European Music Radio was conceived by Tom Taylor. Tom had been involved in the London-based Medium-wave Helen Broadcasting Network in 1969, as well as the famous Radio Jackie between 1970 and 1976.
In February 1976, Tom decided it was time to try something other than local broadcasting on AM (or Medium Wave as it was called then). Tom decided to start broadcasts on the 48 metre short-wave band, along with Bob Tomalski of the London Soul FM station Radio Invicta, and so EMR was born