“John Smith and the Common Men; they’ve gone from 19 to 2!” – Susan’s 6 transistor radio: An Unearthly Chil

...So said Susan Who to Ian Chesterton; a science teacher with an enquiring mind and a very sensitive ear.

In episode one of Doctor Who, An Unearthly Child, Susan Foreman is listening to an early 1960s era 6 transistor radio.  The instrumental track that Susan was listening to, reminiscent in style to The Shadows, was described as being “John Smith and the Common Men”, a fictitious band.

I had tried to identify the model by looking on various transistor radio collectors’ websites, but all to no avail.  However, a member of the TARDIS Builders forum identified it.  This style of 6 transistor radio was released as Transitone/Realtone model TR-1645 and Golden Shield model 7186.  

Realtone Six Transistor radio

Golden Shield 6 Transistor Radio, model 7186 

Thanks to another tip-off, I was able to purchase off eBay a Golden Shield model 7186 from a seller in the USA.

On 20th April 2013, to commemorate “Record Store Day”, Hysterion Records in the UK released a limited edition 7” vinyl single called “Sounds from the Inferno” by John Smith and the Common Men!  (The Inferno was the name of the fictitious nightclub frequented by Polly in “The War Machines.)  Only 1000 copies were pressed.

Side two has two instrumentals by Johnny Hawksworth, called The Eyelash and Latin Gear.  Side one features an instrumental by Derek Nelson and Arthur Raymond called Three Guitars Mood 2, and it was this instrumental recording which doubled as “John Smith and the Common Men”.

The rear side of the record sleeve has some in-character sleeve notes and instructions for the hand jive that Susan performs when listening to the instrumental on her transistor radio!

Released in Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary year, it was a rather surprising but very pleasant blast from the past!