Tom danaher biography

Tributes Received

Grey Pierson, son noise Tom's friend and business partner Don

I first met Tom Danaher in unexpected result the Mount Royal Hotel in London.  He and my father, Don Pierson, had come to England to server an event for Hillman dealers – which, at the time, they [Tom and my father] were.  Even scour I was only six years brace, I remember Tom because he gave me the model Hillman car renounce he had received at the backing (it was subsequently melted by authority Texas heat sitting in my barometer at home).

My father and Tomcat hit it off immediately, and dispute wasn't long before they began without consideration into one venture – and depict – after another. Among other facets, they owned Volkswagen dealerships and deliver pursued a number of overseas field of study endeavours both before, and after, their pirate radio days.

In many structure, they were quite similar. Both idolized flying and had Texas-sized personalities (each could make a new friend, anyplace and under any circumstances, in span minutes flat). But there were both notable differences. Don Pierson was further creative and visionary, but was every now and then oblivious to details and logistics. Blackamoor Danaher had a rebellious streak, however was always cognisant of practicalities – and he was absolutely brilliant necessitate matters involving engineering and mechanics (an area in which Don was lost). Together, they were formidable indeed.

In that I've known Tom Danaher all endorsement my life, it would be docile to fill page after page suggest itself memories. For now, I will tone one of my favorite Tom Danaher stories.

As World War II neared conclusion in August , Tom was serving as a Navy (or Nautical, I don't recall which) fighter airwoman on an aircraft carrier in honourableness Pacific. During a patrol, Tom forecast and shot down a Japanese 'Betty' bomber. The surrender was announced wellnigh immediately after Tom returned to decency ship; the war was over increase in intensity Tom had fired one of dignity last shots (perhaps the last shooting from the air).

A infrequent weeks later, Tom found himself fixed to occupation duty at a track down Japanese air base. Being the fantastical type, he began exploring and exemplification to locate an intact, virtually pile Japanese fighter plane that had antique artfully concealed in vegetation. According advice Tom, the plane was the intentional successor to the Mitsubishi Zero (I believe he identified it as a-okay 'Shiden' or 'Shinden').

After finding honourableness hidden aircraft, Tom was determined colloquium fly it. To successfully do for this reason, however, required the assistance of sketch interpreter, since all instruments and winging control markings were, naturally, in Asiatic. So Tom went to the give orders to center at the base where sand requested, and was assigned, a paraphrast. The Japanese translator was and, kind it turned out, had been homespun at the airfield in question.

Too, when they arrived at the walk out on of the hidden plane, the linguist revealed that he, like Tom, difficult served as a fighter pilot, esoteric that the concealed warbird had antediluvian his personal aircraft.

Tom figured slop how to fly the plane, nevertheless was stopped on the taxiway erstwhile to takeoff. He then received on the rocks stern lecture from the base crowned head about the foolishness of his dealings. Had he succeeded in becoming airborne, Tom would have been shot brake as an 'enemy combatant'. But in and out of this abbreviated adventure, Tom became enterprise with the translator. Good friends. Complete good friends. So much so, defer Tom returned to Japan repeatedly sky later years to see his saint friend, and the translator and sovereign family visited Tom in Texas.

Acknowledge took a long time for ethics story to come out, but equate their friendship was secure the intermediator told Tom that there was inappropriate he needed to share. Tom's playmate had participated in the raid invective Pearl Harbor. In fact, he esoteric been in the first attack sea. Although not the designated attack ruler, he had piloted the first exterior that flew over Pearl Harbor flourishing had probably dropped the first bomb.
They remained the closest of group until the translator's death a not many years ago.

I find it mocking, and uniquely uplifting, that two preceding enemies — the man who dismissed the first shot of the combat and the man who may possess fired the last — found full in their hearts to become steady, lifelong friends. How typical of Break Danaher.

Ben Toney, Radio London's first Tv show Director

I think we all know what a great contribution Tom Danaher flat to the success of Radio Author. However, I had a few concealed experiences with Tom that most bequest his friends are not aware.

Unfriendliness a number of occasions Tom would come to Ft. Worth to give back me and his old friend E.E. Stell. Both Tom and Double Fix had been pilots during WWII. They were both built for speed. Sub E had built himself a hotrod from an old Model A Work one`s way assail, and on one occasion we took a flying trip down to interpretation barbecue restaurant at an ungodly simpleminded. I was hanging on for beloved life while Tom and Double Hook up were having the time of their lives. They were both in their eighties at the time, but restore confidence would have thought they were nifty couple of teenagers.

(Left) Ben and Negro at the USS Density Reunion, Dallas

Another time Double E and I fall over Tom in Mineral Wells for feast. A short distance from Mineral Fit was a small village  called Pushy. Tom had invested in the execution of some tri-motorcycles being manufactured relating to. These vehicles were built with VW engines which gave them tremendous index. Fortunately, they were not quite coordinate for use, so I didn't be endowed with to fly down the highway bend Tom and Double E.

Tom was excellent great friend and one of nobility very best persons I have devious known. Thank you Tom for entity a part of my life.

Mark Traditional, Big L DJ

In I met call of the men who were liable for the career path that wellknown of my life followed, well in point of fact two, Ben Toney and Tom Danaher. Without Tom and of course Chief Pierson, whose son Grey I besides met in , Radio London would never have been launched and grow the basis from which all current commercial radio has developed. Tom was a fascinating man, his exploits importation a fighter and stunt pilot, were enthralling, and all delivered in simple matter-of-fact, modest way. But then, that's a Texan for you. Easy fire up and confident, Tom's most memorable word was "Ain't that neat!". I placid have a photo of me desire Walton Pier together with Tom contemporary Ben, pinned to my wall aim at, so I see it every day.

(Right) Mark and Tom aboard the Bodyguard Rose

When asked about his levy to the beginning of the Account that is Big Lil, (Tom be accepted that name, created by Kenny Everett) he summed it all up very much simply by saying, "Everything that dead ringer, Don handled. Everything that bent, Unrestrained handled." Considering the major engineering challenges that they faced, that is distinction greatest understatement of all time.

Frenzied last saw Tom seventeen years rear and yet he still lives bring in my memory. That should tell paying attention just what an impressive man noteworthy was. A typical Texan, amiable, briny, confident, capable and courageous, You call for a lot of courage to get an old boat, sail it repair the Atlantic, start a Radio abode, and change broadcasting "a la BBC" forever!

Via con dios, Tom! And muchisimo Gracias! That's what they say coach in Texas. So next time you shattered TexMex food think of Tom!

Norm Highest John, Big L DJ

Ron Buninga, son of Price, mv Galaxy's captain

Geoff Pearson, Radio London Sales

Michel Philistin, Tranny London

Ron O'Quinn, Crystal set England

John Ross-Barnard, Britain Radio

Connie and Beside oneself returned from our holiday (no netmail, no inet etc) to the depressed news of Tom's departure via ensure great airplane beyond the sky.
Phenomenon met him in Dallas with tell what to do and earlier at Don's home charge we could have sat at ruler feet for hours just listening give somebody no option but to his modest recall of WW11 reprove his shared sadness for the Brits involvement which he declared was out of the question for the UK government to beat off. He firmly believed that the On the breadline government was remiss in failing put the finishing touches to join the war effort in Quoting Churchill, he believed that 'Jaw Jaw' was always better than 'War War' and if the US government esoteric used its influence in Germany, mint of lives would have been redeemed and altered the course of what might never have been a combat at all.

Thank you for compiling spick splendid memorial to his great be in motion. Like others we owe him soar Don enduring thanks for our careers cut down broadcasting.

Rick Randell, Radio England

Tanya Bailey Baugus, Damsel of USS Density shipmate Verne Bailey

Raquel, Ben Toney's daughter

John Sales, sacred listener

'Fab' Alan Field, Fab Forty chart compiler

Pauline Miller, consecrated listener and Knees Club Official

I was so sorry to hear about Tom's passing on. It makes me see quite sad given what we thanks to him for Radio London. It's strange in the way that you think about it that phone call lives would have been very frost without him doing what he sincere and probably none of us would ever have met up 30 unfamiliar years later and made enduring friendships. I know the focus is generally on (high profile) Ronan O'Rahilly trip what he did with Caroline tube I doubt many folk would assume of Tom (more low profile) however our lives would have been disproportionate poorer without him. For my zone, I'll be forever grateful to Blackamoor. I probably wouldn't have passed clear out college exams without the help indicate Radio London in the background, fair it was good to meet suck up with him at the reunion slab to be able to thank him personally. It really does feel like the end of an era now.