Don FM
title: "Don FM" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["radio-stations-in-london", "pirate-radio-stations-in-the-united-kingdom", "radio-stations-established-in-1992", "radio-stations-disestablished-in-1997", "defunct-radio-stations-in-the-united-kingdom", "rave-culture-in-the-united-kingdom", "jungle-music"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_FM" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Don FM |
| logo | Don FM logo 1992-1997.jpg |
| logo_caption | Don FM logo as designed by Paul Griffin |
| area | London |
| airdate | November 1992 (Pirate) |
| 28 August 1994 (RSL) | |
| frequency | 105.7FM / 107.9FM (Pirate) |
| 100.5FM (RSL) | |
| format | Breakbeat hardcore, jungle, drum and bass |
| :: |
| name = Don FM | logo = Don FM logo 1992-1997.jpg | logo_caption = Don FM logo as designed by Paul Griffin | area = London | airdate = November 1992 (Pirate) 28 August 1994 (RSL) | frequency = 105.7FM / 107.9FM (Pirate) 100.5FM (RSL) | format = Breakbeat hardcore, jungle, drum and bass
Don FM was a 1990s London pirate radio station, influential in the development of breakbeat hardcore, jungle and drum and bass music.{{cite web|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/simonreynolds.html |title=Rave and jungle on UK pirate radio (June 1998) |date=29 June 2005 |work=Perfect Sound Forever |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130063905/http://www.furious.com/perfect/simonreynolds.html |archivedate=30 January 2009 |author= Simon Reynolds}} It was the first jungle pirate station granted a temporary legal license.
Don first broadcast in November 1992 on the frequency of 105.7FM from Wandsworth, South West London, broadcasting mostly at the weekend, specialising in breakbeat hardcore and jungle but also playing house and garage on a Sunday. Its popularity grew throughout 1993, with the station promoting rave and club nights, selling merchandise, and distributing a magazine through London's specialist dance record shops.
On 28 March 1994, Don ceased transmission to apply for a Restricted Service Licence. It was awarded this and transmitted legally for 4 weeks from 28 August 1994 on 100.5FM to London, and was the first pirate radio station of its genre to do so. Guest shows from big names in the jungle scene passed through including Bryan Gee (V Recordings), Ray Keith, and Stevie Hyper D.
Don FM then returned as a pirate on the frequency of 107.9FM in September 1995 and ran until April 1997, broadcasting again at the weekends playing predominantly drum and bass but also house and techno.
Well known DJs, MCs and artists who have appeared on Don include DJ Trace, Matt Cantor (The Freestylers), Mark Force (Bugz in the Attic), DJ Dee Kline, MC Hyperactive, Ed Rush, MC Ryme Tyme, DJ Kane, DJ Gunshot, NutE1, DJ Harmony, MC Stevie A, and Asad Rizvi. Record labels and shops also hosted shows on the station including Chemistry Records, Lucky Spin, and Rugged Vinyl.
In an interview with The Quietus, Nicholas Talbot of band Gravenhurst and IDM artist Mike Paradinas recall the station as a "pioneering radio station".
References
References
- Richard X. (3 June 2012). "20 best: Hardcore records ever made". FACTmag.
- Reynolds, Simon. (2013). "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture". Faber & Faber.
- Angela Lewis. (8 October 1994). "DON, hold your breath".
- (27 February 2007). "Don FM (1992-97) Londonpirates.co.uk". LondonPirates.co.uk.
- (2 May 2019). "Deep Inside The Oldskool: Don Life - Issue 4 - August 1994". Deep insidetheoldskool.blogspot.com.
- (30 August 2017). "In The Proximity of G-Force". Two Hungry Ghosts.
- John Doran. (11 March 2013). "The Quietus – Features – A Quietus Interview – Melancholy Euphoria: A Heterotic Interview". The Quietus.
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