Sally Anne Gross, Reader in Music Business, has written an article for The Conversation about the life of BBC Radio 1’s first female DJ and Westminster alumna Annie Nightingale, who died on 11 January.
Titled DJ, Author, Presenter, Mother. Raver Extraordinaire, Gross explores Nightingale’s life and journey to become BBC Radio 1’s first female and longest serving DJ, gracing the airways up until the age of 83.
After studying Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic, now the University of Westminster, she followed her passion for music, writing a music column for the Brighton Argus and later landing a spot on BBC Radio 1.
About her DJing prowess Gross said: “As a specialist DJ, Annie Nightingale created her own style and her own path. She chose to work on the evening sessions because she wanted to play music she liked and to champion new music and new artists. Although daytime presenters know a lot about music, they are not always specialists.
“What is remarkable about Annie Nightingale is that she renewed her specialism with each new musical scene. She added constantly to her knowledge of underground music and when that music went overground, she went on her way again. She was extraordinary in that she was never nostalgic and never looked back.”
She added: “There can never be another Annie Nightingale, she made a path for all of us women working in music to travel on and for that we will be forever grateful.”
Read the full article on The Conversation.
