Emperor Rosko

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Mike Pasternak, better known by his stage name of Emperor Rosko (born December 26, 1942) is a well known pop radio presenter, not to be confused with American radio presenter William (Rosko) Mercer.

Born Michael Joseph Pasternak, he is the son of Hollywood film producer Joe Pasternak. He was influenced in his career choice by KYA Radio Los Angeles DJ's Emperor Hudson and Wolfman Jack. Rosko's opportunity to broadcast came whilst in the US Navy where he presented a show on an aircraft carrier. He then went to Europe and hosted sponsored programmes in France and Belgium.

He joined Radio Caroline in 1964 where his pacey American style soon made him one of the station's best loved DJs. He then was heard on French language stations Radio Monte Carlo and Radio Luxembourg.

As a Disc Jockey with Radio 1 at its launch in 1967, Rosko initially recorded shows in France for 'Midday Spin'. On his first Midday Spin show at Radio 1, Rosko introduced himself like so...."I am the Emperor....the geeter with the heater; your leader, your groovy host from the West coast, here to clear up your skin and mess up your mind. It'll make you feel good all over!!" He highlighted the new Motown, Reggae, and Rock music on his shows.

John Dunn, BBC news presenter who followed Rosko's show, must have had difficulty understanding some of Rosko's 'Jive Talk' when he announced "Now here is the News.......in English!"

He moved to the UK in 1968, so was heard live on Radio 1. Along with DLT, he launched the first Mobile Discotheque, The Rosko International Roadshow.

From 1970 he presented the Friday Roundtable where new records were reviewed by a panel, and a Saturday lunchtime slot. He stayed with Radio 1 until September 1976, when he left to join his father in America who was suffering from Parkinson's disease^[1]

When he returned to Europe, he was heard via recorded shows on Radio Luxembourg. In 1982 he returned to Radio 1 for a 13-week Sunday series of shows, and continued to broadcast at weekends on Radio 1 during the Summer for four years. In 1992 he helped celebrate the station's 25th birthday with a special broadcast, before being heard on Virgin Radio 1215 in April 1993.

He has since been heard on the Classic Gold network and REM.FM, his programme being pre-recorded in California and is currently running Rosko Radio, his own Soul station on Live 365.