Radio producer and co-founder of Popmaster, Phil Swarn, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. Following his death, many of his famous friends paid tribute to him on social media.
Ken Bruce wrote on Twitter today (X): “Today is the saddest day as my good friend Phil Swarn has passed away. Phil was a brilliant and imaginative man with a passion for music. He had an incredible career as a record and radio producer, inventor of the TV format and co-founder of Roadstar and Popmaster. (1/2).
“He was my single source of knowledge for all things pop. He began collecting records as a boy and continued to show the same enthusiasm well into his 70s. Without him there would be no Popmaster on radio or TV. He leaves a huge void in my life and the lives of so many others. (2/2)”
The official Popmaster account said, “Sadly today we say goodbye to collector Phil Swarn, who was the driving force behind Popmaster content for many years. His wife Lindsay was at his side. His favourite song was Nat King Cole’s ‘What a Wonderful World’. We will be missing a gentleman.”
It was Tony Blackburn who announced the sad news on social media, writing on Facebook: “Collector Swarn, who was my friend for over 60 years, passed away yesterday after a long illness. He was respected in the music industry for his musical knowledge and professionalism but above all he was a kind, friendly and funny man.
It was great to meet him and his wife Lindsay on Friday and have one last conversation. He passed away at home surrounded by his wife Lindsay. She and his family are with us with love and we will all miss him very much. “He passed away this afternoon after a long illness. It was great to see him and his wife Lindsay last Friday. Phil the Collector Swarn will be missed by all of us. “
Phil is a legend in the industry, having made his name in the late 80s for his contributions to cult shows such as Sounds of the 60s alongside Brian Matthew. In the early 90s he directed Pick of the Pops on Radio 1 and again from 1997 to 2023 on BBC Radio 2.
Additionally, from 2007 to last year he was dedicated to producing the Radio 2 connected Sounds of the 60s. . His creative talents also extend to designing questions for Ken Bruce’s PopMaster quiz on Radio 2.
Phil’s expertise was not limited to BBC Radio. He also hosted the Sunday afternoon quiz show You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet on Capital Radio and was part of the launch team for Capital Gold. His most recent appearance was on Boom Radio last Bank Holiday Monday where he performed Phil Swarn’s “Hidden Gems” from his vast music collection.
Away from the airwaves, Phil has produced chart-topping records, written music books, appeared on television and boasted having every UK Top 40 hit song since the chart began in 1952. For his immense influence and contribution, Phil was awarded the BASCA Gold Badge Award in 2010, cementing his legacy in the music industry.