Barry Lang back on air presenting after 23 years

Cube98

From next Sunday Morning 8am till 11 on Classic Hits (formerly 4FM) He was an absolute broadcasting giant for many years and a household name, he left 2fm in February 1998 to become a pilot which he retired from last year, he is still 2fms longest serving drivetime presenter. incidentally himself and Ian Dempsey stated on 2fm the same day and Ian is also still their longest serving breakfast host.

Pelvis Parsley

Larry Bang!

Tork

I wonder has he moved back to Ireland now that he's no longer a pilot? He was living out in Dubai as far as I remember.

Cole

Tork wrote: »

I wonder has he moved back to Ireland now that he's no longer a pilot? He was living out in Dubai as far as I remember.

I think so...I heard Ronan Collins play a request for him a few months ago! I can't remember if it was for his retirement or return to Ireland.

Cole

Cube98 wrote: »

From next Sunday Morning 8am till 11 on Classic Hits (formerly 4FM).

Sunday morning Beatbox 2021

ford fiesta

One of the best.
This show is at the moment, only for 3 weeks.

He should have Drivetime on RTE Gold.

It will be strange hearing Barry not on RTE Radio..
I could never get used to hearing his good friends ex-RTE Ian D and Tony F on Today FM.

Cube98

4fm in its original form would have been a perfect home for him but the current version seems so cheap and automated and most of their current djs could just as easily be on iRadio. Perhaps tho with the licence renewal recently as well as an new program manager that they are now going to give the station more attention.

ford fiesta

The last time Barry was on radio in 1998, there was probably just one computer in the RTE studio for the adverts..
Music / jingles would have being played by Barry.. mostly from CD and Mini Disc/Carts.

Barry's final song on 2FM in 1998 was The Walker Brothers "No Regrets"
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pilot-of-the-airwaves-takes-flight-26199594.html

Declan A Walsh

Cube98 wrote: »

4fm in its original form would have been a perfect home for him but the current version seems so cheap and automated and most of their current djs could just as easily be on iRadio. Perhaps tho with the licence renewal recently as well as an new program manager that they are now going to give the station more attention.

I said it on the Classic Hits/4FM thread that it started off with a lot of people connected to RTE. There are still some though: Damian Farrelly, Nikki Hayes, Enda Murphy and Dusty Rhodes.

Maybe this thread should be merged with the other one.

Losty Dublin

ford fiesta wrote: »

The last time Barry was on radio in 1998, there was probably just one computer in the RTE studio for the adverts..
Music / jingles would have being played by Barry.. mostly from CD and Mini Disc/Carts.

Barry's final song on 2FM in 1998 was The Walker Brothers "No Regrets"
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pilot-of-the-airwaves-takes-flight-26199594.html

2FM had a remote fire off system for their carted ads and jingles years ahead of PC playback. That said, it was somewhat wasted in there as they didn't have the ad traffic to warrant it.

I remember Barry's last show going out on air, and it's God awful montages of big celebrity friends like Ronan Keating and Dustin wishing him well

ford fiesta

Barry got a good send off in 2FM..something that no longer happens on radio these days

Tork

I heard him being interviewed by Ian Dempsey about 10 years ago when they were on one of those Today FM junkets to Dubai. He said that he promised himself that by the time he was 40 he'd not be a DJ any more and would have a "proper" career. Arguably it was the right decision when you look at how many of his contemporaries fell by the wayside. After 2FM the only way is down for most of these guys. Especially now.

joebloggs32

ford fiesta wrote: »

Barry got a good send off in 2FM..something that no longer happens on radio these days

Oh Matron.......

ford fiesta

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I remember Barry's last show going out on air, and it's God awful montages of big celebrity friends like Ronan Keating and Dustin wishing him well

That's a bit harsh to say that - it was an example of radio being harmless fun..the final years of good radio, before the Internet / social media came along ..ruining its mystery and its skill to just entertain and inform.

ford fiesta

Cube98 wrote: »

incidentally himself and Ian Dempsey stated on 2fm the same day and Ian is also still their longest serving breakfast host.

Ian suddenly left 2FM 6 months after Barry 1n 1998

Pelvis Parsley

A good coup for 4FM, Barry is a far steadier fella than say...one G O'C...

Declan A Walsh

Pelvis Parsley wrote: »

A good coup for 4FM, Barry is a far steadier fella than say...one G O'C...

Speaking of Gareth O'Callaghan, he was the original presenter of that love songs show on Sunday mornings that Barry now has.

Pelvis Parsley

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

Speaking of Gareth O'Callaghan, he was the original presenter of that love songs show on Sunday mornings that Barry now has.

Indeed yes, that was what formed the association in my head.

The latter is still rattling around Facebook, tilting at windmills.

I look forward to hearing Barry again, the nostalgia factor will be strong-he was very popular up to the day he left, IIRC.

Declan A Walsh

I have a tape somewhere of Barry Lang on 2FM (or Radio 2 as it was then) in the 1980s playing an extended version of Smalltown Boy by The Bronski Beat. This was when he was on nighttime - not sure if it was a weeknight or weekend.

Skid X

I vaguely remember Barry being the champion behind 'Web Week' on 2FM before he left, long before the Internet was relevant to most people

Maybe he had an idea of where Radio was going when he quit

It'll be nice to hear him back on the air, I have fond memories of him on 2FM

ford fiesta

Barry was the main driver behind the early versions of rte.ie, 2fm.ie and was the first presenter I heard ask listeners to send in a request by e mail in around 1995/1996. I think it was 2fm@iol.ie or something like that.

This video of Barry from a time when most jocks on Radio 2 sported a good thick moustache!
https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2020/0225/1117471-marty-whelans-1986-pancake-tuesday-relay-road-race/

JustAThought

Thread just sums it up. Half the countries media outlets run on interns and work experience and people working for free or for a pittance trying to work their way up and an old boy from the club missing for 23 years waltzes back in. It must really stick in the throat of all those deaperately trying to start a career aNd get ahead in life.

Like that vile old dinosaur on lyric who despises classical music refusing to leave and stating that he will never retire - this after he was given the job against all odds when he had to be booted off rte after decades.

And we wonder why out talent leaves and people cannot get ahead and mental issues dominate everything.

ford fiesta

This is a 3 show stint on a Sunday love songs slot.. hardly going to make any young person unemployed!

sligono1

Think the above poster is just looking a good old troll.

Doodah7

JustAThought wrote: »

Thread just sums it up. Half the countries media outlets run on interns and work experience and people working for free or for a pittance trying to work their way up and an old boy from the club missing for 23 years waltzes back in. It must really stick in the throat of all those deaperately trying to start a career aNd get ahead in life.

Like that vile old dinosaur on lyric who despises classical music refusing to leave and stating that he will never retire - this after he was given the job against all odds when he had to be booted off rte after decades.

And we wonder why out talent leaves and people cannot get ahead and mental issues dominate everything.

Boo hoo for the young 'uns. I couldn't give a toss. Let them whinge on Tik Tok or whatever.

Even after over two decades out of the business they wouldn't be able to wipe the sand off his Dubai boots!

JoeA3

Doodah7 wrote: »

Even after over two decades out of the business they wouldn't be able to wipe the sand off his Dubai boots!

:pac:

I've good memories of Barry on 2FM too. It was 2FM's real heyday, back in the early to mid 1990's. They had such a strong line up of presenters back then, most of them household names at the time.

Cube98

JoeA3 wrote: »

:pac:

I've good memories of Barry on 2FM too. It was 2FM's real heyday, back in the early to mid 1990's. They had such a strong line up of presenters back then, most of them household names at the time.

Back then there was great atmosphere from the station and everyone working there seemed to be good mates, a dj leaving was treated like a relative immigrating to America. The last time I listened properly to 2fm in 2010s it was the complete opposite of that, a toxic atmosphere and presenters just dropped from the schedule without mention.

Cube98

Barry had over 300k listeners to his Drive show but at the time there was no Today FM, No Newstalk and RTE Radio 1s current affairs drivetime show was only 1hour long. It's amazing how much radio has changed even if you ignore online.

ford fiesta

Cube98 wrote: »

Barry had over 300k listeners to his Drive show but at the time there was no Today FM, No Newstalk and RTE Radio 1s current affairs drivetime show was only 1hour long. It's amazing how much radio has changed even if you ignore online.

Indeed different and good days: 7am to 10pm Weekdays Ian, Gerry, Larry, Gareth, Barry, Tony, Dave.

Itssoeasy

Cube98 wrote: »

From next Sunday Morning 8am till 11 on Classic Hits (formerly 4FM) He was an absolute broadcasting giant for many years and a household name, he left 2fm in February 1998 to become a pilot which he retired from last year, he is still 2fms longest serving drivetime presenter. incidentally himself and Ian Dempsey stated on 2fm the same day and Ian is also still their longest serving breakfast host.

That’s amazing that two presenters that left in the late nineties are still over two decades later the longest serving hosts of two different shows.

ford fiesta

Itssoeasy wrote: »

That’s amazing that two presenters that left in the late nineties are still over two decades later the longest serving hosts of two different shows.

Not counting the others such as Larry, Gerry and Dave...

Though since Barry and Ian left 2FM..
John Clarke was the consistent presenter of Ireland Biggest Jukebox for 13 years on a Sunday on 2FM 2001 to 2014.

Will Leahy also had a long stint on his Saturday show, around 10 years 1998 to around 2009.

Doodah7

It is no co-incidence that most of the legends of Irish radio were disc-jockeys that earned their spurs on the pirates when starting out. They were complete professionals not media starlets that turn their hand to a bit of radio or are put into a slot because of their name.

This is the problem with many people on the radio today. They are 'presenters' not DJ's. Larry Gogan certainly would never have considered himself a presenter, and I also doubt many of the other big names did/do either.

s8n

good to hear he is back

ford fiesta

https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/6691031/dj-barry-lang-sadness-tony-fenton-classic-hits/

Just listening in now, great to have him back amongst all the present day bland DJ robot presenters.

Feels like a full circle, I remember his farewell show on 2fm all those years ago

Clon63

He sounded good this morning. His voice doesnt seemed to have aged at all. Grew up listening to him first on The Hotline and then on Drivetime and of course The Beatbox.

Mad_maxx

Cube98 wrote: »

From next Sunday Morning 8am till 11 on Classic Hits (formerly 4FM) He was an absolute broadcasting giant for many years and a household name, he left 2fm in February 1998 to become a pilot which he retired from last year, he is still 2fms longest serving drivetime presenter. incidentally himself and Ian Dempsey stated on 2fm the same day and Ian is also still their longest serving breakfast host.

i remember the day he left 2FM , he was a good presenter , good voice for radio , not Tony ( on your radio ) Fenton good but decent.

has he quit the old pilot work ?

JoeA3

Mad_maxx wrote: »

i remember the day he left 2FM , he was a good presenter , good voice for radio , not Tony ( on your radio ) Fenton good but decent.

has he quit the old pilot work ?

Apparently made redundant by Emirates. But he is 60 odd now, so perhaps nearing the end of this flying career anyway.

I noticed they had jingles with his name check. I suspect this will be longer than a 3 week stint!

I don’t think the show format suits him. Little opportunity for him to do anything outside of play the usual cheesy songs and reading requests out! Maybe that’s all he wants to do, get through the show and get home again

ford fiesta

Mayo_fan wrote: »

I don’t think the show format suits him. Little opportunity for him to do anything outside of play the usual cheesy songs and reading requests out! Maybe that’s all he wants to do, get through the show and get home again

It's a start after 23 years absence off the radio.
I'm sure he will in time get to fill in on other shows across Classic Hits and Nova

Mayo_fan

Mayo_fan wrote: »

I don’t think the show format suits him. Little opportunity for him to do anything outside of play the usual cheesy songs and reading requests out! Maybe that’s all he wants to do, get through the show and get home again

Most of the radio stations have the same tired format at this stage..

beertons

He went from 30 followers on Twitter, when it first broke here he was coming back, to 350 now.

s8n

Mad_maxx wrote: »

i remember the day he left 2FM , he was a good presenter , good voice for radio , not Tony ( on your radio ) Fenton good but decent.

has he quit the old pilot work ?

Fenton wasnt that good

cashback

JoeA3 wrote: »

Apparently made redundant by Emirates. But he is 60 odd now, so perhaps nearing the end of this flying career anyway.

I noticed they had jingles with his name check. I suspect this will be longer than a 3 week stint!

I was on a flight from Dubai to Dar es Salaam two years ago when the standard announcement came on.

"This is your pilot Barry Lang..."

I was thinking, could it be that Barry Lang? Not that there's many I suppose.

Declan A Walsh

cashback wrote: »

I was on a flight from Dubai to Dar es Salaam two years ago when the standard announcement came on.

"This is your pilot Barry Lang..."

I was thinking, could it be that Barry Lang? Not that there's many I suppose.

And if you have any requests, I will see if I have those songs available in the cockpit to play.

twinklerunner

Cube98 wrote: »

From next Sunday Morning 8am till 11 on Classic Hits (formerly 4FM) He was an absolute broadcasting giant for many years and a household name, he left 2fm in February 1998 to become a pilot which he retired from last year, he is still 2fms longest serving drivetime presenter. incidentally himself and Ian Dempsey stated on 2fm the same day and Ian is also still their longest serving breakfast host.

Barry Lang was on from 10pm to Midnight on Saturday and Sunday nights when he started on Radio 2. His show was called ‘Late Vinyl’.

Declan A Walsh

twinklerunner wrote: »

Barry Lang was on from 10pm to Midnight on Saturday and Sunday nights when he started on Radio 2. His show was called ‘Late Vinyl’.

That's when I first heard him on the radio.

ford fiesta

Barry on Classic Hits Saturdays and Sundays 2pm to 6pm, from next weekend

Chuck Noland

ford fiesta wrote: »

Barry on Classic Hits Saturdays and Sundays 2pm to 6pm, from next weekend

That did seem on the cards. Who is he replacing?

Flowergirl201

Chuck Noland wrote: »

That did seem on the cards. Who is he replacing?

I think nikki hayes used to do Sunday afternoon

Chuck Noland

Flowergirl201 wrote: »

I think nikki hayes used to do Sunday afternoon

Has she been dropped or the schedule getting adjusted?