Dublin-born Steve Conway emigrated to the UK at the height of the mid 80s recession, like so many of his generation. Working as an IT engineer in London Steve's life seemed safe and predictable, until he found himself caught up in the world of illegal pirate broadcasting. Joining a weekend rock music pirate station in South London led to a visit to the famous Radio Caroline ship, Ross Revenge, and a dramatic sea chase. Now determined to join the crew of Caroline, a sudden job offer in the dead of night could not be refused, even though it meant leaving his secure IT job with not even a day s notice. Over the next years, dodging storms, disasters, police roadblocks and the odd flying saucepan Steve rose from the position of newsreader through presenter to eventually become Radio Caroline's Programme Controller. ShipRocked: Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline tells the tale of Steve's life on the (air)waves and the pirate radio ships constant battle for survival and its eventual dramatic shipwreck. In its heyday Radio Caroline had upwards of 23 million listeners and even in later years the audience still numbered over 5 million. The station still runs today, on satellite, and is funded completely by volunteer subscribers, who cover costs, wages, overheads, and even the upkeep of the ship Ross Revenge the last vessel used to broadcast 'Caroline. Radio Caroline has fanclubs and listeners (old and new) in Ireland and the UK plus France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the USA. The owner and founder of Radio Caroline was Ronan O Rahilly, grandson of The O Rahilly of 1916 fame. Irish DJ's and writers who have worked on Caroline include: Gareth O'Callaghan, Paul McKenna, and Stuart Clarke. The station also launched the careers of Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio bosses Chris Carey and Robbie Dale.
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SHIPROCKED is the quintessential story of life on board Radio Caroline. Even though it's set in the mid-80s, it is a timeless read, in so far as it could have been the 60s or the 70s. It cuts quickly to the core of what the magic of Caroline really was. I'll always feel very privileged to have experienced that magic during my time on board the Ross Revenge in 1983, and Steve's wonderful ability to tell stories and create pictures brought all of those memories back to me. Caroline was everything I hoped it would be, along with everything I hoped it wouldn't be especially when I'm reminded of the risks I took to make that era of my life such a memorable time. Steve, you've written the real story, and no movie script can ever better or overshadow the story that you tell so finely and so passionately. Make sure to send a copy to Tony Blackburn. I know he will love it. Well done. --Gareth O'Callaghan - 4FM's Breakfast Show Host
Steve Conway's book is a must read --Noel Welch - Evening Echo
Written in a conversational style with all the geeky zeal of a real radio anorak it's hard to resist Conway's anecdotes about life on board, the esprit de corps that comes with living in close quarters, and the on-going struggles to keep Caroline on air and afloat in the face of much static from killjoy authorities. This is a refreshing tale of an age when pop radio wasn't corporate, playlisted, and unfeeling. --Alan Corr - RTÉ Guide
Shiprocked's heydey comes to life, here, in a lively read perfect for any general-interest collection. --The MidWest Book Review
An invaluable book. --Nick Spacek, The Pitch
Having been a huge fan of Caroline in the 80s, I was absolutely glued to this book and couldn't put it down. Steve was a great presenter on the station and has written a book which I found fascimating. There are lots of anecdotes and stories of derring do which will be of interest to anoraks and non- anoraks alike. Steve writes in a relaxed, friendly style and comes across as a thoroughly engaging person. I could not recommend this book more strongly. --Stephen Trevett
Conway's evocatively written memoir is animated and engaging...Fluidly written and idiosyncratic, this portrayal of what would be a dream job for many a media, music, or maritime enthusiast may be buoyed when the Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked, a fictional account of a pirate radio ship, comes out this August. --Jim Collins, US Library Journal Review
Steve Conway's book is a must read --Noel Welch - Evening Echo
Written in a conversational style with all the geeky zeal of a real radio anorak it's hard to resist Conway's anecdotes about life on board, the esprit de corps that comes with living in close quarters, and the on-going struggles to keep Caroline on air and afloat in the face of much static from killjoy authorities. This is a refreshing tale of an age when pop radio wasn't corporate, playlisted, and unfeeling. --Alan Corr - RTÉ Guide
Shiprocked's heydey comes to life, here, in a lively read perfect for any general-interest collection. --The MidWest Book Review
An invaluable book. --Nick Spacek, The Pitch
Having been a huge fan of Caroline in the 80s, I was absolutely glued to this book and couldn't put it down. Steve was a great presenter on the station and has written a book which I found fascimating. There are lots of anecdotes and stories of derring do which will be of interest to anoraks and non- anoraks alike. Steve writes in a relaxed, friendly style and comes across as a thoroughly engaging person. I could not recommend this book more strongly. --Stephen Trevett
Conway's evocatively written memoir is animated and engaging...Fluidly written and idiosyncratic, this portrayal of what would be a dream job for many a media, music, or maritime enthusiast may be buoyed when the Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked, a fictional account of a pirate radio ship, comes out this August. --Jim Collins, US Library Journal Review
About the Author
Steve Conway was born in Dublin and moved to London at the age of 19 where he worked as an IT engineer before joining Radio Caroline in 1987. He was one of the final crew airlifted to safety when the Caroline ship Ross Revenge ran aground on the infamous Goodwin Sands in 1991, and returned to relaunch the station on satellite in 1999. Steve returned home to Dublin in 2000, where he became involved in the then pirate station Phantom FM. With the station s legalization Steve now can be heard on 105.2FM with impunity his show nestles alongside Bob Dylan's Theme Hour, although as Steve admits he has yet to meet his fellow DJ.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Chris
Format:Paperback
This is a superb book giving a very real account of Steve Conway's time with Radio Caroline. It gives the reader an exciting account of what life was like onboard the Ross Revenge in international waters through some great, and some extremely difficult times.
The great thing about Shiprocked is the fact that it describes the people, the surroundings and the conditions in such captivating detail - totally engrossing the reader in the action. Through Steve's words; Caroline staff who were just names or voices begin to feel like friends, you become familiar with the ship over and above the commonplace exterior images of it, the tough times show that life was never straightforward and Ronan O'Rahilly (the station's founder) remains as mystical as ever.
My copy of Shiprocked arrived on Monday and I finished the book on Tuesday. I took every opportunity to read it and will definitely read it again.
For anyone who has an interest in Offshore Radio, Radio Caroline, or just Radio itself - this book is a cracker and I can't recommend it enough.
Steve also takes the opportunity to state that Caroline continues to run this day on Sky and online - a fact which a lot of people are unaware of.
The great thing about Shiprocked is the fact that it describes the people, the surroundings and the conditions in such captivating detail - totally engrossing the reader in the action. Through Steve's words; Caroline staff who were just names or voices begin to feel like friends, you become familiar with the ship over and above the commonplace exterior images of it, the tough times show that life was never straightforward and Ronan O'Rahilly (the station's founder) remains as mystical as ever.
My copy of Shiprocked arrived on Monday and I finished the book on Tuesday. I took every opportunity to read it and will definitely read it again.
For anyone who has an interest in Offshore Radio, Radio Caroline, or just Radio itself - this book is a cracker and I can't recommend it enough.
Steve also takes the opportunity to state that Caroline continues to run this day on Sky and online - a fact which a lot of people are unaware of.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Doug
Format:Paperback
This book is amazing.Absolutely brilliant.Never in the days of my Caroline 558 listening did I realise what the crew on board the Ross Revenge had to endure to bring me "Europe's Best Music". Steve Conway has written page after page of brilliance. My only complaint about this publication is the final page.I wanted this book to go on forever. Outstanding. Thank you,Steve.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Olaf
Format:Paperback
In the days of internet radio, mp3 download and music-on-demand, it is hard to believe that just 20 years ago people would go out and live for months on a lonely ship in the North Sea, just to bring good music to their listeners, because regular radio would not cater for it.
These people would not become rich by doing so, but rather was this stay illegal.
This book is the personal account of Steve Conway, one of the last DJs of "Radio Caroline", the famed pirate radio station in the North Sea. It tells also the story of people dedicated to a cause they believed in.
Even if you never listened to "Radio Caroline" and hate music, you still will enjoy this book. It is well written and keeps the right balance between giving enough detail to follow the story but not becoming a history lecture.
The fact that the story is told purely from Steve's perspective at the time of occurrence, gives the reader the chance to go on board of the "Ross Revenge" together with him and re-live what happened from 1984 to 1991. How he got in touch with "Radio Caroline", his first stay on board and the brutal, nearly lethal end.
"Radio Caroline" was all about music and of course some of the top songs of the days are mentioned. If you like music, this probably will bring back your own memories about special moments while these songs were on the radio. You might even go up to the attice, to get the box with your old records and play some tunes...
These people would not become rich by doing so, but rather was this stay illegal.
This book is the personal account of Steve Conway, one of the last DJs of "Radio Caroline", the famed pirate radio station in the North Sea. It tells also the story of people dedicated to a cause they believed in.
Even if you never listened to "Radio Caroline" and hate music, you still will enjoy this book. It is well written and keeps the right balance between giving enough detail to follow the story but not becoming a history lecture.
The fact that the story is told purely from Steve's perspective at the time of occurrence, gives the reader the chance to go on board of the "Ross Revenge" together with him and re-live what happened from 1984 to 1991. How he got in touch with "Radio Caroline", his first stay on board and the brutal, nearly lethal end.
"Radio Caroline" was all about music and of course some of the top songs of the days are mentioned. If you like music, this probably will bring back your own memories about special moments while these songs were on the radio. You might even go up to the attice, to get the box with your old records and play some tunes...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
graham cole
ive yet to start reading it but 99% of all books I have on offshore radio have been good. it includes al the history right up to ross ending up on the Goodwin sands. Read more
Published 10 days ago by graham cole
4.0 out of 5 stars
shiprocked
This book tells of a time past that some of us recall with affection. To anyone who was there or would have liked to be this is a must read.
Published 9 months ago by Blueshoes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Steve Conway "Shiprocked"
A wonderful read detailing the last years (and the final day) of Radio Caroline broadcasting from the Ross Revenge. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2011 by NilbertZilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
The Pirate Radio era is being mythologised by all kinds of odd and fanciful fictions, so it's a great help to have thoughtful, detailed and insightful books such as this. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2010 by Post Scriptum
4.0 out of 5 stars
The unglamourous life of a pirate radio broadcaster
At times you will think Steve Conway was mad to choose this life but at the same token admire his dedication in giving a fair chunk of his 20s - often unpaid - to the floating... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by G. W. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
a super pirate adventure
Steve's book is a gentle and thoughtful description of life as a pirate radio DJ. Although not set in the "golden era" of 60s pirate radio, the book is none-the-less a fascinating... Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by T. Longhurst
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating insight into life on board the Ross Revenge
I have been a Radio Caroline fan for years and visited the ship in 1989. Steve has done a fantastic job with this book, you really get a feel for what it must have been like in... Read more
Published on 7 July 2009 by Globalempire
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unsung hero from Caroline
Like the other reviews, I cannot fault this, Steve always came over as a mate, great programming from him on Caroline, and he brings it to life in this excellent book. Read more
Published on 25 May 2009 by G. Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars
shiprocked:life on the ocean waves with radio caroline
Interesting book.Could have done with a few more photos and also a list of the presenters who braodcast with Steve to give the reader a more overall review of the station while he... Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Peter West
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