Fades in Slowly

By 1984, JP had become a legendary figure on TOTP, appearing on an almost monthly basis and generally putting his cat among the pop pigeons. This was the seventh program hosted John Peel that year, notably being the first occasion he teamed up with his second long-term sidekick, Janice Long.

Among appearances by Bucks Fizz, Spandau Ballet, Sister Sledge, Level 42, Stevie Wonder and Elton John was this performance of a true ’80s classic from Alphaville with their legendary Big In Japan.

If you have any more info about this show, please add it to the wiki here.

Little did we know it back then, but this was the last time the world would see the celebrated Peel / Jensen TOTP partnership. What better way to go out than by introducing this synth-pop classic.

I remember watching this one as well; Jones was a big favourite on the playground that summer. Also featured were Spandau Ballet, Evelyn Thomas, Bananarama, Bronski Beat and Wham! For more info on this show, or to add anything more that you know about it, click here.

Hi all, sorry for the extended absence, I’ve been fairly busy putting in a shift at the John Peel wiki (about time, I know). I’ve been concentrating on the curious cases of Peel’s appearances on Top of the Pops. I’m almost done now, just a few shows from his halcyon years of the early eighties left to fill in. For a full picture of those magical TV appearances, click here.

The main reason it’s taken me so long is that every time I trawl through the youtube archives, I stop and watch all the clips I find. So, I’ve decided to share some of the highlights with you. Today you’ll be enjoying The Cure performing ‘The Walk’ in July, 1983, in a show that also featured the talents of Iron Maiden, ELO, Eurythmics, Rod Stewart and Mike Oldfield, as well as JP and Kid Jensen in ‘ska’ outfits.

I remember watching this one as it was the first time I’d ever heard Iron Maiden. For more info on this show, click here.

Second in notoriety only to the ‘shake and vac‘ lady are those poor souls who, for better or worse, volunteered their dancing services to Top of the Pops. Remember young ‘uns to look out for your mum or dad in these clips. I apologize profusely for the appearance of Spender at the beginning.

Peel and faithful sidekick Kid Jensen make an appearance at about 8:45 into this televisual delight. I never watched this but I’m guessing mid ’90s, based on the fact that Danny Baker is considerably less fat and unkempt than he is now.

Download and cherish forever?

Here we are then, with the decade about to end. It’s frightening to think that there will be soon be parts of the 1970s that will be forty years ago.

Here be the penultimate part of the festive countdown…

20 The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Stay Alive (Adam – Fades in Slowly)
19 Bats For Lashes – Two Planets (Adam – Fades in Slowly)
18 The Silence – Hi Fi Woman (1979 Peel session version) (Stewy – Mr. obscure)
17 The Wannadies – Might Be Stars (Adam – Pretending life is like a song)
16 Big Boss Man – Beat Breakfast (Dave – Planet Mondo)
15 Richard Hawley – For Your Lover Give Some Time (Davy – Ghost of Electricity)
14 St. Vincent – Actor Out Of Work (Ed – 17 seconds)
13 Cats on fire – Horoscope (Jim – Vinyl villain)
12 Carl Orff – Carmina Burana Ecce Gratum (Steve – Teenage Kicks)
11 Gardeners Question Time – I Saw God (Short Version) (Kris – Burning World)

Listen ye now…

Just in case you’ve had better things to do, you might have missed 50 to 41, 40 to 31 and 30 to 21.

Back in 1984, Martina Extra Dry cost you £2.28 a bottle.

This is the Christmas Day edition of Top Of The Pops from 1981, presented by Andy Peebles, Paul Burnett, Paul Gambaccini, Dave Lee Travis, Adrian Juste, Simon Bates, David Kid Jensen,Tony Blackburn, Steve Wright, Peter Powell, Jimmy Saville, Richard Skinner, Mike Read and John Peel making his first appearance since 1968. Happy Christmas everyone!

Lamentably, the audio to parts 1, 6 and 7 has been disabled by internet bastards.

The year is 1983 and TOTP has become one of the biggest and most prominent endorsements for Thatcherism imagineable. You can learn a hell of a lot about the spirit of the time by watching the audience for this performance from one of the most famous non-festive 50 bands of them all. JP is typically magnificent in his ‘while all around you lose their heads‘ attitude…