about me

Robin Black

Music Journalist / Radio Host

A midlands based music journalist with over 50 years experience in Blues, Soul & Jazz.

With roots in print at the Newcastle Evening Chronicle in the 1970s, Robin worked as a printer on the presses before moving on to review and interview a wide rage of world famous musicians for the paper.

Any artists playing in the North-Eastern city, from Etta James, The Three Degrees to B.B King, Robin went on to meet and interview on their behalf. This was because of Robin’s passion for the soul, jazz & blues genres (a journalist friend at the paper, asked Robin to step in and write reviews of those artists, because of his love for). He reviewed concerts as well as singles and albums, sent from many famous record labels.

As well as writing & reviewing, Robin travelled to the US, many times over the years, to immerse himself further into his favourite music & its roots. A highlight of these travels were to the New Orleans & Chicago Jazz Festivals, as well as meeting Joe Tarsia, owner of Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Robin’s is passionate about the ‘Philly sound’ and label in particular.

Robin moved to Staffordshire in the 1980s, with his large collection of vinyl and family in tow, and continued his passion of writing for ‘Blues and Soul Magazine’ and ‘Black Echoes’. And because of his extensive knowledge & sizeable vinyl collection, he was invited to BBC Radio Shropshire to be a guest speaker on ‘The Record Collectors’ show. Later in life and into retirement, Robin embarked on a journey into voluntary radio-presenting. This stemmed from his wish to continue this journey. He wished to tell his extraordinary tales and lived experience, against the soulful soundtrack of his life.

This proved a fruitful experience, with him gaining over 8 years experience of presenting for Cannock Chase Radio FM, from 2014. He was one of the first few volunteers to sign up with the station in the early days.

He had 2 weekly shows called ‘The Music Journalist’, and a separate ‘Blues Night’ show. As well as presenting an early pre-breakfast show, playing a wide range of music styles from over the years. This honed his presenting style, and with his added fascinating stories, he reeled in listeners to listen to his tunes and tales. And hopes to continue doing so.