Top of the Pops week by week through 1980

Mark L · Loudmouth

RE: Top of the Pops week by week through 1980

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
The Boomtown Rats will appear on 26/11/15 on this show.
Is that in the studio or a video?
If the Rats ever get around to releasing anything, they should do a Rats at the BBC DVD/CD. Plenty of material from ToTP along with the Peel Sessions and the live concerts (both TV and Radio). I suppose they must have appeared on Swap Shop and other shows. Could even have the Parkinson performances of Rat Trap and Diamond Smiles.

Some great BBC stuff is out there. Lots of chat show performances etc. Even Cheggers Plays Pop performances are of interest.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

I can only remember the video being on TOTP. Did they do it in the studio as well?

Not sure where this video is from, but it is pretty ok compared with the Musicladen 'live'(read mimed) performance. Musicladen ends with the band handing out bananas to the audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2IwOemnjbI

Also on the German dvd Geldof cheekily introduces So Strange:'This next song is what it feels like when you wake up in the morning and youve just lost a war..' Someone should have told Bob to not mention the war. He must have said this as a joke? smile

Mark L · Loudmouth

noelindublin wrote:
I can only remember the video being on TOTP. Did they do it in the studio as well?
Not sure where this video is from, but it is pretty ok compared with the Musicladen 'live'(read mimed) performance. Musicladen ends with the band handing out bananas to the audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2IwOemnjbI
Also on the German dvd Geldof cheekily introduces So Strange:'This next song is what it feels like when you wake up in the morning and youve just lost a war..' Someone should have told Bob to not mention the war. He must have said this as a joke?

I am probably mistaken, after all 35 years ago but I remember Bob mocking the misrepresentation of the song with the palm trees. Talking of the 80s, stumbled over this blog on the Internet of Sarah Lewis who lived in Faversham and would often bump into Bob and Paula. Her specialist subject at pop quizzes was the Rats. Wonder if she has ever stumbled across us in similar fashion?

http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/big-stars-bumped-80s-Whitstable-author-s/story-28120272-detail/story.html

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Mark L wrote:
noelindublin wrote:
I can only remember the video being on TOTP. Did they do it in the studio as well?
Not sure where this video is from, but it is pretty ok compared with the Musicladen 'live'(read mimed) performance. Musicladen ends with the band handing out bananas to the audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2IwOemnjbI
Also on the German dvd Geldof cheekily introduces So Strange:'This next song is what it feels like when you wake up in the morning and youve just lost a war..' Someone should have told Bob to not mention the war. He must have said this as a joke?
I am probably mistaken, after all 35 years ago but I remember Bob mocking the misrepresentation of the song with the palm trees. Talking of the 80s, stumbled over this blog on the Internet of Sarah Lewis who lived in Faversham and would often bump into Bob and Paula. Her specialist subject at pop quizzes was the Rats. Wonder if she has ever stumbled across us in similar fashion?
http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/big-stars-bumped-80s-Whitstable-author-s/story-28120272-detail/story.html

I can't find any TOPT studio performance of Banana Republic on Youtube. I can remember seeing the song on said show,and being very impressed by the video(early 1981ish). I still think it is one of their best videos.

Their is such thing as 'false memory' Mark, but I've had one or two of those myself down the years. smile

Maybe Miss Faversham should have gone on Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson. Or was pop music below the standards of that programme. Interesting to see Geldof with short hair in that photo.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I can remember Bob Geldof being on Swap Shop doing a phone in and desperately trying to get through. I can't remember if it was just him or with the rest of the Rats and they played, too busy on the phone! I didn't even have a question and was hoping one would come to mind once I got on. It didn't happen and I don't think I'd have thought of a question anyway.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Even Cheggers Plays Pop performances are of interest.

Were they mimed? Or Live?

The best TV performance I remember was on Revolver, but that was on ITV. Along with the Kenny Everett videos which were all better than the "official" videos...

... oddly when searching google, I realised this is where you came in...

http://boomtownrats.activeboard.com/t45334154/rats-on-kenny-everett-you-tube/

Not sure a Rats at ITV would amount to much on top of that.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
I can remember Bob Geldof being on Swap Shop doing a phone in and desperately trying to get through. I can't remember if it was just him or with the rest of the Rats and they played, too busy on the phone! I didn't even have a question and was hoping one would come to mind once I got on. It didn't happen and I don't think I'd have thought of a question anyway.

I remember someone asking him what football team he liked, and he said he didn't support any team. He asked the caller who they supported, they said Arsenal and Geldof slagged him off! Geldof went down a lot in my estimation that day. I believe Fingers was with him, but it might have been Saturday Superstore when of all people Captain Sensible was on!

PS It wasn't me that called!

http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20adv=0&q=geldof+fingers&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search

Saturday 18 February 1984 9.00 Saturday Superstore

with Mike Read , Keith Chegwin , John Craven and Sarah Greene

Captain Sensible will be with Mike in the Music Department today as will Bob Geldof and Johnny Fingers from The Boomtown Rats. You can call them on ...

Saturday 6 March 1982 9.30 Swap Shop

Presented by Noel Edmonds with Keith Chegwin, John Craven, Maggie Philbin

The Boomtown Rats are back!

Bob Geldof sings live for Swap Shop and Johnnie is itching to get his fingers on the phone. Give them and Noel's guests a ring on ...

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

A couple of err interesting appearances on the BBC. I wonder who Jim fixed it for...

Friday 4 May 1979 22.15 Leo Sayer

The first of six distinctive shows capturing the versatility and energy that have made Leo one of Britain's top entertainers. Special guests the rhythm and blues singer Frankie Miller the zany

Boomtown Rats with ARLENE PHILLIPS DANCERS

Monday 26 May 1980 18.20 Jim'll Fix It

Meet the Boomtown Rats? Go to Singapore? Be a ballerina?

In this special Spring Bank Holiday programme JIMMY SAVILE makes these and other dreams come true.

I remember this had them playing Up All Night...

Saturday 18 December 1982 19.45 Three of a Kind

starring Lenny Henry Tracey Ullman and David Copperfield with special guests

The Boomtown Rats

And some interesting radio shows I missed...

Radio 1

Tuesday 25 October 1988 19.30 Shamrock 'n' Roll

In the second of two documentaries Richard Skinner continues to trace Ireland's contribution to the world of rock 'n' roll. From The Boomtown Rats to U2 and beyond....

Radio 2

Saturday 4 January 2003 21.00 How Ireland Went Pop

Gerry Anderson concludes a look at the evolution of Irish popular music, from Van Morrison to Westlife.

This final edition looks at the modern era, initiated by the success of the Boomtown Rats and U2.

Saturday 22 September 2001 20.00 Looking After Number One- the Bob Geldof Story

The first of two programmes profiling Bob Geldof , the Boomtown Rat who gave the seventies two number one singles before transforming pop's agenda in the mid-eighties with two of the defining charity events of the last 20 years. Geldof discusses his new solo album and his relationship with the late Paula Yates.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

ArrGee wrote:
Jules wrote:
I can remember Bob Geldof being on Swap Shop doing a phone in and desperately trying to get through. I can't remember if it was just him or with the rest of the Rats and they played, too busy on the phone! I didn't even have a question and was hoping one would come to mind once I got on. It didn't happen and I don't think I'd have thought of a question anyway.
I remember someone asking him what football team he liked, and he said he didn't support any team. He asked the caller who they supported, they said Arsenal and Geldof slagged him off! Geldof went down a lot in my estimation that day. I believe Fingers was with him, but it might have been Saturday Superstore when of all people Captain Sensible was on!
PS It wasn't me that called!

http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20adv=0&q=geldof+fingers&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search
Saturday 18 February 1984 9.00 Saturday Superstore
with Mike Read , Keith Chegwin , John Craven and Sarah Greene
Captain Sensible will be with Mike in the Music Department today as will Bob Geldof and Johnny Fingers from The Boomtown Rats. You can call them on ...
Saturday 6 March 1982 9.30 Swap Shop
Presented by Noel Edmonds with Keith Chegwin, John Craven, Maggie Philbin
The Boomtown Rats are back!
Bob Geldof sings live for Swap Shop and Johnnie is itching to get his fingers on the phone. Give them and Noel's guests a ring on ...

Slagged off Arsenal . He's a Chelsea fan now., so would still slag them off.

I I think I missed the 1982 one because I had a Saturday job. Fingers being in there rings a bell For the later one. Didn't realise I was as old as 18 years old then, thought that was earlier .

Mike menzies · V Deep

Yeh I remember them on one of the Saturday shows Bob mentioned the lp would be called mondo bongo ( he had been on radio week before and said it was called. Bongo crazy but obviously changed title
) they where on the airwaves quite a lot with banana

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Even Cheggers Plays Pop performances are of interest.
Were they mimed? Or Live?
The best TV performance I remember was on Revolver, but that was on ITV. Along with the Kenny Everett videos which were all better than the "official" videos...
... oddly when searching google, I realised this is where you came in...
http://boomtownrats.activeboard.com/t45334154/rats-on-kenny-everett-you-tube/
Not sure a Rats at ITV would amount to much on top of that.

I think it was mimed. ITV appearances include two performances in 1984 on Razzmatazz (Tonight and DMD) and a couple of Tiswas performances in ATV's Birmingham studios. I think I linked to a Sally James /Bob Geldof / Fingers interview photo from 1978.

What with Bob and Fingers touring USA trying to break the States in early 79, it was obviously a publicity decision that they would 'represent' the band media wise

Mark L · Loudmouth

From 1985, after Mike Read had taken over Saturdays with Superstore, I have the band on Vhs performing A Hold of Me and Simon and Bob take phone calls. Nobody asks Simon anything. Mike Read thinks AHOM is very good and so does one of the callers but I never raved over it. I know Noel of this parish is very fond of it, so it's interesting how we all receive things differently but cest la vie.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Even Cheggers Plays Pop performances are of interest.
Were they mimed? Or Live?
The best TV performance I remember was on Revolver, but that was on ITV. Along with the Kenny Everett videos which were all better than the "official" videos...
... oddly when searching google, I realised this is where you came in...
http://boomtownrats.activeboard.com/t45334154/rats-on-kenny-everett-you-tube/
Not sure a Rats at ITV would amount to much on top of that.

Indeed, where have 4 years gone?

Note, a really professional first post, with no link.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Mark L wrote:

From 1985, after Mike Read had taken over Saturdays with Superstore, I have the band on Vhs performing A Hold of Me and Simon and Bob take phone calls. Nobody asks Simon anything. Mike Read thinks AHOM is very good and so does one of the callers but I never raved over it. I know Noel of this parish is very fond of it, so it's interesting how we all receive things differently but cest la vie.

Oddly enough I this is was a great song and a great way to kick of the start of the Album For me it was like ok that's see where this takes you to. I just loved everything about it.

Mike menzies · V Deep

I agree I loved a hold of me as a single and was disappointed when it didn't chart especially after a good tour but hey water under the bridge still a big fan &iwill till I pop my clogs

Mark L · Loudmouth

Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.

There is also the probability of regional only performances. Here in the North West, Granada put out a show in 79 called Get it Together with Diamond Smiles video show.

Tuesday 27th November 1979

BBC1 Nationwide

Paul McCartney

BBC1 Mainstream

Randy Newman Its Money that I Love

American Blues Legends two songs

BBC2 The Mike Harding Show

BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm - 12:25 am

Chelsea - Your Toy, All The Downs, Twelve Men

Ellen Foley - What's A Matter Baby, Stupid Girl

Pink Floyd - Hey You (Filmfinders clip)

Sting - clip from 'Radio On' movie

Simple Minds - Factory, Changelling (on film)

HTV Georgie Fame and Company

Linda Lewis

Granada Get It Together

The Boomtown Rats - Diamond smiles (promo clip)

Chas and Dave - What a miserable Saturday night

Garth Hewitt - Did he jump

The Tourists - I only wan to be with you

Casino - Keep on Running

Thames put out a show called Thames Afternoon Plus and in June 1979 we got two Rats songs and a Geldof interview:

Thursday 14th June 1979

BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 - 8:05 pm

Host: Mike Read

Anita Ward Ring My Bell

McFadden & Whitehead Aint No Stopping Us Now (particularly poor backing from TOTP orchestra)

Squeeze Up The Junction (repeat)

Anita Ward Ring My Bell

Quantum Jump Lone Ranger (repeat)

Gerry Rafferty Night Owl (promo clip)

Janet Kay Silly Games

Earth Wind & Fire & The Emotions Boogie Wonderland (promo)

Chas & Dave Gertcha

Edwin Starr H-A-P-P-Y Radio (promo)

Lene Lovich Say When (Legs & Co)

Tubeway Army Are Friends Electric? (repeat)

Match Boogie Man

Thames Afternoon Plus

The Boomtown Rats - two songs and Geldof interview

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Mark L wrote:
Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.
There is also the probability of regional only performances. Here in the North West, Granada put out a show in 79 called Get it Together with Diamond Smiles video show.
Tuesday 27th November 1979
BBC1 Nationwide
Paul McCartney
BBC1 Mainstream
Randy Newman Its Money that I Love
American Blues Legends two songs
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm - 12:25 am
Chelsea - Your Toy, All The Downs, Twelve Men
Ellen Foley - What's A Matter Baby, Stupid Girl
Pink Floyd - Hey You (Filmfinders clip)
Sting - clip from 'Radio On' movie
Simple Minds - Factory, Changelling (on film)
HTV Georgie Fame and Company
Linda Lewis
Granada Get It Together
The Boomtown Rats - Diamond smiles (promo clip)
Chas and Dave - What a miserable Saturday night
Garth Hewitt - Did he jump
The Tourists - I only wan to be with you
Casino - Keep on Running

Thames put out a show called Thames Afternoon Plus and in June 1979 we got two Rats songs and a Geldof interview:
Thursday 14th June 1979
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 - 8:05 pm
Host: Mike Read
Anita Ward Ring My Bell
McFadden & Whitehead Aint No Stopping Us Now (particularly poor backing from TOTP orchestra)
Squeeze Up The Junction (repeat)
Anita Ward Ring My Bell
Quantum Jump Lone Ranger (repeat)
Gerry Rafferty Night Owl (promo clip)
Janet Kay Silly Games
Earth Wind & Fire & The Emotions Boogie Wonderland (promo)
Chas & Dave Gertcha
Edwin Starr H-A-P-P-Y Radio (promo)
Lene Lovich Say When (Legs & Co)
Tubeway Army Are Friends Electric? (repeat)
Match Boogie Man
Thames Afternoon Plus
The Boomtown Rats - two songs and Geldof interview

re Disco version of Joey;I was reading on of the YouTube comments underneath the Rat Trap describing Geldof as 'the John Travolta of punk.' smile

l

noelindublin · Loudmouth

noelindublin wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.
There is also the probability of regional only performances. Here in the North West, Granada put out a show in 79 called Get it Together with Diamond Smiles video show.
Tuesday 27th November 1979
BBC1 Nationwide
Paul McCartney
BBC1 Mainstream
Randy Newman Its Money that I Love
American Blues Legends two songs
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm - 12:25 am
Chelsea - Your Toy, All The Downs, Twelve Men
Ellen Foley - What's A Matter Baby, Stupid Girl
Pink Floyd - Hey You (Filmfinders clip)
Sting - clip from 'Radio On' movie
Simple Minds - Factory, Changelling (on film)
HTV Georgie Fame and Company
Linda Lewis
Granada Get It Together
The Boomtown Rats - Diamond smiles (promo clip)
Chas and Dave - What a miserable Saturday night
Garth Hewitt - Did he jump
The Tourists - I only wan to be with you
Casino - Keep on Running

Thames put out a show called Thames Afternoon Plus and in June 1979 we got two Rats songs and a Geldof interview:
Thursday 14th June 1979
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 - 8:05 pm
Host: Mike Read
Anita Ward Ring My Bell
McFadden & Whitehead Aint No Stopping Us Now (particularly poor backing from TOTP orchestra)
Squeeze Up The Junction (repeat)
Anita Ward Ring My Bell
Quantum Jump Lone Ranger (repeat)
Gerry Rafferty Night Owl (promo clip)
Janet Kay Silly Games
Earth Wind & Fire & The Emotions Boogie Wonderland (promo)
Chas & Dave Gertcha
Edwin Starr H-A-P-P-Y Radio (promo)
Lene Lovich Say When (Legs & Co)
Tubeway Army Are Friends Electric? (repeat)
Match Boogie Man
Thames Afternoon Plus
The Boomtown Rats - two songs and Geldof interview

re Disco version of Joey;I was reading on of the YouTube comments underneath the Rat Trap describing Geldof as 'the John Travolta of punk.' smile

To be honest the early version of Mondays was not really my cup of tea and I don't know how the Ensign guys were that impressed with it. It smacks of the sort of experimentation that characterised Mondo Bondo. IDLM tuned out well in the end but it was an enormous musical makeover. Still it shows how two versions of a song can be so different.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.

They mimed on the Eamonn Andrews show. Geldof had already written Mondays at that point as it was performed in San Diego at the end of the month. I suspect the Dudgeon sessions were the re-mixed/re-recorded songs.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
To be honest the early version of Mondays was not really my cup of tea and I don't know how the Ensign guys were that impressed with it. It smacks of the sort of experimentation that characterised Mondo Bondo. IDLM tuned out well in the end but it was an enormous musical makeover. Still it shows how two versions of a song can be so different.

The initial renditions in San Diego don't differ that much. The Dudgeon version was an attempt to involve the whole band, but they quickly reverted, Wainman added strings and the rest is history.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.

They mimed on the Eamonn Andrews show. Geldof had already written Mondays at that point as it was performed in San Diego at the end of the month. I suspect the Dudgeon sessions were the re-mixed/re-recorded songs.

From memory or do you have a copy?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Talking of ITV performances, there will also be the Eamonn Andrews show from 1979 where the Rats performed Me and Howard Hughes. Interesting choice of song, wonder if it was a contender for a fourth single from Tonic? I'd heard that a remix of Joey was also on the cards (a disco version, heaven forbid) until Ensign heard the rough draft of Mondays and insisted it be elevated from b side intentions to an A side.

They mimed on the Eamonn Andrews show. Geldof had already written Mondays at that point as it was performed in San Diego at the end of the month. I suspect the Dudgeon sessions were the re-mixed/re-recorded songs.

From memory or do you have a copy?

Eamonn Andrews from memory, Dudgeon Sessions I have a copy

Mark L · Loudmouth

Extraordinary show tonight. I was wondering what on earth was going on down the front of Showaddywaddy's lead singer's trousers. He could easily have had the fat guy in the audience's eye out.

Then followed UB40 with a Black & White Minstrels parody. It was obviously ok in 1980.

A Hall & Oates brief interview followed Robert Palmer, RIP, then Bev Bevan pushing his new book.

Animal frenzy next with the debut single from the Stray Cats then the charts with Ants and Rats mentions. 10 second video clip with Tommy Vance saying 'Bob Geldof leads the Irish hit band The Boomtown Rats into the Banana Republic at number 9'.

Blondie slip to 2 (one time secretary for the BBC in New York) meaning Abba secure their 9th Number One with Super Trouper.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Yeah seen this. Have to say. Some groups and song's were really bad back then. But it did not seem like it at the time. Any of you recall a song Nice legs shame about the face. Think it was a one hit wonder. Yeah can I got it REALLY

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

manatthetop wrote:
Yeah seen this. Have to say. Some groups and song's were really bad back then. But it did not seem like it at the time. Any of you recall a song Nice legs shame about the face. Think it was a one hit wonder. Yeah can I got it REALLY

Unfortunately, I do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyJLlP6R5RQ They were called the Monks. Just in case you want to hear it again. I just copied the link and clicked the x button.

Mark L · Loudmouth

No false memory after all....it was a (very good) studio performance. Except for the ridiculous palm trees book-ending it.

BBC4 will repeat as usual if you missed it and then You Tube will finally get it no doubt.

The decision not to show the Elephants Graveyard (Guilty) at either top 40 position (40 or 26) on TOTP means we must now wait 16 months to see the Rats next with House on Fire.

Mark L · Loudmouth

This is the Yewtree'd show from 2 weeks prior, the Rats are on video straight after the opening number by Motorhead.

https://vimeo.com/129770337

Not sure why DLT thinks this took ages to chart. It went straight in at 23.

He also confirms his resignation as Radio 1 Breakfast Show host. 5 years of 275/285 Mike Read was only round the corner.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Loved rats doing banana on totp bit narked won't be able to see elephants graveyard but hey have to wait for house on fire make most of their last appearance on totp

Mark L · Loudmouth

Rats down 2 to 5 this week, with performances from Madness and Status Quo.

Simon Bates next week with Little and Large guesting.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Down to 7 this week before spending 2 weeks at 11 over Christmas, Ban Anna Repuberlick (as I once saw it wrote on a blackboard at school circa Dec 80) is leaving the top 10. Little did we know at the time, this would be the Rats last top 10 hit.