| Dread Broadcasting Corporation | |
| Area: | London |
| Frequency: | 93.9 / 103.8 FM |
| Airdate: | 1980 |
| Last Airdate: | 1984 |
| Format: | Reggae, Lovers rock, African, Soul, Funk |
Dread Broadcasting Corporation, also known as DBC, was a 1980s West London pirate radio station which is credited as Britain's first black music pirate radio station.[1]
It broadcast from the Neasden and Ladbroke Grove areas, and was founded by DJ Lepke (born Leroy Anderson)[2] [3] in the Autumn of 1980.[4] [5] [6] Originally broadcasting on AM, it moved to FM at the end of 1981.[7] DBC would play reggae, lovers rock, African, soul, and funk.
Ranking Miss P (sister of Lepke) would originally start out on DBC, eventually moving onto a long career at the BBC.[8] Guest shows would include the likes of Joe Strummer from the band The Clash, Neneh Cherry and author Lloyd Bradley.[9]
Miss P, commenting on the station at the time: "There's never been a station run like DBC. Our format allows us to play music that would otherwise never be heard publicly. We create movement within the industry."[10]
The station featured on the BBC's Oxford Road Show programme in January 1982.[11]
DBC would eventually cease broadcasting in autumn 1984.