Tracks of My Years

by Ken Bruce

The Ken Bruce Show on Radio 2 is a national institution, much loved by millions of loyal listeners. Ken has been broadcasting for many years, although the suggestion that he was the first person to announce the retreat of Bonnie Prince Charlie`s army from Dundee is untrue. Now he reveals how his dream of working in radio kept him going through the wilderness years of accountancy (not a successful career choice) and his stint at a car hire company (a surprisingly dangerous occupation in 1970s Glasgow). He finally landed a job at Radio Scotland and then switched permanently to Radio 2 in 1985, where he has been ever since. Ken writes hilariously about the technical mishaps that often threatened disaster and the wonderful, and sometimes eccentric, characters he has encountered throughout his career. He also describes the many famous people he has interviewed, his fellow DJs and life at the Beeb. Witty and warm, this book is sure to appeal to his many fans. .

Genres: Autobiography, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2009

Reviews

[Theediscerning]

Insightful and self-denigrating, just as you'd expect - I wish I'd read this years ago when still able to listen to the great man. A strong four stars - if only a more updated edition was available.

[Jeff Howells]

The latest addition to my bizarrely large collection of radio DJ autobiographies (several Wogan's, Jimmy Young, John Peel, Annie Nightingale, Johnnie Walker, both Radcliffe & Maconie amongst others). This is fairly run of the mill stuff, packed with anecdotes, slightly dismissive of BBC management, surprisingly honest about his marriage break ups, drinking & son's autism. Difficult not to read it without hearing Ken's voice in your head...

[Kelly]

I was really happy when I found this in the library as a HUGE Ken Bruce fan and while I did enjoy it, I felt really bogged down by the lists of programmes and names involved. I know it is all part of his history, and a lot of it could just have been my mood whilst reading but I felt myself getting a little bored.

[Debbie Nolan]

Interesting read. Great to understand the background to how one of my favourite radio shows came together