Ep 110 Oct 2 1971
OPENING TITLES WOBBLING WHITE SOLID TITLES WITH DICK MIMING AT PIANO OVER TCHAIKOVSKY & IMPERSONATING LIBERACE
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL SWEET HITCH-HIKER
TED MULRY REMEMBER ME
TIN TIN IS THAT THE WAY
DICK WILLIAMS RECORD REVIEW: AXIOM, LALLY STOTT, BOBBY SHERMAN, SHIRLEY BASSEY, BIG BRITISH STEREO ACTION ORCHESTRA
BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS THE DAWN SONG
REDWING SHORTY GO HOME
FREE ALL RIGHT NOW
DADDY COOL EAGLE ROCK

Have just realised this episode was played this year but was titled on screen as September 1970

Is any promo films[a forerunner of music videos] of singles and album tracks by Australian and international artists and froups were shown on Hit Scene? How many were existed?

I didn't realise Hitscene ran to the end of 1972. The final episode was obviously one hour or longer, and the number of excerpts of clips is indicative of an overview or wrapup of the show as a whole.

1973/74 was a bad period because there wasn't a TV pop show and Go Set magazine stopped publication. Molly and the ABC really filled a vacuum when Countdown began in October 1974

Wow Guru, that is sensational! Many many thanks for all the work in putting it all together!

Thanks heaps Gurubob for producing this great, easy-to-read format for the Hitscene guide. Now for GTK (only kidding - there is around 700 episodes to do!!)

As far as what has been shown on Rage in the past, here is the information on those shows shown. 13 different shows have been shown - 11 came back in the years 2001/2/3 when they showed an episode every week of Retro Season along with 4-6 GTK's complete. Then a break till 2009 when one show was screened - minus the clip for Oliver "Jean" for which the ABC probably could not get clearance for given it was part of a movie. Then just last Summer - January 2011 - came two more - although the 2nd was a repeat as you can see. The 1st show of 2011 also was missing Beatles footage from the movie "Let It Be" - the problems in obtaining clearances for Beatles footage is well known.

Of course those older folks like me will remember (and have on tape) the Rage "Hitscene" specials of 1991 and 1992 when hours of clips from the show were shown. Not complete shows though. Notice also the transmission dates are all different to what Rage displayed back at the time. Many were a week out. It was only the unearthing of most of the remaining missing shows on film that enabled the correct transmission dates to finally be displayed. Some dates originally may have been taping dates as well rather than transmission dates. For one show in 1971 Rage originally showed it simply as 1st January 1971 as obviously the episode could not be dated at the time. Thanks to the upgraded database, everything can finally be dated.


Ep # 82 20/03/71 Rage 13/01/01

Ep # 44 02/05/70 Rage 27/01/01

Ep # 19 13/09/69 Rage 10/02/01

Ep # 48 30/05/70 Rage 05/01/02

Ep # 47 23/05/70 Rage 12/01/02

Ep # 110 02/10/71 Rage 19/01/02

Ep # 55 11/07/70 Rage 26/01/02

Ep # 37 14/03/70 Rage 04/01/03

Ep # 84 03/04/71 Rage 11/01/03

Ep # 101 31/07/71 Rage 25/01/03

Ep # 92 29/05/71 Rage 01/02/03

Ep # 31 06/12/69 Rage 24/01/09 (40 years ABC Special)
(Clip for Oliver “Jean” from film “Prime of Miss Brodie” Edited Out)

Ep # 50 13/06/70 Rage 08/01/11
(Beatles footage from film “Let It Be” edited out)

Ep # 37 14/03/70 Rage 29/01/11 (Repeat – Originally shown on Rage 04/01/03)

I think it would be very worthwhile to request some more "Hitscenes" to be shown next retro season. Given the shows last for around 25 minutes it would hardly be an encroachment on our Countdowns and I hope we can see some more unaired ones as there is some great, rare material (both Australian and overseas) in all those shows.

To Guru Bob and any other interested souls like myself - I think there is a good chance the Rage team will dig up some more Hitscenes if we get our requests in early.

Thanks for all that info Brett (2), very useful. I had seen that Rage had shown Hitscene on 8/6/91 and 27/6/92 from the Rage website but had no idea what it was as I didn't record it at the time.

I am interested in seeing anything that has not been shown previously on Rage so I wouldn't want to request episodes that contain clips that you would already have. Therefore I am happy to support any episodes that you have an interest in.

I should have no trouble listing all the GTK episodes as well as I just cut and pasted Hitscene from the spreadsheet and added the episode info - about 30 seconds work for each episode at most.

In fact I have just done all the GTK episodes in 42 minutes as a straight cut and paste, quick enough to still be able to update this post which I did before I started on GTK.

Now all I need to do is find the Flashez clip listings for what still exists in the ABC archives.

Flashez is actually a bit easier as there are only 7-8 complete shows all recovered in more recent years from mainly private collections. I will see what I can dig out regarding those individual shows.

There are endless individual film inserts and segments though.

Thanks to both Guru and Brett. Brilliant stuff.

In regards to the Six O'Clock Rock episodes which ran between 1959-1962, I was told a majority of the episodes where either wipe off or destroyed by the ABC. I can't believe only 2 or 3 survive as this is all we could look back on our Australian R&R history as this was the best music program of the period.

The same scenario happened with a majority of the 60's episodes of "Top Of The Tops" where 90% were wiped by the BBC especially 1966 where The Beatles appeared on the show only once performing "Paperback Writer". Only stills exist from that performance. If anyone recorded this episode back then on VTR (Video Tape Recorder) reel to reel and still exists that person may get a fortune.

Great work on the Hitscene episodes. I'll be requesting Rage to air some of them this January. Whatever happened to Episode One?

Hi,
Just like to make a correction on the opening titles of the earlier Hitscene episodes as it's not The Valentines in which Dick is driving past as it's Brisbane group 'The Avengers'. Also the song used is called 'Mr Eliminator by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones'.

Here's a link to the opening titles of Episode 3 on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V4h9gUx3wE

Cheers,
Dave.

Hi Dave
Thanks for the extra info on the intro. I have only cut and pasted information from the ABC archives so that is how they have it recorded.

I have no idea what the story is with episode 1. Brett (2) would know more about that than me. Maybe it was some sort of pilot show and it wasn't kept or got separated.

The new opening sequence which premiered on May 17 1969, where Dick is driving the Monaro to work and keeps encountering a band who claps their hands and disappears, featured The Brisbane Avengers. I was the organist for the band and now work in music and photography in New York. I got a copy of the opening sequence a couple of years ago but when I did my searching then I was baffled when told that The Avengers were not on that particular show, the first one that featured our new intro, I clearly remembered us being on it... da! of course ... Now thanks to the runsheet, I see that there is still footage of us doing Tweedle E Dee, probably the only TV appearance of the Brisbane Avengers in existence...

Can anyone tell me how I can get a copy of that footage, Tweedle e Dee and the interview...??? Thanks, Flaps.....

John, there are 2 ways of getting that footage.

1 - Request it for Rage Retro on the Rage Messageboard and if you're lucky they may play it

2 - Check with ABC Sales if you can buy it. Depending on what copyright restrictions there are, it should be available. Obscure bands have less restrictions on them and being a member of that band may carry additional weight. It can't hurt asking them, particularly if you are only after one clip and not the entire show.

http://www.abccontentsales.com/librarysales/

Thanks Bob, thanks for the link etc... will let you know how it goes...

Episode 1 looks as though it was screened locally only rather than nationally so was not kept. Episode 2 refers to the first "National Hitscene".

There is also one surviving episode of Hitscenes predecessor show called "'Hit Parade" from 1968 - this would also be great to see in January as it features Ross Wilson in his days as part of a band called Party Machine.

Great to see a bit of interest in Hitscene for screening in January - a few people are coming on board now.

Hi Brett (2),

Many thanks for the info regarding Episode One. I'd be interested to see that remaining Hit Parade episode with the early footage of Ross Wilson. He was in an earlier group called 'The Pink Finks' and I don't think any film footage exists of this group at all.

In this only existed episode of Hit Parade, there's a Hit Parade concept clip of The Rolling Stones' Jumpin' Jack Flash was featured.

Quite right Nicholas -actually most of the clips on this episode are "concept" clips as made by the ABC at the time - and quite laughable in places!!

The film of a horse running around a field for the Irish Rovers "Unicorn" is hilarious!! There simply were not enough clips made in the day and groups performing in the studio did not start until Hitscene began in 1969. There are proper promos for 1910 Fruitgum Company and Lemon Pipers which start and finish the show - definitely an episode worth showing in January on Rage if only for the interview with a very young Ross Wilson in his Party Machine days.

As Hit Parade was merely part of the ABC's "Sportsview" Saturday afternoon line-up then the theme music behind Dick Williams is the familiar Booker T & The MG's tune (Soul Limbo) - also used for BBC's test Cricket highlights broadcasts for a long time. The show was strictly a chart run-down only type of show in those days with little variation.

Thanks Brett, yes, that song was written and produced by Terry Britten. The Avengers had a meteoric rise to fame that year, coming from obscurity on the national scene to being voted 3rd most popular group in the Go Set Pop Poll. We did lots of TV in Brisbane and Melbourne and none of those appearances have survived except for this one show, the first featuring the new intro. I am trying to get a copy of the footage, song and interview, we'll see how that goes.
Regards, Phelps

Hi John,
I've just left a message on Rage's Retro Month message board in regards to airing Episode 2 of Hitscene next January as I'd also like to see the rare footage of your group back then as well as Ronnie Burns performing "How Did It Come To Be This Way".

Let's hope they show this one and more episodes of Hitscene next January as Countdown seems to dominate the retro season every year which I don't discriminate at all as at the same time they should try and please most of the 1950's & 1960's fans out there.

Cheers,
Dave.

Guys,

If you would like to see any unaired Hitscene episodes please send your suggestions to the Rage Message Board in the 'Retro Month' section for January 2012.

I've already made requests to Rage with some of the 1969 shows and it would be great to see more entries come in to further any chances of seeing more Hit scene's.

C'mon guys times running out.

Pleased to find this thread and here's to 1972 episodes of Hit Scene making an appearance in some form. Some friends of mine were in UK touring band Clockwork Strawberry and thanks to you I can see they appeared in Ep148 and 151. I'm writing a biog of the band and it would be brilliant if this stuff is still out there somewhere. Any info would be a great help.They also did 'Happening 72' in Melbourne but I think that went the same way (wiped tapes) ...any ideas ??

Fingers crossed Rage will air some of these Hitscene episodes come Retro Month.

BIG HUGE GIGANTIC thank you to GuruBob for these "Hitscene" runsheets as I have been looking for a resource to catalogue eps that had been previously played on "Rage" retro month. Also thanks for the "GTK" as these are very handy and worthwhile for cataloguing collections etc. Where on earth do you find the time for all this. Just fantastic and again huge thanks now I can see all info. Even ABC Tara Online don't always display the entire info. This is a very useful resource for those who are interested.

Hi,
does somebody have any Canned Heat's clips from Hit Scene?

To date I cannot recall any Canned Heat having been played on the Hitscene episodes that have been shown on Rage. Hitscene only exists in the ABC archives so unless they repeat these episodes in Retro month on Rage there is probably no other way of getting their clips from this source.

The clips that I know of in the ABC archives on GTK and Hitscene are:
GTK
ep. 465 - CANNED HEAT ROCKING WITH THE KING (AT MULWALA ROCK FESTIVAL) 1972 10-Apr-72

Hitscene
Ep 26 Nov 1 1969 - CANNED HEAT ON THE ROAD AGAIN (CREDITS OVER END)
Ep 71 Nov 7 1970 - DICK WILLIAMS RECORD REVIEW: CANNED HEAT (short segment)
Ep 93 June 5 1971 - CANNED HEAT GOING UP THE COUNTRY

This is just from a quick search so may not be complete. To date those particular episodes have not been shown.

On The Road Again clip was shown on Rage June 27 1992 on their Hitscene special but that clip (without credits) actually gets shown a bit anyhow on Rage, most recently on March 10 2012 which I am sure you would have anyhow.

Your best chance of seeing the other items would be to go to the Rage Messageboard and put in a request to see it.

Hi Guru,

I remember Rage showing the Canned Heat "On The Road Again" clip during their retro month in 2000 without the credits end. I think the clip without the credits end may have came from another ABC show other than Hitscene or GTK.

Last month I made a request to Rage to air some of the 1972 Hitscene episodes which Rage have never played. Nobody supported me on this one as there were some interesting episodes during 1972.

Dave.

What happened to Hitscene??

Hi Guys,

Not sure if you're aware of this as there are a number of Hitscene clips recently posted on YouTube including The Valentines (Feat: Bon Scott) "My Old Man's A Groovy Old Man" plus many others from GTK.

Check em' out.

Hi Guys,

If anyone is interested I've found this information regarding Hitscene and Dick Williams. It also mentions it's predecessor 'Hit Parade' on this website link below.

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Hit_Scene

At least the 3 Hitscenes don't appear to be repeats, but still no 1972 episodes. They are showing:

HITSCENE September 22nd, 1970 (date doesn't exist?? - maybe August 22)
OPENING TITLES LARGE SOLID TITLES ON PSYCHEDELIC BACKGROUND
VIBRANTS I CAN'T LET GO OF YOUR LOVE
WOODSTOCK REPORT ON WOODSTOCK (FROM ABC'S THIS DAY TONIGHT USING ABC INTERVIEWS AND SOME WOODSTOCK FILM FOOTAGE)
BUDDY ENGLAND SUNDAY CHILD
BUDDY ENGLAND INTERVIEW
LOTUS (DEBUT) I'M A MOVER
DICK WILLIAMS RECORD REVIEW: LOVE SCULPTURE, RONNIE HAWKINS, OLIVER, HUGO MONTENEGRO
INDEFINITE FOUR I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE
VIBRANTS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE

HITSCENE August 21st, 1971
OPENING TITLES STROBING BLACK & WHITE SOLID TITLES OVER TV SCREEN SHAPED BACKBROUND
JOHNNY CHESTER & JIGSAW GWEN CONGRATULATIONS
WHO SEEKER
RUSSELL MORRIS HEAVEN SHINES
STRANGERS SWEET WATER
DICK WILLIAMS RECORD REVIEW: JOHNNY FARNHAM, OSIBISA, CARPENTERS, FRANK SINATRA, THE BELLS
BULLDOG MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW
MUNGO JERRY BABY JUMP
JACKSON 5 I WANT YOU BACK
JOHNNY CHESTER LONELY MAN LIKE ME

HITSCENE October 10th, 1970
OPENING TITLES LARGE SOLID TITLES ON PSYCHEDELIC BACKGROUND
ZOOT STRANGE THINGS
CUFFLINKS WHEN JULIE COMES AROUND
LOVE STORY (BUDDY ENGLAND, IAN TURPIE & RICHARD WRIGHT) NEANDERTHAL MAN
LOVE STORY (BUDDY ENGLAND, IAN TURPIE & RICHARD WRIGHT) INTERVIEW
MATHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT SWEET BREAD
DICK WILLIAMS RECORD REVIEW: MELBA MOORE, BRAIN AUGER & TRINITY, SWITCHED ON BACHARACH, BOBBIE GENTRY
LOTUS BABE, I'M GONNA LEAVE YOU (LED ZEPPLIN COVER)
ROBIE PORTER GEMINI
MIXTURES IN THE SUMMERTIME

As far as I can work out they had previously shown the following, or at least they are the ones I have got:
May 24 1969
May 31 1969
July 12 1969
July 26 1969
Aug 2 1969
Aug 16 1969
Sept 13 1969
Nov 8 1969
Dec 6 1969
Dec 13 1969
Dec 20 1969
March 14 1970
March 21 1970
May 2 1970
May 16 1970
May 23 1970
May 30 1970
June 13 1970
July 11 1970
March 20 1971
April 3 1971
April 4 1971
May 8 1971
May 29 1971
July 31 1971
Oct 2 1971

Can you please tell me how many promo film clips were featured in three episodes of Hit Scene dated September 22 1970, October 10 1970
and August 21 1971?

Yes, a bit disappointing Dave when you consider the amount of Hitscenes that have not been shown. I didnt stay awake for the later two which were screened at the ungodly hour of around 4 or 5 in the morning, watched the recordings this morning though and all good - never been seen since original transmission dates. 21/08/71 & 10/10/70 as correctly advertised by Rage.

The on screen tagging of episodes hasn't been all that flash by Rage this year. A Countdown Revolution was titled 1990 when it was 1989 and all four Hitscenes appear to be incorrectly identified.

Dec 5 1970 episode was Nov 14 1970
Jan 1 1969 episode was Sept 20 1969
Jan 1 1970 episode was Dec 5 1970
Apr 17 1971 episode was Apr 24 1971

I'm sorry that I answer only today. A song On the road again is avaiable and I got this one. But Still there are not unreachable remaining episodes. Thank you for your help
Maciej

Although I am first and foremost a Countdown fan and would have loved to see much more of that, I do appreciate and collect any Australian music shows from the 1960s to 1980s.

Whether it is 6 O'Clock Rock, Hitscene, GTK through to Flashez, Countdown, Rock Arena, Beatbox, Sounds, The Factory etc up to Countdown Revolution. I just draw the line at 90s and 00s music such as Recovery, 10:30 slot.

I realise that a lot of people on here hate Hitscene but I will record and keep the episode(s) that they will screen and add them to the 32 episodes that I already have and hope they do not show any repeat. I grew up in the 70s with B&W TV so it triggers a certain nostalgia regardless, even though I never saw these originally.

I'm pretty much the same and enjoy everything from the 60's to the 80's and love Hitscene. Any idea on how many were made?

I love the 60sand 70s too. I personally only remember from about 1976 onwards, and Countdown was the show that I remember, not so much the other ones. My problem with GTK, for example, is the quality of the footage. Much of the time, what was shown on GTK can be found on Youtube in much better colour and resolution.