In this digital world there are approximately 50 satellite channels that show just music, catering for every taste from classical, through dance and urban to heavy metal. Whatever your choice is you can now get it 24 hours a day.
But for this blog I’m going to take you back to when terrestrial TV (or just TV as it was back then) had shows just for music on it and start my countdown of my top 10 music shows from 10-6. Some of these are still on in this satellite era but for the purposes of the blog I will just go with terrestrial TV channels. Some you may agree with, some you probably won’t but isn’t that the point of any top ten?
10. Glee (C4/E4 2009 – Present)
Yes, Glee! Is there a show that is more musical than this on the box at the moment? You could call it karaoke but it has been a phenomenon and has helped bring back records such as ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ and also gave us Gwynth Paltrow’s vocal talents on ‘Forget You’. Let’s not forget the impact on the charts either. Glee has become the quickest artist to have 20 hit singles. That alone gives it a place in the top ten.
9. The Max Headroom Show (C4 1987-1988)
This is a personal choice for me as I used to love watching it. It was interesting as the videos were broken up by links from a “computer generated man”. I think this was the first time that it had been done but I’m not sure. Max was funny and was as much of the show as the music videos were. Pity about the film though!
8. Razzamatazz (ITV 1981 – 1987)
Razz-razz-razz-razz-razzmatazz. Just what you need when you get home from school and turn on the TV, a bearded, shades wearing, Alistair Piere gurning into your face introducing 3 or 4 of the biggest chart acts who would perform their latest hit on the show. It featured the introduction of Lisa Stansfield, though as a presenter so not all bad. Razzmatazz was a long running hit and, whilst it might not have had the credibility of other shows, it was a major platform for artist to get to the kids market. They even had specials such as the Solid Gold Christmas Special in 1984.
7. Jukebox Jury (BBC 1 1959-1967)
The original review show, JBJ, was such a successful show that at its peak,
7th December 1963, it was watched by 23 million people, over a third of the UK’s population. The premise was simple, 4 celebrities would judge a record to be a “hit” or a “miss”, simple as that. Its appeal was to both old with young as the ‘pop’ movement was in full swing and it transcended possibly 8 of the most important years in UK music history. Occasionally the artists whose records were being reviewed would be on the show and it’s interesting to watch the faces of the panellists who were slating an artist to be confronted with them after. Revivals in the 80’s and 90’s weren’t as successful but it certainly deserves its place in my top 10.
6. Later…With Jools Holland (BBC 2 1992 – Present)
Originally a part of The Late Show, for 19 years the natural successor to the Old Grey Whistle Test (which will feature in the top 5) has entertained audiences both in the UK and also worldwide. Jools brings music from around the world from new artists and established acts. It has no set genre and you could find En Vogue on the same show as Shane McGowan or Oasis and Zap Mama together. Part of the appeal is undoubtedly Jools’s laid back style but you can’t argue with a show that brings in the New Year and has had numerous albums and DVDs released from it.
In Part 2, I will reveal my top 5 music shows and I think I will definitely surprise you!
Check out Mastermix’s TV Themes Collection!
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