New Era Ends for Richard Rees After 50 Years in Music Broadcasting
The music industry was vastly different when Richard Rees played his first song on the radio in 1976: everything was on vinyl and streaming was not a concept.
However, as he concludes his half-century presenting career with his final show on April 11, one thing remains unchanged – his passion for music.
During his teenage years in the Llanelli area in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Welsh music scene did not excite Richard Rees.
He attended some Pinacl Pop nights where several bands performed in halls, including Hogia'r Wyddfa, Dafydd Iwan, and the Perlau. Yet, it was English-language bands like Led Zeppelin and Free that captured his attention.
Recordiau Sain
"I fod yn hollol onest, i rywun oedd yn gwrando'n gyson ar gerddoriaeth Radio 1 doedd y gerddoriaeth Cymraeg pryd hynny ddim mor exciting â hynna," meddai wrth Cymru Fyw.
"Roedde ti'n gwrando ac yn dilyn, ond oedd e ddim yn rhywbeth oedd yn dy gyffroi di."
However, things were rapidly changing for him and Welsh music.
Since its establishment in 1969, the record company Sain had been developing and innovating by improving the quality of Welsh records, aiding the development of artists such as Meic Stevens, Hergest, and Heather Jones. By the mid-1970s, there was excitement in the Welsh pop world.
In 1976, after working freelance with Sain Abertawe and Radio Cymru, Richard Rees was offered the opportunity to present Sosban, a Saturday morning music program on the national station.
Sesiynau Sosban
Filling three hours weekly requires a significant amount of music. Although the number of bands had increased by 1976, it was still far fewer than today, and there was no extensive music archive.
Therefore, Sosban boosted groups and helped them record.
"Hwnna oedd bwriad Sosban yn y bôn - ro'n ni'n rhoi cyfleoedd i fandiau oedd ddim yn cael y cyfleoedd i recordio ac roedden ni'n gwneud sesiwn bob wythnos reit o'r dechrau," meddai.
"Roedd bandiau'n hala tapiau mewn ac wedyn bydden ni'n trefnu sesiwn gyda nhw, fel arfer yn stiwdio BBC, yn Llandaf. Ac wedyn roedden ni'n darlledu'r caneuon gyda chyfweliad fel arfer yn fyw bore Sadwrn.
"Rwy'n credu bod Sosban wedi rhoi cyfle i lot fawr o artistiaid – Ail Symudiad, bandiau fel Bwchadanas, Maffia Mr Huws, Crys, roedd y rhain i gyd yn fandiau gafodd sesiynau gan Sosban."
The program was also a way to create buzz in Welsh culture and enable young people to connect with each other.
"'Wedodd rhywun wrtha i'n ddiweddar mai Sosban oedd Facebook y cyfnod," meddai.
"Os oedd rhywun yn Coleg Bangor eisiau trefnu dawns gyda rhywun yn Aberystwyth roedden nhw'n 'neud e trwy Sosban.
"Doedd cael rhyw 100 o alwadau ffôn ar fore Sadwrn yn ddim byd - a llythyre."
Elin Fflur yn creu argraff
Since then, Richard Rees has held various roles in the media – including television publisher and radio and TV producer.
However, presenting different music programs on Radio Cymru and Radio Wales has been a consistent part of his career.
The artists who have impressed him over the decades include those who have shaped the history of Welsh rock – Edward H, Jarman, Bando, Maffia Mr Huws, Brodyr y Ffin. He has interviewed numerous musicians, including world-famous stars such as Paul McCartney, Queen, and 10CC.
"Un o'r artistiaid gafodd yr argraff fwyaf arna i oedd Elin Fflur," meddai.
"Pan glywes i'r albwm Dim Gair yn 2002 'nes i jyst feddwl, 'waw, pwy yw hon?'. A dwi wedi bod yn ffan mawr o Elin byth ers hynny."
In 2006, he was offered to present a music program on Radio Cymru on Saturday mornings. Although the time slot has changed occasionally, the program has continued for 20 years – until now. He will present his final show on April 11, 2026.
"Mae 'di bod yn hanner can mlynedd, mae 'di bod yn grêt, thank you very much ond dwi'n credu bod hi'n bryd gorffen."
Although there is much more music available now, one thing that has declined is the connection between presenter and artists, he said.
When an artist released a new album, he interviewed them face-to-face, building relationships and keeping an eye on any new records they had.
He was also able to transfer his knowledge to the listener when presenting songs. With phone interviews and songs sent digitally – rather than on vinyl or CD with all the information on the cover – this has disappeared.
"Un o'r beiau mawr ar y sîn Cymraeg ar hyn o bryd yw bod ti ddim yn gwybod pwy sy'n gwneud beth," meddai.
"Ti'n cael rhywbeth wedi ei hala atat ti fel ffeil MP3 neu fel wav file. Does 'na ddim gwybodaeth ynglŷn â phwy oedd yn chwarae bâs, pwy oedd yn chwarae drums, pwy ar lead guitar.
"So, mewn blynyddoedd i ddod, mewn 20 mlynedd, bydd rhywun yn eistedd yn Radio Cymru neu ble bynnag ac yn cyflwyno rhaglen yn edrych nôl ar 2026 ac yn meddwl: 'O ie, band yma, ym, pwy oedd y rhain te?'"
And although he is retiring from presenting, Richard Rees will not stop his involvement with music.
"Yn amlwg mae yna elfennau o gerddoriaeth newydd dwi'n hoff iawn ohonyn nhw, mae yna elfennau o gerddoriaeth newydd dwi ddim mor keen arnyn nhw," meddai.
"Ond bydda i'n dal i wrando, bydda i'n dal i ffeindio bandiau ac unigolion dwi'n hoff iawn ohonyn nhw a bydda i'n cadw llygad, ac yn sicr yn dal i ddilyn."
Dewis caneuon rhaglen olaf Richard Rees
For his final program, Richard Rees has selected some of the bands and artists who have meant the most to him personally over the past half-century.
Here is his final playlist... and listen to the final show on BBC Radio Cymru at 05:30 on April 11 or go to .
- Mynd i Ffwrdd Fel Hyn - Meic Stevens
- Nos Sul a Baglan Bay - Huw Chiswell
- Becci'n Chwarae'r Blues - Heather Jones
- Mae Rhywbeth Mynd i Ddigwydd - Lowri Evans
- Noson Arall Efo'r Drymiwr - Steve Eaves
- Rhythm Yn Y Glaw - Cleif Harpwood
- Fel Hyn Oedd Pethe Fod - Caryl Parry Jones
- Sneb Yn Becos Dam - Edward H Dafis
- Mae'r Ysbryd Yn Troi - Elin Fflur
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