Many Capital Returns

Episode Two: The Press and the Patricians

<p>David Symonds’ personal reflections on 50 years of Capital Radio</p>

Capital Radio celebrated its Golden Jubilee on October 16th. These days a national brand, 50 years ago Capital became Britain's first music-based, legally licensed, independent local radio station – serving the conurbation of Greater London. The man who presented the very first show on Capital was David Symonds. His breakfast show hit the airwaves immediately after chairman Richard Attenborough's opening greeting at 5.00 am. Still broadcasting 50 years later, David tells his amazing personal story and reflects on Capital's hair-raising journey to air, its brush with bankruptcy just days from closure and its unique connection with Londoners. His guests include many Capital pioneers, members of the board and the teenagers who, in 1970 on a beach in Sussex, dared to dream the dream of launching their own station.

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