BBC Radiophonic Workshop
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was first created in 1958.
From the very first moment that you hear of its existence, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop captures the imagination. The name alone presents an intriguing notion, and this is immediately followed with the promise of an exciting exploration into the world of sonic possibilities.
The idea that there is this laboratory somewhere across the Atlantic that employed artist and technicians working together with the sole purpose of creating new, interesting and appealing sounds is both unbelievable, and completely fascinating!
My friend Pete had mentioned it's existence to me in passing, but it was only years later when I became obsessed with Doctor Who that I pursued the topic further and discovered how truly amazing that it all really was!
The Radiophonic Workshop took on the responsibilities of musicians, composers, and foley artist in a way that had never been seen before. Their work was presented in the form of mass media entertainment, accompanying everything from Television Drama and Children’s entertainment all the way to commercial jingles and station identification. This seems completely incongruous with all accepted notions of what constitutes the publics taste, and what we consider to be fringe, or experimental music.
One important component of the Radiophonic Workshops magical charm is a woman named Delia Derbyshire. She is most well known for assembling the now famous Doctor Who Theme, but in many ways she exist as an iconic symbol of the workshop itself.
Here we have this cute young woman creating electronic magic in some long ago time, forever out of your reach.
In my pantheon of schoolboy crushes, I imagine the two of us staying up all night and recording tape loops and pop songs together.
Eventually we marry. We are very happy.
Fantasy aside, I think that this is a really interesting subject that is worth your time to check out.
Please enjoy a look into the world of early electronic sound.
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