John's first hit pick: Running from Paradise - Daryl Hall & John Oates.

As Mercia Sound celebrated 2 years of success John wrote:

"Mercia Sound has meant a great deal to me in the two years or so I've been with the company - after all, they had the good sense to employ the girl who became my wife - so it can't be that bad! The Mercia Sound area is the place I call home now, and that's important, isn't it?"

John Warwick and Mercia 220 jingles

John reading the travel news

Promo for Pancake day race 1981

More audio from John as Mercia Sound celebrated 10 years

John left Mercia Sound in 1984 to help launch Hereward Radio.



Hereward radio test transmission

Hereward radio station opening

Radio Broadland jingles


Tributes to John:

by Steve Lee:

Although I can't say I actually worked with John at Mercia Sound I do have two special little memories. Firstly I sat in his studio and watched him present his last breakfast show which I recorded and still have on tape. I remember Stuart coming into the studio to say goodbye live on air and making a joke about "it's cobblers John" as he was off to Hereward Radio (Northampton) and it was a reference to the local football club.

His last record was called 'The lunatics are taking over the asylum'! and to ensure it was backtimed up to the news correctly he played it off an open reel tape. In later years I was on holiday in North Norfolk and gave him a call when he was working at Radio Broadland in Norwich (another great local station until a certain group got hold of it)!

Anyway once again I found myself sitting in his studio (drive time i think it was). Sadly that was the last time I saw him.

Thanks for those two special memories John.