8 - 9 Motown at BBC

9 - 10 1st Motown UK tour, then

10 - 11.45 Standing in the Shadows film

Edited February 20, 200916 yr by mikeysoul

Cant wach it grr ! If there's anyone whose recording the first two progs on dvd and could do me a copy I will quite happily pay them for it

Thanks in advance

regards

Ian

Cant wach it grr ! If there's anyone whose recording the first two progs on dvd and could do me a copy I will quite happily pay them for it

Thanks in advance

regards

Ian

I'm watchin it online

Couple of nice clips in first programme then rapidly downhill. Watched "Angel" instead and just flicked over in ads.

Still Beeb/Radio 1 not exactly renowned for their coverage of soul music in the past which is one of the reasons why Northern was an underground scene.

Next thing looks interesting but "Hellboy 2" beckons. Catch up with it on Iplayer hopefully.

ROD

A Random Collection Of Clips So Far.

"Midnight Train To Georgia" ?

Nothing wrong with the record, but they even mentioned released after they left Motown.

Would have thought that a different clip while they were still with Motown would have been more suitable for a Program about Motown at 50 .

So far it has appeared like a Random trawl through YouTube

Why do they always leave us feeling like we've been short changed when it's to do with Soul Music.

I dare bet that they have bypassed much better clips when they put this together & could have made an Excellent Program.

Edited February 20, 200916 yr by 45cellar

Fantastic quote " You dance with your feet, NOT your but...tocks." Class.

Yeah the first show was a bit pants apart from a couple of clips, but the 1st British tour doc was much better.

Why they didn't show the Ready Steady Go episode instead?

Yeah the first show was a bit pants apart from a couple of clips, but the 1st British tour doc was much better.

Why they didn't show the Ready Steady Go episode instead?

Copyright I'd have thought.

I've been wondering recently if, now that Dave Dee has died, the Motown Ready Steady Go one hour special might finally get a DVD release. Really hope so.

i missed the first 5 mins so forgive me if im wrong but no marvin and tammie . the bbc are crap im glad i dont pay for a tv licence . the second bit was mutch better but the bbc know F all about motown they should have had someone like jules holland doing a show . they was no mention of frank wilson either . they made up for the poor first bit with standing in the shadows witch i must have seen a hundred times but you cant beat coming home drunk and singing your head off to a bit of motown can ya

Yeah the first show was a bit pants apart from a couple of clips, but the 1st British tour doc was much better.

Why they didn't show the Ready Steady Go episode instead?

Definitely Better After First Hour of clips.

RSG was Rediffusion,ITV hence no clips.

BBC was always rubbish when it came to soul stuff and I bet most of us elderly types listened to Radios Caroline or Luxembourg before Radio 1 came on air and then it became apparent very quickly that soul was relegated to Mike Raven's show. Waste of time listening really although I do remember Blackburn playing Gene Chandler quite a few times as it musta just come out on Soul City.

That's why most Motown things that were big hits in the US didn't do much with the odd exception and quite a few were hits only in early 70's on re-release.

Think Im right on that but someone else may have a clearer memory.

ROD

Some new bits on "the tour" but rest was unfortunately wasted

Maybe ITV will go on guilt trip and show the RSG show in full - If U Can Want

Wasn't a lot of the Motown at BBC taken from Top of the pops. it was bad on a lot of the stuff. But how much black and white footage exists for BBC to show.

the 2nd show was ok more interviews and stuff about the tour

i had to love the last show which was excellent.

I said it be nice to see Ready Steady Go and perferbly more chance of digging archive performaces and not of just 80's - 90's.

Foolishly I was looking forward to this.

Should have been on BBC1 or BBC2.

Should have been Prime Time.

Should have been better.

Shame

Almost like the clip show was given to a new starter who had to Search the Internet for Clues.

Now If It Had Been Rock Music etc, I reckon they would have given it the full works, along with advertised build up & repeats.

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by 45cellar

I missed first 40 mins, but however, still enjoyed it overall. Better than the usual TV stuff on anyway.

BBC were always very conservative with programming anyway, hardly known for their cutting edge views on music (or am I wrong?)

Thought Edwin starr was great at the end on Jools Holland (I had not seen that before) and the 'My Girl' guitar lick put tingles up my spine.

Funk Bros were brill.

So it wasn.t perfect, Got to say, I was glued.

If any one taped/DVD'd it I would love a copy?

P

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by paup-ine

Foolishly I was looking forward to this.

Should have been on BBC1 or BBC2.

Should have been Prime Time.

Should have been better.

Shame

Almost like the clip show was given to a new starter who had to Search the Internet for Clues.

Now If It Had Been Rock Music etc, I reckon they would have given it the full works, along with advertised build up & repeats. Well---i,ve just got in from a nightshift and whist batting round the channels at about 1.30 a.m came upon BBC 4??? The Motown Invasion which was great telling bout every city on the tour--------some great old b and w- footage and people like Adam White giving us some great reminisces--and then at the end the R.S.G --mOTOWN SPECIAL---GREAT--worth doing a boring night shift for!!!

TonY COLEBY

After first hour it was much better.

First Show: Surely they could have filled an Hour with much better clips.

Though Some were good, others ? and nothing other than a T.O.T.P.2 Random Style

• i.e. Love Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, However, 2008 Hootenanny wasn't her best ever performance.
  

• Already Mentioned Glady's Knight "Midnight Train To Georgia" Buddah
  

• Frankie Valli "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" came out on Philips.
  

• The Jackson 5 Clip - Rockin' Robin was credited to Michael Jackson on release.
  
• Possibly would have been better to have a Jackson 5 Hit
  

It's 50 Years of Motown after all, A Celebration.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown - Always Worth Watching.

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by 45cellar

Missed the first hour but got to watch the remaining two programmes

I have to say I enjoyed it very much, even though some of the things didn't quite seem correct, but thats nit-pickin, shame it was on BBC 4 as a lot of non Motown folk wouldn't have tuned in to that station, possibly would have had it been BBC 2.

Are the Yanks coming up with anything at all for the "Sound of young America" a tribute of some sort haven't heard of anything

Aggree with most said so far - first hour not good, UK tour documentary made interesting viewing and of course....'.shadows' was top notch!

I seem to think there were bits of Standing in the Shadows that I had not seen before?

Was the pirate DVD doing the rounds in 02 shorter than last nights film?

M.

Copyright I'd have thought.

I've been wondering recently if, now that Dave Dee has died, the Motown Ready Steady Go one hour special might finally get a DVD release.

...Don't think that Dave Dee's demise will have any bearing on whether or not it comes out on DVD, as it's actually Dave Clark who owns it. And he can't even be arsed to do a real to put out all the old Dave Clark Five albums on CD (which he owns the masters for and also - in most cases - the publishing), much less a bit of old TV footage.

But I admit I'd like to see it again in full. I curse the day I bought my copy, the day it came out, on Betamax...

The BBC has very few clips of anything from TOTP in the sixties so it's no use wishing. That's all there is.

It should be noted that 1969 was the year of Motown dominating the UK charts and the dancehalls. Which I think was also the year that Tony Blackburn had 20 million listeners on BBC radio 1 and played a lot of Motown on the show.

There are six Motown singles in the January 1969 chart

Would I be correct in saying this is when Motown disappeared from the playlists of what were to be Northern Soul clubs.

I would like to see Ready steady Go, with Dusty hosting,do you think ITV, will show it in the future?

I think when it was first shown I would have been in bed with my teddy and dummy

Kev.

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by good angel

RSG was Rediffusion,ITV hence no clips.

BBC was always rubbish when it came to soul stuff and I bet most of us elderly types listened to Radios Caroline or Luxembourg before Radio 1 came on air and then it became apparent very quickly that soul was relegated to Mike Raven's show. Waste of time listening really although I do remember Blackburn playing Gene Chandler quite a few times as it musta just come out on Soul City.

That's why most Motown things that were big hits in the US didn't do much with the odd exception and quite a few were hits only in early 70's on re-release.

Think Im right on that but someone else may have a clearer memory.

ROD

An interesting theory, I am too young to know that Rod, but last nights show really did confirm that didn't it, very dissapointing, you just hope it was bad selection rather than lack of material but seems not. Soul Deep etc do not look so bad in comparison now do they.........

...Don't think that Dave Dee's demise will have any bearing on whether or not it comes out on DVD, as it's actually Dave Clark who owns it. And he can't even be arsed to do a real to put out all the old Dave Clark Five albums on CD (which he owns the masters for and also - in most cases - the publishing), much less a bit of old TV footage.

But I admit I'd like to see it again in full. I curse the day I bought my copy, the day it came out, on Betamax...

I bloody had this on VHS - I got bought it as a birthday present around 1988

Alas its been lost over the years

Someone MUST have a copy - somewhere!!!

I would like to see Ready steady Go, with Dusty hosting,do you think ITV, will show it in the future?

I think when it was first shown I would have been in bed with my teddy and dummy

Kev.

hi,

this came out on vhs ( video ) back in the 80s,

rsg special edition the sounds of motown

might find one on ebay,

joe,

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by JOE TORQUAY

hi,

this came out on vhs ( video ) back in the 80s,

rsg special edition the sounds of motown

might find one on ebay,

joe,

Thanks,Joe.

Whats a video?

I got rid of my VDR,a long time ago,but it must be on DVD,then.

Regards,Kev.

I would like to see Ready steady Go, with Dusty hosting,do you think ITV, will show it in the future?

Kev.

Can I just reiterate that ITV does not own RSG and thus has no ongoing broadcasting rights? So no, it probably won't show it in the future.

Thanks,Joe.

Whats a video?

I got rid of my VDR,a long time ago,but it must be on DVD,then.

Regards,Kev.

Sure I once taped R.S.G. Inc Motown, plus it was on YouTube.

I'll have a Look.

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by 45cellar

...Don't think that Dave Dee's demise will have any bearing on whether or not it comes out on DVD, as it's actually Dave Clark who owns it. And he can't even be arsed to do a real to put out all the old Dave Clark Five albums on CD (which he owns the masters for and also - in most cases - the publishing), much less a bit of old TV footage.

But I admit I'd like to see it again in full. I curse the day I bought my copy, the day it came out, on Betamax...

I meant Clark of course, Tony. Shouldn't attempt to write after glass number four

Thanks,Joe.

Whats a video?

I got rid of my VDR,a long time ago,but it must be on DVD,then.

Regards,Kev.

hi,

don't think it ever came out on dvd ??,

i still have to watch it on my video,

i've looked for it on dvd over the years, must be something to do with dave clark again,

joe.

ps, 2 for sale here.

https://dvd.shop.ebay.com/stores/DVDs-Movie...tZ11232QQ_sopZ1

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by JOE TORQUAY

An interesting theory, I am too young to know that Rod, but last nights show really did confirm that didn't it, very dissapointing, you just hope it was bad selection rather than lack of material but seems not. Soul Deep etc do not look so bad in comparison now do they.........

Well I was wrong about ITV connection as it appears to be down to Dave Clark and Felonius has pointed out that it was '69 that the Motown re-releases started to hit whilst I thought it was slightly later when they also reissued some of the early NS popular tracks which went on to be sizeable hits like Tams, Bobby Hebb, Formations [i think], Tami Lynn.

As for Felonius's question don't think it was so much that 60's Motown was suddenly in the pop charts that led to search for stuff to take it's place. That was going on anyway and there were still plenty of Motown tracks not available. Quicker turnover then and I guess most had been hammered by 70/71.

I do maintain though that Black music in the UK was always extremely poorly represented on air and Mr.Godin I think was usually banging on about it. I don't think that's changed much on radio apart from specialist shows. Pretty sure "disco" and rap didn't get it's fair share either considering it's impact at the time. Either watered down UK versions like "Dance yourself dizzy" or Malcolm McClaren. Not much room for such as Soul Sonic Force.

Kenny Everett and Noel Edmonds to Chris Moyles and Jo Wiley you can't expect much can you?

ROD

I do maintain though that Black music in the UK was always extremely poorly represented on air and Mr.Godin I think was usually banging on about it.

ROD

The pirate stations in the south played a fair bit of 'our stuff' outside of the specialist shows, and of course you heard it on Radio Luxembourg as the programme pointed out, but the "Light Programme"s commitment to it was virtually non existent. I would imagine vintage Motown's has more plays across the catalogue on Brian Matthew's Radio 2 show than it ever got when new.

The pirate stations in the south played a fair bit of 'our stuff' outside of the specialist shows, and of course you heard it on Radio Luxembourg as the programme pointed out, but the "Light Programme"s commitment to it was virtually non existent. I would imagine vintage Motown's has more plays across the catalogue on Brian Matthew's Radio 2 show than it ever got when new.

Yep, it beats me how any of us got into it then as exposure was virtually nil. I heard "Honey Chile" on Caroline in '68 I guess and was just taken by the sound compared to the "empty" IMO crap that was 60's pop. Went down to a record shop in Stockport to try and buy it and luckily met others in there who were more clued up and haven't looked back since.

That musta been end of mod and embryonic NS era.

I guess these others got to hear the stuff in clubs but hard to imagine now how underground it all really was and if I'd been out playing football instead of listening to Caroline....

ROD

Yep, it beats me how any of us got into it then as exposure was virtually nil. I heard "Honey Chile" on Caroline in '68 I guess and was just taken by the sound compared to the "empty" IMO crap that was 60's pop. Went down to a record shop in Stockport to try and buy it and luckily met others in there who were more clued up and haven't looked back since.

That musta been end of mod and embryonic NS era.

I guess these others got to hear the stuff in clubs but hard to imagine now how underground it all really was and if I'd been out playing football instead of listening to Caroline....

ROD

I think the only rays of light on Radio One in the late 60's were Emperor Rosko who used to slip some nice stuff in his show on Saturday lunchtimes - that's probably where I first heard a few things on national radio. Also I vaguely remember Mike Raven and Dave Symonds doing specialist RnB shows at some point.........

Ian D

Mike Raven went out I think on Saturday early evening - it was a mad rush to listen to the show then get out and catch the bus to town - yeah the bus lol

early shows were good but then petered off into mostly blues or 50s RnB with the occasional soul track

still, it added to the cool mystique of 2nd gen Mods/soul boyz

Mike Raven went out I think on Saturday early evening

I always associate Dave Symonds with that early Saturday evening spot.

Must be that one of them took over from the other.

And like you - for ever associated with getting ready for a night on the town.

MB

Mike Raven went out I think on Saturday early evening - it was a mad rush to listen to the show then get out and catch the bus to town - yeah the bus lol

early shows were good but then petered off into mostly blues or 50s RnB with the occasional soul track

still, it added to the cool mystique of 2nd gen Mods/soul boyz

I think Sat at 7pm and only first 30 minutes were soul. Probably new releases and then into "blues" which I think was his main interest beside horror films. I listened in the bath [showers had yet to be invented here!!]before going out.

AFN [Am Forces Network] from Germany was also good for new stuff. Found it one night whilst trying to tune in Luxembourg. Remember hearing Stylistics "You're a big girl now" when it first got issued on Sebring[?]. Almost a throwback to doo-wop with sparse instrumentation and reliance on vocal interplay. I'd guess another influential record as far as sweet soul goes. No doubt Boba may comment if he reads the thread.

ROD

I think Sat at 7pm and only first 30 minutes were soul. Probably new releases and then into "blues" which I think was his main interest beside horror films. I listened in the bath [showers had yet to be invented here!!]before going out.

AFN [Am Forces Network] from Germany was also good for new stuff. Found it one night whilst trying to tune in Luxembourg. Remember hearing Stylistics "You're a big girl now" when it first got issued on Sebring[?]. Almost a throwback to doo-wop with sparse instrumentation and reliance on vocal interplay. I'd guess another influential record as far as sweet soul goes. No doubt Boba may comment if he reads the thread.

ROD

Mike Raven was originally on from 6 to 7 (which is when Radio 1 'merged' with Radio 2 in the early days). He came from the pirate radio station Radio 390 (formerly Radio KING) where he used to also host the breakfast show with his wife Mandy. I can remember hearing things like "In The Midnight Hour" and "Barefootin'" on that breakfast show for the first time and well before they charted.

The first record he played on Radio 1 was Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" which I also have vivid memories of hearing for the first time.

His show was extended to two hours in early 1968, with soul in the first hour and blues in the second. He was also moved back to a Sunday, although I think he did get a Staurday slot back eventually (can't be sure about this)

As Rod says, his own preference was for blues and R & B, but he did like soul and Motown especially - you always heard the new TMG's without fail, and he was also very friendly with the people at Atlantic so their new releases (singles and albums) always got a play. I used to listen avidly to Mike from his days on KING onwards - I still have half of one show (from December 1969) on CDr and, even though his presentation sounds incredibly stilted nowadays, you still can hear his genuine enthusiasm for what he's playing.

When another former 390 man David Simmonds (I think that's the correct spelling - David Symonds was a different bloke, a regular Radio " daytime DJ) took over the show in the early 70s I think it moved back to a 4 - 6 slot. The blues and R & B content was reduced a lot, but DS also used to play a bit of reggae (only one or two records). So, come to think of it, did Mike - I have just had a memory of standing in the 'scullery' at my maternal grandmother's house in Walthamstow, and him playing Desmond Dekker's "A It Mek" on its first release (i.e. before it was remixed and reissued as a follow up to "Israelites").

Can't say as I ever heard one show by their successor, Andy Peebles, as I was working most Saturdays by that time...

Edited February 22, 200916 yr by TONY ROUNCE

Great stuff about Mike Raven fellas! I've been wanting info on his R&B show for some time. I only caught the last few shows (1971?)

I met Dave Simmonds back in 1973. He came across as someone with utter contempt for the Soul scene anywhere North of Watford, and that attitude was reflected in his hilarious fictional account in Black Music mag of a "Northern" Soul disco (ie. any old disco in the North of England!) he supposedly attended where he recounts how he "taught a young girl to slow dance..." Simmonds, it was a pack of lies from start to finish, and you know it! (Another ludicrous account of the 'Jazzie B' variety!)

Edited February 22, 200916 yr by mel brat

I've got several Mike Raven shows on reel to reel tape, and a booklet detailing every track played on the show over a period of about 18 months. Sadly, most of the DJ himself has been edited out but I think I did throw a clip up of one of the shows with him on it, about 3 years ago?

a booklet detailing every track played on the show over a period of about 18 months...

What date would that be Pete?

I pretty sure Mickey Nold from Birmingham said he has some 60s Mike Raven shows on reel to reel, but he hasn't sorted 'em out yet. It would be nice to see a dated listing of what was played, as the 'Mike Raven R&B Show' seems to be about the only thing the BBC did right for Soul music in the 60s!

I would like to see Ready steady Go, with Dusty hosting,do you think ITV, will show it in the future?

I think when it was first shown I would have been in bed with my teddy and dummy

Kev.

I have this on video in the garage. I'l have to get myself a video player and transfer to the pc so can put 'em on dvd.

The whole Motown at the BBC etc was shown again last night (dunno if it's been mentioned as not read the whole topic). There was extra stuff such as the Life And Death of Marvin Gaye.

Im beginning to wonder if any of my memories are reliable!!

I bet Tony was one of those guys who when he got a diary at Xmas he actually carried on filling it in after Jan 2nd.

Here's a link. Not explored it fully myself but maybe some of the links therein have clips of shows and I notice Simmonds is in there.

https://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio1/radio_1_launch_day.htm

ROD

I bet Tony was one of those guys who when he got a diary at Xmas he actually carried on filling it in after Jan 2nd.

...Got it in one, mate.

Actually I didn't really get into keeping a diary regularly until 1977, and I stopped at the end of 1980, but I used to make a point of filling it in every night, after I'd been out, to remind myself of what I'd been up to in the preceeding few hours(I was drinking a lot of ale then).

I'll be posting up a random page from my 1978 diary and my 1980 diary (sadly, the only two that have seemed to survive) in 'All Our Yesterdays' later on this afternoon. They're worth a look for any number of reasons...

I bloody had this on VHS - I got bought it as a birthday present around 1988

Alas its been lost over the years

Someone MUST have a copy - somewhere!!!

I've got it - I've got all the RSG's that came out.

What date would that be Pete?

I pretty sure Mickey Nold from Birmingham said he has some 60s Mike Raven shows on reel to reel, but he hasn't sorted 'em out yet. It would be nice to see a dated listing of what was played, as the 'Mike Raven R&B Show' seems to be about the only thing the BBC did right for Soul music in the 60s!

If I name some tracks, you'll be able to work out when it was I should think - random page, no dates listed

joe tex - you're right ray charles

little hank - mister bang bang man

johnny taylor - who's making love

impressions - check out your mind

jerry butler - hey western union man

sisters love - forget it, i've got it

faith hope & charity - lets try it over

johnny nash - falling in and out of love

supremes - stoned love

jay & techniques - baby make your own sweet music

james brown - call me superbad

betty everett - i gotta tell somebody

johnny maestro - the day the rain came

al green - i can't get next to you

rufus thomas - do the push and pull

chembers brothers - funky

glass house - srealing moments

n.b. I have demo of the Sisters Love and it says 9/1/1970

p.s. if you can get a reel to reel you are welcome to go through them. IN fact I think I've got one in the garage

Having missed the "initial" airing courtesy of BBC4 on Friday evening, I was "lucky" enough to be "indoors" last night,to view most of the proceedings, and regardless of the "warts and all" overview from a "viewing" perspective, remain both humble and grateful that such a "musical enigma" would influence both my social and personal life to such a degree.....respect....wilxy

Must i be lucky to be born in an age where radio and TV has more soul coverage. only my dad would remember the 60's and 70's and hearing Northern soul and Motown for first time

Hello,

Can anyone help me out with a copy of the Motown Invasion programme? My dvd recorded was playing up when it was on.