Michael Bukht was an extraordinarily successful broadcaster and executive who, sadly, could have been said to have worked himself to death.
He was responsible for two of the most successful stations in British commercial broadcasting, Capitol and Classic FM. The latter particularly seemed to emerge from the womb fully grown and with a format that has hardly altered in twenty years of broadcasting.
He was a very successful TV chef on the Food Programme (long before this genre disappeared up its onw recess) when he styled himself as Michael Barry - the crafty cook. He'd only stumbled on this additional career when he filled in for the regular cookery slot while he was the Controller at Capitol. He enjoyed it so much that regular occupant was not asked back.
I saw him in action once, briefly, on a visit to Classic FM. He occupied a central desk in the open plan production area, accessible to everyone. Whenever he needed to get to grips with a particular problem he'd stick a post-in note on his forehead saying 'I'm busy' or such.
He was responsible for two of the most successful stations in British commercial broadcasting, Capitol and Classic FM. The latter particularly seemed to emerge from the womb fully grown and with a format that has hardly altered in twenty years of broadcasting.
He was a very successful TV chef on the Food Programme (long before this genre disappeared up its onw recess) when he styled himself as Michael Barry - the crafty cook. He'd only stumbled on this additional career when he filled in for the regular cookery slot while he was the Controller at Capitol. He enjoyed it so much that regular occupant was not asked back.
I saw him in action once, briefly, on a visit to Classic FM. He occupied a central desk in the open plan production area, accessible to everyone. Whenever he needed to get to grips with a particular problem he'd stick a post-in note on his forehead saying 'I'm busy' or such.
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