Title
Radiogram
Description
A radiogram was a large piece of furniture which combined a radio with a record player. A central feature of many West Indian/Caribbean front rooms. Before many of the Caribbean islands got their own radio stations, they would tune into American ones, which made the American crooner Jim Reeves a popular choice for a lot of Caribbean families in the 1940s and ‘50s. Artists such as Millie Small, The Supremes and Nat King Cole were also popular.
Many businesses in Britain operated an unofficial colour bar – this meant they did not admit people of colour. Partly in response to that, people from the Caribbean community organised their own entertainment, often in the front room, where the radiogram was used to play records. In 1973, the community also established its own social club, The Caribbean Sunrise Club, on Cowley Road.
Many businesses in Britain operated an unofficial colour bar – this meant they did not admit people of colour. Partly in response to that, people from the Caribbean community organised their own entertainment, often in the front room, where the radiogram was used to play records. In 1973, the community also established its own social club, The Caribbean Sunrise Club, on Cowley Road.
Date
1950s/60s
Alt text
beige-toned radiogram, roughly 3 ft tall? blue dolphin ornament on top
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Pauline Currien
We had a gramophone like this but it was taller and narrower. The stations were lit up with a luminous script so you could dial up a radio programme anywhere in the world. Pakistan, Luxembourg etc etc