A new radio station is now streaming playing nothing but music by people who have died.

Radio Dead is the work of Steve Penk, who says the perception of the radio station might be different from the reality. “The reality is a joyous radio station celebrating the music of so many brilliant artists who are sadly no longer with us,” Penk tells RadioToday.

Radio Dead will honour the unsung heroes of so many bands (guitar players, drummers, keyboard players, backing singers) who are no longer with us, as well as featuring artists from David Bowie to Frank Sinatra.

Steve writes: “The idea came to me at the start of this year when in January we lost so many wonderful recording artists. As is the case when a major music star dies, music radio stations will have a quick burst of activity for a few days, playing a few of their songs, quickly followed by nothing, as they return to playing Justin Bieber every 10 minutes.

“I saw a gap in the radio market for a radio station of this type, a radio station that plays, honours and celebrates music stars who have left behind a wealth of great music, but in certain cases get very little or worse, zero radio AirPlay. When I sat down to put the radio station together I was amazed at the list I was slowly building of dead music stars, and so many of them never get played on the radio anymore, how sad, what a tragedy.

“I toyed with the idea of calling the radio station by a different name, but then thought, why? I could have called it something sugary and predictable, but then thought Radio Dead is a great name, it cuts through, it is what it is.

“Some people find the very mention of the word dead or the subject of death a no go zone, especially on radio where most of the time it’s like listening to Disneyland employees, everything is smiley wonderful and the thought of ever saying or doing anything slightly controversial is a definite no go zone.

“Death is an eventuality, it will happen to us all”.

Steve continues: “Radio Dead is what it says on the tin, a radio station that only plays dead people, nothing wrong with that in my opinion, it’s just that nobody has ever done it before. There is nothing negative or depressing about Radio Dead, it’s a positive, joyous celebration of amazing artists who’ve all left behind wonderful music, let’s not forget the great music they gave us. Listen and judge for yourself.”