FEATURE: We’ve Only Just Begun… The Final Shaun Keaveny BBC Radio 6 Music Show

FEATURE:

 

 

We’ve Only Just Begun…

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PHOTO CREDIT: Sean Adams

The Final Shaun Keaveny BBC Radio 6 Music Show

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THIS will be a fairly long review/tribute…

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PHOTO CREDIT: Charlotte Bond

but, as the irreplaceable and hugely loved Shaun Keaveny bade farewell to his loyal and passionate listening family yesterday on BBC Radio 6 Music, I wanted to reflect on the final show after fourteen years at the station. I also wanted to pay tribute to – not for the last time, I can assure you! – a broadcasting legend. I know Shaun looks up to the late broadcast master, Sir Terry Wogan. The love he has for the much-missed icon has been clear. Modestly, Shaun says that he can not measure up to Terry’s genius and legacy. I think, if you listened back to the show yesterday (it was between 1 and 4 p.m.), many would strongly disagree! In the weeks leading up to the final broadcast, Shaun ran a feature: Shaun’s Show Stopper. It was for a listener to guess which song would end the final show. I guess it would be ABBA’s Thank You for the Music (which was played yesterday). As it was, it was the Carpenters’ We’ve Only Just Begun. Listeners (incorrectly) guessed songs that it could be. Shaun kicked himself because he felt their ideas were better and made more sense. I don’t think he could have been further from the truth! The pitch and timing of such a memorable song was perfect. It was an emotional hit and a gentle song that we needed – if he went out on a big and loud track, then it would not have resonated as much.

The lyrics are especially relevant and true. Consider the lines “Before the risin' sun, we fly/So many roads to choose/We'll start out walkin' and learn to run/(And yes, we've just begun)”. Shaun has so many options ahead of him! Broadcasting companies and pretty much everyone will be bidding for his services. His adoring listeners and those who have supported him through the years will follow him with love wherever he goes. I am so sad that he is no longer at BBC Radio 6 Music – though I know that, very soon, we will hear him broadcasting again. I keep joking that he should get a BBC Radio 2 show, as he seems pretty comfortable on the station – though, as it also broadcasts out of Wogan House, London, it is sort of like returning to his old job but not (though many of us would kill to keep him in that building where he belongs!). I will round up by talking about his supporters and the people who turned out to celebrate his final show. The music chosen for the last show was wonderful. The first full-length song was Simple Minds’ Don't You (Forget About Me). There was a theme running in terms of titles – as we heard The Beatles’ Hello, Goodbye and The Sundays’ Here’s Where the Story Ends soon after. The tracks were so good and well-chosen. A mix of genres and time periods, it was almost a shame that he had to play songs from the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist and could not select a few more personal favourites – maybe some of The Wedding Present in the mix?

That is the thing with Shaun. Such a professional to the end. Dedicated to the listeners and the station, his last show featured some awesome music. Not only did him playing ABBA’s Thank You for the Music set most people off; by the time Crowded House’s Don't Dream It's Over was played near the end (the antepenultimate song), I think everyone listening was a mess! There were some special contributors on the show. Al Murray was on the line and read a beautiful poem about Shaun. Simon Pegg was also on hand (from the motorway!), where the two old friends shared some memories and had a great talk. It was emotional but not too sentimental. What shone from them as well as everyone who texted and emailed was the respect there is for Shaun! A broadcaster who, for years, has made us smile, laugh and feel like we have someone in our corner and taking care of us, that void will be felt far and wide! That is one of the saddest things about Shaun going. It is not that we cling to the routine and hate change even though it needs to happen sometimes. It is the presence and importance of that person that leaves. Even if it is a radio show, it means so much to so many people. To take that away after so many years is gutting. One of the main reasons why I have been tuning into BBC Radio 6 Music for so many years is because of Shaun. The cornerstone of the station, he is a broadcaster who brings humour, warmth and a unique style.

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 IMAGE CREDIT: Gus Hoyt (a.k.a. Gus from Bristol)

He is almost a classic type of broadcaster that does not exist anymore. Not that the station lacks great broadcasters…but Shaun is unmatched and an enormously popular figure. I hope that there is a way to preserve the last show Shaun delivered, as it is such an astonishingly powerful and beautiful three hours of radio! The playlist was wonderful and stirred so many emotions. He was his usual blend of funny, cheeky, witty and, well…Shaun Keaveny. The final link (the last couple of minutes) was tear-jerking, heart-breaking and shocking. Shaun paid tribute to everyone who has been there through the years. From, perhaps, one of his best friend, Matt Everitt (who was in the studio during the show, and you know the two will work together again soon) to producers Phil and Zhara (apologies if I have misspelled her name!), through to his wife and former colleagues. A beautifully-written and poetic farewell, those who were fortunate enough to work with Shaun and call him a friend should count themselves very lucky! Shaun said, in his speech, how radio is not ephemeral. It is so much more than that: it is a community. Shaun talked about (the show) this garden being sown and blossoming. The listeners who have supported him and listened through the years helped it come together and flourish. They were such beautiful and honest words! Radio, especially during the past eighteen months, has been so much more than something temporary. It has been a lifeline and a sanctuary. A comfort and safety. Having Shaun keep us lifted and loved was so appreciated and invaluable – and we all will miss that so much!

One of the revelations of his speech was the fact that he was told his show would not continue. We all felt that he made the decision himself and wanted to move on. Knowing this was not the case provoked anger on social media. It is so painful to know that he did not want to go (not now at least). I cannot understand the logic and rationale behind pushing aside someone who helped make the station what it is! Shaun was among the most vocal people to protest when BBC Radio 6 Music was threatened with closure years ago. He has stuck with them ever since and made us all so proud! Even after telling his listeners such a shocking fact, Shaun was pragmatic, dignified and strong. He did not accuse or swear. He did not get angry. Instead, he bravely explained how this (his departure) was part of the ebb and flow. Although we may never hear him back on BBC Radio 6 Music, he is always in our heart – and, as he said, the listeners will always be in his! The phenomenal love that was shown for him through his fourteen years goes to show what a human he is. Of course, there were so many tributes and tweets posted on his final day. Even today, ‘the morning after’ as it were, there are heartfelt posts and so much affection.

The legendary Craig Charles takes over the afternoon slot. He will do a sterling job, though it will be so strange not to hear Shaun on that slot. We will miss his impressions and his features. The way he leaves some dead air and then goes “Ha!”! – almost like a father putting his hands over his eyes and then going “Bo!” to make his baby laugh and know that he has not disappeared (or something more elegant!). I saw Shaun outside of BBC Broadcasting House a few times through the years before his shows. Even though we never met or spoke – but I was there at Maida Vale when he presented his last breakfast show in 2018 -, I felt like I did know him. Here is someone who delivered incredible radio year in year out. We will miss that. Not hearing him and Matt Everitt (who presents the music news) on the same show. Him and Georgie Rogers (who also presents the music news) in the studio together. Such losses! From producer Phil to Small Claims Court, to the always-incredible selection of tracks he plays and the way he supported so many upcoming artists (Self Esteem and Penelope Isles), Shaun’s departure will reverberate for a long time. Loved by musicians, actors, creatives and pretty much everyone from all walks of life, he built a community; a beautiful garden and verdant Paradise that we all felt connected in. It is such a shame that we no longer get to experience that. Shaun will continue and keep himself busy. I know that everyone who listened to him on BBC Radio 6 Music will follow with interest. He is on Twitter, so we cannot get rid of him that easily!

It was especially touching yesterday hearing how many of his listeners travelled down to London to toast him and get together. At a pub around the corner from Wogan House – not sure if it was The Stags Head? -, regular listeners and contributors including Charlotte (from Bristol), Matt from Consett and Beth were there. I was lucky myself, as I was working yesterday from Cleveland Street – it is mere metres from Wogan House, so I could have nipped for a drink without too much of a commute! The fact that his loving listeners made those journeys and came so far to lift a pint (or two!) was one of the most emotional moments of his final show. Shaun got to speak to them in The Open Arms (a fictional pub where he speaks with listeners and the caller gets to choose a drink and have something played on the jukebox). I know that Shaun got to drink with them after the show (as one of the first photos in this feature documents!) – going to prove how in touch he is with his fans and being so ego-less and brilliant. I am going to end (I hope he doesn’t mind) with a video from Matt from Consett that captures Shaun, Matt and producer Phil being carted/taxied down the street waving and looking pretty merry!

After the tears and cheers, there will be some sore heads today! His fan club, the Keavenettes (courtesy of Charlotte Bond) were there to salute a hero of theirs. I am not sure what direction the evening took, but I know there would have been so many people wanting to buy Shaun a pint and wishing him well. He was one of the people. He was one of us! I, personally, wanted to thank him for all the joy he has given me through the years (I hope our paths cross at some point down the line). BBC Radio 6 Music were so lucky to have Shaun Keaveny. He is a major reason as to why the station is so popular and must-hear. Even though the end of a fourteen-year run at BBC Radio 6 Music is so sad, the Leigh-born legend will be starting a new chapter today (make sure you subscribe to his new podcast, The Line-Up with Shaun Keaveny). To paraphrase the Carpenters’ song…

HE’S only just begun.

Sam Liddicott