Rock TV & radio

Before the internet turned everything into algorithms and autoplay, rock fans had to hunt for their heroes. They tuned in religiously, flipped through creased magazines, and stayed up late hoping for a glimpse of their favourite bands on telly. If you were part of the tribe back then, you’ll remember: discovering music felt like uncovering treasure.

This was the golden age of rock media in the UK — when radio, print, and television worked together to turn fans into lifers. MoR Revisited pays homage to Vintage Rock Radio, Magazines and TV.

The Friday Rock Show – Our Weekly Pilgrimage

For many of us, Friday night meant one thing: The Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio 1, hosted by the legendary Tommy Vance. From 1978 to 1993, Tommy brought heavy metal into British homes like it was high art — and we treated it as such.

He had that unmistakable voice — warm, commanding, just the right side of theatrical. Every week, he’d introduce the latest from the NWOBHM underground, the rising tide of American thrash, or some obscure Scandinavian band that sounded like they were recorded in a dungeon (because they were).

You’d sit by your tape deck, ready to hit record, praying the DJ wouldn’t talk over the intro. And if he did? You kept it anyway. Because this was your lifeline — and you were building your sonic identity, one Maxell cassette at a time. Still got those tapes? ME TOO!

Metal Hammer – With a more European perspective, Metal Hammer dug deep into both legacy acts and emerging heaviness. Big on visuals, big on credibility — and it’s still going strong today.

Hit Parader & Circus – The American invaders. These mags gave us peeks into the glammy, larger-than-life LA scene — bands with bigger hair, bigger boots, and arguably bigger egos.

There was a monthly ritual to it all: head to WHSmith or the corner shop, scan the covers, grab your copy, and pore over every word. You memorised tour dates, learned lyrics from scratchy scans, and yes — you probably cut out the centre poster and stuck it on your bedroom wall.

These weren’t just media platforms. They were initiation rites.

They made you feel part of something — a brotherhood and sisterhood of riff-worshippers, headbangers, and devil-horn-throwers. They gave us stories, mythologies, and the thrill of discovery.

And they taught us something that today’s infinite scroll often forgets:

Good things were worth waiting for.

Whether it was waiting for Friday night, for your tape to finish, for the new Kerrang! issue, or for the telly to load up a clip of Slayer live in Germany… that wait made the payoff electric.

What Were Your Rock Media Rituals?

Did you stay up late to watch Raw Power on a school night?

Still got a shoebox of radio tapes in the attic?

Which band did you first discover through Kerrang! or Metal Hammer?

We want to hear your stories. Post in the comments, tag us on socials, or email us a photo of your old bedroom wall shrine. 

Let’s relive the glory days — together.