tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post4518682465297715111..comments2024-03-28T10:45:51.725+00:00Comments on Never Forget ~ Top of the Pops 1995: If I had Top of the PopsAngelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090709386124664912noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-42789966485127695272014-09-11T18:41:33.791+01:002014-09-11T18:41:33.791+01:00Another good one. Copied the Ron Mael Hitler look ...Another good one. Copied the Ron Mael Hitler look in '79, but it didn't go down too well in Luton...Paul Rancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439206226841822750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-87792944945972442512014-07-07T22:20:47.819+01:002014-07-07T22:20:47.819+01:00I'm slightly sad to read that quote from Bob&#...I'm slightly sad to read that quote from Bob's book. I don't care for lots of artists but I would never have the temerity to assume that the whole world agrees with me. I have gone off Bob Geldof in recent years but I still like some of the Rats singles and seeing them again on TOTP has bought back many happy memories. Still love Saint Etienne though (Bob Stanley if you're reading this and want to send me a copy of your book I'll gladly receive it).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-11228466990710050462014-07-07T19:11:04.545+01:002014-07-07T19:11:04.545+01:00In case of doubt, I meant that Bob Stanley turned ...In case of doubt, I meant that Bob Stanley turned up on the old forum, not Alan Tarney. That really would have been weird!Noaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790474836630218113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-64898867603931365592014-07-07T19:09:45.235+01:002014-07-07T19:09:45.235+01:00bama - 'their first big hit' would be more...bama - 'their first big hit' would be more statistically accurate!<br /><br />Alan Tarney also produced Barbara Dickson and A-ha's early stuff as well as early 80s Cliff and I can absolutely see why he was requested!<br /><br />He did pop in once only on the original forum, didn't he? <br />That was a lovely surprise. The more I listen to their 'difficult' singles and albums, the more I love them. 'Like A Motorway' and 'How We Used To Live' weren't Top 40 hits at all but are wonderful.<br /><br />And THX is right, we all have our blind spots. I absolutely loathe almost all the modern female singers that we are supposed to fall over to worship (Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Florence & The Machine, Paloma Faith etc etc) because almost without exception they seem to think that wailing and honking are suitable substitutes for tone, key and subtlety.<br />There are excceptions such as Adele and Emeli Sande mind you.Noaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790474836630218113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-85169545941448414292014-07-07T15:43:51.448+01:002014-07-07T15:43:51.448+01:00Nope, I don't think he was being ironic, one o...Nope, I don't think he was being ironic, one of the nice things about the book is how sincere it is. He says the Rats were huge in their day and are "now resolutely unloveable... How did they fool us all?"THXnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-34193716092069539272014-07-07T14:00:26.178+01:002014-07-07T14:00:26.178+01:00I agree with you Julie, the Darts performance was ...I agree with you Julie, the Darts performance was superb and Kenny an excellent vocalist. Okay so he doesn't add the kitsch sense of fun that Den Hegarty did with his Big Bopper-style stage antics but it wouldn't work if he tried to copy Den's act.<br /><br />And Arthur I was getting Good Times mixed up with Le Freak but the lyrics to Good Times are interesting nevertheless. The line "clams on the half shell and roller skates" has for ages confused/bemused people.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-31891968649902814262014-07-07T13:17:41.939+01:002014-07-07T13:17:41.939+01:00Fair point, Julie. It would have been impossible t...Fair point, Julie. It would have been impossible to replace Den, and I appreciate Kenny's got a fine resume of musical work since Darts. Problem was, Kenny's vocals were not only smoother, they seemed to be some way down the mix (take his vocals in the chorus of "Get It", for example). <br /><br />Oh, and Wilberforce, the other chorus my uncle used to maim in the pub was Roxy Music's "More Than This".Arthur Nibblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11547006132533866220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-75729890154931029812014-07-07T13:00:55.965+01:002014-07-07T13:00:55.965+01:00I met Bob Stanley once and he's a very nice gu...I met Bob Stanley once and he's a very nice guy. What I was saying was that I can't believe that he is a musical snob and that maybe he was being ironic about The Rats (although I haven't read the book). He and the rest of Saint Etienne thrive on their eclectic tastes and have been influenced by everyone from The Beach Boys to Rush and dub reggae. Their first hit (You're In A Bad Way) was produced by Cliff Richard's producer Alan Tarney - they specifically asked for him. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-3943727836938580172014-07-07T11:00:14.952+01:002014-07-07T11:00:14.952+01:00I wouldn't call Bob Stanley a musical snob, fo...I wouldn't call Bob Stanley a musical snob, for most of the book he's very open minded, but I suppose we all have our blind spots. He truly detests Live Aid, for example.THXnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-39549215148798278562014-07-07T10:55:04.679+01:002014-07-07T10:55:04.679+01:00being in the "biz", perhaps bob stanley ...being in the "biz", perhaps bob stanley knows bob geldof personally and (maybe like many who have had dealings with what appears to be an abrasive personality) doesn't get on too well with him, which may influence his opinions? (bob s if you're reading this then let us know...)wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-34423972388197176842014-07-07T10:00:24.431+01:002014-07-07T10:00:24.431+01:00I wouldn't say Kenny Andrews was "rubbish...I wouldn't say Kenny Andrews was "rubbish" - he's an operatically trained bass-baritone who has since enjoyed a rich career as an actor in films, TV productions and the West End, most notably as Big Moe in 'Five Guys Named Moe'. <br /><br />The problem was that Den's fans found Kenny's smoother, more polished style of performance difficult to accept, and I think that impacted on the band's morale. They would shed 4 more members over the next 2 years, including singer Bob Fish, and would enjoy only one more Top 40 hit, with a cover of The Four Seasons' 'Let's Hang On'.Julie Joanne Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13480391445628307945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-46964104636275796372014-07-07T09:45:37.256+01:002014-07-07T09:45:37.256+01:00'Someone's Looking At You' was a cod-S...'Someone's Looking At You' was a cod-Springsteen rocker, much like 'Rat Trap' and 'Diamond Smiles' among other hit songs by the Rats.Julie Joanne Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13480391445628307945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-80757255284522144682014-07-07T02:48:36.546+01:002014-07-07T02:48:36.546+01:00bama i can't remember anything at all about th...bama i can't remember anything at all about the first rats single you mention (even though it may have been a top 20 hit), and my only memory of the second was that it was a cod-reggae thing (although that may be presumptuous on my part). which you could say sort of adds weight to bob stanley's argument? there was another later hit single i also have no recollection of in audio terms, but i remember for the bizarre title with parenthesis: "the elephants graveyard (guilty)"...wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-3204526477303378332014-07-07T02:38:05.741+01:002014-07-07T02:38:05.741+01:00replying to myself: i idly watched the show again ...replying to myself: i idly watched the show again today on videotape and noticed that kid announces the knack are from los angeles which makes my comment above look rather stupid, but the fact is that to me they look (and sound) much more like an east coast band than a west coast one. also noticed that there was some freeze-framing going on at the end of some acts, which i don't think they've done before - the guy responsible also did it on several beats in a row when the camera was behind the uk subs drummer, which i thought was quite clever and highly effective (for the time, anyway)...wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-40575285446783633022014-07-07T02:28:14.507+01:002014-07-07T02:28:14.507+01:00i have a memory of those strange-looking drums use...i have a memory of those strange-looking drums used by the korgis - not sure if there was some technical reason for them looking like that, or it was just a pose! i don't suppose the uk subs' drummer looked at them and thought "hey, i'd love a set like that"? i'm hoping the show will remain on air long enough for the debut of the "simmons" electronic drumkit (i think spandau ballet may have been the first band to feature them)...wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-57589036893055823622014-07-07T02:23:24.517+01:002014-07-07T02:23:24.517+01:00i'm with you regarding the uk subs arthur - i ...i'm with you regarding the uk subs arthur - i can't get the chorus out of my head at the moment! give me that over the dreary "i don't like mondays" anytime... by the way, what was the other song that your uncle used to sing along to in the boozer?wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-191628721642125622014-07-07T02:18:37.440+01:002014-07-07T02:18:37.440+01:00talking of band members switching instruments: i w...talking of band members switching instruments: i went to see a certain ratio play live several times in the late 80's, and the bassist and drummer would always swap over at some point - something that was eagerly anticipated by the audience...wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-8896192634144098512014-07-07T02:15:12.176+01:002014-07-07T02:15:12.176+01:00martha ladly was a true stunner, especially after ...martha ladly was a true stunner, especially after she left the muffins (one suspects the other martha was a bit jealous of her wholesome good looks!) and appeared on totp with both the associates and roxy music in a series of breathtaking costumes. and not just a pretty face either - does anyone else know that nowadays she is a professor? i've seen a recent picture of her and she definitely falls into the "milf" category!wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-9664433379562022662014-07-07T02:06:51.897+01:002014-07-07T02:06:51.897+01:00i don't know if this is true or not, but i rea...i don't know if this is true or not, but i read a story that guitarist billy bremner was so fed up of being mistaken for his footballing namesake that he changed his name... only for someone with the same name to become famous afterwards!wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-63030715249911292972014-07-06T23:20:09.456+01:002014-07-06T23:20:09.456+01:00Good show, that. Much to enjoy, apart from the ide...Good show, that. Much to enjoy, apart from the identikit R’n’R of \the Sex Pistols and those horrible tiny mugshots.<br /><br />The Real Thing was the first act to release a single on EMI. Strange to see the middle two as the focus this time, unless you count all four as joint vocalists a la Can’s “I Want More” (remember that one, long time forumites?). Chris seemed happy enough on bass duties. I could envisage KC and the Sunshine Band doing this song credit.<br /><br />“Girl’s Talk” - brilliant. To think Dave Edmunds made number one with the first single on the label which foistered Gilbert O’Sullivan onto us (oh, as well as Lynsey de Paul, and Joe Jackson in a flop act).<br /><br />Was Legs & Co’s routine the first televised appearance of pole dancing? Just as saucy as that Christine Keeler back to front chair routine to Manhattan Transfer’s “Chanson D’Amour”. Not that I mind much!<br /><br />Loved Griff’s leprechaun outfit for “Duke Of Earl”, though Rita looked very restrained sartorially, and they were never the same after Den had to leave. That Kenny Andrews was rubbish – he added nothing to the group.<br /><br />I’ll be a dissenter here and say I enjoyed UK Subs. “Stranglehold” was on the repetitive and infectious side of catchy, but they went for it and, unlike Darts, they didn’t have a dummy in the ranks (Do you get the feeling I didn’t rate Kenny much?).<br /><br />The Pretenders were stylish and effortless. I still preferred their track “Tattooed Love Boys”, but this was fine apart from the ugly Ed Sheeran prototype gurning at the monitor.<br /><br />I loved The Knack’s black and white image. Funny to see the “Stars In Their Eyes” versions of Keith Moon and ‘how did he get there?” Brazilian defender David Luiz in their ranks.<br /><br />Fine song though it is, I can’t hear “Beat The Clock” without thinking of Bruce Forsyth and The Palladium. That was definitely the most animated Ron Mael performance I’ve ever seen.<br /><br />Back in the day I used to frequent a pub with a late uncle, who used to jokingly belt out the choruses of two songs on the pub juke box to the annoyance or resigned laughter of the locals. One of the songs was “I Don’t Like Mondays”. Rest in peace, Alec.<br /><br />So, do most of The Dooleys look like their mum or their dad? Were they a prototype master race or mistress race in the making? Poor Jim, relegated to second keyboardist behind the new gal / uber-race lookalike. No more chest hair tufts on show for the likes of us. Hang on, is that actually a bad thing?<br /><br />Ah, tie behind the bass this time for The Korgis. Those Salvador Dali-style drums were de rigeur in some quarters from the late 70’s to early / mid 80’s. Just wait for the rotatoms to take over in a few months!<br /><br />So, Agnetha was a reluctant sex symbol? She had no idea! Her get-up reminded me of the old joke: “How do you get into those lycra trousers?” “A couple of gin and tonics for starters!”<br /><br />Tubeway Army started out more B&W than The Knack! I still think Gary Numan’s smirking is more of the “how did we get here?” type.<br /><br />One of our learned correspondents has got their Chic songs mixed up. The “fornicate off” lyrics were the prototype (that word again!) for “Le Freak” and not “Good Night and Good Love”, er, “Good Times”. As Roy Walker would say. it’s good but it’s not right! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11784330306408735232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-9326237411434456602014-07-06T21:21:47.960+01:002014-07-06T21:21:47.960+01:00Chris Amoo had played bass on some tracks on their...Chris Amoo had played bass on some tracks on their 1976 Real Thing album but as you say perhaps this was his debut playing it on stage.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-89304378969916762842014-07-06T21:21:06.756+01:002014-07-06T21:21:06.756+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-25241345720463921222014-07-06T21:11:24.596+01:002014-07-06T21:11:24.596+01:00I never had Bob Stanley down as a musical snob. I ...I never had Bob Stanley down as a musical snob. I Don't Like Mondays is an all time classic and there are some credible Boomtown Rats singles to come, namely There's Always Someone Looking At You and Banana Rebublic.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-84616007541716713642014-07-06T20:47:54.713+01:002014-07-06T20:47:54.713+01:00Rockpile's Billy Bremner made a superb solo si...Rockpile's Billy Bremner made a superb solo single called Loud Music In Cars. Check it out on Youtube.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937581521280389248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656821189691902130.post-71652874918786013912014-07-06T18:55:10.611+01:002014-07-06T18:55:10.611+01:00i wonder if charlie harper's thinking "if...i wonder if charlie harper's thinking "if only i'd had that idea to raise money for some starving ethiopians"...?wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uknoreply@blogger.com