Peak FM remembers the 90s for 21st birthday

North Derbyshire station Peak FM is celebrating its 21st birthday today with a look back at its launch time.

This day in 1998 saw the launch of the station serving Chesterfield, Matlock, Bakewell, Alfreton and surrounding areas. It is still broadcasting locally from the same building and providing a local service.

To mark the occasion the station had special music features from its birth year, fresh imaging and a few surprises – including an on-air appearance from its first presenter Mark Burrows.

Mark shared anecdotes of the early days with current presenters Richie Pearson and Becky Hayes, including how at one stage during launch the station was housed in the back of a chinese restaurant. The original 8am launch was recreated when Mark introduced the first song ever played on Peak FM – “Alive and Kicking” by Simple Minds exactly as he did back in 1998.

Peak FM Content Controller Tim Smith told RadioToday: “It’s just fantastic Peak FM has had so much impact on people’s lives across North Derbyshire this last 21 years and continues to do so. Our team love the area so much, we’ve seen that reflected in RAJAR growth and the engagement we get every day so we’ve planned a really exciting day to thank our listeners for being with us!”

Staff at the station dug out their best (and worst) 1998 clothes, gave away an original PlayStation 1 and have been distributing birthday cakes across the region all-day.

Peak FM broadcasts on 102 and 107.4 FM and is now owned by Bauer.