Jazz FM marks Robbie Vincent’s 80th birthday with special tribute
Jazz FM has celebrated the 80th birthday of legendary broadcaster Robbie Vincent with a special programme looking back on his influential career in radio and music.
The tribute, broadcast to mark Robbie’s birthday on 9 June, featured an in-depth conversation about his journey through some of British radio’s most important stations, from BBC Radio London in the 1970s to LBC, Radio 1 and Jazz FM.
Hosted by Chris Philips and produced by Jazz FM Head of Content Chris Gilvear, the programme explored Robbie’s role in shaping the UK’s jazz, funk and soul scene, as well as introducing audiences to artists from both sides of the Atlantic.
During the interview, Robbie reflected on his early days at Radio London, where he helped pioneer phone-in radio before becoming a music presenter.
He also discussed his time at Radio 1 during the late 1980s and his various stints with Jazz FM, including his return to the station in 2021 following appearances during its 30th anniversary celebrations.
The programme highlighted Robbie’s influence on the explosion of British jazz, funk and soul during the late 1970s and his role in supporting the generation of DJs who later became known as the “Soul Mafia”.
A number of artists and broadcasters paid tribute to Robbie’s impact on their careers. Contributions came from David Grant of Lynx, Bluey from Incognito, Laura Doyle and Lois Levin, all of whom have benefited from Robbie’s support and enthusiasm for new music.
Trevor Nelson also appeared on the programme, explaining how Robbie inspired him and even played a part in his first ever on-air shout-out.
Music featured throughout the show included tracks from artists Robbie championed during his career, including Maze, Second Image, Incognito and Bob James, many of whom gained significant exposure to UK audiences through his programmes.
Reflecting on the tribute, Robbie admitted he was surprised by the attention and touched by the contributions from those involved.
He said: “The special programme was not my idea because I know less about me than others. I was flattered by the kind messages from music makers like David Grant and Bluey, and the music players like Chris Philips and Trevor Nelson. They all knew more about me than myself!”
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You can listen back to the special programme on the Rayo app.