blackcat

My first contribution on here for a while, thanks to all who keep posting on this thread. Would be great if we could get the DLT programmes back again, and he is now the second celebrity in the space of a few weeks to be cleared, or almost cleared, of all charges. Makes you wonder whether Savile was ever guilty in the first place...................

Not commenting specifically on any one programme (mainly because I probably won't be around to do a weekly commentary most of the time this year!) although I did enjoy the top of the pops 1979 documentary over Christmas - nice to see Jah Wobble being interviewed, for a change. B-) 1979 will go down as a good year for singles sales in the UK, but I thought that the year was a bit flat compared to the years just before it. 1977 saw punk, 1978 an explosion of really good disco stuff. Punk had been watered down a bit by '79, and although disco was still going well, classics like 1977's I Feel Love would not be repeated later in the decade (Chic were cool, of course, but their records were not as innovative as Donna Summer's early successes were). Historically most years before the beginning of the next decade seem a bit flat in terms of pop music innovations. For example, by 1959 the early rawness of commercial rock and roll had lost its power, and indeed it had also lost some of its exponents, such as Buddy Holly, for instance. The Beatles had all but broken up by the end of 1969, and bubblegum records by the Archies were topping the charts. I see 1979 in the same light, some good music, some variety, but not as vintage as previous years. But keep up the good work on this thread, people - great to see views put forward by some really knowledgeable pop fans. BC B-)

Thanks again to davetaylor for his link, will be "best of" top of the pops editions from the late 1970's over Christmas, mostly presented by Noel Edmonds, according to my tv guide. Let's hope that HE is not accused of anything in the next few days! 1978 was an excellent year for music in my view, good mix of music, talented artists emerging, good strong record sales. Vintage year.

yes! But anything to pay the bills! Ain't nothing going on but the rent.................... : :w00t:

Hi all, I have been off the internet for ages and ages, and what with work commitments being so heavy this time of year, I had very limited access to public computers as well, so could not post on this thread until now. Not that this thread has missed me at all! Been chubbing along nicely, thanks to sharp contributions from suedehead and popcharkfreak and others. Please continue your analyses suedehead - some of us can't do it, some of us are working sixty hours a week!!!! Yikes!!!!! :wacko: Have been following the programmes, up to the end of 1978 now. Amazing how times change, and music with it. What is also amazing is that these programmes are still going out, in spite of all the adverse publicity about jimmy Savile and DLT and other celebrities. Good that they are. This is the most posted on thread in the retro section, so clearly there is still great interest in these old top of the pops fossils. Take care, BC

All the Bob Dylan answers appreciated, don't forget that he was an important member of the Traveling Wilburys as well, who enjoyed good singles success in the late eighties. Agree with Suedehead and others, good edition this week, and yes, 10 c.c. were excellent. "Thing We Do For Love" was one of my favourites of theirs, kept me going during the winter of 1976, when I was only fourteen and deeply in love with Esther, a female classmate of mine! We all have our own peculiar little memories. That Justin Hayward song is another bittersweet memory, I usually think of the lyrics of that song when contemplating someone's passing away. The song was from The War Of The Worlds soundtrack, but its words seem to have little to do with martians invading Victorian London, and more to do with loss. Agree that The Commodores were somewhat boring, did you ever like any of Lionel Ritchie's stuff, suedehead? I thought that some of his stuff was (slightly) more intersting to listen too than his Commodores dirges. As stated, The Who were not featured in the shorter version, but will be in the longer late Saturday night edition. So, quite simply, as many Who hits as possible, for the trivia for this week. All the best, BC B-)

Some strong activity on the thread this week, well done everyone. I am particularly appreciative of Dave Taylor's input, great stuff, Dave. Was a better edition, Jilted John was a great punk novelty record, and Bob Dylan is always quality. Thank you for the duet input, and the long running number ones list. I actually can't remember what replaced Olivia and John at number one - I assume it was The Commodores. Trivia this time - as many Bob Dylan hits as possible, including songs he wrote for, or were recorded by, other artists. That should keep you all busy for a while. All the best, BC B-)

Very late entry from me this week, but got nothing new to add, really. Will be better editions. Thank you to all for your female/male duet answers. As JT and ONJ are still at number one, how about a few more long running UK number ones as this week's trivia. And also, which record has spent the most weeks at the top of the hit parade? All the best, BC B-)

Yes, that Racey number did sound very smokie-ish. Late night entry from me, thanks to all for the Manchester suggestions, Manchester has indeed done remarkably well over the years. And yes, Take That and Herman's Hermits were indeed the pop side of the scene! All in all, I agree with Suedehead's comments on this week's edition. Northern Lights was a great song, pity that the artists who had a hit with it, Renaissance, did not, to my knowledge, go on to have any more big hits, as far as I can recollect. Not familiar with that album, Suedehead. Maybe I should check it out. Agree with Feista as well, Andrew Gold's song was actually a good song, but was never going to be as commercially successful as Lonely Boy or Never Let Her Slip Away. Wish they had played out with a much longer version of BOC's classic Don't Fear The Reaper. That record should, quite simply, have been a monster hit. With John and Olivia still at number one, the trivia question centres on male and female duets - that is, just one man and one woman equates to the whole act. As many as possible to have hit the UK charts over the years. All the best, BC B-)

Just in from work, just seen the programe on interactive, very good programme, lots of variety. First of all though, thanks to davetaylor for the links, much appreciated. And thanks to popchartfreak for the Bob Marley answers. Not too sure about the answer to your question, pop. "The Sun Is Shining" is the really big hit Marley had in the 1990's in the UK, maybe that is the one you are referring too. My own favourite Marley track was "Could You Be Loved", made at a time, I believe, when he knew that he was terminally ill. Great artist. And I agree with you on this week's show, popchartfreak. Began tamely with The Smurfs, but then plenty of variety, wih reggae from Marley and Steel Pulse, brilliant ballad from Justin Hayward from The War Of The Worlds soundtrack. Good rock from The Buzzcocks and City Boy, maybe more mellow rock from Showaddywaddy, but a great bit of early girl power, if you like, from Clout. San Jose with an Andrew Lloyd-Webber instrumental - with a suited Lloyd-Webber on stage! - ELO, who John Lennon once called the sons of The Beatles, with Wild West Hero, very tuneful and well put together number. Bit of disco -ee soul from A Taste of Honey, Marshall and Hain with the memorable Dancing In The City, legs & co adding a bit of sexy spice to John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's long running number one. Very pleased indeed with this week's offering from July, 1978. Trivia question on The Buzzcocks this week, or not so much them, but their origins. As many artists as possible, please, who came from Manchester. If everyone participates on this one, then this should be a long, long list! All the best, BC B-)

Late post from me on this this week, been busy! Thanks for the AC/DC answers, I myself have access to two of thier albums, Highway To Hell and Back In Black, good heavy metal stuff. And yes, they kind of evolved from The Easybeats, who had George Young, a brother of Angus and Malcolm, in their ranks. George would later produce AC/DC albums, and was indeed heavily involved with Flash And The Pan. Liked this week's show, had variety with MOR from David Soul and Brotherhood of Man, commercial singalong disco with John T and ONJ, soul from heatwave, reggie from Marley, heavy rock from Black Sabbath and Whitesnake, more mellow rock from Thin Lizzy, and an instrumental penned by Lord Webber. I liked Dancing In The City as well, I was reasonably pleased with this week's show. Fiesta, my answer, off the cuff, would be Cozy Powell to your question. Interesting debate as well, and thanks again to Dave Taylor for the links. Would love to hear Blue Oyster Cult on one of these shows, simply fantastic record. Should really have been a bigger hit. Basically I agree with all the points made, there are programmes that show Hitler and other villains, indeed, didn't Eastenders have a real life murderer in their cast at one stage (Leslie Grantham). I would have thought that giving heavy exposure to a real life killer would be far worse than broadcasting an old 30 minute programme presented by Savile or Travis! Trivia question for this week relates to the king of reggae, as many Marley hits as possible, and the title of his posthumus, multi million selling compilation album, still one of the best selling compilation albums ever released. All the best, BC B-)

Grebo, Always Touched By Your Presence Dear was the Blondie song in question! Thanks all for the million selling input, four million selling domestic singles in the UK market in 1978, but only two acts did those four! And those two acts, Olivia and John, and Boney M, were on last night's edition. Best thing about last night's edition - which I have just seen on the iplayer - were some of the male groups. Good records from Manfred Mann's Earthband, Lindisfarne, The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. A certain amount of dross inbetween though, from the likes of David Soul and The Brotherhood Of Man. Plastic Bertrand on again, the lovely dancers of Legs & Co added some much needed spice to his already energetic performance. Novelty records from The Smurfs, and the forties sounding Loving You Has Made Me Bananas, with a touch of good soul from Maxine Nightingale, made this week's top of the pops a varied mix, at least. Trivia question - how about some AC/DC hit singles and albums, the names of the brothers who have been at their core, and the name of the Aussie based sixties group that they kind of evolved from. All the best, BC B-)

Thanks for the feedback on the foreign language songs, actually, a few missed out, e.g. Pavorotti's Nissan Dorma did not, as I recall, feature any English, also Julio Iglatias's one and only number one in the UK, from memory, was an all Spanish affair. Not one of the best episodes last night, Ian Dury and Blondie probably the highlights for me too, Suedehead. Loved Ian's songs and lyrics when he was at his best. Trivia for this week, one of those questions you either know or don't know. 1978 saw a larger than normal batch of million selling singles in the UK, (that is, singles that sold a million in the UK market alone), at least one of which featured on last night's show. Please try and name all of them, if you can. All the best, BC B-)

Basically I agree with suede's analysis, some good music, some poor stuff on this week's show equally. Plastic Bertrand had a sizable hit with a record that was not in English - any other ditties that one can think of over the years that have not been in English, but have been a big hit in England? Can't think of that many myself, maybe you lot can do better. All the best, BC B-)

Many thanks for the film soundtrack suggestions, and to suedehead again for his input, and for his Frank and Walters link. Not really a vintage totp's, they have been comparatively poor in the last few weeks. Bring back Kate Bush is what I say! Not even too sure about a good trivia question this week. Squeeze have been featured a lot recently, so how about some of their songs, and the names of their two prominent songwriters? Also the name of their main keyboard player at the time, and the title of at least two tv programmes which he has presented in his time. And also the (very) tenuous connection he has with Sir Bob Geldof in relation to one of those tv programmes he presented. Very easy, I know. All the best, BC B-)

Thanks for the analysis, suedehead, just seen it on the interactive service. Not much more to say in terms of the songs on this week's programme, you said it so well! But how about two bouts of Leg & Co?! To hell with the music, that makes the programme worthwhile all by itself as far as I am concerned. :heart: Trivia question for this week - does anyone have the telephone number and address for any of these girls please? :P No, seriously, I think I have a trivia question to keep you all occupied for a little while. The Saturday Night Fever song by The Bee Gees was on again, a film soundtrack song, of course, so how about a few more film soundtrack songs to have topped the UK charts over the years? Should be a fair few. All the best, BC B-)

Excellent post, Earl Purple, welcome to the thread, you obviously know your stuff! When all is said and done, I personally think that the 1978 editions have represented the best music over the two years or so this thread has been going, depending on your taste, of course. Certainly what I see as quality and original pop from acts like Gerry Rafferty, Kate Bush, and Blondie have provided '78 moments to savour. I was only 16 at the time that these editions were first shown, so they are so meaningful to my growing up period and transition from puberty to a more complicated adult life! As for taping them, such technology was rarely used in my household in 1978! Occasionally taped the charts off the radio, as many would have one at that time. Now, of course, you have tivo, youtube, digial downloads, ipods, ipads, it is hard to AVOID recorded music, even if you wanted too! How times have changed. Anyway, enough nostalgia from me, as I say,welcome to the hread, Earl Purple. :)

Yep, correction, Renee and Renato was a great song! :unsure: And Grebo, yes, my mistake, Mungo Jerry did have other hits, having looked it up on the search engine, with Ray Dorset as their lead man. He must have made a bomb out of In The Summertime over the years.

Thanks for your one hit wonders so far, posters, next week I really will have lots of unsociable work obligations, so suedehead, I hope that you can do the honours this Thursday! Ones that could be added include Renee and Renato, who I don't think had another hit after their atrocious "Save Your Love" . And also Joe Dolce, I think his name was, and "Shutup Your Face". There was that banned record from the sixties, mentioned before on here, "Je 'taime" by Serge Gainsboro and Jane Birkin, and Althea and Donna's Uptown Top Ranking". And then there is Norman Greenbaum, with Spirit In The Sky, Benny Hill may well have been a one hit wonder with his eulogy to a milkman! Must be many more. The most successful one hit wonder of all-time, in terms of the success of the two acts involved, has to be Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's "Ebony And Ivory". Don't think they ever had another collaborative hit together again, so within the strick definitions of the term one hit wonder, I would say that Paul and Stevie are far better off than members of The Archies or any other "one hit wonder"! Having said that, trying to think of the name of the guy who did "In The Summertime". Don't think he ever had another hit, think his band's name may have been Mungo Jerry. That must be quite a lucrative number one in terms of record royalties. It gets a lot of airplay come summertime each year. It has to be said that most of these one hit wonders are cringe worthy efforts, though. Sad that they have topped the charts when so many talented acts out there - Bob Dylan, The Who, Bob Marley, many others - never had a number one single under their own names.

Ah, Suedehead you are about, I was constructing my post at the same time you were doing yours! Surprising how much we agree on some of the records, as well! There will be better shows. This show looked more like a throwback to the spring days of 1976. Only worse!

Actually I am about tonight, so hopefully suedehead won't do an assessment for tonight's edition, not that tonight's edition was much to write home about! :w00t: Programme started off with Saturday Night Fever, one of the Bee Gees best of course, and the programme had a bit of a disco feel to it throughout. Then there was "Child", with a cover of When You Walk Into The room, which I think may have been an old Searchers song, but don't quote me on that. A soul offering from Johnny Mathis and Deniece Willaims followed, pleasant enough sound, followed by Dee D Jackson, and Automatic Lover, a kind of disco-ish sci-fi offering. Similiar in that respect to the Hot Gossip track that was a hit during this era as well, their "Starship Trooper" offering. Richard Myehill had his comical say with It Takes Two To Tango, and then Bonnie Tyler had a very mediocre offering with Here I Am. Doctor Hook then sang a eulogy to the movies, followed by John Travolta dress alike Gene Farrow, with Move Your Body, I was more interested in seeing Legs & Co dance to this one than I ever was in seeing him, though! Very nice, Legs & Co! Genesis then followed with Follow You Follow Me, and having said that I am not a big fan of Genesis previously, I have to say that theirs was probably the pick of the bunch for this week's poor episode. A lady called R. Carra followed on, with another disco dirge, Brian and Michael followed that with thier own particular dirge! And the Michael Zager Band, with the uptempo Le's All Chant, closed what was for me a very disapponting show. Should be noted that these Thursday night editions are shortened, some of the records left out included offerings by Chic, and the Gerry Rafferty classic. The late night Saturday repeats are longer, and have such records featured. Brian and Michael, as far as I can remember, did not not another hit after their number one, so they must go down as a one hit wonder, with one number one hit and then nothing else in the British charts. So, trivia for this week - on that criteria, one number one then nothing else in the charts, please name as many one hit wonders over the years as possible. Should be a long long list! All the best, BC B-)

Saturday Night Fever has been mentioned quite a few times on here, I personally liked the film a lot more than the music in it! John Travolta's dancing and acting were terrific, some of the other dance scenes were really well staged, and one did get a sense of what it must have been like to be a disco fan living in New York during that period. The film was supposed to be centreing on the disco craze, of course, but in retrospect, when one takes into account the amount of swearing and violence in the film, perhaps there is also a nod to the burgeoning punk rock scene on both sides of the Atlantic as well. Saturday Night Fever, together with Star Wars, were the main film highlights for me here in the UK in 1978, though I have a suspicion that both flicks were officially made in 1977.

The 1980 Macca track that really stood out for me was "Coming Up", which I think was the A-side of the track you mentioned, Richie. It was "Coming Up" which helped to inspire John Lennon to make a comeback in 1980 with his Double Fantasy album, before some crackpot put an end to that comeback. Thanks to Popchartfreak for his Say Say Say answer, it was indeed featured heavily on tv at the time, especially on a Noel Edmonds programme, and that media coverage caused the record to rise up the charts to number 2. Gong back to the debate over post Genesis projects, I reckon that "The Living Years",featuring Mike Rutherford, amongst others, was as good as anything that Phil or even Peter did, in terms of being a quality 45. All a matter of opinion and taste, of course.

Thank you for the Paul McCartney input, one or two still to be mentioned. You are correct, as usual, Suedehead, Paul is actually Macca's middle name, his first name is James. Glad he went by the name Paul, though, John and James does not have the same ring, somehow, as John and Paul. My favourite song of his post - Beatles wise was "C'Moon", which was originally a b-side. For bonus points, what track did McCartney have a big hit with in 1983 with Michael Jackson, and what was so extraordinary about the promotion and ultimate chart position of that track in the UK at the time? As for the Genesis debate, I was never a big fan, I am afraid. To be honest I tended to lump them in with the prog rock lot, wrongly, of course. Nevertheless, I do appreciate the talent that is Peter Gabriel, although not so keen on Phil Collins musically (liked his acting in Buster, though!). Games Without Frontiers by Gabriel is.....................sublime, simple as that. B-)

Thank you everyone for the Elvis Costello answers, all correct, of course, don't think that some people realise what a great songwriter he has been over the years. And yes, I remember his dad in that advert! And thanks again to suedehead for his analyses, I wish you had done these before, suedehead, they are much more forthright and witty than my analyses! :D I did like a few things about this week's show, bit more of a mixture, certainly better than last week's aired edition. These shows are showing their age in one obvious, and sad way - quite a few artists appear in these shows who are no longer with us (Andy Gibb, Andrew Gold, Linda McCartney, Gerry Rafferty, Bob Marley, and various other examples in the last few weeks). Suedehead has already analysed all the songs, so straight onto the trivia. Paul McCartney has been a hero of mine in many ways, certainly when he was writing all those classics with John for The Beatles. And he was the only Beatle who's post Beatles record sales really got anywhere near the sales achieved by The Beatles (although they are some way behind now, after the release of Beatles 1 in 2000 and various other big selling Beatles projects before that in the nineties). So as many of his post Beatles UK hits as possible, whether with Wings, as a solo act, or in collaboration with other acts. Also, what is his middle name, and please full-name his brother and give his brother's stage name - his brother had some success way back as well. All the best. BC B-)