EVP Newsletter - No 27 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: EVP NEWS
Issue: No 27
Date: May 1981
Publisher: Alan Cleaver
Country: England
Price: £1.00 per year (six issues)

This issue of EVP NEWS, edited by Alan Cleaver, focuses on the significant global revival of interest in the Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) during the preceding months. The publication highlights the crucial role of Gilbert Bonner in this resurgence, particularly within the English-speaking world.

The Revival of EVP and Gilbert Bonner's Contribution

The editorial emphasizes that the current attention given to EVP is largely due to the "single-handed and selfishless efforts of Gilbert Bonner." Bonner dedicates a significant amount of his time to working on EVP and assisting others, even replying to correspondence that lacks the courtesy of a stamped addressed envelope. His recent articles have generated a large volume of letters, further increasing his workload. The editor expresses hope that future issues will have sufficient space to print Bonner's regular articles, which are eagerly awaited by readers.

Alan Cleaver personally thanks Gilbert Bonner for his "unselfish offers of articles detailing the results and experience of many years hard work," crediting him with making EVP News a success.

International Developments in EVP Research

The issue reports on a "tremendous world wide revival of interest in the evp." Several articles in "Psychic News" indicate that EVP is gaining traction in America, which previously had fewer researchers than England.

Friedrich Jurgenson and the Voice Phenomenon

News from "Psychic News" on April 4th highlighted Friedrich Jurgenson, the discoverer of the voice phenomenon. A documentary about Jurgenson and EVP is slated for broadcast on Eurovision, also featuring the work of the Centre for the Study of Parapsychology in Fermo, Italy, where Jurgenson serves as honorary President. Jurgenson, who discovered EVP in 1957, has reported holding conversations lasting up to 20 minutes with what he believes are the voices of the dead.

American EVP Research Group Formed

Gilbert Bonner reports that researchers in America are forming a new group to gather information on EVP. In February of that year, the Association for the Study of Electronic Voice Phenomena (ASEVP) presented a public demonstration of EVP. This society was founded by David Lothamer from California.

American EVP Newsletter

A new newsletter for US researchers, titled "The Spirit Voice," has been launched. It contains useful information on EVP and is produced by ex-air force electronics technician Bill Weisensale, according to Gilbert Bonner.

New Book by Raymond Bayless

A new book by EVP researcher Raymond Bayless of California, titled "Phone Calls from the Dead," has been released in both America and England. It provides information about EVP and accounts of people who have received phone calls from deceased individuals.

EVP on Television

Gilbert Bonner also shared that EVP researcher Sarah Estep from Maryland, USA, is attempting to achieve the world's first EVP contact using video equipment. She is trying to record paranormal phenomena observed on her television. While initial results have been negative, EVP voices received via radio have encouraged her to continue.

Richard Sheargold's Observations and Theories

EVP researcher Richard Sheargold has also noted the "sudden revival of interest in this extraordinary phenomena." He expressed encouragement by the upturn in interest and the "high calibre of certain of our newer experimenters." In an article in "Psychic News" on February 14th, Sheargold questioned the origin of EVP, proposing a theory of "self-generated, semi-autonomous thought forms" rather than a Spiritualistic view.

Sheargold's past work includes demonstrating in 1976 that voices could be produced using pre-recorded tape, effectively debunking sensational stories of paranormal radio stations or alien broadcasts. He later discovered that it was possible to contact living people through EVP, including the editor, Alan Cleaver.

Italian Research

News from Italian researchers, a rare event, was revealed in "Psychic News" on April 4th. Despite limited contact with English researchers, the correlations between the results from both countries are noted as surprising. The Italian team, based in Grosset, Italy, includes electronic engineer and lawyer Marcello Bacci, Luciano Capitani, Del Francia, Enrico Bernazzani, Franco Santi, Professor Loriano Calchetti, Sergio Giomi, and Simonetta Santarnecchi. They have accumulated 15,000 hours of tape from radio experiments conducted since 1974, using the radio interfrequency method. Their findings independently mirror Richard Sheargold's 1976 conclusion that EVP voices modulate existing noise and do not originate from a standard radio station. The group asserts that the phenomena are not caused by the magnetic recording head but come directly from the loudspeaker, possibly due to electrostatic charge. They have also observed that the voices' broadcasts can be modulated in range and frequency without interrupting reception. The Italian group has a "guide" named Alan Cordula, who has communicated with them almost daily for years, similar to Sheargold's guides Catharine and Michael Vinter's Christabel.

The article suggests that successful EVP researchers possess psychic abilities, a belief shared by Gilbert Bonner, who stated in February 1981 that "the researcher acts as a link (a sensitive). It is not just a question of technique." He added, "We depend on the voices contacting us."

Jurgenson's LP Records Mystery Continues

Cyril Luck of Norfolk is investigating the Philips Record Company regarding the rumored release of Jurgenson voice tapes on an LP. Despite constant references in EVP literature over several years, the record has yet to appear. Luck's inquiry to Philips received a reply from R. Cribb, quality control manager, who stated that Philips has never released such a record in the UK and is unaware of its existence. Cribb suggested contacting Philips in Holland.

A New Method

Following Michael Vinter's development of a new EVP contact method, Gilbert Bonner also announced a new approach. His article on January 24th in "Psychic News" led to numerous requests for more information. Bonner clarified that while he was not quoted correctly, he did draw the editor's attention to a "new" method informed by a Dutch colleague, possibly developed by F. Seidl. He described this method as deploying a technique that established certain facts and was "totally 'new and has nothing to do with Vinter's dialogue experiment." Bonner has received many requests for information but feels the time is not yet right to make the method public, though he has informed three researchers in the UK and USA for further testing. He believes the method requires three tape recorders and may only work if one has already obtained voices and established a link with the "other dimension," stating, "It depends upon the voice couree not us. THE BRIDGE MUST EXIST."

Publications and Subscriptions

The issue includes advertisements for two other publications:

• Fortean Times: The Journal of Strange Phenomena, continuing the work of Charles Fort. A one-year subscription (four issues) is £4 in the UK, with airmail add £3/$7.50. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Fortean Times and sent to "Dark They Were & Golden Eyed."
• The Ley Hunter: A magazine on Earth Mysteries, covering ancient alignments, geomancy, folklore, prehistoric sites, and strange phenomena. A four-issue subscription is £3.80 (UK), £5.00 (Europe), and £7.50/£16.00 (Overseas airmail).

It is also noted that "EVP NEWS" is produced every two months by Alan Cleaver and a subscription costs £1.00 per year (six issues).

A new magazine called "COMMON GROUND" is also mentioned as being shortly due out, covering UFOs, Fortean topics, Earth mysteries, ley lines, and psychic research. It is priced at £1.00 an issue and can be contacted via Kevin & Sue McClure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the significant and growing global interest in Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP). The editorial stance is one of enthusiastic support for EVP research, particularly highlighting the dedicated efforts of individuals like Gilbert Bonner. There is a clear emphasis on the international nature of this research, with reports from America and Italy alongside the UK-based content. The magazine also promotes other related publications, suggesting a broader interest in fortean and paranormal subjects among its readership. The editor, Alan Cleaver, actively participates in the content, both through his editorial role and by contributing articles and personal anecdotes.