Keith Martin (2 April 1934 – 21 February 2024) was a British disc jockey and broadcaster born in Sandwich, Kent, known for his involvement in UK pirate radio from its earliest days and extensive work as a television continuity announcer.
Keith Martin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 April 1934 Sandwich, Kent, England |
| Died | 21 February 2024 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Gary Courtney |
| Occupation(s) | Radio DJ, television presenter and continuity announcer |
| Years active | 1959–2024 |
Life and career
editKeith Martin was born in Sandwich, Kent, England on 2 April 1934.[1]
Martin was involved with offshore radio from the very earliest days of pirate radio in the United Kingdom. He worked as an announcer on the first pirate station to broadcast to the United Kingdom, the Radio Veronica English-language broadcast CNBC, which ran from 1960 to 1961. He recorded programmes for the subsequent ventures GBOK and GBLN (known as the Voice of Slough) in 1962, but these were never aired.[2][3][4] Later he joined Radio Atlanta as a disc jockey, staying on until in 1964 when it merged with the offshore radio station Radio Caroline, at which point Martin presented broadcasts alongside then future BBC DJ Tony Blackburn from the MV Mi Amigo.[5]
Following his stints in offshore radio Martin had a longer career as a continuity announcer for various TV stations, however not completely severing his links he broadcast on Radio 390 under the alternate moniker Gary Courtney.[6] He worked regularly for ABC, the North and Midlands weekend contractor until 1968. From 1971 to 1998 he worked as an announcer for Anglia TV. He also announced for ATV, Yorkshire Television, Southern Television, Television South, LWT, Pearl and Dean, and the BBC. Martin subsequently became a voice coach with a client list that included British Prime Minister John Major.[1]
Martin died from cancer on 21 February 2024, at the age of 89.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Martin, Keith". Showreel. 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Leonard, Mike (1996). From International Waters 60 Years of Offshore Broadcasting. Forest Press. p. 53. ISBN 9780952768401. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ Clark, Ray; Rosko, Emperor; Skues, Keith (2014). Radio Caroline The True Story of the Boat that Rocked. History Press. ISBN 9780750954730. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ "The Voice of Slough". Offshore Radio Museum. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Skues, Keith; Kindred, David (2014). Pirate Radio An Illustrated History. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445637761. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ "The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame". The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Keith Martin (a.k.a Gary Courtney) 2nd April 1934 – 21st February 2024". The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
External links
edit- thetvroomplus.com - Listing for Keith Martin on Continuity Announcers website.
- Keith Martin at IMDb
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