1927
July 6th Alan was born in Melbourne, Australia
1957
Travelled to England in order "to do Europe"
1961
January 5th - After initial "summer relief" work on Radio Luxembourg, Alan was hired by the BBC's Light programme to present 'Records Around Five'. His fee was 10 guineas, and this was the first time he used what became his theme music 'At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal' composed and recorded by Brian Fahey
September 3rd - Alan took over 'Pick of the Pops' from David Jacobs in a new format that offered three segments within the 'Trad Tavern' show.
1962
'Pick of the Pops' moved to Sunday afternoons at 4pm. Initially for I hour then for two. With a short break in which Don Moss took over, Alan continued to present the show until 1972
1970
A new arrangement of the theme music was made by Barbara Moore and recorded by Brass Incorporated. This is the recording that remains in use to the present time
1972
'Pick of the Pops' was replaced by "The Top 40' on Radio One
1973
Alan started presenting 'The Story of Pop' the 26 part landmark history of the first 20 years of Rock 'n' Roll. It was broadcast around the world
1973
Alan launched 'The Saturday Rock Show' on Radio One
1978
Radio One Controller Derek Chinnery cancelled the Rock Show causing Alan to leave the station
1979
Aidan Day and Tim Blackmore invited Alan to cover for Nicky Horne during his holiday from the Capital Rock show. Afterwards, they persuaded Alan to stay on presenting his own Rock Show and later 'Pick of the Pops - Take Two' which each week featured two charts from different years
1987
Alan received the Radio Academy Award for "An Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio"
1988
Alan received a SONY Award as "Radio Personality of the Year"
1989
Alan re-joined Radio One to present 'Pick of the Pops' and 'The Saturday Rock Show'. POTP featured three charts and Alan stayed with the network until fired by Matthew Bannister in 1992
1993
Alan returned to Capital Radio to present 'POTP'. He also sat in for Paul Gambaccini on the Classic FM chart show
1996
Alan presented the rock show on Virgin Radio.
Alan received the Music Industry Trusts' Award as their "Man of the Year"
1997
Alan joined Radio Two to present "POTP" and later "Their Greatest Bits"
1998
Alan received the MBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to music
1999
Alan was hospitalised with a mini stroke
2000
Alan received a special SONY award "For Lifetime Achievement"
Alan retired from 'POTP' handing over to Dale Winton. He moved from his much loved Maida Vale apartment to Brinsworth House but continued to present 'Their Greatest Bits'
2001
Alan presented his final programme 'Their Greatest Bits'
Noel Edmonds presented 'The Complete Fluff' on Radio Two including tributes from Paul McCartney, John Peel and Chris Tarrant
2003
Alan was inducted into the Radio Academy's "Hall of Fame"
2006
In October Alan was hospitalised with a severe chest infection and then returned to his home at Brinsworth House where he died peacefully on November 27th, aged 79