Britain’s longest-running and best-loved pop present, High Of The Pops, ran from 1964 to 2006 and introduced the nation’s households collectively spherical their TV units. Dad would invariably be confused about all the things on display screen, whereas the children rushed to complete their homework on a Thursday – later, Friday – night time, earlier than sitting in entrance of the field, transfixed by generations of fixing idols.
Because it was a chart present, High Of The Pops provided a dependable barometer of the prevailing musical style, and made stars out of musicians and DJs alike. After which there have been the dancers: everybody remembers Pan’s Individuals and Legs & Co, however Go-Jos and Ruby Flipper? Who knew? The present developed with the instances – how might it not? – with celeb presenters and ever groovier theme music, although the CCS model of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” laid down one of the best marker.
A lot missed however in all probability inconceivable to revive, High Of The Pops was a four-decade-long chronicle. We’ve cherry-picked some selection moments so that you can relive that golden period from which the immortal phrase rang out: “It’s No.1! It’s Top Of The Pops.”
The Rolling Stones – The Final Time
The Stones have been the present’s debut act, singing their cowl of The Beatles’ “I Wanna Be Your Man.” However, like so lots of the outdated BBC reveals, that’s been misplaced endlessly. Nonetheless, we do have this unbelievable 1965 efficiency, with Mick Jagger’s button-down Ben Sherman, Invoice Wyman’s shades, Brian Jones’ dulcimer… and George Greatest within the viewers including to the adrenaline rush.
Manfred Mann – The Mighty Quinn
Classic Mike d’Abo-era Mann (with Klaus Voormann on flute) is a factor of marvel. It’s additionally the primary time that bizarre mortals acquired to listen to what was then an unreleased observe from Bob Dylan’s “Basement Tapes” recordings. The Manfred’s have been famend for masking Dylan and that is one in all their greatest efforts. You gained’t see the rest prefer it.
The Transfer – Fireplace Brigade
Solid your thoughts again to this good Brumbeat bullet with Roy Wooden in his pomp carrying his crusader outfit and Carl Wayne including his nightclub doorman’s menace. Trevor Burton and Ace Kefford aren’t to be messed with, both.
John Lennon – Immediate Karma!
You’ll be able to’t see The Beatles on High Of The Pops (the Beeb erased the tapes!) however Lennon’s music offered one million in 1970 and raced The Fabs’ personal “Let It Be” up the charts. Right here you get Yoko Ono in performance-art mode and an integrity-packed efficiency. Shine on, Johnny.
David Bowie – Starman
He needed to cellphone somebody, so he picked on you. That is the place David Bowie – as Ziggy Stardust – burst into our dwelling rooms with what many take into account to be the present’s seminal second. The way in which he drapes his arm spherical Mick Ronson… His animal grace… After which the music itself… That is the stuff of legend.
The Candy – Block Buster!
Unfairly derided, The Candy’s ridiculously camp builder’s glam picture make this efficiency epochal. It additionally helped the music preserve Bowie’s “The Jean Genie” off the highest spot, although each choons owe a debt to The Yardbirds’ tackle Bo Diddley’s “I’m A Man.” The riffs and the poses are ridiculous (bassist Steve Priest wore a German World Battle I uniform), however for high-energy business pop it may well’t be faulted. Does anybody understand how? Most likely not.
Alice Cooper – College’s Out
Pure teenage riot. Ethical-majority campaigner Mary Whitehouse tried to have the music banned, and academics wept whereas Noel Edmonds declared it “unorthodox” and “controversial.” Hey, that’s precisely what the children wished at teatime in 1972. None of yer fame faculty garbage right here.
Slade – Mama Weer All Crazee Now
An autumnal 1972 smash from Wolver’ampton’s most interesting glam thugs. Noddy Holder’s mirrored range pipe, bassist Jim Lea carrying his girlfriend’s coat, and the sheer ear-splitting magnificence of the chorus took this epic to the toppermost. Test Tony Blackburn’s fruity intro, completely lampooned a number of years later by Smashie And Nicey on Harry Enfield’s tv program.
The Who – 5.15
An early style of Quadrophenia – and it’s incendiary. Keith Moon is completely manic blotto (he trashed the inexperienced room after this), Pete Townshend demolished the stage (the band have been fined their payment for that) and The ’Oo messed with the general public’s collective thoughts. Doubt when you’d get away with these lyrics at 7.15pm now, although!
The Walker Brothers – No Regrets
Scott and the boys’ comeback single from 1975 was a model of Tom Rush’s traditional weepy, and so they give it the total country-with-a-twist remedy. It’s a second of calm in an in any other case hyperactive present. And people voices are elegant.
Rod Stewart – Maggie Could
Nice likelihood to see Rod sing this together with his erstwhile Faces, despite the fact that they didn’t all play on the precise report (however then John Peel didn’t play mandolin on it, both). These have been the times when sending up the TOTP routine was actively inspired – it’s solely pop music, proper? Publish-mod magic.
The Conflict – Bankrobber
Joe Strummer et al. refused to pay lip service to the present, however TOTP performed ’em anyway. This (presumably deliberately) hilarious interpretation by Legs & Co goes down in historical past for its mind-boggling madness. The Conflict will need to have been delighted.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Chill out
The second wave of the Liverpool invasion noticed these naughty Frankies convey a component of menace again into the entrance parlor. The homoerotic overtones acquired Auntie’s knickers in a twist, however the youngsters liked it.
The Smiths – This Charming Man
One other flash hearth is lit as Manchester’s most depressing man brings his gladioli and spectacular quiff to the get together. Even when they didn’t have a sew to put on, that they had Jonny Marr on guitar and a tragic story of a lease boy in addition. Get in!
Blissful Mondays – Step On
You’re twistin’ my melon, man. Bez’s simian Manc dance and Shaun Ryder’s ready-for-a-rumble supply kicked us into the 90s. Paul McCartney mentioned that Madchester reminded him of The Beatles of their “Strawberry Fields Forever” section. These Northern nutters nailed it properly.
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
One for all you deodorant lovers. Kurt Cobain and his merry males chew – and trash – the surroundings in time-honored trend, whereas dazzling the censors with the reworked opening demand to “load up on drugs and kill your friends.” Chilling.
Blur – Parklife
Phil Daniels provides some King’s Cross authenticity to this faux-cockney stomp on the top of the Blur vs Oasis battle for Britpop supremacy. ’Tis mentioned that Blur gained the battle, however Oasis gained the struggle (poptastic cliché #468)… Actually, although, we have been all winners. We liked a little bit of it, me outdated mucker.
Oasis – Roll With It
Launched by Robbie Williams, right here’s “the band of the people” subverting TOTP by having Noel Gallagher pretending to sing the lead whereas bro’ Liam takes the axe duties. A lot for miming.
Pulp – Frequent Individuals
Being a baby of the 70s, Jarvis Cocker understood the importance of TOTP and in addition knew how you can manipulate it – therefore the go-go dancer within the big procuring trolley. This music launched the Pulp motion, and it nonetheless sends a tingle.
Spice Women – Wannabe
Their debut look launches Woman Energy. A refreshing antidote to the laddish Britpop and a re-birthing of contemporary pop in 1996, from the 5 women who shook the world and taught us how you can zig-a-zig-ah.
