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Up On the Roof — An Up All Night Flashback

It was 50 years ago to the day when four of the very few people in the world who can actually say “I was there” talked to RHOD SHARP about The Beatles’ rooftop concert on January 30, 1969. In a conversation broadcast on BBC 5 Live’s Up All Night in 2019, Let It Be director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Apple Corps’ Kevin Harrington and Ken Mansfield and Metropolitan police constable Ken Wharfe provide a fresh take on the events depicted anew in Peter Jackson’s extended documentary.

Our House – Robert Moore

Robert Moore of Britain’s ITV News stepped out one January morning a year ago into quite possibly the biggest scoop of his career. By luck and judgement he and his crew would be there in the Capitol reporting on the first time in US history that the building had been breached by a hostile force: a force of self-described American patriots.

The Revolution’s Black Soldiers

At least 5000 Black soldiers fought on the colonists’ side in the American war of of independence, despite a tempting offer to join the British forces. When a new school is dedicated to one of them, ALGY WARD tells the story of Marblehead’s Joseph Brown.

Our Town – Chris Hood

Rhod Sharp gets into the rich yachting history of Marblehead Massachusetts with the yacht designer and builder CHRIS HOOD.

Back on your Wireless!

Every other Tuesday at midnight (7PM Eastern) from July 6 2021 with Carole Walker on Times Radio. Even in the digital age it’s nice to see all the UK first editions and watch the next day’s news agenda taking shape.

From the Scrapbook:

The greatest of all TV reporters Martin Bell gave me an excellent piece of advice not so very long ago. It’s a pity now I didn’t follow it. Martin said I should sit down and write 500 words every morning and pretty soon I’d have a book. Which is why I need this picture of a clearly hyper-talented child playing a plastic saxophone to pad things out. Do drop in from time to time and see how my recall is going. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.

What they said:

Listener June Currie

“Your abrupt departure from Radio 5 annoyed me way more than I expected and I was delighted to find your new podcasts appearing last year. I've never written to anyone in this way before ... but I just wanted to add my small thank-you to all the others you will no doubt have received, and ask that you keep providing us with your unique and absorbing podcasts for a long time to come.”

Listener June Currie

Bill Nicholson

"Working with Rhod Sharp was a highlight of my years at USA Today. He’s super-smart, funny, a natural broadcaster and a true gentleman."

Bill Nicholson, former night editor, USA Today

Lord Hall

“There’s so much I admire about what you do and the way you do it. You inspire the loyalty and trust of your listeners. You’ve become their companion over the years – and that’s a very special achievement.”

Lord Hall, Former BBC Director General

Fred Barbash

“For example, the BBC’s Up All Night program - the best English language all nighter in the world, which I came to love while living in London."

Fred Barbash, previously London bureau chief, The Washington Post

Listener Heather Martindale

“Thank you so much for all your wonderful radio life, I cannot tell you how much Heather here in Epsom will miss you.You are a true radio legend."

Listener Heather Martindale

Len Sellars

“He arrived on day one with the professionalism and care that made his program one of most award-winning channels on the BBC. What unfolding time has done is create a global respect, and trust, that is without equal. For more than a quarter century I taught journalism to university students, and I often used Rhod as an example of how it should be."

Len Sellars, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University

Heidi Dawson

“Rhod is a 5 Live legend. In 25 years of broadcasting, he has defined overnight radio in this country."

Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live

Chris Cramer

“He immediately established a huge audience for night time news-talk in totally untried territory for the BBC. That Rhod has continued to hold onto this prized position is a testimony to his longevity, his recognized expertise and his audience who love him."

Chris Cramer, formerly BBC Head of Newsgathering and Managing Director, CNN International