Rowan Ayers (16 June 1922 – 5 January 2008) was a television producer and poet. He was best known as producer of BBC's Line-Up [1] and Late Night Line-Up in the 1960s. He was the originator of BBCs influential late night rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test and the long-running Points of View. He was also responsible for the BBC's Open Door.
Born in Essex; Ayers began his career as a journalist on Fleet Street as an editor for Radio Times before moving to television. After several years with the BBC, in 1974 he moved to Australia where he joined the national Channel 9 network.[2]
Rowan Ayers was the father of Kevin Ayers, a founder member of Soft Machine and a very keen Merlin Rocket sailor in the 1960s. Rowan Ayers launched Abbey Road, The Beatles last recorded album on his show Late Night Line Up to raptuous applause in late 1969.