Friends and family members remembered Annie Nightingale at a memorial in London on Thursday afternoon, four months after the pioneering DJ passed away.
Nightingale, BBC radio’s first ever female disc jockey, died at home aged 83 on January 11 following a short illness.
And those who knew her best were in attendance at Trafalgar Square’s St Martin-in-the-Fields for a memorial of the talented DJ’s life and career.
Guests included photographer Mary McCartney, the daughter of Beatles legend Sir Paul, Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie and TV and radio presenter Sara Cox.
The Who front-man Sir Roger Daltrey also attended with his wife Heather, while former BBC DJ Nick Grimshaw, designer Pam Hogg and legendary dance music DJ Pete Tong also paid their respects.
Sir Paul McCartney’s photographer daughter Mary McCartney attended a memorial for BBC radio pioneer Annie Nightingale on Thursday, four months after her death
Nightingale, BBC radio’s first ever female disc jockey, died at home aged 83 on January 11 following a short illness
Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie and radio and TV presenter Sara Cox
Nightingale’s children Alex and Lucy remembered their mother with separate speeches as mourners remembered the beloved DJ.
Further tributes came from Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, presenter Lauren Laverne and BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke.
The broadcaster joined Radio 1 in 1970 as its first ever female DJ and went on to become its longest-serving host. Known for promoting new and underground music, she was also praised for supporting other women in a male-dominated industry.
Following her death BBC director general Tim Davie hailed Nightingale as a ‘uniquely gifted broadcaster who blessed us with her love of music and passion for journalism for 50 years’, while Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard called her an ‘all time radio great’.
A stylish presence both on and off the screen, Nightingale was photographed alongside the likes of Kate Moss – who attended a party to mark her 40th anniversary at Radio 1.
Another of her confidants was Sir McCartney, who dramatically phoned her live on air to give a statement after John Lennon was assassinated in 1980. ‘Don’t wobble,’ Nightingale told herself – as she recalled in a 2020 interview.
Her role saw her interview a dizzying cast of celebrities, including Sean Connery for his first role in James Bond. It would be one of the many highpoints of a career that began as a general reporter on her local paper, the Brighton and Hove Gazette.
She is survived by two children – Alex and Lucy – who she shared with first husband Thomas. She was later married to actor Tony ‘Binky’ Baker but the couple divorced.
A family statement confirming her death said: ‘Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.
Mary was joined by former Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw at the memorial service on Thursday
Tributes came from Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, presenter Lauren Laverne and BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke.
Alex and Lucy Nightingale, the late DJ’s two children with author ex-husband Gordon Thomas, led the service on Thursday afternoon
Alex, aged 12, and Lucy, aged seven with Annie at a park near their Brighton home in 1975
Both Lucy (left) and Alex (right) gave speeches in front of a large projected image of their mother at the St Martin-in-the-Fields service
TV and radio presenter Lauren Laverne also took to the podium to share her recollections of the late DJ on Thursday afternoon
A stylish presence both on and off the screen, Nightingale was photographed alongside the likes of Kate Moss – who attended a party to mark her 40th anniversary at Radio 1
Singer Bobby Gillespie (left and fashion designer Pam Hogg (right) held the order of service after making their way into the Trafalgar Square venue
Alex Nightingale joined Sara Cox as they celebrated the late DJ’s life and career on Thursday
‘Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remains undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.
‘Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of your women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.
‘Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll.’
Nightingale first broadcast on the BBC in 1963 as a panelist on Juke Box Jury, before joining Radio 1 seven years later.
She remained the station’s only female DJ until 1982, when Janice Long joined, and is credited with helping to pave the way for the likes of Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball.
The Who front-man Sir Roger Daltrey also attended with his wife Heather (pictured)
DJ’s Pete Tong and Sara Cox (left), and Sir Roger Daltrey and Lucy Nightingale (right)
Pam Hogg (left) posed for a photo after taking to her seat at the venue in London on Thursday
The late broadcaster posing with Paul McCartney, who once called her live on air after John Lennon’s death
Nightingale being handed a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster by Liam Gallagher, one of her favourite musicians