Basher Bangers

Bashers' journey with Soul music and broadcasting spans nearly 45 years. It all began back in 1977 when he landed a DJ slot at a popular South Manchester nightclub called The Sandpiper. That’s where he met Amanda, now his wife of 41 years.

One of his proudest moments was helping Mick Hucknall (of Simply Red) discover the hit 'Money’s Too Tight to Mention'. Mick was a regular at The Sandpiper, and he passed him a tape of the original version by The Valentine Brothers, brought over from the States. Basher has always been a passionate student of Soul, and around 1985 he took that passion on air with his first broadcasting role at KFM Radio in Stockport. Since then, Basher has worked with numerous radio stations and performed at countless all-nighters alongside legends like Richard Searling, Mike Shaft, and Greg Wilson.

Over the years, Basher has shared studio time with artists such as Lisa Stansfield and interviewed many big names in Soul. Bashers' love for the music is still as strong as ever. He makes it a point to attend gigs whenever he can and stay open to modern Soul sounds. Basher believes it’s important not to be “trapped in the past,” so his shows feature both timeless classics and fresh 21st-century grooves.

Every year, Basher is proud to be part of the Printworks Soul Festival in Manchester, an event that draws over 40,000 people and raises money for The Christie Hospital. It’s an honour for Basher to give back to the community and support the cause through the music he has loved his entire life.