Radio 1

By 1988 Roger was becoming disillusioned with commercial radio and the constraints that market research and standardised playlists were placing upon his shows. So a meeting was organised with Radio 1 program controller Johnny Beerling. A deal was quickly agreed and Roger returned to Radio 1 on the 2nd July 1988.

Initially, Roger was given the network’s flagship Stereo Sequence (which later became The Saturday Sequence) a 5 hour slot on Saturday afternoon often containing interviews and live performances. Roger was in his element as he was given almost total freedom with whom he interviewed and what music he played. Three months later Roger was given an additional slot for 3 hours on Sunday evenings called Scott on Sunday.

It was during his time at Radio 1 that Roger came up with the concept for his Classic Albums series. It was a brilliantly simple idea where Roger interviewed an artist or band, discussing their career defining album whilst playing tracks off the album. The series was also co-produced by Roger and it was the first time ever the BBC outsourced an independent production. The first series started in May 1989 and was aired during the opening hour of Roger’s Saturday Sequence. Then the second series was broadcast posthumously the following year.

On the 8th October 1989 Roger broadcast his final ever radio show. He had been battling with cancer for some time and he simply wasn’t well enough to continue. He turned 46 a few weeks later on the 23rd October. A birthday party had been organised in Wembley and Roger was determined to be there, which he was. This was the last time most people outside his family ever saw him and he passed away a few days later on the 31st October. During Roger’s final weeks there was never any hint of bitterness or ‘why me?’ He was extremely grateful for the amazing life he had led, doing what he loved right up until the end.