Dear readers, most of you will no doubt be aware that the legendary BBC programme, Top of the Pops, will be airing its final episode this weekend. For the heretofore ignorant amongst you I will give you a moment to bask in your inglorious consternation and/or utter indifference while the rest of us quietly hum that annoying Led Zeppelin song (de ne ne ne ne...ne...ne...ne). The history of the show itself, as I have discovered while 'researching' this post, is not a particularly interesting one - despite the fact that it involves both Jimmy Saville and Coronation Street - but its impact on the music industry and, indeed, society in general is surely noteworthy. I do recall watching the show regularly years ago, but a 90s-kid like me probably can't appreciate how important Top of the Pops was to the youth of the 70s, in its heyday. My own mother admits to having watched it "religiously", as I'm sure was the [insert Latin phrase meaning "cool thing to do"] at the time.
Of course, the music purist in all of us cannot ignore TOTP's 'miming' policy and aversion to the underground music scene. But whatever your ethical stance on the issue, we are certainly left (via YouTube) with many average performances by great acts over the years. Including Status Quo, Wham!, and obviously Bowling For Soup. So while I won't go so far as to celebrate TOTP, I can at least acknowledge its powerful influence and commendable achievement in helping bring music to a larger, more affluent, population. Then everyone stopped watching it.
Top of the Pops: The Final Countdown airs on BBC2 at 7pm this Sunday, and features tributes from the likes of the Spice Girls and the Rolling Stones, and no live performances. In honesty, it sounds quite terrible, but is perhaps watchable nonetheless. Especially because Top Gear is on after.
Of course, the music purist in all of us cannot ignore TOTP's 'miming' policy and aversion to the underground music scene. But whatever your ethical stance on the issue, we are certainly left (via YouTube) with many average performances by great acts over the years. Including Status Quo, Wham!, and obviously Bowling For Soup. So while I won't go so far as to celebrate TOTP, I can at least acknowledge its powerful influence and commendable achievement in helping bring music to a larger, more affluent, population. Then everyone stopped watching it.
Top of the Pops: The Final Countdown airs on BBC2 at 7pm this Sunday, and features tributes from the likes of the Spice Girls and the Rolling Stones, and no live performances. In honesty, it sounds quite terrible, but is perhaps watchable nonetheless. Especially because Top Gear is on after.
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