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Greetings Pop Pickers - The Story of Pick of the Pops

Sir Tim Rice charts the story of one of radio's best-loved programmes, which has aired on five different stations, and remembers the great Alan Freeman.

Many of us remember Sunday afternoons and Pick of the Pops, sat with a tape recorder to capture the latest changes to the new entries and the climbers. But it actually goes back to 1955 as a programme title with Franklin Englemann. However, the chart rundown started 50 years this week when Alan Freeman burst upon the airwaves and first presented the Pick of the Pops within Trad Tavern. It is still a hugely popular programme today though it has a distinctly different life on Saturday afternoons on Radio 2. But Alan's chart countdown element lives on!

It is also almost five years since Alan died and this programme looks back fondly at a great broadcaster and a great institution.

Sir Tim Rice (a huge fan of Fluff and the charts) unravels the story and hears from Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker, Bob Harris, David Jacobs, Paul Gambaccini, Robert Plant and Cliff Richard and discovers just how that rundown works - or in one case nearly didn't work when they tried to put Fluff off his stroke. Could he keep the live countdown going with 'noises off' in his headphones - a rare recording will reveal all! And what is the story behind the instantly recogniseable music used for the countdown - it has its own story to tell.

Pick of the Pops is the only programme to have been broadcast on five different radio stations and all with Alan Freeman at the helm. Not 'Arf !

1 hour

Last on

Tue 27 Sep 2011 22:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

Music Played

  • Harry Roberts Sound, The

    Harry Roberts Sound, The - Quite Beside The Point

  • Bass Incorporated

    At The Sign Of Swinging Cymbal

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  • Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel

  • Gail Warning & The Weathermen

    Metrock

    • N/A.
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    • N/A.

  • Cliff Richard

    Gee Whiz It's You

    • Cliff Sings / Me & My Shadows.
    • EMI.
    • CDEMC-3628.

  • John Leyton

    Johnny Remember Me

    • Remembering John Leyton The Anthology.
    • SEQUEL.
    • CMDDD-105.

  • Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

    I'll Never Get Over You

    • The Hits Of 1963 (Various Artists).
    • EMI.
    • CD-MFP-6033.

  • The Moody Blues

    Go Now

    • Music Of The Year: 1965.
    • DECCA/UNIVERSAL.
    • 544-1522.

  • The Beatles

    Ticket To Ride

    • The Beatles 1962 66.
    • APPLE.
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  • The Casuals

    Jesamine

    • And The Beat Goes On Vol.2.
    • DEBUTANTE.
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  • T. Rex

    Hot Love

    • Electric Warrior.
    • C/ERA RECORDS.
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  • Freda Payne

    Band Of Gold

    • Deeper And Deeper.
    • HDH.
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  • Michael Jackson - Ain't No Sunshine

  • Led Zeppelin

    Whole Lotta Love

    • Led Zeppelin 2.
    • ATLANTIC.
    • 7567-82633-2.

  • T. Rex

    Children of the Revolution

    • Marc Bolan & T Rex Essential Collec.
    • Universal.
    • 493 488-2.

  • Slade

    Mama Weer All Crazee Now

    • The Very Best Of Slade.
    • UNIVERSAL.
    • 9800-715.

  • The Associates

    Party Fears Two

    • The Associates.
    • ASSOCIATE.
    • ASC-IT.

  • The Shadows - Dance On!

  • Cliff Richard

    The Minute You're Gone

    • Cliff Richard 40 Golden Greats.
    • EMI.
    • CDP-792427 2.

  • Leapy Lee

    Little Arrows

    • Heartbeats.
    • K-Tel.
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  • Dave Collins

    Double Barrel

    Artist: Ansel Collins

    • Blackpool.
    • Virgin.
    • VTCD-696.

  • Deep Purple

    Black Night

    • Deep Purple: The Platinum Collection.
    • EMI.
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  • Donny Osmond

    Too Young

    • The Very Best Of The Osmonds.
    • POLYDOR.
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  • Pat Boone

    April Love

    • The Very Best Of Pat Boone.
    • PICKWICK MUSIC.
    • PWKS-074.

  • Cliff Richard

    The Next Time

    • 40 Golden Greats.
    • EMI.
    • CDS-792425 2.

  • The Kinks

    Sunny Afternoon

    • The Ultimate Collection.
    • CASTLE COMMUNICATIONS.
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  • Brian Fahey and His Orchestra

    At The Sign Of The Swinging Cymbal (Pick Of The Pops Theme)

    • Instrumental Memories... Are Made of This.
    • EMI Records.
    • VTDCD-629.

  • Unknown Ensemble

    Big Lil

    • We Love The Pirates.
    • Castle Music.
    • CMEDD 823.

Broadcast

  • Tue 27 Sep 2011 22:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2