Smooth Operations’ Ground-Breaking 50 –Part Series Launched by Radio 2

We’re thrilled that our epic new series for BBC Radio 2, The People’s Songs, was this afternoon launched by its presenter Stuart Maconie on Steve Wright’s Big Show.

The series tells the story of modern Britain in 50 records. Each week, from January to December 2013 next year, will feature a different record which exemplifies a facet of British culture; from the optimism of the UK at the end of World War 2, to the paranoia of the cold war. From the ecstasy fuelled highs of the rave culture to the first wave of immigration from the Caribbean. From the economic boom of the mid-Sixties to the urban blight and riots of the early Eighties.

This is not academic rock history. It is not the views of musicians and rock journalists but the views of the people who bought and loved these songs. These are the songs that people listened to, laughed to, loved to and laboured to, as well as downed tools and danced to.

With that in mind, our production team is seeking memories of life and music in Britain over the years. Though we will all have to wait until January next year for the first on-air broadcast, the series website has today been unveiled so that listeners can begin submitting and sharing their thoughts, memories and experiences. We want your texts, emails, letters, audio, video and images to weave into our programmes.

To discover the first 10 featured records and find out how you can take part visit  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l9qb8 

Click the links below to read press coverage about the People’s Songs:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/sep/02/alex-clark-popular-music-changes-lives

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2196190/From-Dame-Vera-Lynn-Amy-Winehouse-Radio-2-picks-50-songs-represent-modern-Britain.html

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