Popular presenters would tour the country and put on a show of fun, games, live bands and audience participation and broadcast live in the airwaves.
The roadshow visited Hartlepool several times, most memorably taking over The Green at Seaton Carew.
We’ve unearthed some great pictures taken by the Hartlepool Mail at the time thanks to local history enthusiast Roger Codner.
Do they bring back memories for you?
1. Huge crowd
Huge numbers of people turned up on The Green at Seaton Carew for this Radio 1 Roadshow in the 1980s. Photo: Mail
2. Play scheme members
A town play scheme showing their banner at the roadshow in 1988. Photo: Mail
3. Audience participation
A young boy is brought onto the stage. Is that presenter Janice Long? Photo: Mail
4. Fun and games
Good-natured games with audience members were a big part of the roadshows. Photo: Mail