Kiss FM: From Radical Radio to Big Business

The inside story behind the success of KISS FM, the former London pirate radio station, is revealed for the first time by Grant Goddard in his new book ‘KISS FM: From Radical Radio To Big Business.’ The subtitle of the book is ‘The Inside Story Of A London Pirate Radio Station’s Path To Success.’ In 1985, KISS FM had been just one of many illegal pirate radio stations in London playing black music that had been largely ignored by licensed broadcasters. By 1989, KISS FM had won an FM radio licence to broadcast legally in London, having fought off dozens of competing bids from some of the biggest names in broadcasting and industry. By 1991, KISS FM was attracting an audience of one million listeners a week, making it one of the most successful radio station launches in British broadcasting history. The inside story of how a small London pirate radio station was transformed into one of Britain’s most successful youth brands is uncovered in this new book. KISS FM’s remarkable trajectory was the culmination of a long-running campaign for a black music radio station in London that had been started in 1970 by soul music pirate Radio Invicta.
The book also documents the determination of the government and the commercial radio industry to rid Britain forever of pirate radio stations, and the abject failure of their desperate efforts. Goddard was a senior member of the KISS FM management team that steered the transformation from weekend pirate station to successful radio broadcaster. His detailed account will be of interest to KISS FM listeners, the dance music community, media students, broadcast historians, pirate radio enthusiasts and business readers interested to understand how a successful enterprise can be built from almost nothing. This comprehensive, meticulously researched book offers a rare glimpse into the dark and secretive world of pirate radio in London, revealing the naked ambition and greed of some of those involved, as well as the duplicity and lies deployed to destroy others who got in their way. At the same time, it charts the achievement of Goddard’s childhood ambition to launch Britain’s first licensed black music radio station, and the consequences of that success. Author Grant Goddard is a London-based media analyst specialising in the radio broadcasting sector.
For thirty years, he has worked in the radio industry as a senior manager and consultant, in the UK and overseas, and has written extensively about the radio business for consumer and trade magazines. This is his second book.

Author Biography

Grant Goddard is a London-based media analyst specialising in the radio broadcasting sector. For thirty years, he has worked in the radio industry as a senior manager and consultant, in the UK and overseas, and has written extensively about the radio business for consumer and trade magazines.