Absolute Radio has announced that in honour of the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May, it will launch a pop-up radio station entirely dedicated to the 1940s. Created to honour the inspiring
generation of people who lived through the Second World War and the sacrifices they made, this innovative new launch will be made available across the UK for 24 hours.

At a time when sales of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ has soared, Absolute Radio 40s will bring older generations the comfort of a trip down memory lane, by playing an uplifting mix of songs from artists including Billie Holliday, The Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Gracie Fields, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and of course Vera Lynn.

For audiences who have been inspired by war veteran Captain Tom Moore’s story and wish to know more about World War II, Absolute Radio 40s will play special news bulletins which chart events as they unfolded on 8th May 1945. There’ll also be poignant speech content from those who were part of the original celebrations. Presenters featured on the station across the day include Dave Berry, Jason Manford, Leona Graham and Claire Sturgess.

While VE Day celebrations have been scaled back nationwide, Absolute Radio 40s will allow listeners to mark the truly momentous occasion. Uniting care-homes, hospitals and residences across the country, the station will create the biggest virtual self-isolation street party in the UK. Whether audience members wish to listen to heart-warming stories and pay their respects or tip off elderly relatives of their chance to hear some of their old favourites, this 24-hour event on 8th May is not one to be missed.

Absolute Radio Content Director Paul Sylvester says: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day is a momentous event in our history and it’s tragic that celebrations have had to be rightly curtailed because of the Coronavirus. The incredible music and compelling stories you’ll hear on Absolute Radio 40s will bring comfort and entertainment to those older listeners in self-isolation and remind the rest of us of the importance of this day. Taking the Absolute Radio decade strategy and creating this unique pop-up station for 24 hours is the simplest way that we can pay our own very small tribute.”

Absolute Radio 40s will broadcast from 24 hours launching at midnight on Friday 8th May. The station will be available on 1215AM across the UK, on DAB+ in London and online at absoluteradio.co.uk.

Absolute Radio 40s is a co-production with TBI Media who recently partnered with Absolute Radio to create the Front Room Festival, a celebration of live music in self-isolation. The whole project has been made possible thanks to a grant from The Audio Content Fund.

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For further press information, please contact:

Cat Martin – Bauer Media Communications Director (Radio)
M: 07932 746 363

Amelia O’Shea – Bauer Media Communications Manager (Radio)
M: 07718 489342

About Absolute Radio:
Absolute Radio is a national radio station where ‘Real Music Matters’, wrapped up with lashings of personality and mischief from presenters including Frank Skinner, Jason Manford and Dave Berry who have the freedom to say what they think and tell it like it is.

Absolute Radio also has a network of digital decade brands; Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 70s, Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Radio 00s, Absolute Radio 10s, Absolute Radio 20s and Absolute Classic Rock.

Listen to Absolute Radio on 105.8FM in London and the South-East, nationally on DAB or 1215AM, online, via the official mobile app digital TV or voice-activated device. For more information log on to www.absoluteradio.co.uk