About Mark Gregory
Mark was born near Middlesbrough in 1960. The first record he ever bought was the Music For Pleasure LP - “Ride A White Swan” by T-Rex in 1972. It cost 75p.
Following his graduation as a graphic designer from Teesside College of Art in 1980. A series of bizarre circumstances involving milk delivery and the loss of a driving license led to him begin broadcasting his most beloved musical genre – ROCK, on his local radio station, Stockton’s - Radio Tees, in 1983.
During this period, Mark also, wrote, edited and designed, his own rock music ‘fanzine’ – Cleveland Rocks, (titled after his hero – Ian Hunter’s, anthem of the same name) as well as being headhunted to write on a freelance basis, for the then, fledgling rock music magazine – Kerrang!
Next, Mark formed Cleveland Rocks Promotions with a former school friend. Staging concerts at Middlesbrough’s Town Hall and, bizarrely – The Philmore Discothčque in Saltburn! The pair also took on the management of Teesside AOR rock demi-gods – Arizona. Thornaby’s answer to Bon Jovi! During this time, he managed to get Arizona’s first studio session recorded by Def Leppard’s demo producer – Roy Nieve, and was on the verge of successfully negotiating them a publishing and recording deal. Sadly, the label went bust the following month, so the world never got to hear the Arizona album it so unknowingly craved. Such is life.
His personal collection of well over 1,000 rock cd’s, suggests that he has exposed himself (and his long suffering wife and daughter!) to around 15,000 classic tracks over time.
Among his biggest personal thrills during his time in radio are;
(Bob of course, being the man responsible for the biggest selling albums by Bon Jovi, Metallica, The Cult, Motley Crue and Aerosmith amongst others, so no pressure there then!)
As well as taking to the airwaves every day on Rock Radio, which he describes as a “complete labour of love”. Mark also works as a professional commercial voiceover from his home studio and is midway through writing the first of a trilogy of frankly hilarious books cataloguing his life in the radio and music business. It’s called “No Sleep Till Saltburn” and he’d like to think it’ll be out in time for Christmas. Although he didn’t specify which Christmas!
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