> Newspaper headlines read "POP PIRATES JAM THE WAVES" 

On the morning of March 26th 1964 the 'M.V. Frederica' a former Danish ferry now renamed 'Caroline' left Greenore, Ireland, after being refitted for broadcasting. She reached her anchorage five miles off the coast near Harwich at 6pm the next day. Her first test signals were put out at 9pm and then at noon on March 28th a new era began in British radio history as Radio Caroline broadcast 'Can't Buy Me Love' to the South-East of England. The official launch was the next day, Easter Sunday March 29th. As DJ Simon Dee announced "Radio Caroline on 199, your all day music station".   

Early broadcasts were very much 'middle of the road' but when another pirate station Radio London took most of their audience away with their more 'pop' music approach Radio Caroline adopted a similar style and format. 

UK RADIO - 1964-1967: 'Pirates off our shores' Story to be continued... 

One of the station's early theme tunes was a single by The Fortunes called 'Caroline' - it wasn't a hit record you'll not be surprised to hear but this neat video has some great pictures that capture those days. WATCH HERE. 

A far better 'Caroline' song (and there's been a few down the years) is by Status Quo released in 1973. 

Break out your denim and faded jeans it's air-guitar time 

You may have spotted in The Fortunes video, DJ Tony Blackburn, who worked for Radio Caroline until 1966 when he switched to Radio London. He picked up his OBE this week. From Pirate to a British Empire Award. How times change !