| David Rodigan's passion for the music |
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With 20 seven years in broadcasting, popular radio jock and sound system selector David Rodigan says it's his passion for the music that has kept him in the game all this time. |
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With 20 seven years in broadcasting, popular radio jock and sound system selector David Rodigan says it's his passion for the music that has kept him in the game all this time.
Rodigan, who is from London, hosts the popular London Calling show on Hot 102 FM. He will engage one time top radio jock Barrington 'Barry G' Gordon in a musical showdown this evening at London Calling, which takes place outside Cuddyz in New Kingston.
Rodigan's interest in reggae developed as a teenager in the early 1960s.
"I saw Millie Small on television performing My Boy Lollipop, and I thought that song was so exceptional. That's when my love affair began. And to this day I am still buying records," Rodigan explained. He added: "The music back then was underground and it wasn't recognised by the media as such. Eventually it grew from being street music."
Rodigan's earliest experiences of playing records for others were during lunch breaks in the gym at Gosford Hill School in Kidlington, Oxford, England. But it was the acting bug that bit him later on. He landed a place at the Rose Bruford drama school in Kent, where the highlight was his one-man dramatisation of Yevtushenko's Zima Junction at the Little Theatre in the West End.
His career in radio broadcasting got going in 1978 at Radio London. He moved to Capital Radio, where his radio shows became so popular that reggae promoters were reportedly nervous to be promoting events during the hours that he was on the air.
Rodigan freely admits that he has a tremendous love for music which has kept him on top of his game over the years.
"The love for the music. If you get hit by this bug, there is no antidote. I'm always looking for new material, the next big thing that's going to blow up. The music is forever changing."
Rodigan has clashed on many occasions with local sound system selectors and radio jocks. Among them are Gordon and GT Taylor. "Barry G and I go back a long way. It's a joy to work with him, because we came from the same school of broadcasting and entertaining," Rodigan said.
Rodigan has done stints at the popular BBC Radio in London. These days he does active duties at KISS FM. Highly respected for his work and considered the man who determines the reggae hits from a European perspective, Rodigan says the biggest record in England at present is Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley's Welcome To Jamrock. The song, which features a sample of the Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare-produced World A Reggae Music (originally recorded by Ini Kamoze), is reportedly the top selling single in the UK at present.
"It's absolutely phenomenal what that record has done. Brilliant timing and style from Junior Gong. That song is being played all over, but we have been playing it from last October. Also immensely popular here is Footprints by TOK.
That song has touched the hearts of people and it has a great melody to it," Rodigan explained.
At London Calling in New Kingston, Rodigan says hardcore dancehall music fans can expect a selection of music that will leave them on a high.
"I am very honoured to be playing in Jamaica again. It's like my second home," he said.
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Posted by: Hacki
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| LINK:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20050602... |
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