Radio Jamaica Celebrating 70 Years

A s a news reader and newscaster, she lived up to the very highest broadcast standards established by icons like Erica Allen. As an announcer, her popularity rivals the legendary Marie Garth. As a person, her warmth, generosity, and genuine love for and interest in her listeners and viewers made her beloved by one and all. Hence the outpouring of love and sadness that greeted the announcement of the passing of Dorraine Samuels. Ralston McKenzie recalls the first time he came in contact with Dorraine. “I remember the first time I heard Dorraine Samuels. She was being interviewed after a beauty pageant. Neville Willoughby interviewed her, and when he put the mike towards her, this mellifluous voice came over. We had to have her at RJR.” Many are unaware that at the time, Dorraine also had a budding career as a stage actress, appearing in productions including Louis Marriott’s comedy revue the New Jokers . Dorraine took to radio like a duck to water, immediately making an impact. She had that rare ability to read news impeccably, even when she was seeing it for the first time, and her diction was flawless. It was no surprise when Dorraine was selected as co-host with Alan Magnus for the utra-popular morning show. Dorraine co-hosted the morning show with Magnus for over a decade, and in that time, their on-air synergy was remarkable. In fact, many persons thought that Dorraine and Alan were a couple. When Dorraine left the show to start her own programme, Dorraine’s Coffee Break , many loyal listeners were devastated, but the creation of a transitional period between the morning show and the Coffee Break gave Dorraine and Alan a chance to continue their on-air relationship and appease the public. Dorraine went on to create her own audience for her Coffee Break show, which was the perfect transition from the morning show to Hotline . She also remained the voice of news, reading important broadcasts, including the midday news. When the history of radio in Jamaica is written, Dorraine Samuels will hold a prominent place in its pages. She made radio better than it had been before her arrival and continued the legacy of Radio Jamaica as the number-one source for news, entertainment, and current events in Jamaica. D ORRAINE SAMUELS Page 46 Sunday July 4, 2021