THANKS FOR SAVING PLANET ROCK!

Who Bought the Station?

The millionaire boss of a visa and passport applications business, Malcolm Bluemel, entrepreneur and rock music fan, finalised the purchase of the GCap Media station with the backing of some of the biggest names in rock, including Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame, Gary Moore and Fish.

"The people at Planet Rock and their listeners are passionate about their music and their station, which is why I wanted to step in and help make it happen," said Bluemel, who runs TLCS Global Visa Services.

"Rock fans have been traditionally very poorly served in this country and Planet Rock is the place for them to feed their fanaticism."

You can keep an eye on further Planet Rock news stories on Google and newsnow.co.uk.

We Saved Planet Rock

Listen Online or on SKY: 0110 Cable: 924

Planet Rock Listeners Celebrate in Putney 07 June 2008 at P.R.A.T.S VI.

The following people have uploaded photo galleries to the Planet Rock Forum

Group Shot of the Putney Celebration, PRATS 6

Half Moon, Putney, London.
Who says meeting up with strange people you chat to on internet forums is wrong??? (5 Mb full size)

The Listeners Reaction to the Sale of Planet Rock

Name	Comment	Date
CSTSPEEDY	All I can say is a huge "THANK YOU". We have to express gratitude also to those on this forum [Planet Rock] who did so much to publicise the possible demise of the station. It helped to bring to the attention of potential buyers that this was something worth saving. I'm off to celebrate by buying a DAB clock radio so that I can wake up to the best station in the world.	01/06/08
SUNFLOWER	I hope you are a Cult fan Mr Bluemel Thanks again! Planet Rock is going to continue to be THE best radio station EVER!!	04/06/08
VILLAVENGORE	To all involved with the buy out, the support network on the forums, the staff...... Hell anybody who said a kind word over the last few months, thank you for making [the announcement] today so special Long Live Planet Rock.. The Planet is safe - Planet Rock lives on	04/06/08
NIGHTFEVER	Mr Bluemel, i think there are about 563,000 people who are now willing to have your babies - We are not worthy, we are not worthy.	04/06/08

The listeners are very glad the consortium didn't buy a Lear jet or a football team, and bought Planet Rock instead .

Three Cheers for the Planet Rock Staff!

The staff at Planet Rock HQ followed a "business as usual" broadcasting policy, despite immense pressure and uncertainty. The listeners are very proud of their commitment and professionalism though what must have been a very difficult time..

Name	Comment	Date
REDFAZER	The DJs themselves deserve a medal, or, if they turn up at PRATS VI drinks on the house all night, are we tempting you?? for their brilliant professionalism over the last three months or so with the axe over their heads, you'd never have suspected there was anything wrong the way they performed, we're lucky to have such a great bunch............ Thanks to all at PR the greatest rock station on the planet!	04/06/08
TIMBOPR	Everyone stuck together throughout this campaign and it shows....there is very much a "family" feel to the station and it's this "connection" between the listeners and the presenters and backroom staff, that comes through. And reading between the lines of various statements from the new owners, I'm pretty sure they recognise this as well.....! Well Done Planet Rock !	04/06/08
CRYSTALWITCH	The team were amazingly calm and professional, considering it was 3 or 4 months of not knowing how much longer they would have a job for. It's a very scary place to be (believe me, I know - my workplace is there at the moment) and it takes a lot to stop it from affecting what you do.	04/06/08

Key Points on the Road to Salvation

The Evil Closure Announcement

News that the station may close leaves the listeners stunned.

The "SPR" Campaign Starts

The listeners start up a campaign website to help raise awareness. 70,000+ visitors come from 105 countries worldwide.

The Comments Flood in

Listeners sign petitions, post comments, write to OFCOM and Number 10.

The Global Army

Listeners worldwide show support for the station in its hour of need.

Deadline Extensions

The deadline is extended, but there's no news about a definitive buyer, just interested parties.

The Sony Awards

Listeners wonder how a station that wins 3 Sony Awards is still under the threat of closure.

The Rescue Bid

Brian May announces he is launching a rescue plan - the first bit of good news the listeners have received in several tortuous weeks.

The Glorious Announcement

Planet Rock announces it has secured a buyer.

What the Stars Might Have Said if We'd Asked Them

*"Great news guys. Have a drink on me"*	Brian Johnson, AC/DC
*"Top Class"*	Lemmy, Motorhead
*"I've always said you can't stop Rock and Roll"*	Dee Snider, Twisted Sister
*"Well done for reading Fru the Riot Act"*	Sebastian Bach
*"Actually, I think you'll find commercial pop radio is noise pollution. Well done for saving planet rock"*	Angus Young, AC/DC
*"It's not just God who gave Rock and Roll to you - It's Malcolm, Fish, Gary, Ian and Tommy too"*	Paul Stanley, KISS
*"Forums and websites brought us all together. It was you that set the (fighting) spirit free "*	Biff Byford, Saxon
*"Planet Rock is Saved. Nothing Else Matters"*	James Hetfield, Metallica
*"Phew, you just beat the Countdown to Extinction"*	Dave Mustaine, Megadeth
*"Hats off to (Malcolm) Bluemel and the boyz"*	Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin
*"So glad it wasn't The End"*	Jim Morrison, The Doors
*"Finally!! An end to the nightmare"*	Alice Cooper
*"Glad to see you kept fighting. 'Never Say Die', that's what I say, innit Sharon"*	Ozzy Osbourne
*"Great news. No more crying in the rain for me!"*	David Coverdale, Whitesnake
*"I am literally dancing in the street with delight".*	Dave Lee Roth

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Published 06/06/08
Added: 25/02/08