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Pop Went The Pirates Trivia Quiz

The Golden Age of Pirate Radio

How well do you remember the golden age of Pirate Radio? All questions relate to stations and broadcasts that could be received in the UK.

A multiple-choice quiz by Supersal1. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Supersal1

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
270,456

Updated
Dec 07 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
822

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act spelled the end for many pirate radio stations. When did the Act come into effect? Hint

August 1967

September 1967

August 1968

September 1968

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which year did Radio Caroline start broadcasting? Hint

1964

1963

1962

1961

3. Ronan O'Rahilly, Radio Caroline's founder, purchased a Danish ex passenger ferry to use as a radio ship. He was a huge fan of President Kennedy, and named the ship "Caroline" in honour of Caroline Kennedy. What was the former name of this ship? Hint

Fredericia

Kirsten

Erica

Elskede

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Question 4 of 10

4. "Official" broadcasts by Radio Caroline started at noon on 28 March 1964. The first record played was "Not Fade Away" by the Rolling Stones. Who was the DJ who hosted the first broadcast? Hint

Tony Prince

Simon Dee

Stuart Henry

John Peel

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Question 5 of 10

5. Radio Caroline offered all day pop music, which was unheard of in the UK at that time. Within a year of its first broadcast, it had more listeners than all three BBC radio stations. Radio Caroline merged with Radio Atlanta, thus gaining a second ship. What was the name of this ship Hint

Mi Amigo

Mein Freund

Mon Ami

Mijn Vriend

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which station broadcast from the MV Galaxy? Hint

Wonderful Radio London

Radio Veronica

Radio North Sea International

Radio 270

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these stations was a land based rather than an offshore radio station?

Hint

Radio Mercury

Radio Veronica

Radio Jackie

Radio 270

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which DJ was fired from Wonderful Radio London in 1965, and also from Radio 1 in 1970, for making disparaging remarks on air? Hint

Kenny Everett

Kid Jenson

Dave Cash

Johnnie Walker

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these DJs did not start their broadcasting career with a pirate radio station? Hint

Tony Blackburn

Dave Lee Travis

Noel Edmonds

Ed Stewart

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Question 10 of 10

10. Wonderful Radio London complied with The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act and shut down within hours of The Act coming into force. Other than its theme tune, what record was the last one played on Wonderful Radio London? Hint

"Hello Goodbye" by The Beatles

"Silence is Golden" by The Tremeloes

"Let The Heartache Begin" by Long John Baldry

"A Day In The Life" by the Beatles

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act spelled the end for many pirate radio stations. When did the Act come into effect?

Answer: August 1967

The Television Act of 1954 gave the BBC and selected independent companies the right to broadcast in the UK. The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act extended the laws to cover offshore broadcasts.

2. In which year did Radio Caroline start broadcasting?

Answer: 1964

Radio Caroline's founder, Ronan O'Rahilly, also managed several pop artists, including Georgie Fame. In the early 1960s BBC radio only had one programme a week playing popular music, and they would only play records by established artists. He tried to get Radio Luxembourg to play one of Fame's records, but learnt that the station was sponsored by four record companies, who would not let them play anything that was not on one of their labels. Undeterred, Ronan decided to set up his own offshore radio station, and thus Radio Caroline was born.

Answer: Fredericia

Although other radio ships were already broadcasting, Radio Caroline was the first to specifically aim its broadcasts to the UK mainland.

4. "Official" broadcasts by Radio Caroline started at noon on 28 March 1964. The first record played was "Not Fade Away" by the Rolling Stones. Who was the DJ who hosted the first broadcast?

Answer: Simon Dee

Simon Dee's real name is Cyril Nicholas Henty-Dodd. He later went on to star in his own TV show, Dee Time. Actress Elizabeth Hurley has claimed that the Austin Powers character was modelled on Simon Dee.

Answer: Mi Amigo

All the names mean "My Friend". The MV Caroline became Caroline North and broadcast from off the coast of the Isle of Man. The MV Mi Amigo broadcast from off the Essex coast as Caroline South. In 1980, its anchor broke during a storm and its crew had to be rescued by lifeboat. The Mi Amigo sank, but its radio mast remained visible for a further six years.

6. Which station broadcast from the MV Galaxy?

Answer: Wonderful Radio London

Radio North Sea International broadcast from ships named Mebo, Mebo I and Angela. Radio Veronica broadcast from the Borkum Riff and the MV Norderney and Radio 270 broadcast from Oceaan 7.

7. Which of these stations was a land based rather than an offshore radio station?

Answer: Radio Jackie

Radio Jackie started broadcasting in Southwest London in 1969. As of August 2007, they are still broadcasting, albeit legitimately these days!

8. Which DJ was fired from Wonderful Radio London in 1965, and also from Radio 1 in 1970, for making disparaging remarks on air?

Answer: Kenny Everett

Kenny frequently made irreverent remarks on air, particularly about religion. Wonderful Radio London carried sponsored American Evangelical shows, so Kenny had to go.

9. Which of these DJs did not start their broadcasting career with a pirate radio station?

Answer: Noel Edmonds

Noel Edmonds' first presenting job was as a newsreader on Radio Luxembourg. Dave Lee Travis and Tony Blackburn started out with Radio Caroline, and Ed Stewart with Wonderful Radio London. All of them subsequently worked for BBC radio over the years.

Answer: "A Day In The Life" by the Beatles

All three of the wrong choices were No. 1 hits in the UK in 1967. I think all of them would have been appropriate for such a sad occasion.

Source: Author Supersal1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor JuniorTheJaws before going online.
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