Debuting on January 1, 1964, from Manchester’s Dickenson Road Studios, the show featured performances by artists with songs in the UK Singles Chart, focusing on the week’s top hits. The premier episode showcased an iconic lineup, including Dusty Springfield, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Hollies.

Over the decades, TOTP became a launchpad for countless artists from David Bowie performing ‘Starman’ to the Spice Girls debuting ‘Wannabe’, helping them gain visibility and chart success. The show reflected the evolving musical landscape, featuring a mix of pop, rock, punk, hip-hop, and dance music. 

While artists initially lip-synced their performances, live renditions became more common over time. The use of lip-syncing sparked debates about authenticity – a conversation that remains relevant in today’s music industry. 

One of the most memorable protests against lip-syncing came from Nirvana during their performance of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ in 1991. Kurt Cobain comically sang off-key, while the band exaggerated their playing, creating an unforgettable moment and a defining example of an artist pushing back against industry conventions. 

On this day in 1991, Nirvana performed on Top of the Pops. pic.twitter.com/ExhbzpmKR5

— Yasser (@YasserHitman) November 27, 2024

The show also played a pivotal role in the rise of music videos. By incorporating them into episodes, it shaped fashion, dance, and pop culture trends across the UK. Queen’s groundbreaking ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ video, for instance, became one of the most iconic visuals featured on the program. This emphasis on visual performance laid the groundwork for platforms like MTV, YouTube, and TikTok, where music videos and performances are integral to artist branding and promoting music. 

Many artists used their appearances on TOTP to showcase new styes and cement their status as cultural icons. Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ performance dazzled audiences with his silver outfit and flamboyant persona, while Madonna’s provocative choreography and bold fashion during ‘Like a Virgin’ shocked some but captivated most. Such moments demonstrated the power of visual storytelling in music. 

For over six decades, Top of the Pops was not just a music show but a cultural phenomenon that mirrored the evolution of music, fashion, and societal trends. From its first broadcast in 1964 to its final regular episode in 2006, the program provided a stage for artists to make their mark and introduced generations of viewers to groundbreaking performances, setting trends and challenging norms. 

Though its regular run has ended, the legacy on Top of the Pops endures. Modern platforms continue to draw inspiration for its blend of music, visuals, and storytelling. Whether through the boundary-pushing performances or the way it redefined how music is consumed and celebrated, Top of The Pops remains a cornerstone of music history.

The film was written and is being directed by Bernard Rose, who directed the band’s Relax music video back in 1984. “Relax,” the band’s debut single, was famously banned by the BBC due to the sexual nature of the lyrics, causing Frankie Goes to Hollywood to gain notoriety and helping to keep the single in the No.1 spot of the UK Singles Chart for 5 weeks.

Following the band’s rise to fame in the 1980s, the biopic will largely be based on what was shared in lead singer Holly Johnson’s memoir, A Bone in My Flute.

Director and screenwriter Bernard Rose described the band as going from “unemployed Liverpudlians to kings of pop on the back of their epic banned record ‘Relax.'”

Rose continued, “It took them from the underground S&M and LGBTQ club scene into mainstream pop culture. I was very much a part of the hoopla, having directed the original ‘banned’ ‘Relax’ video and I want to bring that innocent and daring world of 1984 back to life for a new audience today.”

Callum Scott Howells is set to star as Holly Johnson, following his acclaimed performance in Russell T. Davies’s drama It’s a Sin, which delved into the 1980s and 90s AIDS epidemic.

Speaking on the BBC ban in 1984, Holly Johnson shared on the BBC Breakfast Show that fans said it made them seem “cool, edgy and rebellious,” effectively doing “them a favour.”

However, Johnson said, “But I wanted to sing our number one debut single on Top of the Pops, so that moment was denied us.”

Frankie Goes to Hollywood recently reunited for the first time in 36 years for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, held in their hometown of Liverpool.

Lead singer Holly Johnson commented on the experience, saying, “It was a real pleasure. I’d forgotten how much I really liked those people, and why I liked them. It was great. It couldn’t have been a better outcome. We seemed to have the same chemistry we had back in the day. They dynamic was the same, the energy was the same. It was great, it was a really perfect pop moment.“

Guitarist Brian Nash also shared his thoughts on the band’s reunion via Facebook, writing, “I am SO happy right now, and this weekend made me happier, and I will take that and hold it in my heart alongside my mates, fans, supporters and the people of this wonderful city.“

No further reunion plans have been shared as of yet, with Nash also writing “The future is unwritten but don’t hold your breath.“

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The newly released mix was made available via Parlophone Records and was created by the album’s co-producer Ken Scott. The legendary producer is best known as one of the five engineers who worked closely with the Beatles. Scott generated the new mix at the beginning of the year from existing multi-tracks. The new version of the iconic track was based on the master track which resulted from Bowie’s broadcast recording on Top Of The Pops, with the master having initially been released on the picture disc Starman 7’’, which dropped over ten years ago.

A statement on Bowie’s website has given the following description outlining the importance of the performance and recording, “David Bowie’s performance of STARMAN on Top Of The Pops is undoubtedly one of the most essential pieces of music television ever broadcast. It has influenced generations of musicians, artists and writers who saw it at the time and countless others who have since seen it over the decades, from bootleg VHS copies to YouTube clips.”

Although taken off the air in 2006, Top Of The Pops has remained an important institution within British music and has been responsible for the success of many artists since its first broadcast in 1964. According to rules outlined by the Musicians Union. In order to appear on the TV show artists would have to re-record their song and then perform the vocals live over the newly recorded track. Due to these rules, Scott had multiple tracks available to use and was able to utilise both aspects of the process.

The new mix consists of the backing vocals recorded for the show’s purpose and the lead vocals taken from the track featured on the album. As per the show’s request, the backing vocals were recorded at Trident Studios, one of London’s most beloved recording facilities located in SoHo. Keen-eared music fans will spot the Adhoc ab-lib within the mix, Bowie can be heard singing “Hey Brown Crow”.

The re-worked mix of “Starman” is not the only celebratory nod to the influential album’s 50th anniversary, to commemorate the release of The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars the album will also be made available as a special edition. As from Friday 17th June 2022, the album will be available to purchase as a limited edition 50th anniversary half-speed mastered LP and picture disc, the LP will not only hold great collector value but will also include the re-worked master and a reproduction of the promotional poster.

Bowie’s powerful talent is not only evident in his enduring legacy but can also be seen within his influence seen in other musicians, Tim Burgess is one of such artists and chose to celebrate the musical landmark in a virtual fashion. The English singer and frontman for The Charlatans held a very special listening party today via Twitter, Burgess has given the following description of the event, “I’m really excited to be hosting a Ziggy Stardust Listening Party on the 50th anniversary of the album’s release. Fans from all around the world can take part and we’ve enlisted a few friends to help us out too.”

Details concerning Burgess’ listening party can be found here.

Click here to stream/buy/listen to “Starman (Top Of The Pops Version 2022)“

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During the TV special, the British singer-songwriter took to the stage with a five-piece band to give a rousing performance of his hit single. Viewers also saw performances by Mahalia and AJ Tracey who performed their duet “Roadside”. Arrdee also took the stage to perform his 2021 single “Flowers (Say My Name)“, the British rapper’s third solo single placed within the top 5 within the UK’s Official singles chart. The track gained positive reviews through the incorporation of two hit singles, Sweet Female Attitude track “Flowers” and Destiny’s Child hit “Say My Name”. Also included within the show’s lineup were Becky Hill, Lola Young, Mabel and Dermot Kennedy.

Within the performance, Fender and his backing group played the title track from his recent album Seventeen Going Under. The album was released on 8th October 2021 via Polydor Records and was recently awarded NME’s album of the year accolade. The English musician’s second studio album became a commercial success and brought Fender to the forefront of popular music. The album also sired great critical acclaim and garnered many accolades including topping the list of PopMatters’ list of 15 Best Indie Rock Albums of 2021.

The album’s title track, “Seventeen Going Under”, was the first of five singles to be released from the record. The track was also marketed as the album’s lead single and was released on 7th July 2021. Much like the single’s album, “Seventeen Going Under” also received acclaim within the industry and was named as BBC’S 2021 Hottest Record of The Year. In December 2021 Fender released a re-worked version of the track, the reimagined version saw Fender take the song to an acoustic level. Within the paired back recording Fender collaborate with Holly Humberstone, the track was released alongside the announcement that Humberstone had won the 2022 Brits Rising star award. The news of Humberstone’s win was shared via video which saw the duo in the studio working on their release. The touching video showed Fender, who won the award in 2019, handing the trophy to Humberstone.

!!!! @samfendermusic pic.twitter.com/JyWkpMjT3i

— Holly Humberstone (@HolHumberstone) December 9, 2021

Fender will soon be hitting the road to start his UK and European tour which kicks off in March this year. The singer will kick start a series of UK dates with a performance in Nottingham on 20th March 2022, after ten UK dates the singer will perform at six different European cities. In June 2022, Fender will continue his live shows with a run as the supporting artist within The Killer’s headlining tour. Fender’s scheduled list of live dates concludes with an appearance at London’s Finsbury Park on 15th July 2022.

Sam Fender UK tour dates

20/03/2022 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
21/03 – Echo Arena – Liverpool
24/03 – 3Arena – Dublin
26/03 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
27/03 – Arena – Birmingham
30/03 – The Brighton Centre – Brighton
01/04 – The SSE Arena – London
02/04 – The SSE Arena – London
05/04 – Metro Radio Arena – Newcastle
06/04 – Metro Radio Arena – Newcastle
03/06 – The Killers – London
04/06 – The Killers – London
14/06 – The Killers – Dublin
15/06 – The Killers – Dublin
06/07 – Castlefield Bowl – Manchester
15/07 – Finsbury Park – London

Click here to buy tickets.

Fellow BBC Radio DJ Greg James showed his respect for Long on Twitter. Saying, “She picked the greats and got them in session before other DJs had even heard of them. She was such a laugh as well”.

This is so sad. A truly brilliant radio person. She was so kind and sweet to me when I was on earlies on R1 and she was on R2 nights at the same time. She picked the greats and got them in session before other DJs had even heard of them. She was such a laugh as well https://t.co/f6gJl3xyAS

— Greg James (@gregjames) December 26, 2021

Richard Coles, of The Communards fame, shared his appreciation for Long’s Work after revealing that she was “the first Radio 1 DJ to give [the group] a session”. You can listen here to America, live on Long’s show in 1985. Long’s husband, Paul Berry, added to the host’s tributes saying, “I’ve lost the love of my life and I’m going to spend the rest of it half a person. She had my back from the day we met, you couldn’t possibly ask for more love and loyalty from a wife.”. After being together for many years, Janice and Paul only got married in 2017, their 2 children added to the tributes; Blue, 25, says, “Mum I love you. You paved the way for me to have an incredible life. You were a trailblazer for so many women to go conquer and succeed. The first woman to host Top of the Pops and the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1.” And Fred, 33, as well as labelling his mum an “absolute G” also says, “She wasn’t only a mum to me but a whole bunch of my friends that she took in and cared for and I’ll never forget everything she has done for me.”  

The first we heard of the news was through her agent, Nigel Forsyth. He lovingly described Long as, “a wonderful, warm human being and exceptional broadcaster.” Adding, “She told a brilliant story and always made you roar with laughter with her sharp wit.” He also went on to describe her success; moving through Radio Merseyside after joining as an assistant in 1979, eventually joining Radio 1 in 1983, she then hosted her own daily show and also presented Top of the Pops. Leading to this FANTASTIC interaction.

Farewell Janice Long. Radio icon and one of the best presenters Top of the Pops ever had (I wasn’t around I just watch the reruns). Here’s a little she told about her time presenting with John Peel and the video to Addicted to Love. pic.twitter.com/7KescbiL6L — Rob Osborne (@robosbornewales) December 26, 2021

Tonight, (Monday 27^th December) BBC Radio Wales host Adam Walton will be hosting a special programme featuring Long’s colleagues, friends, and other special guests. See here to listen to the show from 7 PM.

Yungblud took the opportunity of his television appearance to dress up with a look inspired by Punk Rock and posed on Facebook with a Sid Vicious snarl calling on his fans to tune in because ‘it’s gonna be fookin mental.’ The performance was anarchic and full of energy with Yungblud making a dramatic entrance screaming ‘Top of the Pops!’ and ending the song with a similarly energetic scream of ‘Happy New Year Baby.’

It’s been a long while since someone has put as much effort into a Top of the Pops appearance as Yungblud put into this performance. His band play their part perfectly, while he enjoys the limelight and plays the part of frontman, acting out the lyrics and giving the song attitude. The best thing about this performance is the effort which has been put into making it a live performance, rather than just miming along to a perfect recording, there are moments in there which you would genuinely expect at a live concert.

Perhaps it is the lack of live music this year which has led to artists like Yungblud taking to Top of the Pops to connect deeply with their fans, but surely its no bad thing to have the format shaken up and brought into the twenty first century so violently, or more specifically brought into 2021. 2021 certainly looks to be a very exciting year for music, assuming that the fight against coronavirus is indeed won in Spring as is currently being predicated. It is set to be a big year for British Indie, with Yungblud and Declan McKenna both ready to gig and tour in support of their second albums, and in the pop world Dua Lipa is all set for world domination.

The energy that Yungblud brought to Top of the Pops in many ways reflects the pent up energy that many of us are feeling right now, with almost a whole year of strict restrictions on all socialising except for  a brief window at the end of summer, many of us cannot wait for 2021 and for a time when we will once more be able to go out and interact with others just like we used to. It is almost certain that there will be an explosion of sociability after this crisis comes to an end, with even the more introverted of us realising how much we depend on one another this year.

Top of the Pops today was just a small taste of the live music which Yungblud has in store next year along with his contemporaries, all the great British artist’s who’ve released music this year, the fans are ready and the band’s are waiting, all we need now is the vaccine.

The Sun newspaper reported an insider for the BBC to of said, “The BBC has gone all out with securing talent for this year’s Top Of The Pops Christmas special and they want it to be bigger and better than ever. Getting Craig to join the line-up was a real coup as he’s such a legend. He’ll be performing his song Really Love with KSI but everyone would love it if there was time for him to throw in one of his classics. It’s been a tough year for the industry so the Beeb is going to make this year’s one-off episode as ­celebratory as possible.”

Craig rose to fame in 1999 having featured on the single, ‘Re-Rewind,’ by Artful Dodger. His debut solo album ‘Born To Do It’ was released in 2000 from which he had four Top 10 singles, which sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and earnt multi platinum selling status in more than 20 countries. Since then he released another six albums and has not only had success as a singer, but as a rapper, DJ, record producer and song writer, proving he’s an all rounder when it comes to music talent.

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A post shared by Craig David (@craigdavid)

Craig released his latest album ‘The Time Is Now’ in 2018, which reached Number 2 in the UK album charts and last month he announced he’s been working on his comeback. The Sun reported him saying, “I’ve been recording loads of music through lockdown. I love to think I can keep singing for ever and I will sing for as long as I can. And I hope the fans welcome that.” His latest track ‘Really Love’ currently sits at number 11 in the Official UK Charts, after it’s 5th week of being released.

BBC have also announced a New Years Eve Special ‘Top Of The Pops’ show for this year. Both shows will be hosted by Ferne Cotton and Clara Amfo who took over from Regi Yates in 2017. Fern admitted to The List that she was worried the show maybe cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus. She said, “I have my fingers crossed that they will find some sort of socially distanced way to make it happen. It’s such a tradition now that you sit down to watch it as a family, and your parents complain how awful pop music is today and then you all go and have your lunch.”

There is no doubt people will be looking forward to the popular iconic music chart show on the festive day to add some Christmas cheer. With the current line up in place, the festive programme will surely not disappoint.

They will be auctioned in September by Omega Auctions, who specialise in music memorabilia and vinyl. They released a teaser trainer for these recordings, which contains black and white footage of Rod Stewart and the Faces performing Maggie May, and Elton John playing Rocketman, amongst others. Watch this here.

The loss of these tapes came about because the BBC had a policy of recording over old shows in order to save money on film. The year of footage that suffered the most from this was 1976. Fortunately, a currently unnamed figure, known only to be ‘from Wales’ was a step ahead of the game, recording these episodes as they aired live, on a Sony CV-2000 – one of the oldest video cameras.

The auction manager, Dan Hampson, has said, “all we know about the chap is that he was from Wales and that the tapes were acquired by a company that specialises in finding, saving and restoring lost television footage … Back in the ’70s his family probably wondered why he was spending every Thursday night in front of the TV with a huge piece of equipment, but now people are glad it has been saved.”

The mystery recorder sold the tapes to a company that specialised in protecting and transferring old recordings. This is where they currently reside, but they will be in the possession of Omega Auctions until they’re passed on to the highest bidder.

Other bands that these tapes are rumoured to include are T. Rex, Slade, 10cc and Roxy Music. A spokesperson for Omega Auctions explained that they might be of interest to “collectors of specific artists that would have appeared on the show” – including Slade and T. Rex. “There is a big market for ‘Top of the Pops’ recordings as it was such an important programme in its day.”

When the tapes are auctioned, they will be sold without copyright, so there’s no way they can be reproduced for general use; maybe we’ll never know for sure what the recordings contain! The auction winner will gain access to the entire library of recordings and also a DVD back-up of what they contain. This previously ‘lost’ footage isn’t going anywhere any more. The auction is set for September 8 2020, and the recordings are expected to be worth between £5,000 and £8,000.