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Desert Island Discs — Personal Journals
Desert Island Discs

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

Peter West Sep 20, 1987

Show notes

Peter West is one of our most versatile broadcasters; his television career has ranged from Come Dancing to specialist sports, particularly cricket. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career in broadcasting and journalism and, in choosing his records to take to the mythical island, reveals a Catholic taste in music.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Spartacus by Aram Khachaturian Book: Oxford Book of Quotations Luxury: Set of gardening tools

Joanna Lumley Sep 13, 1987

Show notes

"The music of Rossini came into my life very early", says actress Joanna Lumley, "I loved him because his music is so happy". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her upbringing in the Far East, a convent education and her subsequent theatrical career. She also chooses the other music to accompany Rossini on her sojourn to the desert island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Eroica (First Movement) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell Luxury: Specially-commissioned John Ward painting of family & friends

Kitty Godfree Sep 06, 1987

Show notes

In the 1920s, Kitty Godfree established a list of sporting achievements that will never be surpassed: she won two Ladies' Championships at Wimbledon, won six Olympic medals playing tennis, she represented her country at Lacrosse and was a four-times winner of the All-England Badminton Championships. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back over her long life and selects the eight records she would take to her desert island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Chariots Of Fire by Vangelis Book: The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins Luxury: Bicycle

Lord Montagu Aug 30, 1987

Show notes

"Music is one of my great passions" says Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, "my taste is wide-ranging; from Wagner to Jazz". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career, focusing particularly on running the stately home, organising jazz festivals and being Chairman of English Heritage. He also undergoes the agonising task of narrowing his musical choice to eight records.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Symphony No 2 by Gustav Mahler Book: The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien Luxury: Windsurfing board

Edna O'Brien Aug 23, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is the Irish writer Edna O'Brien, whose first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 to great acclaim. She's also become well-known for her appearances on radio and television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her career and, in her choice of music, reveals a wide taste ranging from Elvis Presley to Carl Orff.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Canon In D by Johann Pachelbel Book: Complete Encyclopaedia Britannica Luxury: Cristal champagne

Susan George Aug 16, 1987

Show notes

The actress Susan George began her career as a child appearing in television plays and series; her subsequent film career stretches back some 20 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her roles on stage and screen and also her latest involvement in production and writing.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye by Ella Fitzgerald Book: Will You Be My Friend? by James Kavanaugh Luxury: Four poster bed

Frances Edmonds Aug 09, 1987

Show notes

Frances Edmonds accompanied her husband Phil on two tours with the England cricket team and wrote books about the trips. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about the reaction she got from the chauvinistic world of cricketers and cricket writers, and also looks back on her schooldays at an Ursuline convent and at her career as an interpreter.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Panis Angelicus by César Franck Book: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Luxury: Bollinger '69

Maya Angelou Aug 02, 1987

Show notes

Maya Angelou inherited her love of music from her grandmother, who used to sing to her as a child at the family home in the southern United States. The first volume of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was a bestseller, describing her life as singer, actress, stripper, dancer and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on a remarkable career and chooses eight records she would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Kenneth Williams Jul 26, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is Kenneth Williams who, for 40 years, has occupied a unique place on stage, screen and radio. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his long career which has ranged from working on radio classics like Hancock's Half Hour and Round the Horne to being a regular member of the cast in the Carry On films.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: 1st Movement from Spring Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: The Golden Treasury by Francis Palgrave Luxury: Crate of Cologne

Elaine Paige Jul 12, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is the actress-singer Elaine Paige who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, looks back on her career from her debut in the chorus of Hair, through the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease, to becoming an international star in the part of Eva Peron in Evita.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles Book: The complete works by Charles Dickens Luxury: Piano

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