T:  07751 613221

The Best Of British 

        - home - training - publications - radio - radio production - 

The Best of British is a celebration of the cream of British pop and rock music from the last 60 years. The show doesn't just cover the classics from the 1960's, 70's and 80's - we celebrate current and new artists who contribute to the rich variety of music produced by the British music industry. The show is produced and presented by Philip Grant who is working on a second series to be broadcast later this year. Originally produced for the on-line station Surrey Sound, the show has recently been broadcast on Wey Valley radio. You can listen again to some of the longer features from the programme.

Philip Grant writes:
This series of shows is one I have enjoyed researching and producing. However in celebrating the best that we have, I have not limited myself to the 60's or 70's. There's a lot of good music produced today. I am not particularly into nostalgia. I think we tend to look at the past through rose-tinted spectacles. I would certainly not want to go back to the 60's and 70's and the political upheavals of union power. Do you remember the three day week? and when pubs closed at 2.30pm in the afternoon? Or the British Rail sandwich?

There are many people of my generation who talk about the good old days and how, in their opinion, they don't write songs today like they used to. As Tony Blackburn said in an interview last year, "although we look back at the 1960s and ’70s as something of a golden age for music, this is partly because we only play the good stuff today. A lot of real rubbish came out in the ’60s as well - but we forget about that."

The aim of the programme is to cover the large variety of pop and rock music by British artists over the last 60 years. I'll be featuring, not just the recording artists, but the producers, the songwriters and putting the music into context to the time they were made.

I hope you enjoy what I've chosen and if you have any suggestions I would love to hear from you. Email Philip 

Listen Again

Chris Rea
Born and raised in Middlesbrough, Chris Rea is known for his distinctive, husky-gravel voice and slide guitar playing. This extended feature celebrates his career and music.

Moody Blues
This feature looks at the music of the Moody Blues and in particular the 1967 album 'Days of Future Passed'.



Steeleye Span have been recording and performing for 50 years. In 2019 they released their latest album "Steeleye Span est. 1969"and have just completed a tour to celebrate the 50 years. This programme looks at the band's history from when they were formed in 1969 and reveals where the band name came from. Featuring interviews from Maddy Prior and members of Fairport Convention, this is a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band.
(broadcast on Wey Valley Radio 5 January 2020)