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Book Review
Never A Dull Moment
by Keith Richardson
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Never A Dull Moment jacket.
© Keith Richardson.
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Keith Richardson is known to Kiwi babyboomers for his top rating
radio shows on 1XN Whangarei, 2ZC Napier, 2ZB Wellington and to even
more recent listeners on Radio Pacific, Greater Wellington FM, Radio
Fifeshire and others.
'Never A Dull Moment - My Life in Broadcasting and other Diversions'
is a little gem, as Keith lays, no holds barred, 'A Colourful Career'
in front of the reader.
'Top 40' at 2ZC, 'NZ Hit Parade' and 'NZ Top 20' are the record
spinning shows for which Keith is often best remembered, and these
programs with their crazy sound effects, double entendres and more
pushed the limit of acceptability on notoriously fuddy duddy state
radio in the 1950's and 60's.
Keith has enjoyed a very colorful career indeed, and this well
illustrated book takes us inside the dark days, the bright lights and
the lonely nights that tell the gritty story of the lad from the Isle
of Wight who has become what contemporary broadcaster Derek Lowe
calls 'one of the living legends of NZ radio'.
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Keith Richardson.
'2ZB had me autograph this shot for promotion purposes.'
© Keith Richardson.
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'The night I was reading commercial network news on 2ZB and a
listener sent in a carton of beer for the boys. Well, foolishly, but
as you might expect, we imbibed. None of us thought anything about it
until it was my turn to read the 11pm news nationwide. I did very
well until I got to the story about the MOT introducing breath
testing. Then I completely lost the plot, the speech, the words,
everything. The next thing I recall was Dick Weir, my boss, on the
phone to the effect "You're fired."'
This is a great read for nostalgic Kiwi radio listeners, contemporary
broadcasters, todays media students, in fact anyone who wants to make
the connection between popular culture and radio, have a great laugh
and learn some insights along the way.
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A Colourful Career CD jacket.
© Keith Richardson.
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Even better, Keith's old 'tekkie' mate [David Lindsay] carefully kept
many of Keith's great moments on radio and the book comes packaged up
with a brilliant CD.
2ZC listeners will remember the '1280 Porridge Club' - the CD has the
theme; what was the NZ Top 40 in October 1963 - the CD has the show;
Fab 50, ZC Beat, Philips Record Show interview with Julie Felix
[remember her!], and so much more including 'KR Keeps it Moving' from
The Avengers....and of course, there's the famous pork commercial -
the alternative version!
Read the book, listen to the CD and be transported back to some of
the hottest days on public and private radio from an era that Kiwis
will always remember.
SORRY - SOLD OUT
Keith's book 'Never a Dull Moment' is now available for just
$US74.95 including all shipping and handling costs anywhere in the
world,
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Never A Dull Moment jacket.
© Keith Richardson.
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plus
your copy will be personally autographed by Keith,
plus
you will get the CD with all those wonderful nostalgic tracks and
music.
If you enjoyed this review, you'll also enjoy our popular features
'From Hawkes Bay to Replay' by Keith's 'tekkie' David Lindsay, and
'NZ Radio Dial 1978'.
We'll leave the last word on Keith's book and
career to someone who featured so often on those Top 20, Fab 50 and
more hit parade shows:
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'To Keith, thanks. Elvis Presley'.
© Keith Richardson.
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