BBC Radio One)
- 1996
- 15 March 1996 (Alan Freeman) (Fluff's first show on Virgin Radio)
- 26 April 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- Summer 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 September 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 October 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 October 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 08 November 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 15 November 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 November 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 November 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 December 1996 (Alan Freeman)
- 1997
- 03 January 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- January 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- Early 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 14 February 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 21 March 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 28 March 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- April 1997 (Alan Freeman) (Compilation of Fluff's Virgin Friday Rock Shows in 1997)
- 02 May 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 16 May 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 23 May 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 30 May 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 06 June 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 13 June 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 20 June 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 27 June 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 04 July 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 11 July 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 18 July 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 01 August 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 22 August 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 29 August 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 12 September 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 19 September 1997 (Alan Freeman)
- 26 September 1997 (Alan Freeman) (Fluff's last ever rock show)
- September 1997 (Alan Freeman) (Compilation of Fluff's Virgin Friday Rock Shows in 1997)
- 1997 (Alan Freeman) (Compilation of Fluff's Virgin Radio Rock Shows from 1997
- Mixtape