Saturday marks the 50 year anniversary of the “pay for play” radio ban.

Australian radio stations were banned from playing British and Australian artists because the record labels wanted a pay out for playing the songs.

Former 6PR presenter and radio historian John Cranfield told 6PR Breakfast about the strange times in Australian music history that started May 23, 1970 and lasted until 24 October 1970.

A young John Farnham was live in the 6PR studios soon after the ban was lifted and celebrated by playing a song he had recorded months earlier but never been heard on Aussie airwaves.

Click PLAY to hear the full segment.