'The Mighty Quinn'

Mike Quinn's motto has always been "enjoy yourself and the audience will; what you give is what you get back". Watch an interview Mike did with Gary and John Walker (from the famous Walker Brothers) on Gary Walker's YouTube site here. His broadcasting career started when he presented BBC Television's pioneering pop show, "A Whole Scene Going" with Barry Fantoni. After going to Manchester with the show and getting a great reaction in the clubs, doing live shows became "his thing". He soon met the Radio London Big L team and became their roadshow DJ, and Tiles Club at 79 Oxford Street was his first big gig with Kenny Everett. He took the Big L roadshows from the famous Marquee Club in London around the Big L listening area and has happy memories of many shows in Southend and Folkstone, as well as other places.

With the closure of Big L Mike turned to "on air" radio and got his first experience with BBC Radio One doing the runaround with the Radio One Club. Prefering live audiences the late 60s saw Mike compéring various tours by The Beach Boys, Scott Walker, Gene Pitney and the Bee Gees to name but a few. His best remembered gig of that era was compéring The Who Show also starring Jimmy Hendrix with the Beatles and the Stones in the audience. Beat that!!!

Around this time Mike made three records which you will find listed in the Millenium Record Collectors Book: Someone Slipping Into My Mind, Toothbrush Nell and Apple Pie, all of which were novelty records. "That was fun" says Mike.

Now these songs are available to listen to on the Web, have a look at this link Mike's Songs

Between making records Mike was a regular guest on Juke Box Jury and presented Thames Television's 'Come Here Often.' Later he produced a record called 'Don't Let Life Get You Down' from the musical Smike, sung by Lional Morton - the lead singer from the Four Pennies.

In the 1970s Mike toured Denmark with his Disco Road Show sponsored by Jolly Cola, and became an instant hit in the clubs gaining a huge following. When he returned to England in the early 80s he joined Radio 210 in Reading and worked on various time slots from late night to breakfast. He brought many famous stars to the station for interviews including Sir Cliff Richard, Phill Everly, Hank Marvin, Ella Fitzjerald, and Eartha Kitt, to name but a few. He also worked on the Reading Rock festival for four years until 1986 when he moved to Bournmouth to briefly work for Radio 2CR. He then went on to record his own shows which were broadcast by Radio F in Germany. He also took his Disco Road Show to Greenland which he says was "an experience". In 1997 Mike was in Norway presenting on Cold FM entertaining HM Forces there. "Yet another experience I will never forget" he says.

In 1998 and 1999 Mike returned to broadcasting in Reading, a town he had always loved, where he established a fine reputation and a large enthusiastic following working for Radio 210 some years ago. This time he was with Reading 107FM where he did stints as evening presenter and afternoon show host. He quickly proved that he was fondly remembered in Reading town!

Mike was next heard on Total Rock Radio along with Tommy Vance, Andy King, and Krusher. Mike says "I really enjoyed working with Tony Wilson for the first time, it was a great experience".

Mike has also returned to the airwaves of Reading yet again, let him take up the story: "I was delighted to be approached by Crown FM for their latest broadcasts. The guys wanted to try something different with me, and why not! I interviewed the high flyers in the Reading Area on a Dessert Island format. I also co-hosted a show with Bobby Gee Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 1p.m. to 4p.m. live from Crown FM Studios in the Broad St Mall". Mike says "My recent interview with Uri Geller on Crown FM was fun, he bent a spoon in the studio, and talked about his close friend Michael Jackson. He's a very interesting guy".

The photograph at the top of this page is Mike as he looks today (handsome of course!), but thanks to a school scrap book clipping from Radio London super anorak Mary Payne we can see just how he looked in the Mike has worked with and interviewed a myriad of stars. Click here for some of his photo collection and here for an amazing list of those he has interviewed and are on tape in his personal archives.   Watch an interview Mike did with Gary and John Walker (from the famous Walker Brothers on Gary Walker's YouTube site here. You can hear Mike on Blast Radio most Tuesday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm. Mike will not be available some weeks due to prior commitments. Click to listen.