Boards
Top Of The Pops night on BBC4
8.30pm Big Hits: Totp 1964 to 1975
1964 saw the birth of a very British institution. Spanning over four decades, Top of the Pops has produced many classic moments in pop culture. Digging deep within the BBC's archive, this compilation offers some memorable performances from 1964 through to 1975 from the likes of the Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Status Quo, Procol Harum, Stevie Wonder, Queen and the Kinks, and opening the vintage vaults to rare performances from Stealers Wheel, Julie Driscoll, Peter Sarstedt and the Seekers.
10pm Top of the Pops: The Story of 1976
The nation grew up with Top of the Pops and it was always a talking point, but 35 years ago a particular kind of Top of the Pops programme and tone held sway. This documentary explores Top of the Pops in 1976, as a barometer of the state of pop and light entertainment TV. It celebrates the power of the programme and observes British society of the mid 70s, British TV and the British pop scene. In 1976, glam was over and nothing had replaced it - the charts belonged to Showaddywaddy, Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels, all to be found on Top of the Pops hosted by the Radio 1 DJs. If you wanted rock you looked to the Old Grey Whistle Test, while outside the charts a new scene was rumbling.
10.50pm Top of the Pops: 1976
Classic Top of the Pops performances from 1976, featuring Abba, the Brotherhood of Man, the Beatles, Fox, Tarney and Spencer, John Miles, Diana Ross, Sailor and Pan's People.
11.20pm Top Of The Pops: The True Story
Jamie Theakston presents the history of Britain's best-loved music show, spanning four decades of great music and including archive footage of classic performances and backstage antics. As well as interviews with former presenters, such as Jimmy Savile and John Peel, there are also contributions from artists who have appeared on the show, including Pan's People, Robin Gibb, Noddy Holder, Blondie, Holly Johnson, Suggs, Noel Gallagher, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams.
Then they're going on a repeat run of 1976 TOTPs on Thursday nights.