Because, the first one (tonight) is 1976, where we get :
01/04/1976 With Abba, the Brotherhood of Man, the Beatles, Fox, John Miles, Diana Ross and Sailor. (R).
Then after that they are on Thursday night, 7:30pm, and basically are running weekly, each episode being from (exactly) 35 years ago (near enough)..
Until BBC4 sack it.
― Mark G, Friday, 1 April 2011 15:36 (2 years ago) Permalink
Brilliant idea. I can relive my childhood. My earliest musical memories (from pre-school days) are stuff like Abba, The Wurzels, Showaddywaddy and Hot Chocolate.
― in a wonderful balloon! (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Friday, 1 April 2011 20:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
This docu that's on now makes grim viewing.
― did you notice "you spin me round" was playing in the background? (snoball), Friday, 1 April 2011 21:18 (2 years ago) Permalink
The docu made some interesting points, and for all that I'd have loved if they'd started in 1964 (or whenever), 1976 is a good year to kickoff from.
The big point made was that the charts had become a 'variety' show source, as opposed to the 'teen hit parade' of the sixties. So, loads of Mathis, Roussos, BroMan, Abba and Radio DJs having comedy send-up hits.
It'll be like this for a while, but one I do remember being somewhat of a life changing moment was when Eddie and the Hot Rods did "Get out of Denver",and I went straight out and bought the (expensive) ep the next day.
I know, thesedays peopple decry the rods as being "not as seminal as Dr Feelgood", but I saw a repeat on TOTP2 and it was as good as I remembered. So, soon come, that show which showed the juxtaposition of this band against the other acts on that night.
(also, it means that the quality of dodgy Punk TOTP compilation DVDs are going to shoot up. If they get that far, of course)
― Mark G, Monday, 4 April 2011 09:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
What tickled me most was the former TOTP producer saying that they didn't get the Pistols on for "Anarchy In The UK" (which peaked at #38) because it didn't chart high enough, very important that we always stuck by the rules etc etc... followed by an April 1976 show featuring two (useless) acts which never charted at all.
The Hot Rods did well to get a TOTP appearance for "Get Out Of Denver", as a) the Live At The Marquee EP peaked at #43 and b) it was the lead track on the B-side.
― mike t-diva, Monday, 4 April 2011 09:43 (2 years ago) Permalink
It was track 2 on the a-side, but yeah.
Also, the funny was having Dave Bartram saying "yeah, a TOTP appearance guaranteed you a top 10 hit" and demonstrating this with a screening of their massive top (fillinasecond) hit "Trocadero"...
― Mark G, Monday, 4 April 2011 10:08 (2 years ago) Permalink
32
― Mark G, Monday, 4 April 2011 10:09 (2 years ago) Permalink
xpost - Aaargh, so it was!
― mike t-diva, Monday, 4 April 2011 10:25 (2 years ago) Permalink
Am I misunderstanding? cos the 60s had big hits for Ken Dodd, Englebert Humperdinck, the Barron Knights etc etc
― Boobage Dirtbag (Noodle Vague), Monday, 4 April 2011 10:32 (2 years ago) Permalink
Oh sure, but the theory being that those were in the minority, show-content wise.
― Mark G, Monday, 4 April 2011 10:42 (2 years ago) Permalink
oh on the show. yeah probly fair enough. chartwise it was variety a-go-go
― Boobage Dirtbag (Noodle Vague), Monday, 4 April 2011 12:00 (2 years ago) Permalink
Yeah, I don't think the point was that the charts had become (more) like a variety show, but that TOTP had.
― in a wonderful balloon! (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Monday, 4 April 2011 12:09 (2 years ago) Permalink
fuck Noel Edmonds and his 'comedy' links
― did you notice "you spin me round" was playing in the background? (snoball), Thursday, 7 April 2011 18:37 (2 years ago) Permalink
I know, what a dick. Still we had the Four Seasons doing "Silver Star" this week. Also Eric Carmen's "interview" with Noel Edmonds, where you couldn't hear a word he was saying, don't be shy Eric!
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 08:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
Interviews on TOTP? that's a rarity...
― Mark G, Friday, 8 April 2011 09:12 (2 years ago) Permalink
"Inteview" not really the word.
"You wrote a song for Dana didn't you?""Mumble mumble mumble""What's the best song you've ever written?""Mumble mumble mumble All By Myself""Well all the best with the new single""Mumble"
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 09:15 (2 years ago) Permalink
Don't know what song he wrote for Dana
Oh and Noel was saying what a good album "Eric Carmen" was: a rare display of good taste from Edmonds there!
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 09:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
Noel had to say he liked it cos he didn't want to blow a raspberry.
― ridic beau (NickB), Friday, 8 April 2011 09:21 (2 years ago) Permalink
My god that it horribly formed.
― ridic beau (NickB), Friday, 8 April 2011 09:22 (2 years ago) Permalink
*is*
OK so Google tells me Dana covered "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" from the aforementioned "Eric Carmen" album
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 09:26 (2 years ago) Permalink
Is Dana the one who did some religious kids programme called 'Wake Up Sunday'?
― in a wonderful balloon! (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Friday, 8 April 2011 10:18 (2 years ago) Permalink
Sounds likely
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 10:23 (2 years ago) Permalink
10CC, "Mandy Fly Me" was on too. Fantastic!
― Tom D (Tom D.), Friday, 8 April 2011 10:34 (2 years ago) Permalink
NEdmonds always had his love of singer-songwriters, to be fair.
― Mark G, Friday, 8 April 2011 10:48 (2 years ago) Permalink
Big fan of Harry Chapin, yer Edmonds.
― mike t-diva, Friday, 8 April 2011 14:40 (2 years ago) Permalink
Balderdash certainly describes droll Noel's career.
― did you notice "you spin me round" was playing in the background? (snoball), Friday, 8 April 2011 15:04 (2 years ago) Permalink
This was easily the most WTF song on this week's show:
― in a wonderful balloon! (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Saturday, 9 April 2011 22:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
I watched last night's 1976 episode, it was amazingly and compellingly bad. Lots of odd-looking folks I've never heard of awkwardly performing novelty songs, and one of Pan's People doing some remarkably gratuitous ass-shaking in the direction of the camera. I need more.
― Antoine Bugleboy (Merdeyeux), Friday, 22 April 2011 14:22 (2 years ago) Permalink
70s was the golden age for ugly blokes, you could still end up in a band on TOTP with groupies galore. Rubettes' (sans caps) song sounded more like the Beatles than the Rutles!
― None'll come and then a lot'll (Tom D.), Friday, 22 April 2011 14:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
I'm watching this now. LOL at the male members of the Vagabonds miming the female backing vocals. Something massively depressing about second tier disco groups though, like they're trapped in time, it's as if they're composed entirely of all the bits of late 70's disco that don't influence music today.
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Friday, 22 April 2011 14:57 (2 years ago) Permalink
Shoeless and carrying a walking stick with a bicycle bell on it? Fucking hell, Harpo could teach Lady gaga a thing or two.
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Friday, 22 April 2011 15:00 (2 years ago) Permalink
Sheer Elegance one of the most misnamed bands ever judging by what they were wearing, the uglyness of the Rubettes & their overcocky drummer, the utter WTFness of Harpo. mandatory viewing from now on!
― ／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ (zappi), Friday, 22 April 2011 15:23 (2 years ago) Permalink
I'm sure Punk would never of happened if Sky+ would of been available in 1976...ended up fast forwarding most of last night's show...bring back Noosha Fox...become a little obsessed with s-s-single bed...
― sonnyboy, Friday, 22 April 2011 16:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
^^^ same goes for watching it on iPlayer. I don't know if 'compellingly bad' is the term, or just 'bad'.
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Friday, 22 April 2011 16:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
the uglyness of the Rubettes & their overcocky drummer
Enjoy!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 22 April 2011 16:51 (2 years ago) Permalink
definitely 'compellingly bad' for me. and Fox lady really reminded me of Alison Goldfrapp which is a Good Thing.
― ／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ (zappi), Friday, 22 April 2011 17:10 (2 years ago) Permalink
Noosha F missing link between Clare Grogan and Goldfrapp. Love that record.
― Michael Jones, Friday, 22 April 2011 17:16 (2 years ago) Permalink
Ah, been catching up via good old iplayer on the wii.
Old enough to remember these episodes quite clearly in some cases.
Sad that they haven't gone back far enough in time to have Sparks on.
Still, don't recall that Gilbert O'Sullivan song though I must have heard it then.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 26 April 2011 11:30 (2 years ago) Permalink
Oh, last I heard, they are definitely doing this run for a year.
After that? Who knows...
He was long gone as commercial proposition by 1976. That song sounded like a demo, did artists have to re-record tracks? I know they had to re-record vocals, hence the ubiquity of the Ladybirds. But then other acts obviously just mimed to the record.
― None'll come and then a lot'll (Tom D.), Tuesday, 26 April 2011 11:37 (2 years ago) Permalink
They did 'have' to.
A lot of them switched the tapes post-session, apparently.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 26 April 2011 11:59 (2 years ago) Permalink
ooooooo-oooooooooooooh Vienna it's Slik
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:32 (2 years ago) Permalink
It's Midge Uuuurrrr...
― sonnyboy, Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:35 (2 years ago) Permalink
And Paul knickerless
― sonnyboy, Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:36 (2 years ago) Permalink
Jesus Christ, superstar?
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:37 (2 years ago) Permalink
DLT looks like Badly Drawn Boy.
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:47 (2 years ago) Permalink
This is sooooo much better than last weeks....
― sonnyboy, Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
Only one novelty act so far.
― grill 'em bake 'em fry 'em burn 'em (snoball), Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:51 (2 years ago) Permalink
Shit Brotherhood Of Man are still number one...
― sonnyboy, Thursday, 28 April 2011 18:52 (2 years ago) Permalink
Aside from a number 15 record in April 1978, this is the last time they trouble the charts. Possibly another victim of the 'Greatest Hits album' curse.
― Prisoner: Cell Block J/K (snoball), Thursday, 31 January 2013 20:39 (3 months ago) Permalink
But they shall trouble TOTP a fee more times...
― Mark G, Thursday, 31 January 2013 21:49 (3 months ago) Permalink
few
bom #1 this week, gah
still, abba and mr blue sky back to back. and that 'more more night' thing.
― koogs, Thursday, 14 February 2013 21:49 (3 months ago) Permalink
(that 'one more night' thing reminds me of 's-s-s-single bed' in a way)
― koogs, Thursday, 14 February 2013 21:50 (3 months ago) Permalink
(ha ha, youtube clip is from totp2 and the pop-up text says he was previously in Fox)
― koogs, Thursday, 14 February 2013 21:54 (3 months ago) Permalink
"5 Minutes" by the Stranglers was almost embarrassing in that it stood out so clearly amongst all the muck surrounding it.
Three songs featured which never made the chart, including Lulu's cover of "Best Of My Love" and pass-the-hat Dusty Springfield.
TOTP really was shite, wasn't it?
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Friday, 15 February 2013 09:41 (3 months ago) Permalink
Entering the 'put a sticker on your guitar's scratchplate under the strings' period.
― These goons are from Galactor and who gives a s*** (snoball), Thursday, 21 February 2013 19:33 (3 months ago) Permalink
A little while ago, Paul Weller had a "put a mailing address sticker from you girlfriend's post' on his guitar. Presumably she doesn't live there anymore
― Mark G, Thursday, 21 February 2013 20:15 (3 months ago) Permalink
Kid Jensen very taken with Kate Bush
― nan machine (MaresNest), Thursday, 21 February 2013 20:49 (3 months ago) Permalink
So was a young snoball. One of my clearest and earliest musical memories.
― These goons are from Galactor and who gives a s*** (snoball), Thursday, 21 February 2013 21:08 (3 months ago) Permalink
Me too, I was 6 but I clearly remember my folks and some of their friends buying The Kick Inside and raving about her.
― nan machine (MaresNest), Thursday, 21 February 2013 21:12 (3 months ago) Permalink
Unusually for Radio 1 DJ as she was over 16 at the time. Kid was kinda korny but at least he wasn't a creep or a weirdo.
― Le petit chat est mort (Tom D.), Friday, 22 February 2013 12:53 (3 months ago) Permalink
Yea, he was earnest, like Richard Skinner
― shouting in a bucket blues (MaresNest), Friday, 22 February 2013 15:46 (3 months ago) Permalink
Unlike Peter Powell, however, Jensen does not resemble Kenneth Branagh.
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Friday, 22 February 2013 16:02 (3 months ago) Permalink
I always thought PP looked a bit like Huey Lewis too
― shouting in a bucket blues (MaresNest), Friday, 22 February 2013 16:29 (3 months ago) Permalink
I always thought Powell looked (and acted) like Zippy from Rainbow.
― These goons are from Galactor and who gives a s*** (snoball), Friday, 22 February 2013 22:37 (3 months ago) Permalink
"I'm not in love with television, although I will appear on it if my band's single is a big enough hit..."
― Half of these sound like rappers. (snoball), Thursday, 14 March 2013 19:33 (2 months ago) Permalink
They should have given Tina Charles a box to stand on, then we'd be spared many of these interminable audience shots (why yes, Keith Chegwin lookalike in a trilby, you are on TV).
― Half of these sound like rappers. (snoball), Thursday, 14 March 2013 19:43 (2 months ago) Permalink
Never took much notice of the Motors back in the day (too much else of interest) but what a great single is AirportAnyone else notice the bizarre resemblance between their guitarist and Jack from On the Buses in that clip?
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Friday, 22 March 2013 21:26 (2 months ago) Permalink
Just realised that late 70's Macca looks like an old boss of mine.
― Will you see a political publicity stunt? (snoball), Thursday, 4 April 2013 18:46 (1 month ago) Permalink
Oh look, some tired old shit representing the UK at Eurovision.
― Will you see a political publicity stunt? (snoball), Thursday, 4 April 2013 18:54 (1 month ago) Permalink
odd edit after boomtown rats, straight into hot chocolate. wonder what happened.
― koogs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:13 (1 month ago) Permalink
Editing around a damaged tape maybe?
― Will you see a political publicity stunt? (snoball), Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:15 (1 month ago) Permalink
http://totp.heroku.com/programmes/4f9x - annoyingly alphabetical
Boomtown Rats - Shes So ModernHot Chocolate - Every 1s A WinnerLegs & Co / Andrew Gold- Never Let Her Slip AwaySqueeze - Take Me Im YoursWings - With A Little LuckSheila - Singin In The RainAndy Gibb - Shadow DancingCo Co - The Bad Old DaysBrian and Michael - Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats
which means the following weren't shown:The Manhattan Transfer - Walk In LoveShowaddywaddy - I Wonder WhyThe Stylistics - Wonder Woman
is also missing genesis over the chart and blondie over the end credits
― koogs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:31 (1 month ago) Permalink
are they editing long versions down to 30 minutes? they don't appear to be showing the extended versions on saturdays like they used to
― koogs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:32 (1 month ago) Permalink
But I heard Genesis being played over the chart. Seeing Andy Gibb made me kinda sad :(
― Step not on a loose unforgiving stone on a pyramid to paradise (Tom D.), Friday, 5 April 2013 09:27 (1 month ago) Permalink
(i meant that list i copied is missing the intro and outro music)
― koogs, Friday, 5 April 2013 09:40 (1 month ago) Permalink
the late repeat yesterday, and saturday night's is 40 minutes long
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/programmes/schedules/2013/04/04
― koogs, Friday, 5 April 2013 09:42 (1 month ago) Permalink
I'm not saying last night's show was creepy, but when you end up wondering whether LS Lowry was dodgy it's probably time to tune out.
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Friday, 5 April 2013 10:04 (1 month ago) Permalink
oh Tina..
her debut was the first album i ever owned. back cover; her gazing in the mirror brushing her hair.
― piscesx, Friday, 5 April 2013 21:25 (1 month ago) Permalink
Ruth Jones to play her in the biopic
― Mark G, Friday, 5 April 2013 22:38 (1 month ago) Permalink
yep, missing songs there in the saturday night version. and the worst 3 things on there 8(
― koogs, Sunday, 7 April 2013 10:57 (1 month ago) Permalink
So far this week it's like punk never happened. I'd forgotten the performance for 'Automatic Lover' was so ridiculous (pity as the song isn't anywhere near as silly, and we'd have to wait until Gary Numan turned up to hear another robosexual single).
― Will you see a political publicity stunt? (snoball), Thursday, 18 April 2013 18:42 (1 month ago) Permalink
And here's Bonnie Tyler with what sounds like a cast off Rod Stewart song where the writer couldn't be bothered to finish the verse lyrics.
― Will you see a political publicity stunt? (snoball), Thursday, 18 April 2013 18:45 (1 month ago) Permalink
first song tonight is a CHILD abuse joke begging to be made.
― koogs, Thursday, 18 April 2013 21:50 (1 month ago) Permalink
> 'Automatic Lover' was so ridiculous
b-but the robot is doing The Robot
― koogs, Thursday, 18 April 2013 21:53 (1 month ago) Permalink
o_O at Ferry's VU cover.
― Camp Macaroni Style (snoball), Thursday, 25 April 2013 18:42 (4 weeks ago) Permalink
And I can't tell if it's late 70s video effects or my PC's video card glitching.
― Camp Macaroni Style (snoball), Thursday, 25 April 2013 18:45 (4 weeks ago) Permalink
i have never heard that ferry cover. or the thing over the end credits.
― koogs, Thursday, 25 April 2013 19:29 (4 weeks ago) Permalink
When that Ferry single came out, I had not heard any VU beyond "Waiting for the man"
Since getting into the VU, I have not heard Ferry's version..
Should be interesting...
― Mark G, Thursday, 25 April 2013 21:00 (4 weeks ago) Permalink
dayglo is a bona fide classic, especially the treatment that totp gave it with the solarisation etc.
took two listens to realise that elkie brooks was a cover of the neil young song.
the long version had 'nice and sleazy' on it.
― koogs, Friday, 17 May 2013 08:50 (6 days ago) Permalink
Darts appear to have been on every TOTP of 1978.
― Bees Against Racism (Tom D.), Friday, 17 May 2013 08:53 (6 days ago) Permalink
... or it just feels that way... and will we ever be rid of Brotherhood of Man?
― Bees Against Racism (Tom D.), Friday, 17 May 2013 08:54 (6 days ago) Permalink
Wasn't that their last hit single? If so, then soon.
― go cray cray on my lobster soufflé (snoball), Friday, 17 May 2013 09:59 (6 days ago) Permalink
that Izhar Cohen that comes up during the countdown was the israeli eurovision winner that year. but i can't recall it at all. A-Ba-Ni-Bi...
― koogs, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:37 (4 hours ago) Permalink
A real mixed bag this week.
― go cray cray on my lobster soufflé (snoball), Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:43 (4 hours ago) Permalink
"Cilla Black always makes great records, but this one I think is an exception."
― go cray cray on my lobster soufflé (snoball), Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:50 (4 hours ago) Permalink
my mind has also blanked out rod stewart's world cup song, thankfully.
― koogs, Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:59 (3 hours ago) Permalink
Rod's effort was terrible, but Scotland's WC song for 1982 was by The Krankies.
― go cray cray on my lobster soufflé (snoball), Thursday, 23 May 2013 19:01 (3 hours ago) Permalink