FEATURE:
The King of Rock and Roll
PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Magowan
Why It Is Great to Have Shaun Keaveny Back on the BBC
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I will try not to uncover…
PHOTO CREDIT: Shaun Keaveny
some old wounds and expose history, but one of the biggest shocks in recent years was when the great Shaun Keaveny left his BBC Radio 6 Music show in 2021 after fourteen years. Seemingly being offered work he didn’t want to and nudging him off his afternoon show, it was terrible when he announced he was leaving. His final show was a mix of sadness and celebration. So many people were unsure of what he would do after that. Would he ever come back on the airwaves?! It was not long (2021 in fact) when he created Shaun Keaveny’s Community Garden Radio. The listener-run station, which was started with producer Ben Tulloh, is still going strong today and is its own little empire. Keaveny’s Friday show runs between 1-3 p.m. There are other broadcasters who have their own shows. It is expanding and this exciting award-nominated platform. So innovative and community-driven. Listeners contributing so much and, as Keaveny has pointed out, he has a lot more freedom and flexibility in this format – including the chance to be political, honest and let out a few swears! Quite a bit has happened since 2021. His podcast, The Line-Up with Shaun Keaveny, seems to be on hiatus at the moment (which I hope ends and we see new episodes). It is always baffling why shows and series are cancelled when they are successful and popular. That need to make change. If Keaveny’s departure from BBC Radio 6 Music has afforded him more variety and freedom – and is a blessing -, you do wonder about some other decisions. The BBC cancelling the terrific Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny. A series that has at least a few more series in it, I wonder why that went. In any case, one cannot dwell on losses and deficits…
Shaun Keaveny’s Daily Grind was also a casualty. More to do with attrition that anything else. Putting out a daily podcast for nearly a year was a massive and admirable undertaking. I believe it will be back in some form. Maybe a weekly instalment. Together with producer Ben Tulloh, it was a tremendous listen! The Shaun Keaveny audio network reaching Global. Since his final show with BBC Radio 6 Music, Keaveny has presented on a variety of networks. He has been on Greatest Hits Radio, BBC Radio London and Virgin Radio. He has also appeared on a number of podcasts. In terms of broadcasting achievements that he can tick off his bucket list, there cannot be too many left. I would like he will substitute for someone on BBC Radio 6 Music once and show the station what they are missing! As nice as it is to hear Keaveny on other stations, he does sound especially comfortable and natural on BBC Radio 2. Presenting from Broadcasting House, I can understand why he loves being there. In the heart of London – near Regent’s Street, there is a particular buzz and energy there -, when he substitutes for Liza Tarbuck now and then, it is good to hear an audible smile from someone who, three years ago, left a long-running BBC Radio show. Later today (at 5 p.m.), Shaun Keaveny stands in for Rob Beckett. Sandwiched between the legendary Bob Harris and Tony Blackburn (a cosy place to be!), we will get a two-hour Sunday warmer for Keaveny. A great way to end the weekend! I do love how Keaveny has presented various different slots for BBC Radio 2. I would love him to host Pick of the Pops on Saturday or even stand in for Dermot O’Leary on a Saturday morning. He is this super sub that can pretty much fit into anyone’s shoes. A station that has a lot of love for and trust in!
This brings me, rather long-windedly, to my main point. Sadly, the iconic Johnnie Walker had to step down from presenting on BBC Radio 2 because of ill health. On Friday night (1st November), Keaveny presented his first episode of The Rock Show. It must be bittersweet. As someone who holds Johnnie Walker in high esteem – in fact, he is Keaveny’s radio hero and a huge source of inspiration -, it is also a massive gig. A permanent one! That is important. Shaun Keaveny permanently back on the BBC. I guess it might impact how he interacts on social media and what he posts, though not much will change. It is this security. A terrific long-running show that he took to like a duck in water. Even if he was a bit nervous (understandably!), he was naturally in his element. There was a bit of Led Zeppelin played. I hope he manages to squeeze in another of his favourite bands, Dire Straits, in a future episode. I do hope that we get a new interview with Shaun Keaveny. His reaction to taking on The Rock Show. How he reflects on 2024 and his hopes for the future. Maybe his top-five Rock songs or advice he would give to young broadcasters. A major talent with a wide and very loving fanbase, here is a broadcaster with decades ahead. I do think the best is still to come. Even though his current slot is esteemed and it must be a dream come true, Keaveny will be on our radios for many years more. Who knows what other shows and ventures he will have. Maybe some new podcasts and some career-defining moments. I am especially pleased for him. Three years ago, when he tearfully signed off his final-ever BBC Radio 6 Music show with a thanks to everyone who was a special time him (the tears came thick and fast when shouting out his wife), few thought he would be back on the BBC. Fortunately, as we head towards Christmas and the end of 2024, Keaveny has a lot of positives to reflect on. Aside from some losses – a couple of podcasts -, there have been many gains.
Some great exposure on other networks. Some very happy memories and an expansion of Shaun Keaveny’s Community Garden Radio. The Rock Show must be the icing on the cake! A weekly slot on the biggest network in the U.K. is something to be very proud of. The new King of Rock and Roll has accomplished so much in a few years. If you want to hear some reflection on his departure from BBC Radio 6 Music and life after, then there are some great interviews. Where he also talks about Community Garden radio and a daily podcast. I would recommend this GQ interview from last year. There is this interview from The Guardian. Shaun Keaveny chatting about his Community Garden Radio. A sense of liberation he felt. Even though he is back on the BBC, he has the best of both worlds. As a pioneer of listener-led radio and this lo-fi and low-key show that comes from a small office in Fitzrovia, he also broadcasts on the BBC on a huge show. It must be a dream for every broadcaster! I am not sure if the tone and dynamics of CGR will change now he is a permanent fixture back on the Beeb, though I hope not. We need to give the wonderful Shaun Keaveny all the freedom he deserves. One of the hardest-working broadcasters in the country, this is a new phase in his career. Apart from some minor changes (perhaps he will need to hold back on some political opinions). I wanted to send lots of love and a hearty salute…
TO the legendary Shaun Keaveny.