This week, I journey back to the musical landscape of my childhood, exploring those special pop music shows that lit up our screens in the 1970s. Before the era of MTV and streaming, we cherished those few precious programs where we could watch our musical idols perform.
Beyond the weekly ritual of Top of the Pops, opportunities to see our favorite artists perform were remarkably scarce. That’s exactly why children’s pop shows became such treasured viewing – they offered us a rare glimpse into the captivating world of pop stardom.
Lift Off with Ayshea remains etched in my memory. Broadcasting from 1969 to 1974, it broke new ground in multiple ways. It specifically recognised children as an important music audience and featured Ayshea Brough, a pioneering Asian presenter hosting a major British television program. The calibre of performers was astonishing – David Bowie choosing this children’s show to unveil his Ziggy Stardust persona! After 8 successful series, the show eventually gave way to a tartan invasion!!
The Bay City Rollers’ “Shang-a-Lang” took a completely different approach. Granada Television capitalised on the immense popularity of these tartan-clad Edinburgh boys by creating their own variety show blending music with comedy sketches. For a brief but intense period, “Rollermania” swept through Britain with a fervor not witnessed since Beatlemania, and this program perfectly captured that hysteria. I can still vividly recall security guards removing screaming fans who managed to storm onto the set!
Get It Together followed later, essentially reimagining the Lift Off format but with Roy North (beloved as Mr. Roy from The Basil Brush Show). It maintained the successful formula of blending chart hits with games and competitions.
The BBC’s attempts always felt somewhat awkward by comparison. Pop performances on Blue Peter seemed bizarrely out of place alongside craft segments and garden features. Their dedicated offering, Cheggers Plays Pop with the perpetually enthusiastic Keith Chegwin, never quite recaptured the Granada shows’ magic despite its energetic games and musical guests.
What memories do you have of watching pop stars on children’s television? Were you among those screaming for the Bay City Rollers, or did you prefer catching the latest glam rock sensations on Ayshea’s pioneering show?
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