Our story...

JFM (1980-1985) was a spin-off from the long established Radio Jackie and formed the first of a new generation of unlicensed jazz-funk and soul radio stations, broadcasting on VHF in the London area. It quickly attracted top club DJs of the day and the interest of many music promoters as the audience grew to rival and surpass London’s legal radio stations. Its influence still resonates to this day, its format and activities still very much alive in current soul stations. Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the legacy of JFM and to engage in future projects for your enjoyment: for ex-presenters, ex-listeners and those who’d just like to find out more about the roots of the soul radio scene. JFM’s founder and sole owner Brian Anthony had already endorsed this project, prior to tragically losing his life in a car accident in 2021. Hence, this non-profit venture starts right here in memory of a man who drove the whole thing forward, as well as being a colleague and a now much missed long term family friend.

"The home office tracked the studio because another station unable to compete stuck stickers all over the studio windows, and gave the address to the authorities. The decision to stay off air was not due to the bust, because playing cat and mouse with the home office had been going on for fifteen years with JFM and other radio stations. What was the final straw, was when other operatives felt the only way they could compete with JFM was to play dirty. The home office were not a problem, ever, that was why the station got less busts, and came back on in less than an hour after a raid. Sadly the honour among thieves, does not apply to those in pirate radio."

Brian Anthony - JFM Radio Founder.