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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2020 9:33:49 GMT
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Post by johnt on Jul 25, 2020 15:15:15 GMT
It certainly does, Peter.
RSG was one of my must-see pop shows of the 1960s, along with TOTP of course.
I'll definitely be ordering it.
Thanks for the heads-up.
ps. I'm surprised it's not one of yours!
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Post by Malc on Jul 26, 2020 6:17:49 GMT
I truly hope Cathy McG has at least been interviewed for it. The recent TV doc sorely lacked her input...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2020 7:04:53 GMT
I truly hope Cathy McG has at least been interviewed for it. The recent TV doc sorely lacked her input... Judging by the press release, I suspect not. I wonder why she's suddenly so reluctant to talk about it?
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Post by sandy on Jul 26, 2020 11:40:48 GMT
I truly hope Cathy McG has at least been interviewed for it. The recent TV doc sorely lacked her input... Judging by the press release, I suspect not. I wonder why she's suddenly so reluctant to talk about it? She's been married to Michael Ball since 1992, and apparently made the decision to ' walk away from public life'. He says "She was once one of the most famous women in the country, lauded by everyone. And she doesn’t give a monkey’s about it. She’d never give an interview about it, she’s not interested in looking back."
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Post by baz on Jul 26, 2020 11:43:08 GMT
I truly hope Cathy McG has at least been interviewed for it. The recent TV doc sorely lacked her input... Judging by the press release, I suspect not. I wonder why she's suddenly so reluctant to talk about it? That was my first thought as well. All rather peculiar. The documentary was good but felt incomplete minus her input. It's a shame it's taken so long for a book like this to be written and I suspect the previous "owner" of the show was likely to have been a barrier.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2020 11:56:52 GMT
Judging by the press release, I suspect not. I wonder why she's suddenly so reluctant to talk about it? She's been married to Michael Ball since 1992, and apparently made the decision to ' walk away from public life'. He says "She was once one of the most famous women in the country, lauded by everyone. And she doesn’t give a monkey’s about it. She’d never give an interview about it, she’s not interested in looking back." Despite this, I bet she still cares about her legacy! A couple of years ago, I wrote to Helen Shapiro, requesting that she write a foreword for a book. She (politely) declined, explaining that she took a decision to walk away from all that, and refuses all requests for interviews, etc. I thanked her, but still sent what I'd written about her 60s TV appearances; she quickly responding to my criticism of her performing 'Tip Toe Through The Tulips'(!) on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' at the height of the British Invasion in July 1964, explaining: “It so happens that that performance of Tiptoe Through the Tulips was recorded on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ at the same time (28/10/62) as the other songs that I sang on the show. They didn’t use it in 1962 but put it out on the date in ‘64. It was totally out of my hands. I didn’t know about it until afterwards, and it’s not the song that I would have chosen”.This isn't meant as a criticism of the still lovely Ms. Shapiro, but those who retire from public life almost always do still "give a monkey's."
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Post by baz on Jul 26, 2020 13:02:43 GMT
This isn't meant as a criticism of the still lovely Ms. Shapiro, but those who retire from public life almost always do still "give a monkey's." On the contrary, power to Helen for actually helping contribute and correct some information for your book! Certainly an odd situation with the Sullivan show holding on to an unused song then using it almost two years later. She later took action I think in the 1990's against EMI regarding her royalties as she was still getting paid a pittance so she's always had a keen hands on interest in all that, likewise with Sandie Shaw who took action against Dave Clark over his RSG video releases which he put out minus artistes permissions nor was gonna pay royalties. Sandie of course ended up with complete control and ownership of her Pye works and still keeps a close eye and control over her catalogue now she's also in retirement. I do get the impression most who "retire" are mindful of their legacy and how they'll be viewed in the history books. Even those who vanish completely like Bobbie Gentry and original Deep Purple lead singer Rod Evans, neither of whom have been seen or heard of in almost 40 years I'm sure know and are content that their work remains in print and still gets acclaim and their ongoing silence adds even more to it. In Cathy McGowan's case it's also worth remembering that she was savaged by parts of the press in her heyday, accused of being amateurish and inept. We now recall her with fondness and as a vital part of the show's charm but some of those criticisms must have stung back in the day and likely to be tied up with her memories. I do find as I'm getting older I'm far less interested in my past and rarely like looking back, preferring to focus on today and tomorrow. To paraphrase John Lennon on the break up of his band "you have all the records if you wanna reminisce" as indeed I have boxes full of tapes, memorabilia, diaries, photos etc which preserves it all but I barely ever look at it. It no longer feels at all important what I was up to 25 or 30 years ago so can understand it when the likes of Cathy shun looking back.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2020 6:39:34 GMT
It's interesting that Helen Shapiro and Cliff Richard both appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1962/1963, and and even though 'I Don't Care' and 'Bachelor Boy' didn't have the impact of 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Glad All Over', these artists deserve more credit for paving the way. And of course, The Tornadoes' 'Telstar' topped the US charts in 1962!
Back to 'RSG!': I do hope the writer of the book hasn't just interviewed those still considered "cool". Here's quotes on the show from a couple of more over-looked artists, as told to myself...
Brain Poole:
"We have the distinction of being on the very first ‘Ready Steady Go!’, and we are also told the last. When we played ‘Twist & Shout’ on the rehearsal, the audience was sitting, but they decided to dance on the tables so for the first time the producer of the show decided to run cameras through the audience which they had to dodge. This was then adopted by many other shows over the years."
Billie Davis:
"‘Ready Steady Go!’, I did the first live show with Keith Powell. Shared a dressing room with Dusty who told me a little secret, put boot polish on your eye lashes! I have many more stories of course.’"
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Post by gee on Jul 27, 2020 12:37:26 GMT
The History amending angle seems to be rife in music
Much as I was not any fan of the guy whom I felt was badly mis-cast as show presenter I do smile at how that big overview of 'Ready Steady Go !' completely 'airbushes out' of history the original show presenter Keith Fordyce who helmed the RSG ! show from 1963 to 1965 making it seems NO mention of the guy at all as far as I can see on just taking a quick look at the release cover above
no doubt some might claim thankfully so as the guy clearly was mis-placed on the show re his age, looks, style etc but Cathy McGowan (who did indeed herself get a fair bit of 'flak' re her abilities from some sections of the UK press) joined later in 1964 and she was only made presenter later in 1965 while originally was just a co-host or 'fan girl' interviewer as she had the teenage look and style etc
I wonder if the older very square conservative 'fatherly' looking Fordyce has been edited out of the book's story or just gets a brief dismissive poor covering....?
Originally an announcer at Radio Luxembourg in 1955 Fordyce later worked on BBC's Light radio, was the first presenter of ITV's 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' before the revered Brian Matthew took over, and years later was the first presenter of Radio Two's 'Sounds of The Sixties' in 1983
so like him or loathe him the guy had a long running career in radio and TV doing pop music shows working to entertain the public - worth a mention of his name at least ?
whatever the whole aspect of 'airbrushing out' re say former band members - as 'Carousel' editors were once pressured into editing out Eric Haydock from Hollies pics - is a worrying aspect that shows little sign of being addressed...
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Post by baz on Jul 27, 2020 13:04:03 GMT
The History amending angle seems to be rife in music whatever the whole aspect of 'airbrushing out' re say former band members - as 'Carousel' editors were once pressured into editing out Eric Haydock from Hollies pics - is a worrying aspect that shows little sign of being addressed... What makes the Fordyce angle more weird is that he's on the bulk of the surviving footage so there's a lot more of his work and intros on RSG than there is of Cathy's - what's left of Cathy's moments feel more like brief cameos. Then look at the 1965 NME Pollwinners concert footage - Fordyce is popular with the crowd but when he introduces and brings on Cathy, the reaction isn't too wonderful and welcoming! It does result in some amusing dialogue between them about Fordyce feeling "old" amongst these young pop acts! As for the history being rewritten, that's a long thorny issue I've been griping against for the last 15 years as it does feel to me that the 1960's and 1970's are being airbrushed and history tampered with to suit a politically correct narrative. Yes, there are some figures who were outed as being less than lovable but to hack them out of history and pretend they never existed is wrong. I watch and accept vintage TV for what it is - a snapshot of that time, place and era - it's a piece of history and should be left as it is. I've grumbled elsewhere on this forum about the 1980's and how we still keep getting that decade shoved at us as if what came before it meant nothing and should be forgotten. All very disturbing. That's sadly the problem with what little is left of RSG as what we do have is what is gonna be seen and referred to in the future so sure, we get a decent idea of how the show looked and felt in the miming days of 1963 and 1964 but tantalisingly little of the live elements of 1965 and 1966. Looking at the classic footage of The Who in 1965. Otis Redding and the Stones' in 1966 gives me the impression that the 1965 and 1966 era was far more exciting and dynamic whereas a lot of the earlier footage we do have feels more whimsical and straitlaced, occasionally archaic at times making one wonder what the big fuss was all about.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2020 13:52:04 GMT
Keith Fordyce wasn't written out of the recent documentary, and I doubt if he will be in the book (Andy Neill is a really good writer and researcher, who likes to get things factually correct). If you want to witness music TV history REALLY being re-written, check out the 50th Anniversary book on 'Top of The Pops' from a few years back: Jimmy Savile is barely mentioned and NO photos of him are included - despite the fact that he hosted the first edition, stayed there for 20 years, and presented more shows than any other one else!
Here's the RSG documentary for those who missed it:
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Post by Gralto on Aug 9, 2020 15:38:10 GMT
Quite right Peter C. Andy Neill has been researching and writing this book for many years - it's been a real labour of love. It would have come out some years ago but for one impediment that has since been removed. Andy is one of the premier music researchers in the UK and though he's written books on The Who, probably knows more about the Beatles than anyone bar Lewisohn and a few others. He has been working on a book on The Beatles 64 Antipodean trip which will be - if not the last word - then certainly something that will stand the test of time. He interviews heaps of people and remembers everything - he has an astonishing memory. Funnily enough, Rod Stewart knocked off quite a few stories for his autobiog from Andy's book on Rod, after he spoke to several of Rod's ex-paramours.
I'm sure the RSG book will include ample coverage of Fordyce's role in the show. It was thanks to Andy that I managed to get an interview with Patrick Kerr, resident choreographer on RSG (and close mates with Allan C) before his unexpected passing. Andy also knows Bobby and had communication with him over Hollies RSG involvement. I suspect there will be few stones unturned in his research for the book. I'm looking forward to the episode guide - there will be surprises in there with Hollies songs performed on the show.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2020 19:12:03 GMT
I think one or two people on here automatically assumed that Keith Fordyce was being side-lined just because the far more photogenic and iconic Cathy McGowan has been (quite rightly imo) put on the front cover. Here's some more pics of Cathy, with a couple of blokes from Manchester.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2020 19:18:18 GMT
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Post by gee on Aug 10, 2020 10:28:02 GMT
I wasn't assuming that Keith Fordyce was being overlooked or 'sidelined' IN the book as such - from posts above it appears the writer knows his stuff and has covered the show's history in depth which is great...
what I really was pointing out was how the overview of RSG on the cover reproduced above fails to even mention Fordyce name even once let alone put any pic of him up (which I could understand as he always looked out of place on the show I felt)...and implies that Cathy McGowan was always the show's presenter by only mentioning her as being such
of course Cathy McGowan - despite being attacked by some critics in the press back then - is the iconic figure far more suitable to be featured on any cover etc...but just going by that overview on the cover you would never know Fordyce was involved at all which as stated is ironic as his era on the programme's footage forms the bulk of the show's surviving material
so just a line in that overview saying;
'first presented by Keith Fordyce...then the iconic Cathy McGowan joined the show and later became presenter...' etc
might have been more historically accurate yes ?
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Post by cameron on Aug 10, 2020 10:53:03 GMT
Don't forget that attitudes change over time as well. Psychedelia was seen as "naff" and a "passing fad" by some for years, parodied heavily in the media for most of the 1980s and 1990s, until it suddenly became "cool" again. Likewise, both Bobby and Tony brush off the Hollies' "flower power bit", as Bobby calls it, as being lightweight era for the band.
RE: TOTP and he-who-shall-not-be-named, this irritates me too. The BBC have done a violent swerve to cancel all screenings of 1960s era TOTP material because of the Jimmy Saville link. It irritates me that such gems are cast aside because of one person's involvement for a few seconds at the start and end of the song. I'm sure that they could be re-edited to remove him from the clip. It's not the artists' fault that things turned out the way they did, but ultimately the artist suffers.
RSG will always be remembered for being something more than just a TV show, it was a cultural phenomenon. It was the centre of the universe for the hip and happening teenager at the time. Beyond the music, it was promoting fashion, hairstyles and even language! I'm glad that it's finally getting the recognition that it deserves, it's just a travesty that more of the show doesn't survive.
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Post by baz on Aug 10, 2020 17:26:50 GMT
RSG will always be remembered for being something more than just a TV show, it was a cultural phenomenon. It was the centre of the universe for the hip and happening teenager at the time. Beyond the music, it was promoting fashion, hairstyles and even language! I'm glad that it's finally getting the recognition that it deserves, it's just a travesty that more of the show doesn't survive. A true travesty. For many years I've always hoped that an article in Record Collector in the mid 90's claiming something around 35 editions had been found was true, but the recent documentary proved that was not the case. Don't get me wrong, what we have is great but I've always clamoured for much more from 1965 and 1966 when live performances were predominant... looking at the pics PeterC posted of The Hollies on the show gets one wishing we could see and hear them in all their moving monochrome glory. Have seen so many great on set photos of acts I love and it's painful to know the chances of ever seeing them are pretty much zilch. Again, just look at The Who in 1965 and The Rolling Stones in 1966 and they exude a real exciting edge thanks to imaginative camerawork and direction which unlike TOTP gives the strong feeling that the RSG team loved that music and took great care in how it was presented. For fun and curiosity, I was trying to guess which single The Hollies may had been performing/promoting in those photos, trying to deduce them from the haircuts, sets and drum covers... problem is we don't have that much footage of them between 1963 and 1965 and Allan, Tony and Graham's hair changed in various ways during that time whilst Bobby's - bless him - grew thinner. Here's my guesses... 1 - Here I Go Again or We're Through (good rare shot of Eric smiling!) 2 - I Can't Let Go 3 - Stay or Just One Look 4 - Look Through Any Window (Tony's guitar sat at the back... wonder what they were performing here?) 5 - We're Through or Yes I Will... the hardest one to deduce for me. What do you think?
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Post by cameron on Aug 10, 2020 17:38:21 GMT
The partial audio of one unique Hollies appearance on RSG does survive... 'Winter Wonderland' from 24/12/1965:
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Post by baz on Aug 10, 2020 20:54:36 GMT
The partial audio of one unique Hollies appearance on RSG does survive... 'Winter Wonderland' from 24/12/1965: I trust the new book will fill in more details about this odd edition where from what I've read over the years, RSG performed a pantomime with Cathy and Peter Noone in the leading roles with various acts making cameos performing unique one offs like The Hollies heard here. There's also some audio of The Kinks on this edition performing "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" which I heard some years ago! That was another unique facet of RSG - acts would sometimes perform unique one offs they'd never perform again anywhere else. The final show a year later from what I recall of Keith Badman's piece about it in Record Collector crammed in so many acts as possible they could only play about 90 seconds at most and I wish we had audio of that as I'd love to hear The Who performing Johnny Kidd's immortal "Please Don't Touch" which was most fitting given Kidd had died 2 months earlier. Of course "Shakin' All Over" was a renowned stage fave but have never heard any audio of them doing Kidd's first single. Oh man... Johnny Kidd - THERE was a wonderful artiste I cherish dearly! Nice photo of Graham Nash and Bobby Elliott at Kidd's wedding earlier in the year here but that certainly ain't Allan Clarke is it? www.adiebarrett.co.uk/johnnykidd/story/story-index.htmThere's also the RSG New Year specials and the infamous occasion in Paris which allegedly had a memorable ending outdoors! All of it long gone.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2020 6:39:20 GMT
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Post by Malc on Aug 31, 2020 13:00:55 GMT
Grabbed ! Thanks...
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Post by rokinrobinoflocksley on Aug 31, 2020 13:20:51 GMT
Thanks Peter, just pulled the trigger !!!
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Post by johnt on Aug 31, 2020 22:22:10 GMT
Just ordered mine. Thanks for the heads-up Peter.
I see there is also a related box set of 10 x 7" vinyl singles to be released on the same day at a price of £53.99. I think I'll pass!
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Post by Malc on Sept 4, 2020 14:18:28 GMT
WOW ! That landed with a thud on my office desk ! Mighty impressive at first glance. Excuse me for a few hours now whilst I lose myself... Edit: First glance, and a check through the index, and little detail afforded to The Hollies. Could be wrong as I get deeper in but...
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