Ronan O’Rahilly founder of Britain’s first pirate station Radio Caroline dies aged 79
THE founder of the first pirate radio station in the UK Ronan O'Rahilly has died aged 79.
O'Rahilly launched Radio Caroline off the Essex coast in 1964 to challenge stations that only played music for up to one hour a day.
His death was confirmed by the station, which still exists, today.
Broadcaster Johnny Walker, whose career was launched at Radio Caroline, described O’Rahilly as the man “who made the impossible possible and changed radio forever".
He added: “Thanks Ronan for the incredible experience of being a Caroline deejay and to challenge the Government. You were an amazing man.”
O'Rahilly, who lived in Ireland, had been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013.
He revolutionised radio in 1964 when he set up the station in international waters to broadcast to the UK.
Radio Caroline challenged the BBC, which at the time had the monopoly on radio in Britain and refused to take the rock music revolution seriously.
The backstory of Radio Caroline even inspired the 2009 Richard Curtis film, The Boat that Rocked.
Among DJs to launch their careers at the station were Tony Blackburn and Tony Prince.
As well as founding the radio station, O'Rahilly managed musicians Georgie Fame and Alex Korner.
He also managed actor George Lazenby, who starred as James Bond in Her Majesty's Secret Service.
The star today paid tribute, saying his ex-manager was "very influential on me giving up the role of James Bond back in 1969".
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He wrote on Instagram: "[Ronan O'Rahilly] convinced me to not stay on as Bond - I'd be in danger of becoming part of the Establishment. Something he rebelled against.
"Ronan wouldn't let me sign the Bond contract - kept sending it back."
He continued: "Who knows what would have happened had Ronan not got a hold of my brain? But I don't regret a day of my life. Not a single day. And I still have a great life. Rest well, Ronan. Love George xx."
