Radio London – Remembering Mel Howard

Mel Howard has died in his native Winnipeg, Manitoba, after a short illness.

I was privileged to be able to attend the First North American Offshore Radio Reunion and meet Mel in Vancouver in July 2004. (As it turned out, this was to be the only North American Offshore Reunion.) Broadcasters from Caroline North and South, Radio London and Radio Scotland had flown in from around the world to attend, but Mel had only a short journey as, at the time, he was living locally. However in 2007, Mel travelled to London to attend the Radio Academy Celebration of Sixties Offshore Radio.

Mel had joined Caroline South as a DJ in 1965 and went on to broadcast on Radio Scotland in 1966.

North American Offshore Reunion 2004 attendees, clockwise from back row, Ben Healy - Radio Scotland (242), Steve Young - Caroline South, Tony Prince - Caroline North, Lorne King - Radio London, John Kerr - 242, Bryan Vaughan - Radio Atlanta, Caroline South, 242, Mick Luvzit - Caroline South and North, Mel Howard - Caroline South, 242. Front row, non-pirates Mary Payne and Kenny Tosh.

The boat people on a visit to a Vancouver local radio station

The boat people back on the water

From this Christmas greeting that Mel sent in 2021, it's clear that he cherished the memories and the comradeship of his time aboard the Mi Amigo and later, the Comet.

MEL'S CHRISTMAS GREETING, 2021

To "All Ships at Sea"... At this Christmas season, I will reflect: We, many of us, had a great desire to try our luck AND "jovial" voices "on-air" off the coasts around the UK, now, so many long years ago... The stations that sprung forth in the '60s were incubators of our talents and dreams that, in great part, made us what we are today
I am reminded of those first days that listeners moved away from late night Radio Luxembourg and over to your voices and the joy and excitement they brought. Since then, I have had the deepest pleasure and memories of working with a group of "cherished chaps" on Radio Caroline South and Radio Scotland. I won't forget them.
It's at this time of the year and as it is about to see the calendar move, once more, to welcome in yet another, that I send you all from my snow-covered corner of the world, a most sincere wish that you are all healthy and holding fast, the memories and moments you can still see in your deep night dreams, of the rolling waves, feel the gale-force winds, the rhythm of the swells and the welcoming sunshine sight of the tender that came alongside to take you "home" again! Not to forget the cheers and screams of those who saw you as the New Music Messiahs of their generation!
Amidst the gloom that this cursed virus brings, may you find hope, warmth, and comfort surrounded by family and friends (not too close!) over these festive times!

Those were the days my friends..... Take care of yourselves, Stay Tuned, Mel Howard

––––

Rest in peace, Mel. Your friends from the radio ships won't forget you.

Photos from The Radio Academy Celebration of Sixties Offshore Radio can be viewed here.