THE FRIDAY FIVE – 29.3.2019

1. The Beat – Save It For Later
2. The Killers – Run For Cover
3. Mumford and Sons – Beloved
4. Feeder – Fear Of Flying
5. Florence and the Machine – Moderation

I hate it when bands I like are announced for Belsonic. Any outdoor event in Belfast is now a scumbagfest where you can barely breathe due to the stench of cigarettes and vapes. Think i’ll pass on The Killers and just wait on their next Odyssey concert.

Sad to hear of the death of Ranking Roger. As compilation albums go, Beat This : The Best Of The Beat is an absolute belter. For some reason, I never felt the urge to go an see them when they did what felt like an annual concert at The Limelight.

Ash are doing a concert in Edinburgh during the Festival. That is very tempting.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : SEP 19 – SEP 25

Our first birthday this week, is Bill Medley, 74 this week.

I once performed karaoke and sang “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” then mixed into “Time Of My Life” …….. it was a Bill Medley Medley.

When Mrs Creme gave birth to a boy, she laughed out loud so much, she called him Lol. Not really, she called him Lawrence and he just shortened his name.

Looks like you’re going to Get Lucky this week, as it’s Nile Rodgers birthday.

Jarvis Cocker wants to meet up in the Year 2000. There’s someone who appears later this week who might be able to help him.

Dan Gillespie-Sales from The Feeling turned 35 this week.

THIS!!!!! is the definitive version of “Here I Go Again”

Getting ready to Rawwkkkk!!! now

Joan Jett loves Rock n Roll.

This week just rocks ……. ultimate rawwkkkk gawwwdddd …… Chesney Hawkes.

Incidentally, i’ve checked the UK Census. Chesney Hawkes is indeed, the one and only Chesney Hawkes. Chesney Hawkes faded into obscurity after this song, but his mole appeared in the Austin Powers movie “Goldmember”

Chesney Hawkes dad was in The Tremeloes, as was Brian Poole, who is Alisha’s Attic’s dad.

Ironically, Alisha’s Attic live in Alicia Keys attic.

Now that we’re talking about 60s pop stars, Gerry Marsden owns a Chinese restaurant in Liverpool called You’ll Never Wok Alone.

Will Smith’s auntie and uncle in Bel Air let him out to do TOTP in 1998.

Andy Williams died two years ago this week. He’s a Ska tribute.

The Boss is now officially an OAP, but still very much in charge.

But you may be surprised by the first Springsteen song performed on the show.

(WARNING: Clip contains Jimmy Savile)

And finally, Billie Piper turned 32 this week. Let’s take a trip in the Pop Tardis to when she was a pop star (see what I did there?)

But that wasn’t her first TV appearance ……. that came in an ad campaign for Smash Hits.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : FEB 14 – FEB 20

We begin our look back at TOTP with Valentine’s Day. If it was your birthday as well, you share it with Ali Campbell from UB40.

This week saw the 4th anniversary of the death of Doug Fieger, lead singer of The Knack. Sadly, we’ve no The Knack, but we have Girls Aloud ripping off My Sharona.

Born on this week in history was Mikey Craig of Culture Club. Here he is performing “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?”, ironically, he missed the video shoot (hungover, according to Pop Up Video)

And yes, I know “Karma Chameleon” is their best song, but you’ll have to wait until Boy George’s birthday.

Another birthday boy this week is Ronnie Vanucci. Hard to believe that “Mr Brightside” was almost 10 years ago.

Finally, we have a Duran Duran birthday. Andy Taylor, no relation to John Taylor or Roger Taylor, or even Roger Taylor from Queen. Or Taylor Swift.

It’s not easy trying to pick a favourite Duran Duran song. In fact, it’s about as easy as a nuclear war.

Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day is 42 this week. Here he is performing “Minority” in 2000.

We’ve already had one Taylor birthday this week, but there’s another one ……. Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters.

In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit. In 2011, Ed Sheeran performed The A-Team on Top Of The Pops. Ed Sheeran as yet, hasn’t relocated to the Los Angeles underground.

I love the song, but this version ….. it really killed the mood in the studio.

The 2nd most famous Andy Williams in pop, Andy Williams from Doves is 44 this week, as was his twin brother Jez.

Sadly, I couldn’t find any Sub Sub, but i’ll make up for it with a double dose of Doves.

Talking of Andy Williams, The Beat had a big hit with an Andy Williams cover, but Dave Wakeling’s birthday shall be commemorated with “Mirror In The Bathroom” instead.

Bit of pointless The Beat trivia, Sting wore a The Beat t-shirt in the video for “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”

Ian Brown is 51 this week, and like fellow Mancunians New Order, i’ll treat Stone Roses birthdays to side projects, in Ian Brown’s case, his debut solo single, the best of his whole career, “My Star”

Meanwhile, Kurt Cobain would have been 47 today if he was still alive. Hard to imagine him getting old considering his early death.

He was born in Aberdeen you know. But not that Aberdeen. Aberdeen in Seattle.

And finally, remember the whole Tatu “controversy” of 2003?

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : JAN 24- JAN 30

Hello and welcome to this week’s round-up from Top Of The Pops history, which features a tribute to a country.

Neil Diamond turned 73 this week. One of his most famous songs might surprise you ……. or maybe not, as Red Red Wine, made famous by UB40 was a cover of a Neil Diamond song.

Sharing a birthday, is TV’s Jools Holland, who believe it or not, was once a popstar as well, playing keyboards in Squeeze.

On the theme of Neil Diamond covers, here’s another one, by a man who shares a birthday with him (1959) ……… Mr Victor Reeves, performing with EMF in 1995.

Of course, it would be rude to mention Vic Reeves, and not include his collaboration with The Wonder Stuff.

58 this week, Andy Cox was a two time (or three time, if you include Two Men and a Drum Machine) pop star in the 1980s, with The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals.

So, in the interest of fair play, here’s one of each.

Another famous Andrew in pop, is Mr Andrew Ridgeley off of Wham! This song, is just superb.

Seeing as birthdays of New Order members will be commemorated with side projects such as Electronic or Monaco, how about an actual New Order song for Gillian Gilbert.

They probably should have just mimed.

Meanwhile it’s Mark Owen’s birthday this week, so here he his performing Never Forget, in an episode seemingly presented by Howard Donald’s future other half Catherine Tate.

Frank Skinner celebrates a birthday this week. I imagine you’ve guessed what video is coming up next. Sadly, it’s the awful 1998 version rather than the excellent 1996 one.

Matthew Wilder also celebrates a birthday this week. Here he is being enthusiastically introduced by John Peel. He ended up helping No Doubt become massive in the late 90s.

And finally, this week sees Australia Day, so here’s a couple of tunes from Down Under for you.

And finally, the song that soundtracked Australia’s Royal Wedding. I still get emotional thinking about it. Scott and Charlene. What a lovely couple.

STLFTEM ROUND-UP 2011

Seeing as it’s the end of the year, almost, I thought I’d keep you all up to date with my STLFTEM for 2011.

For those who don’t know, STLFTEM is basically Something To Look Forward To Every Month.

I started it in 2009, and it basically is to have something to go, see or do every month, and look forward to it.

The only rules are that it has to be something seen in person. Therefore, watching Euro 2012 on TV won’t count for June next year.

Also, I can have more than one STLFTEM each month. In fact, I can have as many as I wish.

January was a bit of a cheat, as I went to the Linfield v Glentoran match postponed from 26th December 2010. But, my lifestyle ethos, my rules.

February was a bumper month as I went to Barcelona for a weekend, and then the following Wednesday, I went to see Northern Ireland take on Scotland.

March was also a Northern Ireland match. A 0-0 draw v Slovenia. Yep, that was well worth the wait.

April was a bumper month with a title showdown for Linfield against Crusaders and three matches against Glentoran, one of which was an Irish Cup Semi-Final. Not only that, but there was also the matter of Beady Eye’s first concert in Belfast.

Four wins, and an excellent concert made it a worthwhile month.

May was all about travelling as I went to the UEFA Cup Final, and Manchester United’s last match of the season, against Blackpool.

June was quiet, but I did go and see 3OH!3

July was also quiet, but Linfield playing in Europe and a pre-season friendly against Derriaghy were enjoyable. As I stated earlier, some months are a struggle.

August was busy with the start of the new Irish League season and trips to Edinburgh and Brighton.

September was the Arthur’s Day concert at Ulster Hall (Any my ticket was free)

October was another concert at Ulster Hall, Noah and the Whale. There were fantastic.

I’d hoped that November would be going to the MTV EMAs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a ticket, so I had to make do with a trip to Old Trafford to see United take on Sunderland.

December will be the Boxing Day match at The Oval. If that bites the dust because of the weather, I’ll make it the Ulster v Aironi match two weeks ago (Again, a free ticket)

Well, that is how i’ve managed to have STLFTEM throughout the year, but I’ve already got some lined up for 2012.

In January, I’m going to see Roy “Catchphrase” Walker as part of the Out To Lunch Festival.

February will be a busy month as I’ll be taking a break to Amsterdam from 3rd-6th, then going to see Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey on 16th, before flying to Manchester on 23rd.

I’m hoping to see United v Ajax. I’ve no ticket sorted as yet, but I’m confident I’ll get one.

Pretty tempted to go and see The Beat at The Limelight in March. Undecided as yet.

August of course, will see me head to Edinburgh for the Festival. If I could afford to, I’d spend the whole month there.

So that, is how I’ve managed to enjoy myself at least once a month this year and how I plan to do so next year.

If you have any suggestions for any of the months, feel free to get in touch and suggest.