PAUL GAMBACCINI was born in New York City on the 2nd of April, 1949. He earned degrees in History (Dartmouth College USA) and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (University College Oxford). He was News International Visiting Professor of Broadcast Media at Oxford University in 2009.

Gambaccini’s career began as a writer for ROLLING STONE commencing in 1970 and continuing through the decade. Paul celebrated his fortieth anniversary as a national broadcaster on the 5th of October, 2013. He made his Radio 1 debut in 1973 and his first Radio 4 appearance the following year. He currently presents AMERICA'S GREATEST HITS on BBC Radio 2. His rotating Radio 4 mini-series are COUNTERPOINT and AND THE ACADEMY AWARD GOES TO --- . He hosted THE BBC JAZZ AWARDS, uniquely broadcast on both Radios 2 and 3, in 2005 through 2008, and has been a frequent host of FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT on Radio 2. Radio 4 celebrated the 40th anniversary with the mini-series THE GAMBACCINI YEARS.

Gambaccini appeared on BBC Radio 1 for 18 years, presenting the US chart show for most of that time. At some point he has been a regular on each of the first four BBC radio networks and first four British terrestrial television networks. Paul had runs presenting KALEIDOSCOPE on Radio 4 during the 1970s and the 1990s and for many years hosted the occasional mini-series FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY. He was one of the founding broadcasters of Classic FM. Gambaccini had a thirteen-year film review stint on first TV-am and then GMTV. He has made thousands of television appearances, including LIVE AID and THE NELSON MANDELA BIRTHDAY CONCERT, at the time the two most-watched TV shows in history.

Paul was co-author of THE GUINNESS BOOK OF BRITISH HIT SINGLES and related titles between 1977 and 1996. Combined sales of these volumes exceeded one and a half million copies. Paul's own books include RADIO BOY, LOVE LETTERS, and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS. Gambaccini co-authored TELEVISION'S GREATEST HITS with Rod Taylor, with whom he co-wrote and associate-produced two BBC 1 television series of the same name. Rod directed Paul's three series of THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS on Channel 4.

Gambaccini has presented the Ivor Novello Awards for 27 years. He hosted the Music Industry Trusts Dinner for 14 years. He presented the Sony Radio Academy Awards from 1999 to 2008 and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards from 2005 to 2012. In 1995 Paul was named Philanthropist of the Year by the National Charity Fundraisers for his work on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust. He received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio award from the Radio Academy in 1996.

Paul Gambaccini has been nominated for Sony Radio Academy Awards on several occasions. He was named Music Broadcaster of the Year in 2003, won Music Special of the Year in 2004 and received the career prize, The Gold Award, in 2007.

In 2005 Paul became a British citizen, while retaining his original American citizenship, and was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. Gambaccini was one of the inaugural inductees in the UK Softball Hall of Fame in 2007. He is a Prince's Trust Ambassador.