Tributes to founder of Beacon FM

He was a larger-than-life character who changed the sound of local radio, and today Beacon FM staff past and present in Wolverhampton were mourning the loss of one of the station's founder members, Jay Oliver.

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Mr Oliver, described as a pioneer and an inspirational character, died in his home state of Florida, leaving behind his wife and grown-up children.

Beacon 303, as it was known in its early days, was the first commercial radio station in the country to be profitable and launched on April 12, 1976.

Mr Oliver worked as managing director and station manager alongside chairman Alan Henn and programme controller Alan Mackenzie.

Mr Henn said today: "He was a very good chap, larger than life in every sense as he was 6'4" and about 17 stone. He was quite the pioneer - a thoroughly good radio man which was very rare at the time.

"We were a very successful radio station and there is no doubt that Jay played a part in that."

Beacon, based on Tettenhall Road, scored tremendous ratings in its early days thanks to its different sound. The station played a mix of chart hits and golden oldies and managed to steer clear of the religious and jazz shows that dominated other channels.

Speaking of the station's boldness, Mr Oliver said at the time: "That was the name of the game - to go as far as we needed to be successful and not actually break the rules." Mr Oliver left the station in 1979. Before his death on Tuesday he was vice president at Florida firm Paper Trends. Mr Oliver, who was believed to be in his early 60s, died following an operation. His funeral is on August 15.

Beacon FM station manager Matt Ramsbottom said he hoped the current team was honouring his legacy. He said: "We are all saddened by the news."