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European Music Radio was one of the most successful shortwave pirate stations of its day, and broadcast on the 41m and 48m bands originally between 1976 and 1983.  The station operated from the UK until a raid in October 1980.  After this, transmission are understood to have been via FRS Holland until EMR closed in June 1983. EMR returned in later years and operated up until the sad passing of station founder Barry Stephens (Tom Taylor) in January 2018.

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An early EMR infosheet from around 1977

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An early  QSL Card with original station address

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European Music Radio Audio Library

1978_01_15_sun_emr_6265sw_aj_dx_show_studio_tape-gh115.mp3 New Jul 2024 The following three EMR shows from 15th January 1978 were received on a cassette and comments are made at the end by Barrie Stevens.  This first one, is the EMR Goes DX show by AJ Beirans. 51MB
37mins
1978_01_15_sun_emr_6265sw_fr_show_telstar_south_studio_tape-gh115.mp3 New Jul 2024 The second show features Radio Telstar South on the 'Free Radio Spot'. 20MB
15mins
1978_01_15_sun_emr_6265sw_mailbox_show_studio_tape-gh115.mp3 New Jul 2024 Following comments by Barrie Stevens on the tape, here is the third show from Sunday 15th January 1978 which is the 'Mailbox Programme' with Roger Tate. 65MB
47mins
1978_03_19_sun_emr_6265sw_second_birthday-gh100.mp3 New Jul 2024 A few minutes of the 2nd Birthday broadcast on 19th March 1978. Recorded in Leeds from 6265kHz. 5MB
6mins
     
1979_03_18_emr_experimental_relay-gh100.mp3 New Jul 2024 A short clip of an 'experimental relay' on 18th March 1979. It is thought that this was relay with announcements from the ground wave of one of the main frequencies. The exact frequency was not noted on the original tape. 3MB
3mins
1979_05_17_sun_emr_studio_offshore_tapes_2nd_birthdayshow-gh512.mp3 New Aug 2024 A studio recording of part of the 2nd birthday broadcast. This is introduced by Barrie Stephens and then mixes into the offshore memories section which was broadcast before the special 2nd birthday show with Barrie, Roger Tate, Steve Reading and Norman. 75MB
92mins
1979_11_18_sun_emr_7325sw_international_service-gh64.mp3 New Jul 2024 The EMR 'International Service' of EMR with the French, German, Swedish and Dutch Services from 18th November 1979. As received in Leeds on the 41MB / 7325kHz outlet. 75MB
81mins
1979_11_18_sun_emr_7325sw-dx_programme_fr_spot-gh64.mp3 New Jul 2024 Again from Sunday 18th November 1979, here is the EMR DX Programme, which is followed by part 2 of the 'Free Radio Spot' featuring ABC England. As received in Leeds on the 41MB / 7325kHz outlet. 77MB
84mins
1979_12_16_sun_emr_7325sw_test_to_north_america-gh64.mp3 New Jul 2024 This is a recording of part of a 16th December 1979 test to North America which was carried out before the regular broadcast commencing at 0900utc. This seemed to be a tape on repeat.  As recorded in Leeds fom 7325kHz. 21MB
23mins
1979_12_16_sun_emr_7325sw_signon_international_shows_fr_show-gh64.mp3 New Jul 2024 The International service from shortly after sign-on on 16th December 1979. This is partly airchecked and includes the Swedish service and the Dutch service. The Free Radio Show follows and featured Thameside Radio. As received in Leeds on the 41MB / 7325kHz outlet. There was some strange interference at times. 54MB
64mins
     
1980_03_16_sun_emr_studio_side1_0900-1030-kbc180-06.mp3 New Jan 2024 Side 1 of an original C180 broadcast cassette for Sunday 16th March 1980. EMR signed on at 0800GMT, but this section runs from 0900-1030GMT and starts with the Dutch language part of EMR International. The 'Free Radio Spot' follows with Radio Telstar South, and then  EMR DX with Barry Stephens and Al Muick, which actually cuts off early. (The rest must have been on another tape.) Barry was announcing the station would close if they didn't receive enough letters. This is a studio recording, although being on a C180 meant the playback is a little tinny. 128MB
94mins
1980_03_16_sun_emr_studio_side2_1030-1200signoff-kbc180-06.mp3 New Jan 2024 Side 2 of the above C180 broadcast tape for Sunday 16th March 1980. This section starts with Roger Tate and the 'Mailbox Programme', which should have been 1030GMT but may have been later due to the extended DX programme, and is followed by the Barry Stephens Flashback Programme. Includes what sounds like a live sign off from site asking for letters. This is a studio recording, although being on a C180 meant the playback is a little tinny. 128MB
94mins
1980_04_20_sun_emr_6235sw-7325sw_airchecks1-ghe597.mp3 Updated Oct 2023 Part one of some airchecks taken from both frequencies of 6235kHz and 7325kHz on Sunday morning 20th April 1980.  The file starts with Peter Verbruggen with the Dutch service, then the 'Free Radio Spot' with Manchester's Radio Aquarius before the DX show with Barry Stephens, Chris Patricks and American news from Al Muick.  Recorded in Leeds from both frequencies.  There is a lot of crackling and fading at times. 30MB
44mins
1980_04_20_sun_emr_6235sw-7325sw_airchecks2-ghe597.mp3 New Oct 2023 Part 2 of airchecks from Sunday 20th April 1980, with the end of the DX show and a lot of the Mailbox show with Roger Tate.  After stating the station might close down, the station received over 150 letters in response. Recorded in Leeds between both frequencies.  There is a lot of crackling and fading at times. 28MB
40mins
1980_04_20_sun_emr_studio_0755-0930_signon_emr_international-kbc180-11.mp3 New Jan 2024 Side 1 of an original C180 as broadcast tape for Sunday 20th April 1980. The station received so many letters they did stay on the air. This section starts with Barry Stephens signing the station on at just before 0800GMT and then 'EMR International' in Swedish, French, German and Dutch. Studio recording, although being on a C180 meant the sound is a little tinny. 128MB
93mins
1980_04_20_sun_emr_studio_0930-1100_freeradiospot_emr_dx_mailbox-kbc180-11.mp3 New Jan 2024 Side 2 of the above original C180 broadcast tape for Sunday 20th April 1980. This section starts at 1030GMT with the 'Free Radio Spot' featuring Manchester's 'Radio Aquarius'.  EMR DX follows the Free Radio Show, which includes Barry Stevens, Al Muick and Chris Patricks, before the start of the Mailbox show with Roger Tate. The remainder of the broadcast, which contained the end of the Mailbox show and Robert Bond was on another cassette. This studio recording, although being on a C180 meant the sound is a little tinny. 129MB
93mins
1980_06_00_emr_documentary_side1-ghe479.mp3 New Oct 2023 The late Roger Tate introduces Side 1 of the European Music Radio history cassette. He talks to EMR station founder Barry Stephens about the history of the station and plays jingles, promos and programme extracts. This documentary was compiled around June 1980 after the station had been on the air for over 3 years. This is a studio recording. 106MB
46mins
1980_06_00_emr_documentary_side2-ghe479.mp3 New Oct 2023 Side 2 of the EMR history cassette. 103MB
45mins
1980_06_29_sun_emr_studio_international_freeradiospot-kbc180-10.mp3 New Jan 2024 Another of the EMR original C180 broadcast cassettes.  This is part of the 5th Sunday of the month Free Radio Network combined broadcast on Sunday 29th June 1980. This section of the combined broadcast included the EMR International Service in French, German and Dutch followed by the Free Radio Spot with Mike Knight giving a history of Radio Jackie. 122MB
89mins
1980_06_29_sun_emr_studio_emr_history_abc_radio-kbc180-10.mp3 New Jan 2024 Side 2 of the above C180 broadcast tape from Sunday 29th June 1980. This section includes the end of the EMR History, a link by Barry Stephens and then the ABC Radio part of the Free Radio Network broadcast. ABC had recently had difficulties due to problems with the Home Office.  121MB
87mins
     
2009_06_21_sun_emr_6140sw_signon_barriestephens-1030signoff_miketaylor.mp3 New Jan 2024 In later years EMR broadcast using the facilities of stations in other parts of Europe. Here is a sign-on and Mike Taylor until sign-off on 6140kHz. Recorded near Blackpool from 6140kHz.  28MB
30mins

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Part of an article from the Sun of Wednesday 6th August 1980
with a comment by Barry Stephens of EMR.

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