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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:

Sir Nicholas Goodison Mar 01, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is the Chairman of the Stock Exchange Sir Nicholas Goodison. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he reflects on his career in the City and talks about his involvement in opera and the fine arts. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings by Benjamin Britten Book: Oxford English Dictionary (all volumes) Luxury: Apollo and Daphne sculpture by Bernini

Ken Russell Feb 22, 1987

Show notes

Ken Russell has directed many films, including Women in Love, The Music Lovers, The Boyfriend and Gothic, his latest. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in Southampton, going to naval college, life in the Merchant Navy, making amateur film which led to him working on Monitor for BBC television, and his eventual move into the making of feature films.

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

Favourite track: Das Lied Von Der Erde (The Song Of The Earth) No 5 by Gustav Mahler Book: The Prelude by William Wordsworth Alternative to Bible: None - Bible not taken Luxury: Quart of brandy

Sir Michael Hordern Feb 15, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is Sir Michael Hordern who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, recalls a distinguished acting career spanning 50 years. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill Luxury: Elm tree

Victoria Wood Feb 08, 1987

Show notes

Comedienne, musician and playwright are just three of the talents of Victoria Wood. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she outlines her career to date from its humble beginnings with the Rochdale Youth Theatre to having her own show on television. She also chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: African Ripples by Fats Waller Book: The collected works by Arthur Marshall Luxury: Cinema organ

Peter Fluck & Roger Law Feb 01, 1987

Show notes

Peter Fluck and Roger Law are the creators of the successful satirical television series Spitting Image. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they recall how they first met at art school in Cambridge, their days as freelance illustrators, how they made three-dimensional caricatures, which they photographed, and their eventual animation of the models for television.

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

Favourite track: Cello Suite No 6 In D by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: My Last Breath by Luis Bunuel Luxury: Margaret Thatcher's resignation speech

Baroness (Sue) Ryder of Warsaw Jan 25, 1987

Show notes

The castaway this week is Baroness Ryder of Warsaw, who, in 1953, formed the Sue Ryder Foundation to provide homes and domiciliary care for the sick and disabled in many parts of the world. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her early career with the wartime Special Operations Executive in Poland and traces the history of the Foundation up to the present day.

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

Favourite track: Ave Maria by Franz Schubert Book: Autobiography by Wilfred Owen Luxury: Pillow

Jeremy Lloyd Jan 18, 1987

Show notes

As an actor, Jeremy Lloyd made his name playing the part of the archetypal English 'upper-class twit'. As a writer, his most recent success has been 'Allo 'Allo! In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his life and career and also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Indoor Games Near Newbury by Sir John Betjeman Book: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome Luxury: Guitar

James Prior Jan 11, 1987

Show notes

The Rt Hon James Prior MP manages to combine his parliamentary work with being the Chairman of the General Electric Company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls organising a pig club at school during the war and talks about his career in farming and the eventual emergence of politics as his overriding interest.

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

Tony Bennett Jan 04, 1987

Show notes

The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World War, he returned to New York, where he had his first hit with Because of You in 1951. Since then he has established himself as one of the most popular jazz singers of his generation and has worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman among others. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life and work, and chooses the eight discs he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Don't Blame Me by Art Tatum Book: Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Luxury: Suit

Benny Green Dec 14, 1986

Show notes

Benny Green makes a living as a columnist, broadcaster, lyricist, novelist, etc. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in London, life on the road as a saxophonist, the transition to writing and reading 123 editions of Wisden. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: An Evening with Johnny Mercer by Johnny Mercer Book: A Quartet of Comedies by H G Wells Luxury: Saxophone

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