Radio 1 are getting ready to celebrate 20 years in the company of the inimitable Pete Tong.
The Essential Selection ledge will celebrate two decades at the station on April 8th with a full 12-hour takeover from 7pm.
The first slot from 7pm to 9pm will be a rundown of Tong's 20 best dance tracks of all time, while 9pm to 12am will see the fruits of a Maida Vale session curated by Tong, featuring performances from Groove Armada, Chase & Status, Alex Metric and Chilly Gonzales.
The Chemical Brothers then take over between 12am and 1am, followed by an Essential Mix from Tong himself between 1am and 3am, a slot called International Pete Tong from 3am to 5am and then 'The A To Z of Pete Tong' presented by Rob Da Bank from 5am to 7am.
Said Tong: “It’s a privilege and an honour to have been presenting my shows on BBC Radio 1 for the past 20 years. What started out as a passionate hobby turned into an amazing career. The station’s commitment to electronic dance music and culture has been absolutely fundamental to the scene’s growth and development not only in the UK but around the world and I am proud to be part of that story.”
Added Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper: “One reason BBC Radio 1 is so distinctive is the knowledge and credibility of its specialist presenters. Over the last 20 years Pete Tong has given listeners both and continues to be an essential Friday night listen.”
For more head to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/dance
