Pilot Of The Airwaves

Album: Where to Now? (1979)
Charted: 66 13
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Released in 1979, this ode to an unnamed DJ was a monster hit for London born singer-songwriter Charlie Dore in 1980 reaching #13 on the US Billboard chart; unsurprisingly it also received heavy airplay in the UK, although it didn't do nearly as well.
  • "Pilot Of The Airwaves" runs to 3 minutes 53 seconds, but a radio edit minus the extended guitar solo and running to 3 minutes 15 seconds was also pressed.
  • The B Side of the radio edit was "Sleepless," but the B Side of the extended version was "Falling." The song was produced for Island Records by Alan Tarney and former Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch.
  • "Pilot Of The Airwaves" was the last song to be played on Radio Caroline when it closed forever on Bonfire Night, 1990. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments: 2

  • Nick Stavrakis from Cape TownLove this song, the lyrics and especially the guitar solo. Does anybody know who the guitarist is and where he plays today?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyCharlie Dore's only Top 100 record, could be peaking at #13 was an omen!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."