Stories Podcast

10 years ago Alfred Samuels was given six months to live after the diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. However, with support from Cancer Research, Alfie was given a wonder drug that means he still lives today.

Bodyguard to the some of the greatest recording stars including, Beyonce, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Seal, Sade, Oasis, Kelly Rowland, and many more, his life has been transformed and he is now supporting victims of cancer and raising awareness about men and prostate cancer. He has written two books about his journey.

In this podcast, we hear the story of Alfred’s journey, set to the backdrop of music from artists he worked with and tracks that accompanied his journey.

Irini was born in Cyprus. At the age of three Irini and the family moved to London and she lived in Stamford Hill, Hackney.In 1992 she successfully had two number one hits in the soul charts with tracks including  Heaven and 24/7  which became an iconic track in the 1990s London soul scene. A singer, songwriter, model and dancer, Irini had talent in abundance.In 1993 she won best newcomer in the Black Music Awards.Her career has came to a juddering halt due to a life-changing MS condition and she passed away in 2020.

In June 1990, the world saw an extraordinary concert held at Wembley stadium. It brought together musicians, artists, politicians and an adoring crowd, all in front of a world wide TV audience. The concert welcomed Nelson Mandela to London soon after his release from Robben Island and political isolation. Sipho Pityana was the African National Congress representative in London. He was the coordinator of the International Reception Committee for Nelson Mandela and in this podcast, he tells his first-hand experience of the Wembley concert.

 The Battle of Lewisham took place on August 13, 1977. When the National Front organised a march through Lewisham they got more than they planned for! During the 1970s, the NF made major gains in elections and were building a racist movement.The NF organised this march but they were physically confronted by the local community, trade unionists, and anti racists. Even with police protection the march capitulated.Set with the backdrop of the music of the time, here are stories from the Battle of Lewisham.

Charles speaks about his family, his upbringing and how the civil rights movement shaped his life.Actor, author, curator - he best describes himself as a cultural architect who promotes the work and life of writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin. On the 31st anniversary of Baldwins passing in 1987, this podcast with music from era, features Charles, Baldwin and downloads of archive material.

1968 was a year that proved to be time when the post-war generation challenged the existing and established political order. In the West, social movements grew and challenged the US involvement in Vietnam. Paris saw students and workers nearly brining down the French establishment. New movements grew supporting racial and female equality. China saw the imposition of the cultural revolution. Russia invaded Czechoslovakia. It was a year that changed history and set a new political direction for decades to come.