One headline in the UK described Steve Wright as a ‘feel-good friend to millions’. That is the odd thing about Disc-Jockeys (DJs) – they touch the lives of countless people both during their careers – and via the internet – through eternal recordings of their broadcasts. Of course, as ‘Steve Wright’ is culture-specific – many of you reading from other countries (my ‘Internationalist’ Comrades) – will understandably possess NO idea about whom I am discussing, and neither should you. In a similar manner, despite respecting all the other cultures of the people who visit this blog – I cannot pretend to understand their inner-workings. We all learn from one another.
I listened to ‘Steve Wright in the Afternoon’ on BBC Radio 1 (aired between 2 pm – 5 pm) during the early 1990s (1991-1994) – when I believe Steve Wright’s creative gifts coincided with the maximum investment of broadcasting resources. After this time, my life changed dramatically and my routines no longer facilitated regular radio-listening. During the mid-1990s, Radio 1 would be brutally purged and DJ’s like Steve Wright would no longer be welcome or present. He tried TV for a time – which I did watch on occasion – but his brand of audial-humour did not transition so well to a visual medium. He then returned to BBC Radio 2 and carved-out an impressive later career of 24-years providing an adapted version of his previous show – a show I did not listen to or could appreciate (I felt it was a ‘parody’ of his earlier success). To me, it all seemed out of time and out of place – but many millions did appreciate what he was doing.
Perhaps there was an ‘Earlier Steve Wright’ and a ‘Latter Steve Wright’ (just like Wittgenstein) – as I am told he was working for the BBC in the 1980s well before I knew of him (I used to listen to Adrian Juste, Kenny Everett and Radio Moscow under the bedclothes at night) during that time. Whilst engaged in reclusive (academic) studies, Steve Wright would accompany me through a strict study and keep-fit regimen. When not reading and writing – I would be lifting weights and practicing martial arts movements, etc. Steve Wright and his humour would align with the freshness and beauty of Spring and Summer – and lift us out of the inherent misery of Autumn and Winter! Lastly, when the capitalist world was going through an orgy of self-congratulation following the collapse of the USSR in 1991 – Steve Wright continued to point-out (in a humorous and acceptable manner) all the inconsistencies that still lay within the capitalist system. As to whether this was his intention I do not know. As he was earning over £400,000 per year – I suspect not.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 