ROCK HISTORY STEVE BLACKNELL

Steve Blacknell is a British television and radio presenter, music industry insider, media trainer, and self-described “serial thrill-seeker,” whose colourful career has spanned more than four decades. Born in 1952 in Peckham and raised in Dartford, Kent, Blacknell began his media journey in hospital radio before moving into music PR and record promotions with major labels including Decca, Chrysalis, and Jive, where he worked with artists from The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull to signing A Flock of Seagulls in the early 1980s. 

Blacknell transitioned into television in the early 1980s, becoming a familiar face on the BBC as host of the pop-fashion show Riverside and a regular music correspondent on BBC Breakfast Time. He also presented on BBC Radio 1’s In Concert and, on occasion, The Old Grey Whistle Test. His on-screen charisma and music background led him to MTV USA, where he was Europe’s first video jockey on the award-watching London Calling, reaching audiences of over 20 million viewers. 

One of the highlights of Blacknell’s broadcasting career was covering the historic Live Aid concerts in 1985, including flying on Concorde with Phil Collins to link the UK and US events.  Beyond presenting, he has also worked in PR (including for Peter Stringfellow) and appeared on other television projects, later anchoring for BSKYB and venturing into acting. 

In recent years Blacknell has become a respected media trainer and coach; he is CEO of the Central London School of TV and Media Training, helping professionals and broadcasters hone their on-camera skills.  He also hosts London’s media networking club “The Waffle Club” and has released a memoir, Tales From The Bedroom Wall: The Life and Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker, recounting his extraordinary life in music and television. 

More about Steve at www.steveblacknell.com