Memory Lane Radio is an online radio station also available on your smart speaker. We’re specifically crafted with the older listener in mind. Whilst other broadcasters say they’re for the more mature music enthusiast, they often don’t deliver on that promise – but at Memory Lane Radio we guarantee to play the songs and artists you simply don’t hear anymore, from Sinatra to Sinitta…..
With one of the countries largest nostalgic music collections we pride ourselves in bringing those memories flooding back as we take you on a journey down Memory Lane.
Whether you’re a fan of the dance bands of the 1930’s & 40’s, long for Louis Armstrong or crave The Carpenters, we’ve got it all and more. But, it’s not all about the music, we also have hilarious comedy material to lighten your day, programmes that specialise in hearing your memories, whether local history – family history or anecdotal stories from your past.
Launching in 2020 and streaming all the classic songs you love 24/7, Memory Lane Radio is your one-stop radio station.
Good times and even better music have finally arrived for listeners around the world. Let us take you on a musical tour of the last six decades, from The Beatles to Bros, you'll hear it all.
And if there's a track of music you think we should be playing - get in touch studio@memorylaneradio.co.uk or call us 0191 6031953
With music being a proven therapeutic tool in prompting memory, we also cater for people living with dementia, helping those affected to recall – to interact and to re-engage using specially selected music that calms listeners at key times of the day.
The expertise behind the sound comes from a small dedicated team including Paul Wappat who has more than 25 years experience of broadcasting for the BBC and Smooth Radio
Click the 'Listen Now' button to enjoy to our live stream
The expertise behind the sound comes from a small dedicated team headed up by:
Paul Wappat
Well-known presenter and producer, with 30 years’ experience in the radio industry, including both the BBC and Smooth Radio
Jude Downing
Senior Sales Executive with 25 years experience at both Chrysalis and Global Radio
Dan Entwisle
News & Features Editor, previously with The Capital Radio Group, GMG Radio and Border TV.
Memory Lane Radio provides so many benefits to the listener. It is a predominantly music based output 24/7, tailored to prompt memory recall, calm symptoms of sundowning and challenging behaviour, as well as assist with activity programmes and promote social engagement.
Memory Lane Radio is streamed via the internet through our website www.memorylaneradio.co.uk
Where no computer/tablet is available, we can also supply and install streaming equipment that simply plugs into an existing Hi-Fi. Ideal for businesses and care homes/sheltered accommodation.
Music is a proven therapeutic tool in prompting memory and engaging people who may have withdrawn from other activities, helping those affected by dementia to recall, interact and to re-engage.
Songs and melodies from the past often have an almost magical effect. And with more than 850,000 people affected by dementia in the UK, reminiscent entertainment is a highly effective tool to help avoid social isolation and to increase engagement.
Memory Lane Radio prides itself on a world-class database of nostalgic music from the 1950’s to the present day as well as owning the exclusive rights to recordings of local comedians and singers unique to the North East. Memory Lane Radio helps to bring special times flooding back with music from crooners such as Bing Crosby, Al Martino, Frank Sinatra and icons of jazz including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong through to Abba, The Rolling Stones and Michael Buble.
Memory Lane Radio’s Brian Clough
Tuesday 7-8pm
Brian Clough has been the voice of Country music for thousands of radio listeners throughout his 40 year career, during which time he was honoured with an award as International Country Broadcaster for Europe, by the Tennessee-based ‘Country Music Association.’
During his illustrious career on a variety of radio stations, Brian has interviewed a wealth of country legends, including Jonny Cash, Don Williams, Ray Stevens and Tammy Wynette.
Brian is no stranger to the country stage himself, having played in the band ‘Country Life’ for many years, and recorded a self-penned song in collaboration with Billie-Jo Spears.
ROGER GRANT
WEDNESDAY 12-2pm AND FRIDAY 11pm-1am
Roger was initially from the Cathedral City of Lichfield in Staffordshire and moved to the North East of England at the end of the 1970s due to work commitments.
In the past, he dabbled in politics both at a local and national level but then saw sense!
He has always had an interest in radio and had the opportunity to become a volunteer presenter with Wear FM, a community radio station in Sunderland at the end of the 80s. He also volunteered with BBC Radio Newcastle for a number of years and was delighted to be invited to join the presenting team at Memory Lane Radio in 2019.
He has a wide taste in music and likes anything from folk to rock with his particular favourites being Cindy Lauper and Echo & The Bunnymen. The first record he ever bought was a 78 of Tommy Steel’s ‘Elevator Rock’ which he has still got incidentally.
MICHAEL BINKS
THURSDAY 7-9PM
Born and raised on Meadowell formerly the Ridges North Shields.
Worked at Northumbria University before going into business.
Loves all outdoor stuff, hillwalking, parachuting and offshore yacht racing.
Having two older brothers I never really needed to buy records and they influenced my music tastes, oldies!! I think the first record I bought was a 6″ single Hey girl don’t bother me by The Tams.
Only started broadcasting a year ago, it shows!!
Fun fact: I stood on Princess Margaret’s foot at Castle Howard.
Family motto. Please is the most important word but Sorry is the most used!
Steve Keys
Saturday night 7-9pm, with the party show, “Dancefloor Decades”
I started entertaining at my first ever disco, back on 19th November 1994 – the same night as the very first National Lottery draw in the UK! This soon led me to hospital radio station ‘Radio Lollipop’, where I was both a presenter and later became their Chief Engineer. In the late 90’s I joined Gateshead Community Radio presenting a Sunday afternoon 80s programme on FM across the North East.
I have always loved entertaining and alongside the ‘DJing’ I was also building up my skills as an event host. I now regularly work across the UK hosting all kinds of events from gala dinners, awards presentations, and can regularly be found working with the Great Run series as part of their team of announcers.
More recently I have enjoyed working with my local BBC Radio station on a freelance basis, as an extra pair of hands for the technical team, at major live outside broadcasts.
When I was asked if I would like to join Memory Lane Radio I didn’t need long to think about it. I love the 70s and 80s classics, and was ready to get back into a bit of radio presenting so it was perfect from all sides.
Away from music, I am also a professional Magician, specialising in close-up, performing at many weddings and restaurants around the North East.
JOHN GELSON
Friday Evening Show 7pm-9PM
I’m your host for two hours of great music and memories to start your weekend on Friday nights. Regular features include our Three After Tea just after 8pm – three relaxing songs chosen specially by an MLR listener. Drop me an email to studio@memorylaneradio.co.uk with your choices and it could be you!
I’ve been involved in radio in one way or another for 35 years – I worked for the BBC in the North East as a journalist, newsreader and presenter for about half that time.
I’m originally from Peterlee in County Durham, and lived in Sunderland, Teesside and Darlington before a move to North Yorkshire in 2013 – two years later I got married to the lovely Mrs G!
These days I run my own PR and media business, Next Stop Communications, and write for magazines including the lifestyle monthly Yorkshire Life.
Fun fact: I collect old radios – at the last count I own over 40 of all shapes and sizes!
First record bought: Age 7 in 1972, from Finlay’s tobacconist in Peterlee Town Centre which also sold records – a double A side, ‘Scooby Doo, Where Are You’ and ‘Mystery Incorporated’! Don’t worry, I’m not going to play it …!
Natasha Binks
Breakfast Show Monday – Wednesday and Friday 7am – 9am
I graduated from university in Film & TV studies at Northumbria! I have always had a huge love of films and of course, music! Music was a big thing in my family, we always had the radio on – and still do! From Disco to Rock, Pop to Country! I remember singing Minnie Riperton’s ‘Loving You’ constantly in the back of the car!
A weird story about me (I don’t see it as weird I see it as smart!) I once rolled down the Smokey Mountain Trail, instead of walking. I was tired, it was humid, think smart, not hard!
I actually bought 2 CDs for the first time with my own money and that was, The Hoosiers ‘Trick To Life’ and The Beatles ‘A Hard Days Night’! Classics! The first vinyl I bought was Queen’s ‘A Night At The Opera’, and now I’ve lost count of the amount of vinyl I have!
Richie Simpson
Breakfast Show Tuesday and Thursday 7am – 9am and Friday from 2pm to 4pm.
I’ve always lived in the North East and started in bands when I was 11 years old and made a living from 1982 after taking my redundancy from the Shipyards in Wallsend, traveling the UK in 4 different bands but mainly as a duo doing some very impressive cabaret and club venues supporting some very famous performers.
I was also a DJ with my mobile disco for many years but always had a longing to be on radio, so my wish has been granted after all these years by being invited onto MLR as a presenter and loving every minute of it.
My first record was from the Jeavens Music Shop in Newcastle and was Cinderella Rockefella by duo Esther & Abi Ofarim 1968.
Hattie Chatt
Monday’s at 7pm, playing top music accompanied by some celebrity birthdays and ‘on this day facts’!
A quick background about me – I’m 23, I grew up in sunny Suffolk and I moved to Newcastle in October 2022 with my best friend. I studied French, Spanish and translation at the University of Birmingham. I love sports, especially gymnastics and I run (albeit very slowly…).
I joined the fantastic MLR in November – it’s my first time broadcasting and I love every minute of it.
Fun fact: my radio debut was aged 7 on The Big Toe Radio Show and I won a t-shirt that I still have to this day
First record bought: my dad made me a mixtape which me and my sister used to dance wildly too – a bit of Kylie Minogue, some Robbie Williams and Madness.
Mike Mac McAnally
Joining us from across the Pond is our friend Mike Mac McAnally. Mac, as his friends call him, is a veteran Radio and Television personality who lives in Minnesota USA.
He claims his mother cried when he was born. “My mother said I was an ugly baby.”
Mac received a radio at the age of seven for Christmas. After staying awake the entire night, he announced to his family he would grow up to be on the radio.
Mac has spent a great deal of time on the radio, but we feel as if he has not grown up…
He claims he has outlived the statute of limitations for that.
Join Mac on Sundays from 2-4 pm as he shares his favourite songs from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s here on Memory Lane Radio.
Chris Hodder
Tune into Memory Lane Radio’s ROCK HOUR, on Wednesday nights from 7pm, and join Chris Hodder to enjoy some classic rock from years gone by, and not so long ago.
Chris was a staff member in BBC Radio Newcastle’s newsroom where he worked from nearly 33 years. He was a news producer, but also from time to time became involved in music shows . During the course of that he met Little Richard, members of IOCC, the lead guitarist of The Animals, Hilton Valentine, Brian Johnson of Budge and AC/DC and many others.
Chris became involved in BBC radio in 1978 on Teesside, beflore moving up the following years to Tyneside , where he met, fell in love, and married a diehard Bob Dylan fan, his wife Mo.
His early years were spent, following school, with a national neews agency firm based in Guildford in Surrey, and then with the Northern Echo in Hartleppol, before becoming a sub editor with the Hartlepool Mail.
Chris has a long memory – his first record as a child, was bought for him by his mum. It was “The Witch Doctor” by Don Laing and the Frantic Five. The first LP he ever bought was “Beatles for Sale”; one of his greatest memories from the ‘Seventies was going with a photographer to the Mecca Ballroom at Southampton where he met and spoke to members of FOCUS, backstage. He remembers their bodyguard was about six foot six tall, and almost as wide! It was though a great gig!
We are a 24/7 radio station purely dedicated to providing nostalgic music and entertainment for the older listener – including people living with dementia, carers and family members alike