Absolute Radio 40s pop-up station to commemorate VE Day

Absolute Radio is to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8 May by launching a pop-up radio station dedicated to the 1940s.

The service will broadcast across the UK on 1215AM in place of the main Absolute Radio station for the day and will also be on DAB in London.

Presenters on the station will include Dave Berry, Jason Manford, Leona Graham and Claire Sturgess playing songs from artists including Billie Holliday, The Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Gracie Fields, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Vera Lynn.

For those who have been inspired by war veteran Captain Tom Moore’s story and want to know more about World War II, Absolute Radio 40s will play special news bulletins which chart events as they unfolded on 8 May 1945.

While VE Day celebrations have been scaled back nationwide, Absolute Radio 40s will allow listeners to mark the occasion. Uniting care-homes, hospitals and residences across the country, the station aims to create the biggest virtual self-isolation street party in the UK.

Absolute Radio Content Director Paul Sylvester says: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day is a momentous event in our history and it’s tragic that celebrations have had to be rightly curtailed because of the Coronavirus.

“The incredible music and compelling stories you’ll hear on Absolute Radio 40s will bring comfort and entertainment to those older listeners in self-isolation and remind the rest of us of the importance of this day.

“Taking the Absolute Radio decade strategy and creating this unique pop-up station for 24 hours is the simplest way that we can pay our own very small tribute.”

For one day only we bring you Absolute Radio 40s! Commemorating VE Day with a special day of 1940s music, stories from WW2 veterans and special programmes so you can host a virtual street party at home. Friday 8th May ?#VEDay pic.twitter.com/vLT7CZqLtQ

— Absolute Radio (@absoluteradio) April 28, 2020