F.Y.I.

iHeartRadio Australia launches new station Radio Dead with Steve Penk

iHeart Radio Australia is bringing UK broadcaster Steve Penk’s radio station for dead musicians to Australia – Radio Dead.

The announcement:

iHeartRadio Australia has partnered with UK broadcaster Steve Penk, to create the world’s first radio station that only plays music by artists who have died.

The past 18 months has been a sad period in the world of music with the death of many influential, iconic music stars like David Bowie, Prince, Glenn Frey (The Eagles), Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) George Michael, and Chuck Berry to name just a few.
Inspired by the music he loved, UK broadcaster Steve Penkcreated and launched Radio Dead and now he has brought it exclusively to iHeartRadio across Australia and New Zealand.

“The idea came to me after so many incredible artists died in a very short space of time,” Penk said.

“Radio Dead is an interesting, compelling and globally unique format that pays tribute to all the amazing artists who are sadly no longer with us, but have left behind a wealth of amazing music that most other radio stations ignore, or at best, very rarely play anymore. It’s a way of showcasing all of these brilliant artists to a new generation of listeners who may not every have heard this music before.”

It’s not just solo artists and or lead singers of famous bands who are featured on Radio Dead.

‘It’s important we also remember all the talented drummers, guitarists, keyboard players and backing singers from famous bands who have died, and it’s this that makes Radio Dead a truly fascinating and unique listen,” Penk, who is also the presenter on Radio Dead, explained.

So, although Bruce Springsteen is still alive and well, you may still hear ‘Born To Run’  because Danny Federici, a founding member of the E Street Band, died April 17th 2008 in New York City.
“There is nothing negative about Radio Dead, it’s an uplifting, joyous, positive tribute to some amazingly talented people who are sadly no longer with us. They may be gone but their music lives on, and this is why Radio Dead connects with thousands of music lovers across the world. I’m looking forward to being part of the amazing iHeartRadio listener experience and can’t wait for Australia and New Zealand to hear Radio Dead.”

iHeartRadio COO Geraint Davies said: “This is yet another way iHeartRadio is able to give listeners a tailored, personalised entertainment experience featuring the artists they love and the music they want – anywhere, anytime. iHeartRadio listeners already enjoy hundreds of genre specific and customised stations and I am excited to be adding Radio Dead to our platform to celebrate the life and work of so many iconic artists.”

Source: The Comms Department

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.