A select group of Americans may be familiar with the name John Peel, thanks to the late air personality’s time at BBC Radio 1, where he brought progressive rock, punk acts, dub reggae and electronic acts their first national airplay in Great Britain.
Few Americans, if anyone, may be familiar with the name Janice Long. In the United Kingdom, Long is perhaps as equally iconic as Peel, thanks in very large part to their on-air chemistry as the hosts of BBC Television’s “Top of the Pops” program.
Today, anyone who has ever watched TOTP or was raised on Radio 1 is mourning her death, which came on Christmas Day following “a short illness.” Long was 66 years old.
Long’s agent, Nigel Forsyth, released a statement that confirmed her passing on December 25. She married longtime partner Paul Berry in 2017, with whom they have two adult children; Long died at home.
Much like “Nightbird” Alison Steele at WNEW-FM in New York and “The Madame” Jo Maeder at WHYI “Y-100” in Miami, Long was a female pioneer of both radio and TV in the U.K. She was the first woman to regularly present “Top of the Pops,” the BBC’s equivalent of “American Bandstand” with perhaps greater influence than MTV at a time when music video channels were barely known across Europe.
Long enjoyed a 40-year broadcasting career, and began her career in 1979 at BBC Radio Merseyside. She’s end up at BBC Radio 1, the national pop music station, in 1983 and became the first woman to hold a regular daily show in an era when Dave Lee Travis, Jimmy Savile, and Paul Burnett were some of the biggest presenters of Top 40 music and enjoyed a global following thanks to the BBC World Service.
Her influence was profound at home, including co-hosting duties for the BBC’s coverage of the Live Aid concert in 1985, perhaps the biggest year for Long as a TOTP co-host. With music videos surging in global popularity and Top 40 music at new heights, TOTP had reached a new peak. Long’s championing of acts such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood, a U.K. phenomenon months before they first charted in the U.S., didn’t go unnoticed by the band, which Tweeted that Long “always had our back. Condolences to her family and loved ones.” Long was the first broadcaster to interview them on the radio and play a demo of their song “Relax.” Other bands and artists Long gave their first national exposure in the U.K. to include The Smiths.
Long would also work at BBC Radio 2, the Adult Contemporary ratings giant across the U.K., and before that held the morning shift for Global-owned Alternative Rock brand Xfm. She also worked on the wake-up program at GLR. Long most recently worked at BBC Radio Wales, where she had hosted her own evening show. A tribute to Long will air at 7pm BST (2pm Eastern) on Monday, Dec. 27. It is to be hosted by Adam Walton.
BBC Director General Tim Davie commented, “Janice Long was a stellar presenter, who was loved and respected across the industry and her passing is a huge loss to music, broadcasting and the BBC. Over 40 years she blazed a trail across Radio 1, Top of the Pops, Radio 2 and 6 Music to name just a few, before building a wonderful show and loyal following on BBC Radio Wales. She will be missed by her fans, listeners and colleagues. All our thoughts are with them, Janice’s family and her friends.”
Lorna Clarke, Controller of Pop Music for the BBC, added “Everyone in pop radio was saddened to hear of the passing of Janice Long. She was long admired for her role as a talent spotter and new music champion, giving Frankie goes to Hollywood and Amy Winehouse their first radio sessions, as well as lighting the way for female radio and TV presenters throughout the industry. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends at this sad time.”
