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 We
spoke to Jeff Simpson, author of 'Top of the Pops: 1964-2002 - It’s Still Number
One', about why it's taken so long for the beeb to write a TOTP book.
"Reaching
a milestone of 2000 editions would be pretty impressive for any programme -
but when each of those shows has been packed with big name artists and all the
favourite tunes of the moment, we can only be talking about Top of the Pops.
The
story of the show has included many fantastic high-points. The Christmas show
of 1967 featured The Rolling Stones, the Monkees, The Bee Gees and The Beatles
‘All You Need Is Love’. Or how about John Lennon doing ‘Instant Karma’ live
in the studio in 1970? Or Marc Bolan, Rod Stewart, Slade, ABBA and Blondie in
the 70s. The 80s gave us Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran And we didn’t
do too badly in the 90s as well - with the Spice Girls, Oasis, Blur and Pulp.
 Nowadays,
we can also enjoy spin-offs like Top of the Pops 2, plus CDs, the magazines,
and, of course, the website. So it seems a little strange that until now, no-one’s
got round to writing it all down in a book. But when you start to dig around
in the history of the show, you start to realise why the Â鶹ԼÅÄ itself might be
a little worried about exposing the story of Top of the Pops. It’s fair to say,
Dear Old Auntie Beeb didn’t always get it right when it came to showcasing the
weekly parade of popstars on TV. Until the modern era, the Â鶹ԼÅÄ used to be run
by middle-class, white men over 50 who didn’t have a clue about why pop music
was exciting. So when I finally convinced the Â鶹ԼÅÄ to let me do a book about
the history of the show, it was on condition that I could be honest about the
lows as well as the highs in the show’s history.
In
writing the book it was soon apparent that Top of the Pops is about much more
than the music. For four decades it’s been the soundtrack to our lives, marking
the arrival of each new generation, each new trend in music and fashion. And
it’s been a fascinating window into television itself, and the workings of the
Â鶹ԼÅÄ."
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