Pilot Of The Airwaves

Album: Where to Now (1979)
Charted: 66 13
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Songfacts®:

  • Released in 1979, this ode to an unnamed DJ was a big hit for the London born singer-songwriter Charlie Dore in 1980, reaching #13 on the US Billboard chart; unsurprisingly it also received heavy airplay in the UK, although it didn't do nearly as well.
  • "Pilot Of The Airwaves" runs to 3 minutes 53 seconds, but a radio edit minus the extended guitar solo and running to 3 minutes 15 seconds was also pressed.
  • The B-side of the radio edit was "Sleepless," but the B-side of the extended version was "Falling." The song was produced for Island Records by Alan Tarney and former Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch.
  • "Pilot Of The Airwaves" was the last song played on the offshore UK pirate station Radio Caroline when it closed on Bonfire Night (November 5), 1990. The station eventually resumed broadcasts in various forms. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments: 3

  • Kevin Wood from UkIn reference to the note that says it was the last record played on Radio Caroline before it closed “forever”. Radio Caroline is alive and well on 648kHz serving the UK and parts of Europe
  • Nick Stavrakis from Cape TownLove this song, the lyrics and especially the guitar solo. Does anybody know who the guitarist is and where he plays today?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyCharlie Dore's only Top 100 record, could be peaking at #13 was an omen!!!
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