One of the exciting chapters in 1960s pop culture was the rise of pirate radio. Combatting the limitations of national broadcasting in the UK, floating stations were set up to beam music 24 hours a day outside the boundaries of the law in international waters. For many kids growing up in the era, this network of DJs offered a kind of subversive rebellion to the establishment and provided a hearty diet of Rock and Roll. Radio Caroline (launched in 1964) transmitted from two ships anchored off the Isle of Man and Frinton-On-Sea and provided stiff competition to Radio Luxembourg, which had been long supplying the UK with broader content (a great inspiration to early Beatles!). The history of Pirate Radio has been celebrated on a number of sites. Pirate Radio Hall of Fame features a wonderful collection of artifacts and clippings, including original Radio Caroline Club publications. One of my favorite discoveries is 242 Showbeat (previously 242), a monthly magazine published in the 1960s for Radio Scotland that featured news about DJs, musicians, and pop icons. Radio Scotland launched in December 1965 from a former Irish light-ship called The Comet. The station "that swings to you on 242" transmitted to fans in Scotland, Ireland and northern England until the Marine Offenses laws closed them down in August 1967. The magazine sported fun graphics, duotone images, and cool 1960s fashion. I was pleased to see The Man From U.N.C.L.E. appear on issue #1 of 242 (April 1966), spotlighting Glasgow-born actor David McCallum. In addition to the Hall of Fame site above, I can also recommend Radio London for more cool artifacts and historical info. Of course, the best example in the world of espionage is the final black and white episode of Secret Agent, Not So Jolly Roger, starring Patrick McGoohan. According to IMDB, the story interiors were filmed at the Red Sands Fortress, a Thames Estuary anti-aircraft structure from WWII. And the site actually played host to real pirate radio broadcasts in the 1960s by Radio Invicta, King Radio, and Radio 390. The location was used again for the Doctor Who story Fury From the Deep (1968). Spy Vibers can keep riding this wave with the 2009 film, Pirate Radio, starring Lucy Fleming (Ian Fleming's niece), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Emma Thompson Kenneth Branagh, Rhys Ifans, and Bill Nighy- great fun and a fantastic soundtrack. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
Ian Fleming Publications announced recently the new design campaign for their excellent series of audiobooks read by prominent British actors. Originally packaged as the Reloaded series with blue-toned portraits of the readers over a white background, the new set sports dynamic silhouette illustrations based on Fleming's plots, oriented diagonally like a Dutch tilt and printed in duotone. According to IFP, new CD editions of the audiobooks under this design motif will be out in the future. No release date has been announced yet. Meanwhile, fans who missed out on the original Reloaded series in the States have been able to pick up CDs and download files once again with cover designs based on the black and white, geometric Thomas & Mercer (Amazon) book jackets. Learn More: UK Audible, Ian Fleming Publications. Related Spy Vibe Posts: Double 007 Design, Audio: Simon Vance Interview, David Tennant Reads Chitty, Japanese 007 Editions, Bond E-books, Raymond Benson Interview, Ian Fleming Typewriter, Ian Fleming in Japan, Design Dopplegangers, Jon Gilbert Bibliography Interview, Rare Ian Fleming, Ian Fleming: Hawaiian Guitar, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin. Click images for larger view.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Connery On Set, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Road to Hong Kong, Inside Gerry Anderson, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, SPECTRE Announced, Popular Skullture, New Gerry Anderson Sets, New SECRET AGENT set, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Modesty Monday, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
The Reloaded editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, read by prominent British actors, was re-released yesterday in the US by Blackstone Audio. The collapse of AudioGo last year had Bond fans clambering for out-of-print CDs and box sets, but Ian Fleming Publications was able to strike a deal with Blackstone to keep the recordings in circulation. Each 007 title is available in CD, download, and MP3 CD editions. Prices on Blackstone's site range from $10.46 for download to $17.47 (discounted from $24.99) for CDs. Amazon has not updated their pages and still list library-edition prices at around $56 each. Blackstone has ported over the abstract cover designs for each novel from the 2012 Amazon/Thomas & Mercer series (see samples below) and have dropped the "Reloaded" brand. The series features an exciting group of actors, including David Tennent, Kenneth Branagh, Rosamund Pike, Hugh Bonneville, Toby Stephens, Tom Hiddleston, Bill Nighy, Dan Stevens, and many others. Organized by the author's niece, Lucy Fleming, she also participated as a reader for "007 in New York" (Octopussy and the Living Daylights). Live and Let Die (read by Rory Kinnear) doesn't seem to be listed yet, nor do I see box set compilations offered. I was one of the people who bought the Volume One box set two years ago, but missed out on Volume Two when it went out of print. I look forward to hearing these great actors bring the rest of the series to life! Blackstone Audio also continues to offer the wonderful Bond audio series and Fleming/Lycett biography read by Simon Vance, continuation novels Solo and Carte Blanche, and the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang books read by David Tennent. Related Spy Vibe posts: Simon Vance Interview, Audio Book Update, David Tennent Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Enter to win prizes from Spy Vibe, including vintage James Bond, The Saint, andThe Avengers paperbacks. Contest ends September 17th. Details here.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Harry Palmer Blu, One Million Prizes, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Blu-Ray, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Diana Rigg at 76, Gerry Anderson Doc, Mr. Hulot's Box Set, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mod Fashion Dolls, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
Ian Fleming's magical car is racing towards a 50th anniversary celebration! Candlewick Press will release a deluxe hardcover edition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on August 5th. Fleming originally penned the story for his son Caspar, writing out the manuscript while convalescing after a heart attack. Sadly, the author died two months before publication- on Caspar's twelfth birthday. The novel told the exciting adventure about a family with a magical car and their narrow escapes from a band of baddies. You can bet the creator of James Bond made sure
the auto was fully loaded with gadgets and special abilities! 50th Anniversary edition below.
Ian Fleming Publications has produced a series of continuation novels by Frank Cottrell Boyce. The first three stories, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Race Against Time, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon, have been released to good reviews. Candlewick Press published a new edition hardcover of Over the Moon today, so check your local bookshop. The paperback will follow in June. Doctor Who actor David Tennant has recorded audiobook editions of the series. His performance of the original Fleming story was recently rereleased on CD and digital download in the UK and US. Lucy Fleming chats with David Tennant about Chitty, cars, and comics in the clip below.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was filmed as a musical in 1968 with a script by Roald Dahl (You Only Live Twice/1967) and has gone on to become a family classic. A new Blu-ray edition was just released in January. The stage production of the musical was mounted in 2002 and continued with success on Broadway and with international tours. Spy Vibe's earlier coverage of the audiobooks here and here. Listen to Desert Island Discs interviews with Frank Cottrell Boyce, David Tennant, and Ian Fleming. Coverage of the 50th anniversary by Publishers Weekly here. Enjoy!
Spy Vibe is having a spring sale on eBay. New items added very few days and include rare Beatles autographs, James Bond, rare books, music, and comics. Details here.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Jason interviewed about Fleming, Bond, and design here, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, 007 Audio Books Update, Sylvia Anderson, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, Solar & Bionic Man Return, The Saint Library Released, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, James Bond Comic Event, Turkish James Bond Design, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Sherlock Exhibit, Fu Manchu history panel, Striped Light Nude, Buckminster Fuller, Jane and Serge, The Goldfinger Variations, Mod Tales Interview, David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
James Bond readings will return! Ian Fleming Publications recently produced the wonderful Reloaded series of audiobooks read by many prominent British actors. The Series One set included performances of the novels by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead), Toby Stephens (Die Another Day), and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey). After a spectacular launch, the remaining Fleming titles were released with readings by David Tennant (Doctor Who), Kenneth Branagh, Rosamund Pike (Die Another Die), and others. The final recordings of short stories came out last fall and included a special reading of 007 in New York by Ian Fleming's niece Lucy Fleming! The audiobooks were available on CD and for download in England- but only temporarily. With the sudden recent collapse of AudioGo, digital distribution shifted to Audible in the UK, but the CDs went out of print. Fans outside of the UK who looked forward to the second-wave releases have found themselves high and dry, or having to pay premium prices on the secondary market. But you can postpone your plans to knock off Fort Knox. I corresponded with Ian Fleming Publications today and they responded with good news: "Please rest assured- and assure your readers- that
we are working hard to get the 007 Reloaded audiobooks back on the market as
soon as possible, both in the UK and USA. We have found alternative
distributors, but there are a number of hoops to jump through before they can go into
production. They are well worth waiting for!" Thank you to our friends at Fleming Publications for this update. I can't wait to hear the remaining performances. In the meantime, fans can still find excellent readings of Ian Fleming's novels, as well as Lycett's biography, by Simon Vance for Blackstone Audio. See our brief interview with Simon Vance here. Readers may also be interested in checking out David Tennant's current work on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continuation novels.
Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Fleming Letters Mystery, Appropriating Bond, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Spy Vibe is having a spring sale on eBay. New items added very few days and include rare Beatles, James Bond, books, music, and comics. Details here.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Sylvia Anderson, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, Solar & Bionic Man Return, The Saint Library Released, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, James Bond Comic Event, Turkish James Bond Design, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Sherlock Exhibit, Fu Manchu history panel, Striped Light Nude, Buckminster Fuller, Jane and Serge, The Goldfinger Variations, Mod Tales Interview, David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.
