The shirt must go on
18/07/85 (Peter Powell & Mike Smith)
Simply Red – “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)” (13)
Making their studio debut with a live vocal but the song got no higher.
Steve Arrington – “Dancin’ In The Key Of Life” (23) (video)
Peaked at number 21.
The Cool Notes – “In Your Car” (15)
Peaked at number 13.
Russ Abbot – “All Night Holiday” (25)
Making his debut in the studio as a performer, this song peaked at 20.
The Cult – “She Sells Sanctuary” (19)
Another studio debut, and the song peaked at number 15.
Jaki Graham – “Round & Around” (12)
Peaked at number 9.
Tina Turner – “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” (37) (breaker)
Peaked at number 3.
Billy Idol – “White Wedding” (34) (breaker)
Peaked at number 6.
Feargal Sharkey – “Loving You” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 26.
Trans X – “Living On Video” (18) (breaker)
Their only hit, peaking at number 9.
The Top Ten Videos:
Marti Webb - "Ben" (10) (video clip)
Fine Young Cannibals - "Johnny Come Home" (9) (video clip)
Opus – “Live Is Life" (8) (video clip)
Bruce Springsteen - "I'm On Fire" (7) (video clip)
Denise LaSalle – “My Toot Toot” (6) (TOTP clip)
Madonna - "Crazy For You" (5) (video clip)
Kool & The Gang - "Cherish" (4) (Montreux clip)
Eurythmics – “There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)” (3) (video clip)
Harold Faltermeyer - "Axel F" (2) (video clip)
Sister Sledge – “Frankie” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.
Five Star – “Let Me Be The One” (40) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 18.
July 25th is next.
simply red: someone's already mentioned this was a cover of an early 80's near-hit (by an american act called the valentine brothers). that was a so-so soul/dance effort to my recollection, and this pre-karoake copy does nothing to change that view. just in case no one was listening to shitty's intro, simply mick (according to shitty, who already seems to be on first-name terms with the guy despite it being his debut appearance) let's us all know he's doing a live vocal by singing "make it funky" (a request that obviously falls on deaf ears) several times before the songs starts, just in case anyone's wondering what the rest of simply red are called, they are (from l-r): bassist / guitarist / someone banging a tambourine / some other people
ReplyDeletesteve arrington: oh look, a "recording in the studio" video - how unusual. musically this is a bit better than his last effort, but vocally and lyrically i'm put off somewhat (especially regarding the latter, with another plug for the man in the sky). i was right in that one of those dudes who keeps popping up in places was george "lightnin' licks" johnson, previously the lesser half (if that makes sense) of the brothers johnson (was there a reason black family musical groups put the gender before the surname?). there were actually three more people with the same surname involved in this, although i don't know if they were related or not (bro' louis aka "thunder thumbs" wasn't one of them)
cool notes: i remember thinking at the time "their first record was okay, but this is not as good". now i think their first one is better than i remember it being, but sadly the same of this lightweight effort if not less. the good news visually is that the prettier one gets to do the lead vocal this time, but the bad news is whatever it is they're wearing is not a patch on those skin-tight "quality street wrapper" dresses
russ abbot: was there a reason he spelt his surname (which i don't think was his real one) in that manner, as opposed to a double "t" at the end, which is the case with most of that appendage? that's all i have to say about this rubbish without getting annoyed
cult: i remember when they were known by their original name of "southern death cult", i watched an interview with their asian drummer and how he was unusual in the industry. but by the time they had become "the cult" (having already changed their name to "death cult" before that) he was long-gone. i like the way pp dismisses the abbot tripe by saying "and now for some serious music". although i can't say i like this much more than the abbot effort as in my view says all it has to say in about 30 seconds (and that's not much in the first place), after which the rest is mere repetition
jaki graham: one i didn't have the slightest recollection of. but much as i despise her for the stupid 80's spelling of her name, i had to admit i quite warmed to this as it went on. i particularly like the lush backing vocals and the modulated bit between the first half of the verse and the chorus. that black leather ensemble would have looked far better on the cool notes lead singer though
breakers: the first three will probably be featured in much more detail soon enough, but a few words on trans x. i don't remember this at all from back then, but i did by chance come across it on yt fairly recently. they're trying really hard to catch the synth-pop-dance zeitgeist, but they're at least three or four years too late on that front. and the leaping octave disco bass(synth)line makes it sound even more behind-the-times
five star: jam & lewis-lite
further to my comments on the jaki graham track: i'm listening to the 12" version on yt, and it has to be said it really does have some class about it (not surprisingly the excellent backing vocals were partly supplied by the ubiquitous tessa niles - she may have been the blonde on the show). and as such definitely one to add to my 80's dance collection:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQxIS0sSgu4
unfortuntely though it seems she's persisting with using that silly spelling of her forename:
https://www.discogs.com/Jaki-Graham-For-Sentimental-Reasons/release/9884295
i've just listened to the 12" mix of "round and around" round and around about half a dozen times now, and it's getting better every time. certainly one for my top 10 crackers list, and perhaps the best compliment i can pay it is that if i didn't know better i would have sworn that it was an american production rather than a british one!
DeleteI prefer Spandau Ballet's Round And Round from a year earlier in 1984, a completely different song, and by coincidence with the same song title. "I wanna be your magical mystery......"Brilliant!
DeleteBlimey, one of the first to comment. That doesn't happen too often.
ReplyDeleteSo, a 40 minute edition full of stuff that is presumably on once only, which we can't see thanks to an idiot being embarassed by his idiocy. Hmph.
Simply Red - It was me that mentioned The Valentine Brothers original! Some kudos to Mick for singing live but it doesn't make me like this any more than I already do i.e. not a lot.
Steve Arrington - Not particularly interesting.
The Cool Notes - Yet more bland mid-80s soul, though at least for Dory's sake the ladies are wearing very little so that'll give him something to talk about.
Russ Abbot - Utterly weird how 'Atmosphere' was in the Top 10 for ages and he never made a studio appearance yet here he is for this inferior single.
The Cult - Great stuff, the best song on this edition. There were some interesting remixes when it was reissued in 1993 as well.
Jaki Graham - Not a particular favourite of mine, but I can at least appreciate that it's very well made and streets ahead of The Cool Notes and Mr. Arrington.
Breakers - 2 radio staples (Tina and Billy), one extremely tedious Feargal Sharkey effort, and the brilliant Trans X. As Peter Powell hints, it had been out before - the first time it was released was in 1982 - so that's why it sounds like it's missed the synth boat wilberforce! (The 85 version was a remix, and much better than the original)
Sister Sledge for the last time, thank God, then another one from Five Star before they started wheeling out the pop classics. And sadly it's not a cover of the Eurovision entry by The Shadows either.
thanks for the trans x info noax - at least i was right about how it sounded date-wise, even if for the wrong reason! i was actually watching a video of it on yt rather than the clip from the show itself, so what i was hearing was the original version! and listening to the remixed version now it still sounds a couple of years out-of-date (other than the new over-programmed drum machine a la the conway brothers). so why was it re-released?
DeleteWhite Wedding had also been initially released in 1982, but missed the UK chart completely on that occasion.
DeleteYou're spot on Noax about The Cool Notes. In fact their dresses are kind of like net-curtains attached to some bright pink cloth, to make, hey presto, sexy minidress! Didn't really follow the tune, but how could you with tasty dresses like those. Good Lord!
DeleteI thought the Breaker's were all good videos, especially Tina Turner's one, which I remember thinking at the time, wow, what a video, and wow, Mad Max, and then Trans-X seemed like a video from 1980, not 1985, but as Powell mentioned, the song had been around for a few years, so it could be a 1980 video, who knows?
noax i'd like to let it be known that we are only a couple of posts away from making a "century" in the commentators edition of the show - as it was you that originally suggested we try and do that, perhaps you can duly dispatch the last couple of singles required?
DeleteOr a cover drive to 'pepper the boundary', as various cricket commentators describe 4 runs.
DeleteNo idea why the Trans X song was re-released to be honest wilberforce, and sadly I missed the boat on the century in the other thread. A bit like the time I got picked for the house team at school, came in at No.11, did 2 brilliant hook shots to score 8 not out but as we needed 12 off 3 balls no-one cared.
DeleteThanks Neil B once again, but this is the second truly awful edition in a row. Not helped by PP raving over that ever irritating Eurythmics song and video (‘Love is a Stranger’ anyone?).
ReplyDeleteWorthy of vague comment is Russ Abbot in the studio with ‘Atmosphere Part 2’, notable really for the very imaginative sleeve with a who’s who on the beach..
http://www.45cat.com/record/fire6-2
The Cult sounded like Big Country and I would have probably thought it was them had I not been told it was the Cult.
The most enjoyable appearance for me was Sister Sledge where we finally get to see the quirky video. I know most of you are sick of it by now.
Finally why pick the no40 sound of Five Star to playout on? Like Noax, I much prefer the Shadows Eurovision Song contest entry from 1973 of the same name (although the B Side of that single ‘Stand up like a Man’ is even better).
…and no mention of the opening act on this show from me….not a word…no…I cannot bring myself to even contemplate that ego and his backing band….I made full use of FF!
I do of course mean the Shadows Eurovision entry from 1975. 1973 was Cliff Richard (with 'Power to all our Friends') - Close!
DeleteI like a Finnish cover of that Shadows song, I discovered it before I even knew the original.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zaf91XjUrY
why couldn't they have picked the no. 40 track ("genie") to play out a couple of weeks back? i could have then added it to my "top 10 crackers of 1985" list. even though they've used the same jam & lewis productions techniques as the bb&q band, the five star no. 40 certainly won't get any consideration for that!
DeleteI also thought that the choice of playout track this week was drivel, and there were plenty of better tunes higher up in the charts than No.40 for Pete(Powell)'s sake, for choice of playout track. Good Lord, would you Adam&Eve It, as Del Boy used to say?
DeleteOn the Eurovision theme, the first-ever winner, Lys Assia, died a few days ago aged 94; apparently she tried unsuccessfully to be nominated as the Swiss representative again as recently as 2012! Here is her winning entry from 1956:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyqIPvOkiRk
I prefer her other song from that year.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCzgcVPOb8E
Thanks once again to Neil B.
ReplyDeleteWas it me or was Shitty even more annoying than usual? Calling Opus ‘Opeless’ was just rude - he should look in the mirror and realise the true meaning - plus oh so hilarious references for Sister Sledge and Denise Lasalle, who sang “I’m gonna break your face” and I wish she’d had the chance to keep her word!
Simply Red – “make it funky?” make it quick! FF.
Steve Arrington with” Dancin’ In The Key Of My Last Hit”.
Unusual, erm, dresses for The Cool Notes and much more of the alluring singer this time but, sadly, that was identikit soul bar muzak.
It comes to something when Russ Abbot gets the bronze medal on the show. Delighted to be there, probably because someone said “This is too similar to the last one so you need to get into the studio to give it a leg up”. Silver medal goes to...
The Cult. There’s Ian Astbury with more front than The Cool Notes (but not Tina Turner). Please stop that thrusting! This was the only song I hadn’t personally chosen which got played at my wedding reception, and it went down a storm.
No contest for gold. A brilliantly joyous performance from a completely colour co-ordinated Jaki Graham (even down to the tights!) and her band. Singing to the crowd and ignoring the cameras – that extra touch of class.
Tina Turner looking even scarier than usual, with gratuitous camera work showing ample evidence of her thunderdomes.
White Wedding, Billy? With those woman clad in black heather? Hmmm.
Feargal Sharkey with a dreadful, boring dirge. How on Earth did that make the top 30?
Very pointy noses and chins for Trans-X and their Space Invaders disco.
“Frankie” sounds no better in video form, I’m afraid.
Five Star? They dropped at least three stars with that offering.
I guess some have White Wedding as one of their wedding songs...
DeleteThe final longer TOTP we will get before the permanent shrinkage to 30 minutes, there is unfortunately a lot of smooth, bland soul taking up too much of the extended running time for my liking. Smitty was both annoying and rude this week, and his crap pun when introducing Russ Abbot was a blatant attempt at copying his mentor Noel Edmonds; comparing Gazza and Dixie to "Crockett and Tubbs" also feels a little dodgy, at least nowadays anyway. PP commendably plays a straight bat throughout, ignoring his co-host's silly antics. His face at the end of the Abbot performance was a picture, as he simply could not hide his disdain, as was made explicit by the "serious music" comment.
ReplyDeleteI like a lot of the earlier Simply Red stuff, annoying as I find Mick Hucknall on a personal level. Here he is very much in his "Hovis boy done good" phase, to quote Q magazine, but this is an accomplished cover with a great live vocal for this debut TOTP performance. The Valentine Brothers were evidently no fans of the Reagan administration, as unsubtle lyrics like "that old man who's over the hill" amply demonstrate. Steve Arrington continues to parade around in that annoying Roman toga for this video - why was he so obsessed with it? Neither promo nor song are anything special here, and it's a decided step down from his debut hit. I wonder if he had ambitions to be the next Stevie Wonder by including "key of life" in the title?
More blandness to follow from The Cool Notes, demonstrating why they are pretty much forgotten these days. I wasn't too keen on the girls' new dresses either - they looked half-finished to me! At least Russ offers a change of musical style (if not from his own previous hit) and a reasonably catchy chorus, as he makes his first studio appearance since his co-hosting effort back in 1980. He's wearing a suitably summery shirt for the occasion, but the song is let down by weak vocals and cheap, nasty backing.
The Cult were definitely the pick of the main acts featured. It's a great, driving rock tune, so familiar these days it is rather surprising it only got to 15 back then. A very committed performance from the band too, and I like the guitarist's big, chunky Gibson. The Jaki Graham track is growing on me, thanks to the warm backing vocals and a chorus that gnaws its way under your skin and into your brain. Her hair looks impressively big here, though the pink tights were not a good idea.
All the breakers will be on again, though shamefully the only other appearance of the magnificent White Wedding will be as a playout. This then will be all we see of the luridly gothic video, far preferable in my eyes to the overly-extravagant Eurythmics promo, which just serves to make the song more annoying. Equally irritating is the one-joke video for Frankie - why didn't that postman report them to the police for stalking and harassment? The audience do their best to dance to an utterly insipid Five Star track to close, the woman with the big hair, shades and hooped earrings being far more memorable than the song...
It is worth noting that in those days, the likes of Simply Red could sing about having no money, as I believe that credit cards at that time were available only to the privileged few, and not like now, to any Tom, Dick or Harry, where Britain has got used to living on credit no less. You couldn't sing such a song nowadays, cos everyone would advise getting a 0% on purchases credit card.
DeleteHah, I also noticed Powell's comment implying that Russ Abbott's music was not serious, so instead we go to none other than The Cult for our dose of 'serious' music, erm typical Students Union type of music/sanctuary. I must admit, I love this track by The Cult, as almost a guilty pleasure, and it holds up so well 33 years on, doesn't it?
does anyone else remember when mick hucknall out of simply red (as he was usually referred to when he first became famous) briefly turned out for fulchester utd alongside billy the fish in "viz" magazine in the late 80's? the writers cunningly alluded to a promising start to his career (smashing a ferocious long-range volley into the top corner of the net early doors) before fading away to mediocrity (tripping over the ball, missing open goals, etc):
Deletehttp://johnmedd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/mick-hucknall-out-of-simply-red.html
i have been reminded through posting this that shakin stevens also "played" for the club - although to my rcollection (unlike mick hucknall) they simply stuck the same picture of his head onto the top of his cartoon body - regardless of what he was doing:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3M9Ey55idQ/VazpcMrL9kI/AAAAAAAAEM4/EJYr0woyCmc/s1600/viz-016-11-billythefish.jpg
i'd like to say that although i was probably the first on this blog to make it be known that i thought shitty was a prize arse (and for more reasons than one), i have to admit that i'm a bit surprised that the hatred for the guy has now reached the point whereby people take the side of something as inane and rotten as op(l)us when he takes a sly (and actually quite witty) peel-style dig at them!
Deletefurther to the above: shitty's amusing re-tooled name for that bunch of austrian chancers reminds me of a few years on, when my chums and i would not refer to a certain boy band consisting of a pair of teutonic-looking twins (and some other guy dubbed "ken" by the music mags) in any other manner than "dross" (ho ho)
DeleteThe Scottish noise rockers The Stretch Heads released the EP entitled Bros are Pish about the same time (Bros's big album was called Push).
Deletethx i presume "pish" is a derogatory term in the scottish dialect? it always used to amuse me about 15-20 years ago when you couldn't move in charity shops for all the copies of the "push" album by dross hanging about. however in the unlikely event of anyone wanting to get hold of it these days, i think most have now made their way to landfill
Deletehowever in defence of dross, i have to say (and from personal experience too) that it's much better to have been a has-been than a never was. as much as (their teeny fans apart) everybody sneered at them and enjoyed a great sense of schadenfreude at their musical demise soon after they became famous, the fact is that both the goss twins have since managed to make a decent living elsewhere in showbiz (luke has over 50 acting credits on IMDB). and even ken got himself a cushy job in the music biz after they got rid of him. and apparently last year they reunited for a gig at the O2 arena - which is something i could only dream of doing!
Pish is Scottish for piss, and yes, it is derogatory.
DeleteFair play to Bros, they had their moment of chart glory and at least were a proper band unlike their contemporaries Jive Bunny and the Masturbators. But I always remember the French & Saunders Bros spoof where they had the Star Test computer ask them why they were wankers. Which was very funny.
I always remember a Spitting Image sketch broadcast soon after Bros had had their 15 minutes in the spotlight. It saw the twins' heads emerge briefly from a dustbin to sing "why, oh why, are we not famous...anymore" and then disappear into the bin again!
DeleteRegarding Smitty's "wit," I think so much comes down to delivery and persona. Peel comes over as likeable on camera and his mordant way of speaking gets you laughing at his remarks, even if they are quite rude. When Smitty tries to be clever and/or funny, it just makes him seem even more of an arse than he did already, even if he does manage a good one-liner.
john thanks for the dross "spitting image" sketch recollection - i don't remember it myself, but that made me laugh. i had a look on yt, but the only SI lampoon of dross (even they called them that!) i could find is this:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUDZ536Ixo
i have to say that the above sounded better to my ears than any of their actual records (and the triplet snare breakdown pastiche at the end actually made me laugh out loud!)
as for the wit of shitty: he was the deejay equivalent of dross in that he got into the music biz not because he liked music, but just because he wanted to be a sleb. and in doing so made the mistake of trying to get people to think of him as likeable (although i suspect he was somewhat of a cunt behind the facade). so when the arch side of him did slip out on occasion, it probably didn't go down that well - even at the time
That clip is a great find Wilberforce - mocking Bros is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, but no less funny for that! The milk bottle mic was an especially nice touch...
Deletethanks john - i have to admit that i've seen luke goss in a couple of films, plus as a guest star in the tv sci-fi series "fringe". and although he's not going to give the likes of kenneth branagh sleepness nights, he's actually quite competent and watchable (and still very good-looking - despite now balding!)
DeleteI know someone who's met Luke Goss and let's just say he has a very high opinion of himself.
Deletehe may well be a shit in real life, i'm just pointing out that as an pop star-turned-actor he's made quite a good transition. probably better in most people's opinion than other brits of that ilk i.e. bowie, sting, etc. mind you i have to say that ringo starr impressed me far more as an actor than he ever did as a musician!
DeleteMick Fuck'nell to start with, a by the numbers cover of a socially conscious soul tune that appealed to their earlier, politically active roots. The words over the playout are new, however, sleazy references to the earth moving for Nancy, etc. It wasn't their worst crime against music (that was Fairground), it's OK-ish.
ReplyDeleteSteve 'Arrington visits the local photographer's studio to have a few professional snaps taken for his mum's mantelpiece. Oh and he sings a song that never gets going, too.
The Cool Notes, looking like something off New Faces or Opportunity Knocks, but their tune is bright enough, though not as good as Kenickie's song of the same name. Best not listen to the lyrics too closely...
Russ Abbot with a ditty that cheerfully rips off Herb Alpert's Spanish Fly. The trademark Abbot comedy stare under the brow is in full effect. Pretty much Atmosphere Part 2, innocent enough.
The Cult, let the Noel Fielding references commence! Always get the feeling I should like these guys more than I do, and while this is all right, I find it difficult to get excited about. Nazi regalia alert!
Jaki Graham, as I've said, I have a soft spot for Jaki's solo stuff, it was extremely well produced and performed, and had a decent melody to it as well. Her professionalism shines through this appearance. Last place I saw her was Pointless Celebrities a year ago, apparently she's still in the business, good luck to her.
Breakers we'll see again as usual, and one we've heard too much, Sister Sledge drop the curtain on their reign with at last, a look at the equally irritating video. What was the big deal about this Frankie guy?
A lesser Five Star tune to end, none too distinguished it has to be said.
I think you mean Herb Alpert's 'Spanish Flea', THX. Spanish Fly is something...erm...quite different.
DeleteThe Five Star effort is better than I expected after reading the comments, the melody isn't that great but as with White Wedding that probably isn't the point. I think it's about the tight rnb energy. Production sounds ok.
DeleteYes, Spanish Flea! Spanish Fly is, of course, an old Terry-Thomas film. And nothing else.
DeleteThere is an insect called a Spanish fly - confusingly, it's actually a beetle!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI really like Chris White's minor 1976 hit 'Spanish Wine' described on the 'Remember when...' website when at no37 as "A stinky Beach Boys type of thing that spent two weeks at number 37 before buggering off". A tad unfair I feel.
DeleteWhat you do getting from dipping into Nige's utterings are little nudges to records that you've never heard before. In this case the no38 sound 'Seagull' by Rainbow Cottage which Nige dismisses as "Another one of those singles that was resident in so many bargain bins for many years. The difference with this one is that I never gave in to the temptation to buy it. So I haven't a clue what it sounds like, but as it was on the Penny Farthing label, it's likely that it wasn't particularly good. It peaked at number 33". Never one to turn down a challenge, I gave it a listen and was pleasantly rewarded:-
http://www.45cat.com/record/pen906
i've also had a listen on yt to a few tracks that were featured in the lower reaches of the mid-70's charts in "nigel's golden years" site i'd never heard (or even heard of). sadly i haven't struck any gold yet as a result, but you never know what booty might emerge as i continue to work my way through? the rainbow cottage thing won't be among it though - as the act name suggests, it's bland and lightweight pop - was this really released in the same year as "anarchy in the uk"?!?
Deleteactually the above isn't quite true - i can't remember for sure now, but i think i found this funky gem as an indirect result of trawling nigel's site:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YP_eCTsVmI
and this is another indirect find that's a pretty good afro-jazz-funk-fusion instrumental workout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0h1NvndsPw
Simply Red. I bow to no one in my dislike of the carrot-topped crooner, but you have to admit he's got a great voice. The song is a rather fierce dig at Reaganomics with an odd last line - 'did the earth move for you, Nancy'.Not sure what the writers were getting at there.
ReplyDeleteSteve Arrington and The Cool Notes- Yawn. Russ Abbot- ff.
The Cult. Great song and a great performance too. This is one of those sings which you would think would never be a floor filler,and yet it does exactly that - even all these years later.
Jaki Graham. Another good song backed up by an excellent performance.
Breakers. Proud Mary, Nutbush, and The Best are 3 songs I loathe and, as such, they colour my view of Ms Turner and her recorded output. This isn't as bad as them but. . . it's still her.
White Wedding. A great song, but Billy's sub-Elvis persona grates a little.
Sharkey. There is something about the tone/timbre of his voice that annoys me. Add the preposterous haircut, the awful video and the diabolic song and you can understand why this was the show's low point for me.
Although Trans X's euro-bollocks runs it mighty close.
Rundown. Frankie's last week on top and a highly forgettable 5 Star to see us out.
Scores. The Cult run away with Best In Show, ably supported by Jaki Graham and Simply Red, but the worst stuff was really bad, so its a 5.
Powell continues to emphasise THE wrong words in SENTENCES and tends to proclaim rather than introduce. Smith is getting more and more comfortable in front of the cameras, but his 'sense of humour' has no correlation to actual humour. 4.
I feel an italo disco influence to the Trans X track, it's alright if not special.
DeleteWhite Wedding, he does that strange look with his mouth again. Not a great melody arguably but it's about the rock attitude.
Back to the late Ken Dodd....I read today that he is one of the few artists to have two records in the top10 at the same time. Looked it up, and yep, lasted four weeks:-
ReplyDelete09/12/65 - The River & Tears (7 & 8)
16/12/65 - The River & Tears (6 & 7)
23/12/65 - The River & Tears (3 & 5)
30/12/65 - Ditto (presumably no new chart)
04/01/66 - The River & Tears (4 & 7)
No1 for the entire duration was the Beatles double 'A' Side 'We can work it out / Day Tripper' which is probably more fondly remembered than Ken's duo, but don't forget 'Tears' had earlier been no1 for five weeks and was the second biggest seller of 1965. Doddy was certainly a musical force to be reckoned with in those days.
Ready to go, Wifey in tow (yes Dory she is real, but distracted by her Ferrero Rocher easter egg) polished off Easter Sunday lunch and ready to go...
ReplyDeletePP and Smithy kick off with a live vocal from Mick Hucknall. Back before his more known for his music than his womanising and outspoken attitude.
This a great song and they were a great band. A strong performance.
Steve Arrington back again. That's 2 hits from someone I'd never heard of until a few weeks ago. I quite like this. Not sure it will make lasting impression but not a bad record.
Now for The Cool Notes. This isn't really up to much. Surprised it has done this well so far. Very colour coordinated and manufactured.
Wifey never heard before. Verify "its rubbish "
Oh my god. It Russ in the studio. "I am almost embarrassed" says Wifey. Almost will do me. This is crap. Next.
Why wasn't that serious music PP?? 😁
Now this is better. The Cult make their debut with their most well known song. One of those songs where the title doesn't make you think of the tune as there is no chorus to speak of. Very good tune though and a big 80s tune.
So having been non too impressed with Jaki Graham breaker last week we get the full song. I must admit it has grown on me. Not a classic but a decent enough tune.
Breakers time:
Tina going all Mad Max on us. Never seen the film. Like the song though.
Interesting that she said recently she was glad she had retired and didn't miss singing as it was just her job.
Billy Idol, bigger in the US than the UK. Like this lot. Made a great cameo in The Wedding Singer (which is a great film, highly recommend if you love the 80s)
Sharkey a few months away from pip super stardom with this awful dirge.
Trans X I don't remember. Highest climber deserved a bit more airtime
Smithy stole my Tina Turner gag.. 😀
How long has this Kool and the Gang song been in the Top Ten. Feels like months and I'm watching two shows a week.
Frankie... Blah, blah, blah...
Ooh the video.
"seriously not again!!" wifey speaks!!!
Wont miss this one...
Five Star get the payout... Will we ever see them...
Much better than last week but we've had much better.
morgie, to be more precise tina turner has retired again - having done so before a number of years ago after a "last chance to see me live" tour, before returning again not that long after. punters who got suckered into that should have demanded a refund under fair trading licence laws. but then again anyone who would choose to pay good money to hear her shriek her head off to a load of crap for a couple of hours is a prize sucker anyway!
DeleteDidn't realise she had done that before. Oh well. She's got a Tina musical coming up next.. Assume you're not going Wilberforce?
Deletephil collins tried pulling the same stunt quite recently i.e. touring again after having announced his retirement some years previously. but kismet kicked in as he fell down some stairs (or something similar) and got seriously injured just before the tour was scheduled to start, thus having to cancel!
Deleteand no, i morgie i shan't be going to see "tina - the musical". no more than i would see any other musical about pop stars
One of my friends said to me "Oh guess what, there's this great new Tina Turner Musical coming up, do you fancy going". At which point I let him know in no uncertain terms that I would not under any circumstances go anywhere near such an event. I was 'persuaded' to go to a Shania Twain concert on the same friend's recommendation, only to spend two hours watching her bend down to sign autographs on a circular stage at Wembley. However, musical differences aside, we still get along really well!!
Deletehow soon will it be before we get "bowie - the musical"? hopefully when hell freezes over in my view. mind you i went to see one bowie tribute act a year or so back (that i was actually an original member of 20 years ago!), and i'm planning to see another one next month. and no doubt some would see both forms of entertainment as equal travesties!
DeleteCan someone please re-upload this
ReplyDelete