Mike Stand

So Mike Stand first got interested in radio back in the 60’s listening to Radio Caroline North. One day while listening to a local pirate station, Mike and his mate Bernie decided to track the station down. When they were confident that they had the right location they proceeded to knock on the door. When the door opened that was Mike’s very first meeting with Bert Williams. As well as doing his day job Mike was now working as a DJ in Birkenhead night clubs. This lead to him meeting legendary owner of Skeleton Records, John Weaver and they became life long friends. During the mid 70’s Mike got involved in the local pirate radio scene along with other local pirate radio legends John Dwyer and Dave Simpson, appearing on stations like Tower Radio and Radio 236. One of the funny things about his shows, they went out after midnight but you could often hear children playing outside and ice cream vans driving past, as the shows were recorded in the afternoon. Also during this period Mike was the compere for the live concerts promoted by John Weaver, these shows featured many bands that would go on to be household names, including The Jam, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Motorhead and Elvis Costello And The Attractions.

In the autumn of 1979 Mike, John Dwyer and Dave Simpson teamed up with Bert Williams and Paul Jay to start Merseyland Alternative Radio. A pirate station of this size had never been seen on Merseyside before, with the station broadcasting all day on Saturdays and Sundays it became very popular. Mike’s unique style of presenting and also the emphasis on playing new music from up and coming bands made the show very popular gained a cult audience. The show on Merseyland Alternative Radio was a massive success for about 18 months, but in the spring of 1981 Mike was offered a job working in France, which sadly brought an end to the show on MAR.

Although Mike now spent most of his time in France, he would be back in the UK for a period in December and January, during this period he was often asked to make guest appearances on the local pirates such as Radio Alpine, Radio Elenore, MFR and around November/December ’91 until around the end of January ’92 he appeared on Kiss FM 100 which was broadcasting 24/7 at the time. In the late 90s JD started a station in Ibiza called Sunshine 101 and Mike did a nightly show. 

Mike returned to the Merseyside airwaves in 2008 after a chance conversation with Steve Martin at a local pub quiz. Mike was a regular guest presenter on MAR from 2008 onwards, mainly at Bank Holidays.

Sadly Mike passed away in November 2023 after a short illness.

With thanks to Steve Martin.