DJ Tony could talk about romance and spin the tunes – but turning his love life around was another matter...
BY LINDA LEWIS
You’re listening to Tony Middleton on Valentine’s Day. Over the next two hours, I’ll be sharing some fun facts with you as well as taking your requests, so give me a call. You know the number. Here’s one to get you in the mood.”
As Unchained Melody floods the airwaves, I wonder who’s actually listening. Last February 14, I was with Laura. We broke up because she wanted more than I could offer – commitment.
We first met in 2018 when she called in to the show.
“Play Misty for me,” she said.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“It’s hardly very romantic. It is Valentine’s Day, you know.”
She laughed. “It might not be very romantic, but it’s my favourite song.”
After the track played, she stayed on the line. Between tracks, we chatted away as if we were old friends. That’s when I did something crazy – I asked if we could meet up for a drink. I didn’t care what she looked like. All I knew was that I wanted to hear her voice again.
It’s Valentine’s Day. I’m here until nine o’clock, so if you have a favourite love song, give me a call. Did you know that St Valentine actually existed? He was a priest in ancient Rome when Claudius was emperor. Claudius had banned marriage to encourage men to join his army, but it didn’t work. Couples still fell in love. Valentine risked his life, performing secret marriage ceremonies.
“His story ended badly. He was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. On the day of his execution, which just happened to be February 14, he sent the jailer’s daughter a note signed, ‘From your Valentine’. That’s how the whole Valentine’s Day thing kicked off.
“Here’s Bill Withers with Ain’t No Sunshine.”
My real job is in I.T. and I love it, but for one evening a week, this little studio is my home. My shows mix music with fun facts centred around the date.
September 19 is the worst because it’s Talk Like A Pirate Day. After a dozen “pieces of eight”, it starts to get a bit wearing.
“Centuries ago, girls put their names into an urn. Boys pulled out a name and whoever they chose would be their partner for the rest of the year. Now here’s 10cc with I’m Not In Love.”
Ididn’t realise how deeply I’d fallen in love. I only realised what I’d lost when it was gone.
Laura took a job
