James Herbert has now sold more than 16 million copies of his novels. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in the East End of London where his parents were street traders, his training at art college which led to a career in advertising, and The Rats, his first and successful attempt at writing when he was 28. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Morning (from Peer Gynt Suite No 1) by Edvard Grie...
Sep 14, 1986•34 min
Andrew Davis, who has been the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 1975, was born in England and studied music at King's College, Cambridge, where he was an organ scholar. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls how he first made his mark as a conductor, and talks about the many facets of his work which includes opera at Glyndebourne and Covent Garden and conducting many renowned orchestras. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Des...
Sep 07, 1986•35 min
Auberon Waugh, now the Editor of the Literary Review, has gained a reputation as a controversial journalist. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his father Evelyn Waugh, his childhood and his writing, which has included seven novels and his diary Private Eye. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Don Giovanni Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Other Men's Flowers by Lord A P Wavell Luxury: Vine...
Aug 31, 1986•31 min
Stan Barstow made his name as a novelist in 1960 with A Kind of Loving. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in Yorkshire, where his father was a miner, his first job in a drawing office and how he became a writer. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 2 in E Flat, 1st Movement by Edward Elgar Book: A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust Luxury: Paper and pens...
Aug 24, 1986•34 min
Jane Lapotaire's first great success as an actress was with her portrayal of Edith Piaf. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her difficult childhood in a foster home, how she became an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company and she 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: Concerto in C For Oboes, Clarinets and String Orchestra by Antonio Vivald...
Aug 17, 1986•34 min
Virginia Holgate has won two medals in the Olympic Games as a horse trials rider. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her childhood travels round the world with her father who was in the Royal Marines, and talks about her career which nearly ended with a disastrous fall. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra Book: Do-it-yourself manual Luxury: Never-ending ...
Aug 10, 1986•31 min
Norman Lewis has spent a lifetime travelling the world and writing about it. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his curious upbringing in Wales with three maiden aunts, his travels in Cuba where he met Ernest Hemingway, and his love of Naples which led to his writing two books on the Mafia. 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: Petrushka ...
Aug 03, 1986•35 min
Roger Vadim, the French writer and director, sprang to fame with his first film And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in France during the war, his way of doing National Service, and his films, many of which starred his several wives. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf Book: Death on the Installment Plan...
Jul 27, 1986•34 min
The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, was brought up in the Labour stronghold of Port Talbot. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in Wales, National Service, and his career in both the law and politics, which began when he won the seat for Bebington in 1964. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Magic Flute - Act 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus M...
Jul 20, 1986•34 min
Sir David Wilson, who is the Director of the British Museum, first became interested in archaeology when his family moved to the Isle of Man and he discovered the existence of some people called Vikings. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career as an archaeologist and about the problems of running such a large treasure house. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Die Schopfung - Die Himmel Erzahlen D...
Jul 13, 1986•34 min
Brian Redhead has presented the Today programme for the last 10 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his appearance on Children's Hour as a clarinettist, his early days as a journalist on the Manchester Guardian and his editorship of the Manchester Evening News. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Clarinet Quintet in B Minor - 2nd Movement by Johannes Brahms Book: Commentary on the Bible by Arthur ...
Jul 06, 1986•35 min
The violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who is 23 years old today, has been in great demand around the world since she became Herbert von Karajan's protégé 10 years ago. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her career and recalls how, although she won her first major competition in Germany at the age of six, she played in public very little until she came to Karajan's notice. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track...
Jun 29, 1986•35 min
Jackie Stewart was world champion in Formula One motor racing before he retired in 1973. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in Scotland and talks about his life as a racing driver and about his more recent career as a businessman. 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: Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles...
Jun 22, 1986•35 min
Max Hastings is the new editor of the Daily Telegraph. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the influence of his father, MacDonald Hastings, about his life as a journalist, first on Londoner's Diary, then as a war correspondent in the Middle East and the Falklands, and he 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: The Tonight Programme by McDonald H...
Jun 15, 1986•33 min
Ismail Merchant, the film producer, went into partnership with the director James Ivory 24 years ago. During those years, their films have included Shakespeare Wallah, The Bostonians, Heat and Dust and A Room With A View. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, Ismail Merchant talks about his childhood in India, about his break into films and about the very successful partnership. He also chooses the eight records that he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme mate...
Jun 08, 1986•33 min
Elton John began his career as a tea-boy for a music publisher. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his first band, Bluesology, about his songwriting partnership with the lyricist Bernie Taupin, about how he became an international pop star and about his long association with Watford Football Club. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Enigma No 9 - Nimrod by Edward Elgar Book: Interview With a Vampire by ...
Jun 01, 1986•34 min
Bobby Robson is the manager of the England football team, who are about to go to Mexico for the World Cup. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in a Durham pit village, how he came to join Fulham FC after working down the mines, playing for England and his eventual move to become a manager. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Try A Little Tenderness by Frank Sinatra Book: Thesaurus by Roget Luxu...
May 25, 1986•32 min
Arthur Hailey's novels, which include Hotel and Airport, have made him one of the world's best-selling authors. He was born in England, but emigrated; first to Canada after wartime service in the RAF, and then to the Bahamas. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the many jobs he had before becoming a full-time writer, about the television play with which he made the breakthrough and about his working methods. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition ...
Apr 06, 1986•32 min
Jane Glover, who is the Artistic Director of the London Mozart Players, first became interested in conducting when she was reading music at Oxford University. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her work at Glyndebourne, where she began as a repetiteur for the Opera Company and ended up running the touring company, and she talks about the way her career is developing as a conductor. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favou...
Mar 30, 1986•36 min
The Rt Hon Shirley Williams is President of the Social Democratic Party. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her mother Vera Brittain, her life in America during the war as an evacuee, her career; first as a journalist, then as a politician, and her break with the Labour Party to form the SDP. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Introduction and Allegro For Strings Opus 4 by Edward Elgar Book: Collected...
Mar 23, 1986•35 min
Ron Pickering, the sports commentator, used to coach athletes for the Olympics. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career, about the problems of modern sport, such as racism, violence and drugs, and he 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: Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini Book: The Guinness Book of Records Luxury: Typewriter...
Mar 16, 1986•30 min
Beryl Bainbridge began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Liverpool Playhouse, and went on to become a writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her acting career, about how, through writing to fill in the time, she became a successful novelist, and about her painting. 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: Simple Litt...
Mar 09, 1986•33 min
John Dankworth studied music at the Royal Academy when jazz was not an approved subject - "I used to pretend my saxophone was a bassoon when I put it in the left luggage department of the Academy". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career as a jazz musician and composer, and about how he is trying to break down the musical barriers at the Stables in Wavendon and with his Summer Pops season at the Barbican. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edit...
Mar 02, 1986•34 min
Selina Scott's first job was as a journalist in Dundee. Her move into television came after a three-year stint promoting the island of Bute. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her career and about the different challenges she faced with the News at Ten and Breakfast Time. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Lord Is My Shepherd by Glasgow Orpheus Choir Book: Hawk Moon by Sam Shepard Luxury: Hairbrus...
Feb 23, 1986•34 min
Ben Kingsley became a star almost overnight when he took the title role in the film Gandhi. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the years before Gandhi, the difference fame made, his work in the theatre and his approach to a role like Othello. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams Luxury: Telescope
Feb 16, 1986•35 min
Bruce Oldfield has achieved an international reputation as a fashion designer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing, first by a foster mother, then in one of Dr Barnado's homes, about his art college days and the problems of breaking into the fashion world. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Magic Flute Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: The Destinies of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman by ...
Feb 09, 1986•33 min
Dennis Taylor became the world snooker champion in a dramatic match against Steve Davis last April. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he describes his childhood in County Tyrone, Jim-Joe Gervin's billiard hall where he first took up snooker, and how he became a professional. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters Book: Joke book Luxury: Limitless supply of yoghurt...
Feb 02, 1986•34 min
The Rt Hon Roy Hattersley MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, talks to Michael Parkinson about his upbringing in Yorkshire, his parliamentary career and his sporting enthusiasms. 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: Jerusalem by Parry/Blake Book: Shakespearean Tragedy by A C Bradley Luxury: Boy writer's set...
Jan 26, 1986•33 min
Maureen Lipman is perhaps best known for her role in the television series Agony, but much of her work has been in the theatre. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her upbringing in Hull, talks about her penchant for acting in comedy and 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: Triple Concerto in D - 1st Movement by Ludwig van Beethoven...
Jan 19, 1986•33 min
Nigel Kennedy, who achieved international success as a violinist in his early 20s, talks to Michael Parkinson about his musical education at the Menuhin School and in New York, his active interest in jazz and Aston Villa Football Club, and he 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: Inbetweenies by Ian Dury and The Blockheads Book: Wisden Almanack Luxury: Violin...
Jan 12, 1986•35 min
