Mike Read embarked on his show business career by singing and playing guitar in local pubs. His journey in the entertainment industry began to flourish when he moved to Surrey, where he engaged in Hospital Radio. This experience paved the way for his professional broadcasting career, which kicked off at the Thames Valley Radio Station. There, he co-hosted a show with Steve Wright, eventually moving on to Radio Luxembourg. His transition to Radio 1 in November 1978 marked a significant leap in his career. At Radio 1, he presented a Saturday evening show and became a familiar face on the popular music show, ‘Top of the Pops’. He also hosted the ‘Pop Quiz Saturday Superstore’. His tenure at Radio 1 saw him taking on the Breakfast Show for five years until 1986, followed by a Sunday morning show and a Sunday afternoon show playing classic tracks. Mike's Radio 1 journey culminated with ‘The Mike Read Collection’, a Monday evening show that aired from January 1989 to September 1990.
After leaving Radio 1 in 1991, Mike continued his broadcasting career at Capital Gold, presenting ‘The Mike Read Collection’ and later the Weekday Drivetime show between 1992 and 1995. His vast experience in the music industry also led him to become one of the founder editors of the ‘Guinness Book of British Hit Singles’, a critical reference for UK chart music. As an author, he penned ‘Major to Minor: The Rise and Fall of the Songwriters’ and ‘Read’s Musical Reciter’, offering a wealth of trivia from the music business. His television appearances included the ITV reality show ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ in January 2004, and other programs like ‘Heston’s Feasts’ and ‘Celebrity Ghost Stories’. Mike also presented the ‘Golden Hour’ on Total Star FM and ‘Tin Pan Alley’ on Showbiz TV, further cementing his versatile presence in the industry.
Mike Read's talents extend beyond radio and television into the realm of music and theatre. He has written music, lyrics, and/or the book for six stage musicals, including ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. His songwriting prowess led to his compositions being recorded by major artists like Cliff Richard, Don McLean, and David Essex. In 2004, he made a foray into Magic Radio 999, showcasing his adaptability across various media platforms. His artistic endeavours saw him playing a significant role in TV shows for BBC, ITV, Channel Four, and Sky, including ‘Paradise Found’, ‘Life Laundry’, ‘Private Passions’, and specials on Queen, Cliff Richard, and Diana, Princess of Wales. Mike's talent in crafting questions was highlighted in ‘Barrymore’s My Kind of Music’, and he earned the TV Theme of the Year award for ‘More To Life’, the theme to the TV series ‘Trainer’.
As a versatile and prolific artist, Mike Read's contributions span various aspects of entertainment. He has written songs for a diverse range of artists, including Cliff Richard, David Essex, Leo Sayer, and Gene Pitney, showcasing his ability to appeal to a broad audience. His work with choirs like The Kings College Choir and The Rodolfus Choir, as well as the London Community Gospel Choir, demonstrates his versatility. The success of his concept album ‘Songs’, featuring the words of Sir John Betjeman, is a testament to his creative synergy with other artists. Mike's role as co-author of the Guinness Book of Hit Singles and his authorship of over 30 books, including biographies, poetry, and the history of songwriting, highlight his significant contribution to the literary world. His ongoing projects, including his autobiography and ‘The History of the FA Cup Final’, indicate his ceaseless creativity and dedication to his craft.
