David ‘Kid’ Jensen earned his name because he was the youngest radio presenter in Europe in the sixties aged only 18! He has kept this nickname throughout his illustrious career as a DJ on BBC Radio 1, Capital Radio, Heart, Jazz FM and Boom Radio as well as presenting slots on BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’, ITV, ITN and Sky News. Kid has been at the forefront of music for a staggering 55 years now and has helped break bands including Duran Duran and The Police. He currently resides in Surrey with his wife Gudrun and they have 2 grown up sons and 7 grandchildren. You can catch Kid Jensen at Esher Theatre for his upcoming Kid Jensen Presents series scheduled for October 22nd and November 4th.
HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO LAND YOUR FIRST PRESENTING GIG AGED ONLY 18?
I was a budding writer in Canada and I contacted Radio Luxemberg out of the blue when I saw an opening, sent them my articles, then sold my motorbike to afford my flight to go there and take up the position.
WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS RADIO DJ’S?
It is amazing! There have been a lot of years of toll and trouble to get here. It’s partly to do with luck and also through my own endeavours – having the best friends and great family behind me too helps. It’s as tough as footballers getting into the Premiership to get into radio presenting these days!
WHAT ARE HIGHLIGHTS AND PITFALLS OF BEING A RADIO DJ?
It’s usually a lot of fun and it never really feels like you’re working. You get voted for with Ofcom/Ofgen ratings in radio so it reminds me of politics where you are always up against the polls! So the pitfalls are probably that you are “always on show” and that can turn instantly and just like politicians you fall out of favour. We have to make music sound exciting – but you also have to be true to your listeners. So it’s a hard balancing act.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CAREER MOMENT?
Definitely interviewing Carlos Santana at the Rock in Rio Festival in the 80’s. He’s a great artist, great person and I genuinely really loved spending time with him. There’s lots of people that listen to our shows and the friendly vibe you get from interviewing someone like Carlos cannot be faked or replicated. Van Morrisson was a challenging one to interview! One of my favourite artists but not so easy on air!
WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST THING THAT’S HAPPENED TO YOU AS A PRESENTER?
Doing a huge show in London at the Royal Albert Hall with Led Zeppelin headlining alongside The Pretenders and The Pop Proms among others – I was put in big lights above Led Zeppelin so it looked like they were supporting me. Still makes me laugh! Led Zeppelin as my support act!!
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST EVER SHOW?
Anything with John Peel was good, relaxing and he always understood the context of what we were doing. Roger Scott was tremendous; a terrific radio voice and way of communicating. Kenny Everett was one of the loveliest people you’d ever hope to meet. He gave me a filofax one day – hinting at my disorganisation! One day in the studio, shortly after his diagnosis, he turned to me putting his hands in the Lord’s prayer position, saying: “I have got something to ask you and I want to know your honest opinion.” He then said, “I am just rehearsing for the big guy. How did I do?!” He had the greatest spirit and was such a funny guy. Even towards the end he kept a smile on his face. Alan Freeman was always good value too.
YOU MUST HAVE INTERVIEWED ALL THE POP GREATS – WHO WAS THE BEST & WHY?
The Rolling Stones, the whole band, I was invited to travel with them on their 1976 tour. It was completely hedonistic. It is all in my book which is a must read:
WHAT ABOUT THE ACTS YOU BROKE?
Duran Duran were always friendly and very good value. ‘Ordinary World’ is a beautiful track as is their lesser-known song ‘Skin Trade’. Sting and The Police were grateful for my exposure. Simple Minds similarly – they loved my interviews. Steve Winwood, Jolie Mitchell and Carlos Santana are still lifelong friends.
YOUR NEW SHOW “KID JENSEN PRESENTS” IS BILLED AS ONE OF THE TOP SHOWS AT ESHER THEATRE?
So excited about this. I love Esher Theatre, Charlie Swift (the owner) and all the organisers. This is going to be a great show that I will present – showcasing upcoming top musical acts.
DO YOU LIKE PERFORMING THERE?
I have introduced and participated in Esher Theatre’s Q&A with Mick Jagger’s younger brother earlier this year – a great show. It’s one of my favourite spaces.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
I am a lifelong jazz fan – growing up in Canada it reminds me of my Dad and my youth.
IF YOU HAD TO TAKE 3 THINGS TO A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Saxophone, good books and my darling wife Gudrun. (she is present at the interview btw!)
WHO WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL CELEBRITY DINNER PARTY GUESTS?
Carlos Santana, Miles Davis, Kenny Everett and John Peel.
BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN?
Paul McCartney standing in a car park in Gillingham in the 70’s, said to me: “I want to give you some advice: If I was you, I would consider talking more about you on the radio. I like you but have realised I don’t much about you! I want to know more! So do all the listeners.”
(SURREY ROCKS INTERJECTS – Thanks Paul, we are doing just that!) When pressing Kid he said he did talk about himself as the more famous he got! It wasn’t just interviews it was chats with bands he made friends with).
YOU WENT PUBLIC WITH YOUR PARKINSON’S DIAGNOSIS IN 2018, HOW DID YOU FIND THE PUBLIC REACTION?
Very sympathetic, loving, considerate. People would come out and help me. It showed me the human spirit… exemplified! David is an ambassador for Parkinsons UK and has a top hat in Queens Square and raises thousands for the charity as an ambassador.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
To keep on breathing!
BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN SURREY
You are not too far from London but still have all the beautiful countryside. We have also had so much support from the Surrey local community – we couldn’t be happier living here.
Check out Kid Jensen Presents at Esher Theatre this Autumn: www.eshertheatre.com/whatson
