THE FRIDAY FIVE – 6.1.2017

1. Amy MacDonald – Dream On
2. The Killers ft Paul McCartney – Helter Skelter
3. Rag n Bone Man – Reach Out I’ll Be There
4. Bastille – Blame
5. Rose Elinor Dougall – Stellular

Listen up Pop Pickers, I bring you the news you’ve all been craving, that the Top Of The Pops repeats on BBC Four will continue into 1983.

Tonight on BBC Four is Top Of The Pops : The Story Of 1983 at 9pm, followed by a clip show, and then the first 1983 episode will be on next week.

To celebrate this, here’s some tunes from 1983 for you.

FIVE SONGS FROM 1983

1. Siouxsie and the Banshees – Dear Prudence
2. Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
3. Simple Minds – Waterfont
4. David Bowie – Let’s Dance
5. Men At Work – Down Under

As a bonus, Saturday night on BBC Two (9pm) is the documentary David Bowie : The Last Five Years. The subject is self explanatory.

Meanwhile, over the Christmas period, BBC Four broadcast Pop Quiz – The Comeback. A show which is self explanatory, it’s a music quiz. I’ve only seen the first one (I have the second one recorded to watch this weekend) but I feel both proud and ashamed of the fact that I got 99% of the questions right.

I’m hoping to get 100% right when I get round to watching the second episode.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : DEC 26 – DEC 31

The final episode of the series, which i’ve enjoyed writing and sharing with you.

You never know, the BBC might bring it back on a weekly basis. Let’s go out on a high with some classics, and some not so classic.

I’ll probably rehash this in 2024 for 60 Years Of Top Of The Pops. If not, i’ll see you in 2048 for 50 Years Of CD:UK.

And finally, Bobby Farrell died four years ago, on the same day, and in the same city as Rasputin.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Own up, who has ever fallen asleep during Christmas TOTP and woke up thinking The Queen was Number 1 with a Spoken Word song? Just me?

As Noddy Holder once sang ITTTTTT’SSSSSS CCCCCHHHHHRRRRISSSSSTTTTTMAAAASSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here, is a selection of Christmas songs for you.

Keep an eye out for a hilarious Band Aid performance.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : DEC 19 – DEC 24

Our last round-up before Christmas, and not many pop birthdays, but let’s press on anyway.

There’ll be a special Christmas Day edition of this blog is you fancy going online to escape from your family.

Of course, don’t forget, this year’s Christmas editions of Top Of The Pops will be on Christmas Day at 2pm, and New Year’s Eve at 4.15pm.

I’ll be using clips from those shows in 2024 when I rehash this blog for 60 Years Of Top Of The Pops.

Limahl turned 56 this week.

Sad Anniversary time …… Maurice and Robin Gibb would have been 65 this week.

Richey Edwards would have been 47 this week.

And now, some Motorhead to get you in the mood for Christmas.

But there are pop stars born on Christmas Days as well, such as Annie Lennox, born in a stable in Aberdeen.

And Robin Campbell of UB40, born in a stable in Birmingham

As well as Shane Magowan and Bob Stanley, who we’ll see tomorrow.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : DEC 12 – DEC 18

We’re nearing the end of the series, but there’s still some TOTP memories to be had.

Remember Evanescence?

Everyone remembers “Whole Of The Moon”, but this tribute to Glastonbury is a forgotten classic.

Serge from Kasabian turned 34 this week.

This week’s sad anniversary …… 13 years since Stuart Adamson died.

In the mood for some chewing gum

I Heard A Rumour that Bananarama were on this week’s round-up (An American TV show using TOTP footage for their own show, just to clarify)

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : NOV 28 – DEC 4

Christmas is almost here (And yes, there’ll be a Cristmas Special)

We begin this week on a sad note, with the death last night of Ian McLagan, and it being 13 years since George Harrison died. Travis performed a tribute to him at the short lived Top Of The Pops Awards, on the day he died.

And now, for an 80s flashback

Dougie from McFly , but more currently McBusted, turned 27 this week.

Mariska Veres of Shocking Blue died 8 years ago this week. You probably know this version of ‘Venus’

Andy Williams would have been 87 this week.

And now, the second in a two part series called The Weekly Bedingfield. This week, Daniel.

We’ll end this week with Birthday Girl Britney Spears, ready to take the charts again in 2034 when she finished her residency in Vegas.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : NOV 21 – NOV 27

SHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex James from Fat Les celebrates a birthday this week. No doubt he’ll be going out for a Vindaloo.

Some Canadian woman once walked up to me, gave me her phone number and asked me to call her.

Michael Hutchence died 17 years ago this week.

John Squire was 52 this week. Forget the Roses, this was his finest work.

Freddie Mercury died 23 years ago this week.

It’s easy to forget how brilliant ‘Baby Baby’ by Amy Grant is. (Apologies for the poor picture quality)

Whatever happened to Natasha Bedingfield?

And from one Blonde Bombshell, to another …..

Jimi Hendrix would have been 72 this week.

And as it’s Doctor Who’s 51st anniversary, I leave you, with this treat.

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

Not a lot of pop birthdays this week, but let’s get stuck into our weekly TOTP round-up.

Travis Barker from Blink 182 is another year closer to 40.

Incidentally, he shares a birthday with Faye from Steps, who, from next week, can be seen doing Panto in Belfast.

Anni-Frid from Superswedes (Actually, only three of them were Swedish, Anni-Frid is actually Norwegian) Abba (or Frida, as she’s more commonly known) turned 68 this week. ABBArasure anyone?

Mani from the Roses turned 52 this week.

And a Girls Aloud double birthday as both Sarah (17th November) and Kimberley (today) turn 33.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : NOV 7 – NOV 13

Fan of The Inbetweeners? Here’s Carli’s real life uncle

Not many birthdays this week, but we’ll try and get a round-up for you.

If you’re getting Sharleen Spiteri something for her birthday, remember, she doesn’t want a lover, she just needs a friend.

Believe it or not, Roy Wood has written more than one song. I have a suspicion we’ll be seeing him again on this blog next month.

And finally, put on your best tartan ……..

Les McKeown can be found these days, judging Scotch Pies.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : OCT 31 – NOV 6

It really is winter now, looks like you all need to be warmed up. I’ll try.

How about Tatu covering The Smiths?

Ace Of Base singing about Flowers

A certain Dandy Highwayman whose name i’m too scared to mention turned 60 this week.

Word up fool, it’s Puff Daddy

Men in their early 30s will be having flashback of a teenage crush.

Don’t you wish you had a photograph of Flock Of Seagulls?

(WARNING : Clip contains Dave Lee Travis)

The Groover Who Briefly Lived In Vancouver turned 55 this week.

Not even making this up, but Ryan Adams has the same birthday as Bryan Adams, but 15 years younger.

Does anyone remember Lisa Scott-Lee’s solo career?

And finally, we move from one member of a great band on a solo career to another, Glenn Frey, with the 2nd best solo single by a member of The Eagles in 1985.