1966. A boat hosts a handful of crazy DJs in the international waters. On this boat, Radio Rock, a pirate radio specialising in pop and rock music. Pirate but not yet illegal, so the British government is trying to find a way to shut this radio down. Illegality occurs when the Marine Broadcasting Offenses Act comes out in 1967. Despite this, Radio Rock decides to continue diffusing music, but they have to move to avoid getting caught. Unfortunately, the boat’s engine explodes, and the ship starts sinking. Despite calling for help, the UK government doesn’t move, but thousands of fans on boats come to save the DJs in the morning. This story is fiction but extracted from true events. In 1967, 10 to 15 million people were listening to these radios, the population of the UK being 55 million that year.
“- Gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. Which would you prefer ?
– Good news.
– Okay. The good news is the engine has exploded and we’re all going to die.
– Hello, Dr Dave, Radio Rock. How is that good news ?
– I haven’t yet told you how we’re going to die. That’s the bad news.
– How are we gonna die ?
– We’re going to drown in the freezing waters of the North Sea.”