I am listening to the final hour of the UK’s Virgin Radio, just before it passes into history. I admit it is with trepidation that I wait for its new incarnation, Absolute Radio. I always hate it when something I love is messed with — because it is rarely recognisable as what I originally fell in love with.

I have listened to this station for the last 10 years, and through it I have learned to know and love bands like Manic Street Preachers, Travis, Coldplay (before they were famous in the US), Snow Patrol, Keane, Athlete, Embrace, the Verve and so many others. I found internet radio when it was in its infancy, and Virgin Radio was one of the first stations to broadcast on the net. I felt as if I had been freed from my prison of terrible American radio, able to explore real music, music that is still played with, you know, instruments. While I understand that not everyone in the UK shares my love for the station (citing repetition of the playlist, mostly), they have not had to listen to countless Clear Channel stations force feeding us the same Brittney Spears and Mariah Carey dreck from city to city, so they have no idea how bad radio can be. I can remember some very cutting edge US stations in my lifetime — but most American stations sound like utter crap now.

I also think the presenters (dj’s) are excellent for the most part. They seem to have a real love for the music–something that is also utterly lacking in American radio now. I do miss Pete and Geoff (Geoff is still with the station) in the mornings–they were hilarious.

Here’s hoping success isnt messed with too much. And does anyone else think the new station sounds like vodka?