Anne Rusling, on the set of Thunderbirds

Paul's ONLINE RADIO book was published in November 2023

Welcome!

Paul

Rusling

Golden Microphone award

Paul's parents moved back to the Hull area so Paul's first home was in Dunswell, a tiny village to the north of Hull. They later moved to Linnaeus Street, off Hessle Road, the legendary home of Hull's fishing fleet, where Paul's father and grandfather were raised.

A few more siblings later, the Ruslings moved further along Hessle Road to Wellsted Street. The family continued to grow; Paul soon had three brothers and three sisters. The youngest sister was Alison, joining Andrew, Pamela, Peter, Robert and Lynne. In late 1970, the Ruslings moved to an even larger home on Fitzroy Street off Beverley Road in Hull.

Adelaide & Riley

In 1961 Paul moved to a brand news school, Adelaide Junior School, where three years later he sat the 11+ exam and achieved a place at Riley Technical Grammar School. Although the buildings at Parkfield Drive were quite new, Riley THS had a long history of turning out first class engineers, and had with solid German and maths departments. Paul was a keen student and did well at subjects he liked - the sciences, languages and academic subjects but had no time for art or woodwork. He played soccer, but was far more interested in music, radio and girls, not helped by Riley being a single sex school.

By day Paul studied radio engineering at College of Technology, eventually qualifying as a ship's radio officer, a course that required seven terms, full time. Paul served two separate periods in the tower block at the end of Queens Gardens, often pondering how he could best use the 120 foot high William Wilberforce statue to radiate MW radio signals! (done by Delta-matching into its lightning conductor!)

The regular course work though was a thorough grounding in 'Radio & LIne Transmission', every aspect of radio generally plus radar, and all manner of logic-controlled electronics. In those days it was essential to achieve at least 25 wpm Morse Code, but pounding out dots and dashes on a key was not Paul's intention; he wanted only to "pull the triggers on a pair of twin 45s".

At Riley, Paul collected eight GCEs, but opted out of 'A Levels' to study electronics at the College of Technology in Hull. There was just not enough electronics on the Riley curriculum, which by his mid-teens was all that mattered to Paul. He worked at Ideal Radio on Hessle Road most Saturdays, when he wasn't at the teenagers' disc sessions at the local Mecca ballroom, the Hull Locarno. It was here that he first "pulled the triggers on the 'Twin 45s', and so began a lengthy period that changed his life.

Mrs Anne Rusling the love of Paul's life

In 1972 Paul met the love of his life, Anne Pyrah, a delightful looking lady. Anne was noticably taller and far better looking than Paul, so he was clearly punching "well above his weight". After a many arguments and a couple of lengthy engagements (lasting six years!) they finally married and are still together, over 50 years later!

At their wedding, everyone was agreed: "It wouldn't last". Paul's mother was the most generous - she gave their marriage six months! After taking everyone to the New York for a reception they spent their honeymoon in Belgium and Holland, including a Dutch radio convention called Zeezenders 20. Anne has stayed the course; they've been together now for 53 years!

College of Technology

While he enjoyed his school days, Paul couldn't wait to leave Riley High School and devote more time to music and radio, which were the only things that mattered in his life.

He left school after 8 GCE O-Levels to enrolled at the College of Technology in Hull's Queen's Gardens, initially for an OND in Sciences. A more practical seat of learning, it was a centre of excellence in modern engineering, particularly marine engineering and more importantly, MARINE RADIO ENGINEERING!

In 1973, Paul joined Radio Caroline which had just re-launched a new Radio Caroline International service in English. The station was using two huge transmitters on two different wavelengths at the same time. It could be widely heard over much of the UK and several western European countries.

Paul hosted the breakfast programme on Radio Caroline's English service on 389m MW. The station broadcast from the MV Mi Amigo. By Then, Radio Caroline had led an erratic life, although it was still a "hot-rockin', flame-throwing" Top 40 hit music station and had a good reputaiuon in the music business. At the time, the UK had only the BBC, no other radio stations. Adding Caroline to his cv got Paul even more gigs in clubs across the UK.

Paul's DJ delivery and pace could never be described as reserved, laid-back or mellow. He would never have been at home with the BBC - he rocked and jocked in the upbeat style that he had honed in his nights in the ballrooms and clubs in the North and did everything with 100% energy and enthusiasm.

Paul Rusling

In 2006 Paul and Anne returned to the licensed trade. They bought a lovely pub called the Triton Inn, in the small country village of Brantingham, East Yorkshire.

About fifteen miles from the city of Hull, the Triton had a huge car park, a purpose built restaurant and a small ballroom on the side for functions, etc. Helped by a terrific team, including some of the area's best chefs, they offered a quality range of meals from noon every day until late evening.

At The Triton, they also hosted a variety of functions, including Car Shows in the 182 space car park, weddings (over a hundred), funerals, dinner dances and other events with both live music and mine host as DJ. Paul and Anne developed this business over the next eight years winning several awards and sold the Triton Inn in August 2013.

Education

In 1961 Paul moved to Adelaide Junior School, a brand new school then, where he sat the 11+ exam, achieving a place at Riley Technical Grammar School. Although the buildings were new, Riley had a long history of turning out excellent engineers, with its stroing German and maths departments.

Paul was a keen student and did well at subjects he liked - sciences, languages and academic subjects. He had little time for art or woodwork and was far more interested in music and girls, not helped by Riley being a single sex scool.

Infancy

Paul's parents Barbara and David Rusling moved back to the Hull area when he was very young; he was brought up in Dunswell, a tiny village near Hull, where his grandparents lived.

The family later moved to Linnaeus Street, off Hessle Road, the home of Hull's fishing fleet, where Paul's father had been raised, off the legendary Boulevard. A few siblings later, the Ruslings moved further along Hessle Road to Wellsted Street (a street spelt differently at each end!).

The family continued to grow and soon Paul had three brothers and three sisters. The family was completed in 1966 with the birth of Paul's youngest sister, Alison, who joined Andrew, Pamela, Peter, Robert and Lynne. In 1970 the Rusling family moved to an even larger home on Fitzroy Street off Beverley Road in Hull.

Nightclub DJ

In his spare time Paul was a disc jockey in several night clubs and ballrooms, in order to pay his way through college as there were no 'grants' in those days.

Among the clubs that Paul worked at in those formative years were the Music Box (later called The Bierkeller) then Penny Farthing, the Gondola Club in Little Queen Street, the Locarno Ballroom in Ferensway and Scamps in George Street. He also worked in clubs for Mecca Dancing, Top Rank, Baileys and Star Group in Pontefract, Leeds, Batley, Manchester and London.

In 1973 Paul joined Radio Caroline to help launch a new Caroline International service in English. By now, Caroline was using two huge transmitters on different wavelengths at the same time and could be widely heard over much of western Europe.

Paul hosted the breakfast programme on the station, broadcasting from a former coaster The Mi Amigo. Radio Caroline had by then led something of an erratic life, although it was still a "hot-rockin', flame-throwing" Top 40 hit music station. At the time, the UK had only BBC national stations; this was before the days of commercial radio in Britain, when only the BBC were allowed to broadcast.

After being hounded by government agencies for many years and broadcasting as Radio Mi Amigo, as well as Caroline, the Mi Amigo slipped beneath the waves in stormy wetaher in 1980. She was replaced by a large trawler, the Ross Revenge, which still broadcasts, off Essex.

Paul became friends with its MD, Wilf Proudfoot and his advertising manager Maurice Jeffery, as well as some of the DJs, who encouraged him. Paul began working in clubs as a weekend DJ while still at school and he set up the CRSC to campaign for independent radio.

That eventually saw him working on the legendary Radio Caroline, the start of a career in broadcasting that continues over forty years later.

The station was run by one of Paul's radio heroes, Chris Cary (aka Spangles Maldoon!) and owned by the legendary Ronan O'Rahilly. Ronan and Chris were keen to harness some of Paul's enthusiasm and frenetic 'style' of presentation.

Paul Rusling was born in the Yorkshire seaside town of Bridlington. Paul's mum Barbara was on the beach when he decided to put in his appearance, so she was taken into the Alexandra Hotel on Bridlington sea front to await the ambulance, and that's where Paul made his first appearance.

There's no blue plaque there, just a large pool and gym called Leisureworld) but Paul was given the hotel's name as a second Christian name - thus Paul Alexander Rusling. Paul's sister Lynne continued the tradition; she is called "Lynne Beverley", as she was born at the Westwood Hospital in Beverley.

Welcome!

Laser Radio Programming

Paul Rusling's third book about Laser, was published in 2017 and called LASER RADIO PROGRAMMING. The book examines why Laser was such a huge success in the eighties, and discusses Laser's effects on today’s radio.

The Laser Radio Programming book has 175 pages describing radio programming policy and techniques of the major offshore stations, but especially Radio Caroline, Laser and the Laser project's 'grandad' whose style and fresh format inspired the founders, the 1966 super station - Swinging Radio England.

The Laser Radio Programming book looks at how the Laser name, its imaging, branding and ethos has been used to change radio since. There are details of radio ships YOU can visit; not one, not two but THREE radio ships! The book has a full listing of all the Laser DJs - biographies; pictures too!

LASER helped revolutionise British radio. Its effects are still felt today and more Laser ideas may be put into action soon, as rules on radio are further relaxed.

More details HERE.

Paul and Anne developed the Triton's business over the next eight years with the help of a first rate team of staff. They won several awards and sold the Triton on in 2014.

The pubs Paul and Anne have managed or ran themselves include The HalfWay House in Dunstable, the Black Lion in London W6, Three Crowns off Piccadilly, The Roebuck in Richmond, The Crystal Palace Hotel in SE19, Swan Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells, the legendary Punch Tavern in Whitstable and a couple of 'less salubrious' joints!

Details and pictures are on the Pubs, etc page.

In 2006 Paul and Anne returned to the licensed trade, buying a lovely pub called the Triton Inn, in the tiny rural village of Brantingham, in East Yorkshire.

Just ten miles from the city of Hull, the Triton had a huge car park, a purpose built restaurant and a small ballroom on the side for functions, etc. Helped by a terrific team including some of the area's best chefs they offered a quality range of meals from noon every day until late evening.

As well as meals they hosted a variety of functions, including car shows in the 182 space car park, over a hundred weddings, Christenings, many funerals, dinner dances and other events with both live music and 'mine host' as DJ.

In 1966 Paul became bewitched by a succession of offshore radio stations which were then flourishing, and thanks to powerful transmitters were heard well in East Yorkshire. Radio Caroline first, then Swinging Radio England and then Yorkshire's very own Radio 270.

Paul became pretty close to Radio 270 and got to know the MD, Wilf Proudfoot and his advertising manager Maurice Jeffery well and some of the DJs, who encouraged him. Paul began working in clubs as a weekend DJ while still at school and he set up the CRSC to campaign for independent radio. That campaigning and his night club gigs eventually saw him working on the legendary Radio Caroline. It was the start of a long career and lifelong interest in broadcasting.

In May 2017, Paul was presented with a Golden Microphone at the

Dutch Radio Day, for his "outstanding contributions" to offshore radio.

Paul Rusling

Welcome! to Paul's personal web site.

Broadcast Consultant

In 1981 Paul became a broadcast consultant and since then has worked at, or for, several radio stations. One of the first Paul worked for as a consultant was Laser 558, an offshore station in the Thames estuary. Laser attracted 8 million listeners in its short life.

Paul and Anne worked for many other broadcasters, ranging from Classic fM, Sky, Virgin and radio Veronic to . . well, they're best discussed on another page.

Journalism & Writing

From 1989 to 1991 Paul and Anne Rusling published a weekly paid-for newspaper in East Yorkshire called the Haltemprice Herald. (see Writing page)

Paul began his writing with a column in SCRIPT magazine in 1973 and has since written for around a dozen radio and music publications. Among these have been Ships Monthly, World Broadcast News (for whom he was European Correspondent for ten years), DMC Disco Mix Club magazine and The Radio Magazine.

He has also had articles in several national newspapers in the UK including The Times, The Yorkshire Post, The Daily Mirror, The Sun and The Sunday Times.

Paul wrote a guide to building and launching online radio stations called Internet Radio. This book tells the reader how an online radio station is organised, where to source the necessary equipment, how to launch a station and operate it. This is now covered by Paul's more recent book, called Online Radio.

In the mid-1970s Paul and Anne worked together in hospitality. They moved to London where they managed several pubs and clubs, working for night club chains Mecca, Scamps, Baileys andTop Rank in places as diverse as Manchester, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Croydon. Details of some of the pubs they ran are on THIS PAGE.

Paul wrote a second book about Laser (LASER RADIO PROGRAMMING) which examines why Laser was such a huge success in the eighties, and discusses the station's effects on today’s radio.

The Laser Radio Programming book has 175 pages describing radio programming policy and techniques of the major offshore stations, but especially Radio Caroline, Laser and the Laser project's 'grandad' whose style and fresh format inspired the founders, the 1966 super station - Swinging Radio England.

The book includes Laser's full Operations Manual and a discussion on the format, music playlisting, strap lines, trailer production and other techniques that Laser used to attract an audience of ten million listeners in the UK & Benelux.

Paul's parents Barbara and David Rusling moved back to the Hull area when he was very young Paul was brought up in Dunswell, a tiny village to the north of Hull where his grandparents (Robert & Elsie Simpson) lived.

They later moved to Linnaeus Street, off Hessle Road, the legendary home of Hull's fishing fleet, where Paul's father had been raised. After a couple of siblings, the Ruslings moved further along Hessle Road to Wellsted Street. The family continued to grow, and soon Paul had three brothers and three sisters. The family was completed in 1966 with the birth of Paul's youngest sister, Alison. In 1970 the family moved to an even larger home on Fitzroy Street off Beverley Road in Hull.

Paul also wrote a book called The Radio Adventures of the MV Communicator, telling the story of the 11 radio stations that broadcast from the radio ship during her 21 year career as an offshore radio station. The book is available as hardback or with soft covers via the World of Radio web site.

The Laser Radio Programming book examines how the Laser name, imaging and ethos has been used to change radio since. There are details of radio ships YOU can visit; not one, not two but THREE radio ships! The book has a full listing of all the Laser DJs - biographies; pictures too!

LASER helped revolutionise British radio. Its effects are still felt today and more Laser ideas may be put into action soon, as rules on radio are further relaxed.

LINK to see a web page with full details and a purchase button for the book.

Laser Radio Programming also includes a reprint of Laser's full Operations Manual as well as a discussion on the format, music playlisting, strap lines, trailer production and other techniques that Laser used to attract an audience of ten million listeners in the UK & Benelux.

Paul and Anne Rusling celebrating Christmas at the Ferns Farm Hotel on the Yorkshire Riviera.

In 1966 Paul became bewitched by a long succession of offshore radio stations which were then flourishing, such as Caroline, and SRE.

Paul's life revolved around music and radio and he often visited the Radio 270 office and the ship. He became friends with 270's Managing Director, Wilf Proudfoot and several of the Radio 270 DJs.

$Paul Rusling'\s Laser Radio book$

The Love of Paul's Life

In 1972 Paul met the love of his life, an unlikely looking partner - Anne Pyrah. Anne was noticably taller and far better looking than Paul, so he was clearly punching "well above his weight". After a lengthy arguments and several longer engagements (six years!) they finally did get married.

At their wedding everyone was agreed: "It wouldn't last". Paul's mother was the most generous - she gave their marriage six months! After taking everyone to the New York for a reception they spent their honeymoon in Belgium and Holland, including a Dutch Radio Convention (Zeezenders 20). Anne has managed to stay the course; they've been together now for 53 years!

In 2006 Paul and Anne returned to the licensed trade, buying a lovely pub called the Triton Inn, in the tiny country village of Brantingham, East Yorkshire.

As well as meals they hosted a variety of functions, including car shows in their 182 space car park, weddings (over a hundred), funerals, dinner dances and other events with both live music and 'mine host' as DJ.

Paul's book about the radio ship that broadcast LASER 558 and the 10 other stations that came next was Radio Adventures of the MV Communicator. Full details can be found by clicking the cover.

Pubs & Clubs, Bars & Restaurants

It's nice to be important,

but more important to be nice

The Radio Caroline Bible was written by Paul in 2019; it has the full story of how the funding was raised for Radio Caroline, who invested, what happened and lots of background information about the main events around the radio station.

Some of these stories and 'behind the scenes' pic's are now being published for the first time.

Click HERE for full details.

First in a new series of

radio educational books

Radio Formats in the UK and US tells how radio programming developed from 'general service' stations into today's highly-formulated and tightly-targetted streams of news and entertainment.

Over 130 different formats are described in the 100 page primer on radio formats from the major markets on sides of the Atlantic.

Future books in this series:

2. Broadcast Licensing in Europe.

3. Radio studios – what equipment is needed?

4. Radio transmission - kit requirements.

5. Audio processing for broadcast radio.

6. Radio jingles and Station IDs.

Future books in this series:

2. Broadcast Licensing in Europe.
3. Radio studios – what equipment is needed?
4. Radio transmission - broadcast requirements.
5. Audio processing for broadcast radio.
6. Radio jingles and Station IDs.

Internet Radio 2016, or How to Launch and Operate your own Station, (also known as web radio, Online radio, internet radio or simply as streaming) is the latest up-to-date guide to one of the most exciting new media opportunities. It's available from AMAZON as a printed book, or as an ebook, readable on almost any device, including Kindles.

CLICK for details

RADIO FORMATS is the first in a series of books being published to guide readers thorugh setting up and running a successful radio station

The Radio Caroline Bible was written by Paul in 2019; it tells the story of how the funding was raised for Radio Caroline, who invested, what happened and lots of background information about the main events around the operation of the radio station in each of her eras, from 1964 to the 21st Century.

Some of these stories are now being published for the first time. An excellent present for radio fans!

Click HERE for full details.

Paul and Anne developed the Triton's business over the next eight years with the help of a first rate team of staff, winning several awards before selling up in 2014.

The pubs Paul and Anne have managed or owned include The HalfWay House in Dunstable, the Black Lion in London W6, Three Crowns off Piccadilly, The Roebuck in Richmond, The Crystal Palace Hotel in SE19, Swan Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and the legendary Punch Tavern in Whitstable. Details and pictures from those days can be found on the Pubs, etc page.

It's nice to be important,

but more important to be nice

Pubs & Clubs,

Bars & Restaurants

In the mid-1970s Paul and Anne moved to London and managed several pubs and clubs, working for night club chains Mecca, Scamps, Baileys and Top Rank in places as diverse as Manchester, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Croydon.

Paul and Anne also ran several pubs, always in the London area. Details of Paul and Anne's pub career are found on THIS PAGE.

In 2006 Paul and Anne returned to the licensed trade. They bought a lovely pub called the Triton Inn, in the small country village of Brantingham, East Yorkshire.

Radio educational books

DAB & DAB+

the future of radio?

After a slow start, DAB looks set to expand raidly as new multiplexes are being licenced. These can carry dozens of stations at improved quality and could expand the radio landscape in a big way.

DAB+ is better quality than the legacy DAB system and the new small scale stations are much cheaper to build.

The new stations will start coming online in 2021 - this book tells the story of DAB's development and how would be broadcasters can go about getting a licence and get on the air at a fraction of the cost than previously.

A fascinating book for media students, those in the industry and radio fans everywhere.

Click the cover for more details.

Paul making the first announcement of LASER from the MV Communicator

Radio Adventures of

the MV Communicator

Paul also wrote a book called The Radio Adventures of the MV Communicator, telling the story of the 11 radio stations that broadcast from the radio ship during her 21 year career as an offshore radio station. He designed and installed the station into the ship in Florida - it got the biggest audience of any radio ship in the 1980s.10 million tuned to Laser 558.

The Radio Adventures of the MV Communicator, tells the story of the 11 radio stations that broadcast from the radio ship during her 21-year career as an offshore radio station. Among the stations was VERONICA Hot Hits, It later transmitted from inside Dutch waters and in the Orkeys with licences. Part historical and part technical, the book tells you all you need to know about offshore broadcasting and the MV Communicator.

Ferns Farm Hotel

In 2017 the chairman of the Old Mill Brewery in Yorkshire asked Paul and Anne to take over their flagship hotel and leisure centre.

The Ferns Farm Hotel was due a major refurbishment and the Ruslings began planning building improvements and a full agenda of promotional activities. The brewery delayed the promised spending so, with other projects on offer, the Ruslings decided to move on.

No longer active in hospitality, Paul and Anne still enjoy visiting pubs and eating out, preferably at venues with some entertainment and rregretting the days of live cabaret clubs with decent restaurants.

It's available as a soft-back or as an ebook, readable on Kindles or almost any device,

Click the book cover for details

College of Technology

While he enjoyed his school days and made many friends, Paul couldn't wait to leave Riley High School and devote more time to music and radio, which were the only things that mattered in his life.

Straight after completing his GCE O-Levels he enrolled at the College of Technology in Hull's Queen's Gardens, initially for an OND in Sciences. A much more practical seat of learning, it was a centre of excellence in modern engineering, particularly marine engineering and more importantly, MARINE RADIO ENGINEERING!

At Riley, Paul collected eight GCEs, but opted out of 'A Levels' to study electronics at the College of Technology in Hull. There was just not enough electronics on the Riley curriculum, which by his mid-teens was all that mattered to Paul. He worked at Ideal Radio on Hessle Road most Saturdays, when he wasn't at the teenagers' disc sessions at the local Mecca Dancing ballroom, the Hull Locarno, It was here that he first "pulled the triggers on the 'Twin 45s', and so began a lengthy period that changed his life.

By day Paul studied radio engineering at College of Technology, eventually qualifying as a ship's radio officer, a course that required seven terms of full time study. Paul served two separate periods in the tower block at the end of Queens Gardens, often wondering how he could best use the 120 foot high Willam Wilberforce statue radiate MW radio signals! (done by Delta-matching into the lightning conductor!)

The regular course work though was a very thorough grounding in 'Radio & LIne Transmission', every aspect of radio generally plus radar, and all manner of logic controlled electronics. And a requirement to achieve at least 25 wpm Morse Code. Pounding Morse out on a key was not Paul's intention however; his wish was to "pull the triggers on a pair of twin 45s".

to Paul Rusling's personal web site

In the mid-1970s Paul and Anne worked together in hospitality. They moved to London where they managed several pubs and clubs, working for night club chains Mecca, Scamps, Baileys and Top Rank, in places as diverse and exotic as Manchester, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Croydon. Their idea of "setling down" was to manage pubs; often one each, most in the London area. Some of the pubs they ran are on THIS PAGE.

Broadcast Consultant

In 1981 Paul became a broadcast consultant and since then has worked at, or for, several radio stations. One of the first that Paul worked for as a consultant was Laser 558, an offshore station in the Thames estuary. Laser attracted over 8 million listeners in its short life. More details here.

Paul and Anne worked for many other broadcasters, ranging from Classic fM, Sky, Virgin and Radio Veronica to . .well, those are best discussed on another page.

Journalism & Writing

From 1989 to 1991 Paul and Anne Rusling published a weekly paid-for newspaper in East Yorkshire called the Haltemprice Herald. (see Writing Page)

Paul began his writing with a column in SCRIPT magazine in 1973 and has since written for almost twenty publications. Among these have been Ships Monthly, World Broadcast News (for whom he was UK correspondent for ten years), DMC Disco Mix Club magazine and The Radio Magazine in the UK. He has also had articles in several national newspapers in the UK including The Times, The Yorkshire Post, The Daily Mirror, The Sun and The Sunday Times.

In the mid 'twenty-teens' Paul wrote a guide to building and launching online radio stations called Internet Radio 2016. This book tells the reader how an online radio station is organised, where to source the necessary equipment, how to launch a station and operate it. This is now covered by Paul's more recent book, called Online Radio He's since wrote over a dozen other books, about radio stations in general and particularly about Radio Caroline and Laser 558.

Laser 558

Radio Caroline

Paul Rusling

Anne Rusling

Triton Inn

Awaiting the

270 tender in Bridlington

from Brantingham to Bridlington

College of Technology

While he enjoyed his school days Paul couldn't wait to leave Riley High School and devote more time to music and radio, which were the only things that mattered.

Riley Technical High School

In 1966 Paul became bewitched by a long succession of offshore radio stations; Paul's life revolved around music and radio and he visited the Radio 270 offices often, and the ship.