TOP40

Unfortunately Chris De Burgh's Christmas single never got played on the Radio 1 Top 40 show. Although the station unveiled that new chart on Tuesday 30 December, it was not broadcast the following Sunday (4 Jan 1987) as Bruno counted down the top 30 best sellers of 1986 instead.

Unfortunately a lot of that information above about producers has been lifted from the BBC Genome website and is incorrect. I have been undertaking major research about the 2 hour chart show for many years, not only taken from my extensive archive of show recordings but other info I have acquired as well as interviewing the DJs & producers themselves. Radio Times used to list the regular producer every week regardless of whether or not they were on holiday etc. and their details of change of producer would come sometimes earlier or later than the actual event, i.e. in the case of Bernie Andrews he actually retired in early May 1983. The host used to thank his producer at the end of every show (bar about three I know) and many weeks this was different to that in the listings. (Radio Times did not list producer details from April-June 1983 in any case due to an union dispute) For example, Harry Parker's first show was actually 3 July 1983 while Martin Cox was mentioned on the show as early as 13 April 1986 (so earlier than 4 May) and the so called long run of Chris Lycett in 1987/88 was actually shared with Mik Wilkojc. (I've actually met/interviewed all these 4 gentlemen and very helpful they were too). There were producers that were never credited like Colin Prior, Ron Belchier, Kevin Howlett, John Sparrow and others who only did a handful of shows, as did Louise Musgrave did four to my knowledge (although my info is still to be completed). And I bet none of you know that John Walters, who worked with John Peel, produced the Top 40 for 3 weeks? Well he did and I have the recordings to prove it. Jo-Anne Nadler took over regular production duties on 26 March 1989 (the Easter chart) but also filled in on the first week of 1989 as well. As for the rest, you'll have to wait until my book comes out!

Unfortunately people will look at these lists as assume say, that Human League had the year's best selling single for 1981 when Soft Cell did. You know that and I know that, but there's a lot people out there will take this info at face value & assume it to be correct! It might have been better just do a list of the best sellers of each decade rather than confusing some people.......

I've no idea where you got these lists from, but I question your source. For example in the official year end chart for 1988 compiled by Gallup, Belinda Carlisle was at number 17 and Erasure at 24. There is no way the latter could have been no 9 for the year, with Crackers International having only been on sale for the last month of the year. Similarly, Krush were officially only 36 for the year (to suggest they were one of the top 20 sellers is laughable) Similarly in 1986, Reet Petite was 17 according to Gallup which is certainly a more believable position than no 4 having only been released in December, and the Housemartins were 2 places lower. As for Madonna's Borderline, it certainly would have sold in 1984 having reached no 56 on original release. Richard

POTP doesn't show that sort of logic when playing their charts - it's more likely they will play w/e 9 Jan 82.

If, as Dave Taylor alleges, Andy stood in on the Top 40 for Tommy Vance because the main host was drunk, how come at the end of the previous show, Tommy Vance said "I'll be in the jungle next week so you'll hear somebody else" - he obviously knew he was going to be off! And if Simon Bates was caught out by snow at the last minute on 7 January 1979, why was Andy Peebles was credited to present the show in Radio Times? (I've seen that issue fairly recently) We need to know..... Richard

There's certainly a lot of guesswork in this list...... I can confirm Tommy Vance filled in for Richard Skinner 25 Nov 1984 (I have heard a clip of this show) And Richard Skinner presented on 16 March 1986 (I have a part recording of this edition) and possibly 23rd as well (he left suddenly for Capital and his first show for them was Mon 31 Mar) Oh in the later list, Alan Dell only has one L in his name! Richard

I have a copy of the very top 40 show in my collection, first revealed by Bruno Brookes on 20 December 1987. One of the best Christmas charts in my opinion.

I only recently discovered that Downtown Rain by Rod Stewart was originally done by Tom Waits. One of Rod's best songs in my view.

I actually own a recording of the Radio 1 Top 40 show at the time, presented by Richard Skinner on 28 October 1984. As somebody who was there at the time, '84 was a very good year for the chart, although it is all about opinions.....

Great chart, I won't need to listen to POTP as I own the recording of the original show presented by Tony Blackburn on Radio 1, Sunday 19 October 1980.

Exactly - The copyright belongs to the BBC after all! That's why I have a policy of trading only......

Does anyone have a list of the "definitive" Top 100 sellers from 1979? I have the list that includes sales only up to 8 December that year but the missing 3 weeks would surely include the top two Christmas hits - Another Brick In The Wall (Pink Floyd) and I Have A Dream (Abba) - which are nowhere to be found in that list. Any assistance appreciated......

I actually have the complete Radio 1 show introduced by Tommy Vance (Sunday 12 June 1983) in my collection. A cracking chart in my view, brings back a lot of great memories.....

Not forgetting: Hi-Tension by Hi-Tension (1978) Talk Talk by Talk Talk (1982) Visage by Visage (1981) I'm sure there are loads more, but those are the ones I can think of.