Tony Blackburn is best known as the first DJ when the BBC launched its new pop station Radio 1 in 1967, but his career actually began as a singer. A doctor's son born in Guildford, Surrey but mostly raised in Bournemouth, Blackburn excelled at sport until sidetracked by music and deciding to embark on a career as a singer. He sang with different orchestras and bands, although his most serious shot at pop stardom came with Tony Blackburn & The Rovers (which at one point included the singer songwriter Al Stewart on guitar), recording his first single Don't Get Off That Train in 1965. His career took a different turn when he ran away to sea to become a DJ on the pirate station, Radio Caroline, later jumping ship to join its rival Radio London; his easy patter and effervescent personality making him one of the most popular of the new breed of pop presenters. Blackburn never abandoned dreams of pop stardom, however, continuing to record singles like Come A Little Closer and Is There Another Way To Love You, even as his radio career blossomed. The higher profile accorded by Radio 1 encouraged his singing aspirations further and he continued to record tracks written by top songwriters throughout the 1970s, such as Lou Christie's Paper Song. His imaginary Radio 1 pet dog inspired the single Arnold in 1975 and he even obscured his true identity recording Tomorrow Night (1977) under the name Big Daddy & The Sugarcanes, I'll Do Anything (Anything She Wants Me To Do) as Lenny Gamble (1978) and Christmas Time as Brandy Snaps (1980). Yet while he proved he could sing, he never did achieve that elusive hit and remains best known as a long-surviving radio DJ.
