London Wavelength

London Wavelength

Profile:
A US-American radio syndicated record label. Discs were only made available to radio stations for broadcast purposes and not for sale to the general public.
Part of BBC Transcription Services.

London Wavelength Inc., a company incorporated in the U.S., was a commercial company set up in the mid 1970s to syndicate BBC recordings for airplay on commercial American radio stations. As such, it can be considered as an arm of BBC Transcription Services, having access to the treasures within the BBC archives and including the BBC Transcription Services logo on their cue sheets. Under their licensing agreement, London Wavelength Inc. was given access to original BBC recordings which it then reedited to meet the needs for use on U.S. commercial radio stations.

London Wavelength Inc. began its corporate life as a division (syndication wing) of ASI Communications, NYC. It was the 'sister operation' to London Wavelength Ltd. in the UK. It licensed and then syndicated programs originally produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, and as such was the exclusive U.S. distributor of contemporary music syndication shows from the BBC.

Show Series Numbering and Dating Information
 
For 1975 - 1980 BBC Rock Hour reels, there is a date that is usually printed on the upper right corner of the box label, which many people confuse as being the broadcast air date. It is in fact the tape mastering production date, but is assumed to be at least a close approximation to the actual broadcast date. Where the broadcast date is known, it has usually been within 5-12 days after the reel box mastering date code.
 
For the BBC Rock Hour series, during the years of 1975 through 1977 the shows were serially numbered #1 - 46.

Following this initial numbering system London Wavelength then began renumbering shows from 1978 onward as follows:
In 1978 the show numbers re-started with #1 - 52.
In 1979 the show numbers re-started with #1 - 18 up through approximately mid-year.
Then the series show numbers re-started again at #1 - 18 up through the end of the year.
In its final year in reel format, the show numbers started at #101 and ran up to #134 in mid-year.
Additionally, from approximately shows #111 - 126, the year "1980" was added to the box label after the show number.
 
It should be noted that there was some overlap in shows being distributed on reel and LP at the same time, as LW decided to issue a them in both formats for shows #127 - 136. At that point the series transitioned from reel tape to vinyl LP format for radio station distribution. The series numbering was simply continued with #127, beginning with the first LP release. The LP format shows continued with show numbers serially incremented until the series abruptly ended in early 1985.

Duplication Service Houses Used For Show Tape/LP Duplication For Subscription Distribution
1972 - 1974 - unknown (pre-BBC Rock Hour Series reels)
1975 - mid 1977 - National Tape Service, Caldwell, NJ
mid 1977 - 1979 - RKO/ National Tape Service, NYC
1979 - 09/80 - National Tape Corporation, Caldwell, NJ
 
Reel/Box Labeling Differences Throughout The Lifetime Of The Series Distributed On Reel

1972 - 1974 - unknown (pre-BBC Rock Hour Series reels)
 
1974 - 10/75- white or grey matte reel boxes with a 4" x 4" white label large NTS logo and address, master date code, tape speed, mono or stereo indication, special name, artist name, number of reels in show and LW name glued to the front (pre-BBC Rock Hour series shows)
 
11/75 - 06/77- grey matte boxes with 4" x 4" white label with large NTS logo and address, master date code, tape speed, mono or stereo indication, BBC RH or special name, artist name, number of reels in show and LW name glued to the front
 
06/77 - 08/78 - grey matte boxes with 4" x 4" white label with RKO/National Tape Service and address, master date code, tape speed, BBC RH or special name, artist name, number of reels in show and LW name glued or adhered to the front with clear tape
 
08/78 - 09/79 - white or black boxes with 3" x 4" white label with RKO/National Tape Service and address, master date code, tape speed, BBC RH or special name, artist name, number of reels in show and LW name glued or adhered to the front with clear tape
 
09/79 - 09/80 - white or black boxes with 3" x 4" white label with large RKO Tape Corporation logo and name and address, master date code, tape speed, BBC RH or special name, artist name, number of reels in show and LW name glued or adhered to the front with clear tape

Cue Sheet, Track Listing & Other Enclosures Used In BBC Rock Hour Series As Distributed On Reel/LP

1972 - 1974 - these early, multi-reel specials often had more elaborate cue sheets usually cloned from the original BBC TS LP cue sheets replacing the show number and air dates, along with LP side indications with reel number indications

1975 - 1980 - BBC RH reel shows had cue sheets usually cloned from the original BBC TS LP cue sheets replacing the show number and air dates, along with LP side indications with reel number indications; they occasionally included custom promo pages from the artists record label and in ~1978 quarterly bulletins of upcoming shows from LW
 
1980 - 1985 - BBC RH LPs had cue sheets usually cloned from the original BBC TS LP cue sheets replacing the show number and air dates; in later years they occasionally included the artist's logo or name within the cue sheet

BBC Series Reel/LP Sequences
 
BBC Specials (reel) - mid 1972 - mid 1975
BBC Rock Hour (reel) - mid 1975 - mid 1980
BBC Rock Hour (LP) - mid 1980 - early 1985
Sublabel
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
154 East 46th Street
New York, N.Y.
USA
(212) 682-5390

111 So. Kraft Street
Bronxville, N.Y. 10708
(914) 961-7600
(defunct)

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
1 Duran Duran - B.B.C. College Concert #1 Duran Duran B.B.C. College Concert #1(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 1 US 1982 Sell This Version
01 Various Rock Over London #1(LP, Mixed, Transcription) London Wavelength 01 US 1983 Sell This Version
2 Sparks - BBC College Concert Series #2 Sparks BBC College Concert Series #2(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 2 US 1982 Sell This Version
02 Various Rock Over London #2(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 02 US 1983 Sell This Version
#3 Spandau Ballet / A Flock Of Seagulls - BBC College Concert #3 Spandau Ballet / A Flock Of Seagulls Spandau Ballet / A Flock Of Seagulls - BBC College Concert #3(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #3 UK 1982 Sell This Version
4 Various Rock Over London #4(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 4 US 1983 Sell This Version
5 Santana - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour #5 Santana The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour #5(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 5 US 1979 Sell This Version
005-BB Eric Clapton - The Eric Clapton Special (B.B.C Rock Hour #127) Eric Clapton The Eric Clapton Special (B.B.C Rock Hour #127)(2xLP, Transcription) London Wavelength 005-BB US 1980 Sell This Version
6 Steel Pulse - BBC College Concert #6 Steel Pulse BBC College Concert #6(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 6 1982 Sell This Version
7 Missing Persons - BBC College Concert #7 Missing Persons BBC College Concert #7(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 7 US 1982 Sell This Version
8 Lords Of The New Church - BBC College Concert #8 Lords Of The New Church BBC College Concert #8(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 8 US 1982 Sell This Version
009 Various Rock Over London #9 009 US 1983 Sell This Version
9 XTC - BBC College Concert 9 XTC BBC College Concert 9(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 9 US 1982 Sell This Version
010 Various Rock Over London #10 010 US 1983 Sell This Version
10 Translator (3) - B.B.C. College Concert #10 Translator (3) B.B.C. College Concert #10(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 10 US 1982 Sell This Version
11 The Teardrop Explodes - B.B.C. College Concert #11 The Teardrop Explodes B.B.C. College Concert #11(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 11 US 1982 Sell This Version
12 Joni Mitchell & James Taylor (2) - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour - 12 Joni Mitchell & James Taylor (2) Joni Mitchell & James Taylor (2) - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour - 12(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 12 US 1978 Sell This Version
013 Various Rock Over London #13 013 US 1983 Sell This Version
14 Various Rock Over London #14 14 USA & Canada 1983 Sell This Version
14 The Psychedelic Furs - B.B.C. College Concert #14 The Psychedelic Furs B.B.C. College Concert #14(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 14 US 1982 Sell This Version
#15 Blotto - BBC College Concert 15 Blotto BBC College Concert 15(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #15 US 1982 Sell This Version
16 Gary Numan - B.B.C. College Concert Special #16 Gary Numan B.B.C. College Concert Special #16(LP, Promo, Transcription) London Wavelength 16 US 1983 Sell This Version
016 Various Rock Over London #16(LP, Mixed, Transcription) London Wavelength 016 US 1983 Sell This Version
017 Various - Rock Over London #017 Various Rock Over London #017(LP, Comp, Mixed, Transcription) London Wavelength 017 US 1983 Sell This Version
17 Marshall Crenshaw - B.B.C. College Concert #17 Marshall Crenshaw B.B.C. College Concert #17(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 17 US 1983 Sell This Version
18 The English Beat* - B.B.C. College Concert #18 The English Beat* B.B.C. College Concert #18(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 18 US 1983 Sell This Version
#19 Joe Jackson - B.B.C. College Concert #19 Joe Jackson B.B.C. College Concert #19(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #19 US 1983 Sell This Version
19 Various Rock Over London #19 19 US 1983 Sell This Version
20 Wall Of Voodoo - B.B.C. College Concert #20 Wall Of Voodoo B.B.C. College Concert #20(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 20 US 1983 Sell This Version
021 Various Rock Over London #21 (Comp) 021 US 1983 Sell This Version
21 Polyrock - BBC College Concert #21 Polyrock BBC College Concert #21(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 21 US 1983 Sell This Version
22 Various Rock Over London #22 22 US 1983 Sell This Version
23 Yaz* - BBC College Concert #23 Yaz* BBC College Concert #23(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 23 US 1983 Sell This Version
24 Various Rock Over London #24 24 1983 Sell This Version
24 Roxy Music - BBC College Concert #24 Roxy Music BBC College Concert #24(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 24 US 1983 Sell This Version
25 Scandal (4) - BBC College Concert #25 Scandal (4) BBC College Concert #25(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 25 US 1983 Sell This Version
25 Various - Rock Over London #25 Various Rock Over London #25(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 25 US 1983 Sell This Version
26 Various Rock Over London #26 (Album) 26 US 1983 Sell This Version
26 King Crimson - BBC College Concert #26 King Crimson BBC College Concert #26(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 26 US 1983 Sell This Version
27 Various Rock Over London #27(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 27 US 1983 Sell This Version
27 U2 - BBC College Concert #27 U2 BBC College Concert #27(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 27 USA & Canada 1983 Sell This Version
28 Bob Marley & The Wailers - BBC College Concert #28 Bob Marley & The Wailers BBC College Concert #28(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 28 US 1983 Sell This Version
028 Various - Rock Over London #028 Various Rock Over London #028(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 028 US 1983 Sell This Version
29 Simple Minds / The Specials - BBC College Concert #29 Simple Minds / The Specials Simple Minds / The Specials - BBC College Concert #29(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 29 US 1983 Sell This Version
30 Dexys Midnight Runners / Culture Club - BBC College Concert #30 Dexys Midnight Runners / Culture Club Dexys Midnight Runners / Culture Club - BBC College Concert #30(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 30 US 1983 Sell This Version
33 The Undertones - BBC College Concert #33 The Undertones BBC College Concert #33(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 33 US 1983 Sell This Version
34 Various - BBC College Concert #34 Various BBC College Concert #34(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 34 US 1983 Sell This Version
43 Todd Rundgren - BBC Rock Hour #43 Todd Rundgren BBC Rock Hour #43 (Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 43 US 1978 Sell This Version
44 John Hall* With Bonnie Raitt - BBC Rock Hour #44 John Hall* With Bonnie Raitt John Hall* With Bonnie Raitt - BBC Rock Hour #44(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 44 US 1978 Sell This Version
52 Procol Harum - BBC Rock Hour #52 Procol Harum BBC Rock Hour #52(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 52 US 1978 Sell This Version
108 Various Rock Over London #108(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 108 US 1984 Sell This Version
108 The Boomtown Rats - Rock Hour Special #108 The Boomtown Rats Rock Hour Special #108(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 108 US 1980 Sell This Version
110 Various Rock Over London #110(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 110 US 1984 Sell This Version
113 Various Rock Over London(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 113 US 1984 Sell This Version
115 Various - Rock Over London #115 Various Rock Over London #115(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 115 US 1984 Sell This Version
116 The Pretenders, The Specials - BBC Rock Hour #116 1980 The Pretenders, The Specials The Pretenders, The Specials - BBC Rock Hour #116 1980(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 116 US 1980 Sell This Version
118 Various Rock Over London #118(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 118 US 1984 Sell This Version
118 The Police - BBC Rock Hour #118 1980 The Police BBC Rock Hour #118 1980(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 118 US 1980 Sell This Version
121 Wishbone Ash - BBC Rock Hour #121 Wishbone Ash BBC Rock Hour #121(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 121 US 1980 Sell This Version
123 Genesis - BBC Rock Hour #123 Genesis BBC Rock Hour #123(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 123 US 1980 Sell This Version
125 Various - BBC Rock Hour #125 - The Best Of British Guitarists Various BBC Rock Hour #125 - The Best Of British Guitarists(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 125 US 1980 Sell This Version
125 Various - Rock Over London #125 Various Rock Over London #125(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 125 US 1984 Sell This Version
126 Steve Forbert - BBC Rock Hour #126 Steve Forbert BBC Rock Hour #126(Reel, 2tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Transcription) London Wavelength 126 US 1980 Sell This Version
#135 Paul McCartney - BBC Rock Hour #135 - Paul McCartney Special Paul McCartney BBC Rock Hour #135 - Paul McCartney Special(LP, Promo, Transcription) London Wavelength #135 US 1982 Sell This Version
136 Gary Numan - BBC Rock Hour #136 Gary Numan BBC Rock Hour #136(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 136 UK 1980 Sell This Version
137 The Motels - B.B.C. Rock Hour The Motels B.B.C. Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 137 US 1980 Sell This Version
138 Graham Parker And The Rumour / Dire Straits - Best Of BBC Rock Hour 138 Graham Parker And The Rumour / Dire Straits Graham Parker And The Rumour / Dire Straits - Best Of BBC Rock Hour 138(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 138 UK 1980 Sell This Version
#139 Krokus - BBC Rock Hour #139 Krokus BBC Rock Hour #139(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #139 US 1980 Sell This Version
#140 Robin Lane & The Chartbusters - B.B.C. Rock Hour Robin Lane & The Chartbusters B.B.C. Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #140 US 1980 Sell This Version
142 Supertramp - BBC Rock Hour #142 Supertramp BBC Rock Hour #142(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 142 US 1980 Sell This Version
#143 Led Zeppelin - BBC Rock Hour #143 Led Zeppelin BBC Rock Hour #143(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #143 US 1980 Sell This Version
#144 Pat Travers Band - BBC Rock Hour #144 Pat Travers Band BBC Rock Hour #144(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #144 1980 Sell This Version
145 Jeff Beck - BBC Rock Hour #145 Jeff Beck BBC Rock Hour #145(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 145 1980 Sell This Version
#146 Sea Level - B.B.C. Rock Hour  # 146 Sea Level B.B.C. Rock Hour # 146(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #146 1980 Sell This Version
#147 The Cars - BBC Rock Hour #147 The Cars BBC Rock Hour #147(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #147 US 1980 Sell This Version
#148 The Stranglers - BBC Rock Hour #148 The Stranglers BBC Rock Hour #148(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #148 US 1980 Sell This Version
149 Split Enz - BBC Rock Hour #149 Split Enz BBC Rock Hour #149(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 149 US 1980 Sell This Version
150 The Crusaders - BBC Rock Hour #150 The Crusaders BBC Rock Hour #150(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 150 1980 Sell This Version
#151 Al Stewart - B.B.C. Rock Hour Al Stewart B.B.C. Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #151 US 1980 Sell This Version
152 Elton John - BBC Rock Hour - #152 Elton John BBC Rock Hour - #152(2xLP, Transcription) London Wavelength 152 US 1980 Sell This Version
#201 Whitesnake - BBC Rock Hour #201 Whitesnake BBC Rock Hour #201(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #201 US 1981 Sell This Version
201 Whitesnake BBC Rock Hour #201 (LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 201 1980 Sell This Version
#202 The Joe Jackson Band* BBC Rock Hour - 202(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #202 US 1981 Sell This Version
#203 Rod Stewart - B.B.C. Rock Hour Rod Stewart B.B.C. Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #203 US 1981 Sell This Version
#204 Roxy Music Featuring Bryan Ferry - B.B.C. Rock Hour Roxy Music Featuring Bryan Ferry Roxy Music Featuring Bryan Ferry - B.B.C. Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #204 US 1981 Sell This Version
#205 Alvin Lee - BBC Rock Hour #205 Alvin Lee BBC Rock Hour #205(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #205 US 1981 Sell This Version
206 Heart - BBC Rock Hour #206 Heart BBC Rock Hour #206(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 206 US 1981 Sell This Version
#207 The Police - BBC Rock Hour #207 The Police BBC Rock Hour #207(LP, Transcription, Ser) London Wavelength #207 US 1981 Sell This Version
#208 Climax Blues Band - BBC Rock Hour #208 Climax Blues Band BBC Rock Hour #208(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #208 US 1981 Sell This Version
#209 The Bus Boys - BBC Rock Hour #209 The Bus Boys BBC Rock Hour #209(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #209 US 1981 Sell This Version
#209 Various - Rock Over London #209 Various Rock Over London #209(LP, Mixed, Transcription) London Wavelength #209 US 1985 Sell This Version
210 Nick Lowe & Rockpile - BBC Rock Hour #210 Nick Lowe & Rockpile Nick Lowe & Rockpile - BBC Rock Hour #210(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 210 US 1981 Sell This Version
210 Various - Rock Over London #210 Various Rock Over London #210(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 210 US 1985 Sell This Version
211 Manfred Mann's Earth Band - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour-#211 Manfred Mann's Earth Band The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour-#211(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 211 US 1981 Sell This Version
#212 XTC - BBC Rock Hour #212 XTC BBC Rock Hour #212(12", Transcription) London Wavelength #212 US 1981 Sell This Version
213 Phil Collins - B.B.C. Rock Hour Special #213 Phil Collins B.B.C. Rock Hour Special #213(12", Mixed, Transcription, Ver) London Wavelength 213 US 1981 Sell This Version
#214 Pink Floyd - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour #214 Pink Floyd The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour #214(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #214 US 1981 Sell This Version
215 Ian Dury And The Blockheads - BBC Rock Hour #215 Ian Dury And The Blockheads BBC Rock Hour #215 215 US 1981 Sell This Version
#216 Traffic - The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour Traffic The Best Of The BBC Rock Hour(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength #216 US 1981 Sell This Version
217 David Bowie - BBC Rock Hour #217 David Bowie BBC Rock Hour #217(LP, Transcription) London Wavelength 217 UK 1981 Sell This Version