To mark the 80th birthday of Bob Harris, a special Radio 2 programme exploring his life and career, will be available first on BBC Sounds.
Bob Harris At 80: A Life In Music sees Zoe Ball in conversation with Harris, reflecting on decades in broadcasting and his role in shaping music radio across the UK, from his early days at Radio 1 through to his current shows on Radio 2.
The programme looks at key moments in Bob’s career, including launching his first Radio 1 show on 19 August 1970 and presenting The Old Grey Whistle Test from September 1972, alongside his work championing artists across rock, folk and country.
Listeners will hear about his interviews with major music figures including John Lennon and the Beach Boys, as well as his experiences during the early stages of David Bowie and Elton John’s careers.
The episode also covers his return to Radio 1 in the 1990s, his time at BBC Greater London Radio and the launch of Bob Harris Country on Radio 2 in 1999, which established a regular platform for country music on the station.
More recent milestones are included, such as Bob receiving an OBE in 2011 and taking over Sounds of the 70s in November 2024 following the death of Johnnie Walker.
The conversation also addresses Bob’s health challenges and his continued work in broadcasting, with Zoe Ball guiding the discussion through both personal and professional moments.
Zoe says: “I feel blessed to call Bob a friend. His incredible stories, from early radio days to The Old Grey Whistle Test and his Country show, have brought the very best of rock ’n’ roll and country into our lives.”
She adds: “He’s a much-loved, one-of-a-kind broadcaster, full of warmth and fun, and he’s shown remarkable strength and courage through his health battles – now in the finest form of his life.”
The programme will be available on BBC Sounds from 6am on 9 April ahead of its broadcast on BBC Radio 2 from 3pm – 5pm on 12 April.
