Just saw this info on the TV Tonight blog.
Something to tide us all over until Rage retro month...
http://tvtonight.com.au/2017/08/classic-countdown-to-screen-at-6pm-sundays-on-abc.html
"Classic Countdown” to screen at 6pm Sundays on ABC
Now this is clever programming….
ABC is to play old Countdown footage in its original timeslot of 6pm Sundays, narrated by an artist who performed in that episode, with Gavin Wood reprising his role as announcer.
To be billed as Classic Countdown, each episode will encompass one year and screen as one-hour episodes over 13 weeks from Sunday 17 September.
Narrators will include John Paul Young, Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey, Richard Clapton and more.
Countdown was a cultural phenomenon that ran from 1974-1987, becoming the soundtrack to an entire generation of Australians.
Taking a year per episode, Classic Countdown pays tribute to the iconic artists, the incredible songs and Molly!
The original episodes have been lovingly and meticulously restored and the archives carefully searched to uncover performances not seen for decades. Unashamedly nostalgic and playful, Classic Countdown will celebrate the explosion in youth culture and Aussie music that was the driving force of the show’s success.
Classic Countdown will feature the very best music from the day, presented in the classic Countdown way… the artists performing their songs to a live studio audience.
The show will also feature the very best of Molly, his unique interview style and his incredible access to the likes of Elton John, Tina Turner, Abba, David Bowie, Kate Bush – not to mention the giants of Aussie Rock. The series will mirror the Countdown run-down with highlights of Humdrum plus a selection of the songs that were performed on the show that also made it to #1 each year.
Joining the tribute, ABC Music are proud to present Classic Countdown (out September 15), a massive 4CD collection and digital album featuring the biggest and most influential hits from the iconic original series including classic tracks from ABBA, Skyhooks, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, John Farnham plus many more.
Follow Classic Countdown online at abc.net."
Sounds a bit like Top of the Pops 2 in the UK, where they would re-air studio performances from different episodes, with a host narrating.
I'm not too keen on the "narrated by an artist who performed in that episode" bit, though, as no doubt they'll be talking over songs/hosting segments.
Yeah, the CD release is all a bit commercial and calculating but as you said, they've got to raise much needed funds anyway they can.
The eps will probably be ones we've all seen before during Rage retro month but hopefully there might be a few previously unscreened ones as well.
Still, worth checking them out anyway...
Thanks Christina for this post!!!! Okay, so this begins on Sunday September 17th.
So I suppose it will be performances with Gavin Wood introducing them in the now in 2017 with Australian Pop Stars talking in between filmed in the now as well and then their performance shown. At least ABC are bothering to acknowledge Countdown in some form as only rage bother. But I prefer the ABC just leave it alone as rage play the full episodes which it seems the ABC will never play on it's own without having to make it new.
I hope this does not interfere with Countdown repeats in January on rage
So will it be full episodes or snippets from certain episodes, I don't know why we keep getting these CD's from the ABC of Countdown!
The Countdown DVDs THE WONDER YEARS - Volume 1 and 2 were perfect as though they were not full episodes of Countdown on DVD we at least got performances on DVD. By now we should be up to Volume 8 at least. Countdown was visual with it's unique sets etc and as performances were recorded at the ABC I don't see how hard it would be for copyright. They managed to do this fine again with The Wonder Years DVD's and they were released with no problems.
The 4 CD c r a p is going to have the same generic tracks with no imagination what so ever compiled by some person at the ABC who's music knowledge is probably not so great. There have already been a few Countdown Double CD releases over the last 2 years and the same tracks will re appear: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Love Is In The Air, Dancing Queen, Horror Movie, I'm Bored e.t.c ... yawwwwwwwwn ....
Basically, the ABC should be repeating every existing Countdown episode every Sunday without this new spin on it.
It says: The original episodes have been lovingly and meticulously restored and the archives carefully searched to uncover performances not seen for decades.
I am sure many of the so called performances which have not been seen in 'decades' have been played on rage throughout January as rage have now played a large amount of Countdown episodes and the [performances they do chose will be most likely the most popular performances. At least when rage play full episodes you get to see the more interesting performances which will most likely be ignored.
Most m o r o n s probably have no idea rage have been playing Countdown episodes for decades now every January, probably not even the ABC. Seeing they say Performances that haven't been played in decades...
VH1 on Foxtel also played stand alone performances from Countdown for a good year.
Though I am grateful for any Countdown on the ABC I really do hope rage still play Countdown episodes in full in January as I would be very annoyed to have this Classic Countdown specials ruin the Countdown on rage in January tradition
Not sure of the exact format, Jason.
Just going by the promo blurb on the TVT site.
I'll be interested to see how they turn out.
Yeah, hopefully this doesn't change anything for "Rage Retro month."
Okay, coming from Cameron Adams:
Spoke to executive producer. So each of the 13 episodes is a compilation of the best performances from each year Countdown was on air starting from 1975 (no 74 footage exists anymore). They've found rare Joe Cocker footage from 1977, Gavin Wood has done new voice overs and each episode is narrated by an act who appears on that episode from that year. No music videos, only performances filmed by Countdown.
***************************************************************************
Now, I just spoke to rage on the phone and asked if these specials will effect Countdown full episodes in January and he assured me that they will have no impact on the repeats in January. He told me just think of what the ABC are playing as a bonus.
He said they aim to play at least 10 or so episodes in January and that January is going ahead as always. I also spoke to him about the great job rage are doing with the Vault specials on Mondays. He told me ABC only give them a short time and start very late but they use that time to play as many RARE videos as possible and told me it is a little hard sometimes as all the videos they get have to be sent to Sydney as all the Music Video archives are from Melbourne
It's certainly a great development that the ABC are screening something of Countdown apart from the Rage January season.
I think it's more the ABC wanting to show something that won't cost them much money but will rate highly in the timeslot - which I hope it does. If so, then maybe it's possible the ABC could air unedited full episodes - but I won't hold my breath on that.
I'm glad it seems as though it won't affect the January season even if the last episode of this Classic Countdown season would air on 10 December - a few weeks before January.
The CD compilation sounds pretty boring - I expect it to be the same old tracks we've heard a zillion times. I'd prefer more DVD compilations of live performances and rarities - that's much more interesting.
But any Countdown is better than none I guess - but as always I want MORE!!
May I add ... when speaking to the guy at rage who was really lovely, he told me that they aim to play non repeated episodes of Countdown in January. Something which rage have really made sure to keep up with as there really haven't been many repeated episodes of Countdown rage have already played over the last few years. So I am very glad they are paying attention and putting in the work to air as many episodes never played on rage before and not played since the original air dates. FANTASTIC!
Great research, Jason.
So good to hear that Rage are making the effort to play non-repeat eps of Countdown in January.
I look forward to the bonus Classic Countdowns on Sunday nights as well - they should be good value.
That's a nice little bonus. If it starts with 1975 on Sept 17 then it will get to 1987 on Dec 10. From there it is only a few weeks to January and full episodes.
I dare say we will know most of the footage, particularly from the 70's as it has all been shown (except for possible rarities that exist as single clips on storage tapes like the Cocker item mentioned) but it will be fun to watch anyhow.
After not having made any requests to Rage for Retro Month since the old forum closed down I have decided to email some suggestions as a few others did last year. Hopefully we get more than just 10 episodes.
Armin,
The guy at rage told me they make sure they play at least 10 in January's and over the last few years we have received at least 15 to 16 episodes a year.
I am sure there will be more than 10 Episodes
I do wish that a good copy of Plastic Bertrand's 'Ca Plane Pour Moi' performed on Countdown could be found from 1979, arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
It's one Countdown performance from the 70s I really would love to have in my collection.
Anyhow's ...
I will be submitting my Countdown Requests as well in early October via email to rage so they have time to prepare any of them.
I still want the 1982 episode played that was supposed to be played with Jo Kennedy and co hosting, instead we got the Duran Duran one. I hope that episode gets played
I wonder if Kate Ceberano will narrate the 1985 episode? That was really I'm Talking's year. The Crowdies narrate 1987? Wonder if Shazbot will narrate 1983 or Tim Finn? Which reminds me i don't recall Tim doing any Countdown studio performaces in 1983. We only got him hosting and his video clips. I really hope the researchers get it right and don't show performances from the wrong year. ie songs that were hits in a particular year, but released and performed the previous year....and as much as i like Jimmy Barnes, i hope he doesn't narrate an episode.
Maybe they unearthed some other treasures while they eere going through the archives
Maybe rage could play these remastered performances in their entirety one monday night in january
The March 16 1980 with The Police is one episode i also want, it is ridiculous that it hasn't been played.
I just read your list of Countdown requests, there are some gems there and there are some there I think I have requested over the years as well, specifically the episode with the Countdown performance of Jean Beauvoir - Feel The Heat.
There are a few more 1980 episodes I want to see which are on my list. Will have to get my list out again as rage didn't pay much attention to my Countdown suggestions this year ...
Kate Ceberano will be one of the narrators along with JPY,Richard Clapton and Steve Kilbey
At Armin, between your requests and my requests for Countdown Episodes for January, 2018 there is a high quality bunch there ... Here is the list I will be emailing rage for January, 2018.
COUNTDOWN: Date: 16/03/1980
Show no: 231
Summary: GUEST PRESENTER IS STEVE GILPIN FROM MI –SEX.
LIVE STUDIO ITEMS:
MI-SEX – PEOPLE
RADIO ACTIVE – TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
THE POLICE – WALKING ON THE MOON
DARRYL COTTON – SAME OLD GIRL
OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
CLASH – LONDON CALLING
GODLEY & CRÈME – AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK
PEARL HARBOUR & THE EXPLOSIONS – DRIVIN
MICHAEL JACKSON – ROCK WITH YOU
_______________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date:17/08/1980
Show no: 253
Summary:CHERRY RIPE INTERVIEWS JAMES FREUD IN LONDON AND DJ'S FROM 6PM,5AD,7HT,3XY,4BC AND 2WS HOST THE SHOW AS A LEAD UP TO THE XANADU DANCING CONTEST.
LIVE STUDIO ITEMS:
VAPORS 'TURNING JAPANESE','WAITING FOR THE WEEKEND'
JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS 'PUPPET ON A STRING'
LOCAL ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
MENTAL AS ANYTHING 'COME AROUND'
OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS FROM:
ROLLING STONES, JONA LEWIE, KATE BUSH,
ROCKY BURNETTE, GRAHAM PARKER 'STUPEFACTION'
HUMDRUM ITEMS:
XANADU 'DANCIN'
CURE 'THE FOREST'
DEVO 'FREEDOM OF CHOICE'
MI-SEX 'IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I'M LAUGHING'
__________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date:22/06/1980
Show no: 245
Summary:SHOW IS HOSTED BY JAMES REYNE AND INCLS REGULAR SEGMENTS, CHARTBUSTERS AND HUMDRUM MUSIC NEWS, DURING WHICH MOLLY IV'S JANIS IAN RE HER SONGWRITING, GRAMMYS AND WORKING WITH GIORGIO MORODER.
STUDIO PERFORMANCES:
AUSTRALIAN CRAWL 'DOWNHEARTED'
CHRIS PELCER 'YOU CAN BE MY SLAVE'
JOHN FARNHAM 'HELP'
JANIS IAN 'FLY TOO HIGH'
JANIS IAN 'THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SUN'
VIDEO CLIPS FROM:
THE ROMANTICS, JUDIE TZUKE, SPARKS,
BROTHERS JOHNSON, THE VETERANS,
CHRISTOPHER, GARY NUMAN
______________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date:23/08/1981
Show no: 298
Summary:GUEST PRESENTER IS PAUL NORTHAM,LEAD SINGER FROM MEO245.
LIVE STUDIO ITEMS:
TOYSHOW 'THEN I KISSED HIM'
GILLIAN EASTOE 'ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART'
SERIOUS YOUNG INSECTS 'TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING WORDS'
LOCAL ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
SWANEE 'IF I WERE A CARPENTER'
MEO245 'OTHER PLACES'
OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS FROM:
TOYAH, RAINBOW, PHD, QUICK,KIM CARNES,
KIM WILDE, DEVO
___________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date – 11/04/1982
Episode:323
Summary: HOSTED BUY JO KENNEDY & ROSS O’DONOVAN ANS IS THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THE ROCK AWARDS. MOLLY INTERVIEWS JOAN ARMITRADING AND MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN LEAGUE
VIDEO CLIPS:
BLUE RONDO A LA TURK – ME & MR SANCHEZ
ROSS O’DONOVAN – I WANT TO LIVE IN A HOUSE
CHILLIWACK – GONE GONE GONE
DIVINYLS – ONLY LONELY
WENDY & THE ROCKETS – YOUR PLACE OR MINE
SHARON O’NEAL – ALL THE TEA IN CHINA
RICHARD CLAPTON – STRANGE
_________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN FRIDAY
Friday 13th August, 1982
MADNESS – HOUSE OF FUN
THE HONEYMOON – BREAK YOUR HEART
DADDY COOL – EAGJUICE NEWTON – LOVE’S BEEN A BIT HARD ON ME
ASIA – ONLY TIME WILL TELL
DONNA SUMMER – LOVE IS IN CONTROL
GREG KIHN BAND – HAPPY MAN
THE GLOBOS – TINTARELLA DI LUNA
THE DUGITES – NO MONEY
THE QUICK – THE RHYTHM OF THE JUNGLE
THE LITTLE HEROES – YOUNG HEARTS
PATRICE RUSHEN – FORGET ME NOTS
HAIRCUT 100 – FANTASTIC DAY
_______________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date:22/05/1983 Show no: 371
Summary:THIS EDITION OF COUNTDOWN FEATURED NO HOST OR STUDIO PERFORMANCES AND HUMDRUM WAS TAPED AT THE MIGHTY MUSIC MACHINE SHOP WHERE MOLLY IV'D OWNER RE HOW ALTERNATIVE, DANCE AND DISCO CHARTS ARE COMPILED. SHOW ENDED WITH MICHAEL JACKSON'S 'BEAT IT' VIDEO.
VIDEO CLIPS:
VENETIANS 'SOUND ON SOUND AND CLIPS FROM REAL LIFE, PRINCE, TEARS FOR FEARS, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, THOMAS DOLBY, SPANDAU BALLET AND MORE
________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date:14/10/1984
Show no: 438
Summary:Summary: THIS SHOW IS HOSTED BY COMEDY DUO LOS TRIOS RINGBARKUS WHO ARE PERFORMING SKETCHES BETWEEN CLIPS. MOLLY AND MEATLOAF PRESENTING HUMDRUM VIA SATELLITE FROM LONDON.
LIVE STUDIO PERFORMANCE:
EUROGLIDERS - MAYBE ONLY I DREAM
VIDEO CLIPS:
KAM SHA 'HE WILL SLEEP PLUS TINA TURNER, COREY HART
MADONNA, MODELS, BRONSKI BEAT, CULTURE CLUB, LOS TRIOS AND MORE
__________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date: 19/08/1984
Show no: 430
Summary: THIS SHOW WAS HOSTED BY DAVID REYNE
LOCAL ARTISTS:
THE TAKEAWAY’S - SWEET & SOUR
LE CLUB FOOTE – WARNING
VERTICAL HOLD – USA
NXS – BURN FOR YOU
OVERSEAS ARTISTS:
GUY DELANDRO - DRIVING ME WILD
BERLIN – NO MORE WORDS AND MORE …
_______________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date: 27/10/1985
Show no: 485
Summary: THIS SHOW IS HOSTED BY MEMBERS FROM KIDS IN THE KITCHEN AND PRESENTS FTG OF MICHAEL JACKSON IN PERTH. MOLLY IV SCOTT FROM KIDS IN THE KITCHEN RE ALBUM.;
LIVE STUDIO PERFORMANCES:;
PSEUDO ECHO 'DON'T GO';
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN 'NOT THE WAY';
JOHN SWAN & BAND 'SAY YOU'LL DO SOMETHING';
VIDEO CLIPS FROM:
MARK EDWARDS, THE CURE, KATE BUSH, ICEHOUSE, RED BOX, SIMPLE MINDS AND MORE ...
______________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date: 10/02/1985
Show no; 449
HOSTED BY KATE CEBERANO AND IAN COX
FEATURING:
I’M TALKING – TRUST ME
CULTURE CLUB – MISTAKE NO.3
COREY HART – IT AIN’T ENOUGH
NIK KERSHAW – THE RIDDLE
TEARS FOR FEARS =- SHOUT AND MORE …
_______________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date: 21/07/1985
Show no: 471
DAVE AND BRAD FROM HOODOO GURUS ARE THE HOSTS OF THIS SHOW.
LIVE STUDIO PERFORMANCES:
SCRITTI POLITTI – THE WORD GIRL (PRE RECORDED)
DO RE MI – MAN OVERBOARD (PRE RECORDED)
VIDEO CLIPS:
YELLO – VICIOUS GAMES
STEPHEN DUFFY – ICING ON THE CAKE
STING – IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY (SET THEM FREE)
TINA TURNER – WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER HERO (IV RE SINGLE AND VIDEO CLIP) AND MORE …
___________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN
Date: 10/08/1986
LIVE STUDIO PERFORMANCES:
I’M TALKING – HOLY WORD
GEISHA – PART TIME LOVE AFFAIR
VENETIANS – IF SOMEBODY LOVE’S YOU
DRAGON – DREAMS OF ORDINARY MEN
VIDEO CLIPS:
JEAN BEAUVOIR – FEEL THE HEAT
SPANDAU BALLET – FIGHT FOR OURSELVES
BOOM CRASH OPERA – HANDS UP IN THE AIR
BANANARAMA – VENUS
MODELS – EVOLUTION
_____________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN:
Date: 09/01/1986 …. Show no: 3
THIS SHOW IS HOSTED BY MOLLY MELDRUM:
LOCALS ARTISTS:
KOO DE TAH – BODY TALK
MODELS – KING OF KINGS
MARK EDWARDS – WORLDS AWAY
OVERSEAS ARTISTS:
MATT BIANCO – YEH YEH
PLATINUM BLONDE – CRYING OVER YOU
NENA – IT’S ALL IN THE GAME
YIL TUESDAY – LOVE IN A VACUUM
ARCADIA – ELECTION DAY
THOMPSON TWINS – KING FOR A DAY
THE CURE – CLOSE TO ME
MICK JAGGER – HARD WOMAN
FERGAL SHARKEY – A GOOD HEART IS HARD TO FIND
___________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN:
Date:09/11/1986
Show:534
MOLLY IV’S DAVID SYLVIAN, EX JAPAN RE SOLO ALBUM, POSSIBLE TOUR AND FUTURE PROJECTS INTERCUT WITH CLIP FOR ‘SILVER MOON’
PRE RECORDED STUDIO PERFORMANCE;
ICEHOUSE – CROSS THE BORDER
VIDEO CLIPS:
DEAD OR ALIVE – BRAND NEW LOVER
JOAN JETT – GOOD MUSIC
JANET JACKSON – WHEN I THINK OF YOU (INTRODUCED BY JANET JACKSON)
DURAN DURAN – NOTORIOUS
POLICE – DON’T STAND SO CLOSE AND MORE …
__________________________________________________________________________
COUNTDOWN: Date – 28/06/1987
SHOE HOSTED BY DAVE DOBYN
LIVE STUDIO PERFORMANCES:
THAT’S THAT – GIVE ME RHYTHM
BOOM CRASH OPERA – CITY FLAT
PAINTERS & DOCKERS – NUDE SCHOOL
DAVE DOOBYN – YOU OUGHTA BE IN LOVE
VIDEO CLIPS:
THE BIG SUPREME – PLEASE YOURSELF
JIM KEAYS – UNDECIDED
DAVID BOWIE – TIME WILL CRAWL
CAROL HBITCHCOCK – GET READY
THE CURE – WHY CAN’T I BE YOU
GO WEST – I WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU
BILLY IDOL – SWEET SIXTEEN
Hopefully some of our suggestions get to see the light of day Jason. There are still a lot of good episodes that have yet to be screened by Rage.
I had one episode played for me this year from 1982 with Jo Kennedy in the studio performing Body & Soul so if I can get at least 4 of my show requests and hope you get a good bunch of your splayed as well.
I also want this episode for Craze with Motions
COUNTDOWN: Date: 04/05/1980
Show 238:
JON ENGLISH HOSTS THE SHOW.
LIVE STUDIO ITEMS:
SHARON O’NEAL – WORDS
JAMES FREUD & THE RADIO STARS – MODERN GIRL
SINCLAIR BROTHERS – IT MUST BE AUTUMN
JON ENGLISH – CARMILLA
TOMMY SHAW – BOAT ON THE RIVER
OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
CRAZE – MOTIONS
GARY NUMAN – ON BROADWAY
GODLEY & CRÈME – AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK AND MORE….
All great suggestions.
I would also like to see this one, mainly for Sharon O'Neill and The Dugites.
07/09/1980
Show no: 256
THIS WEEK FEATURES AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TOURISTS. HOST LINKS ARE DONE BY THE LEAD SINGERS
OF EACH BAND PERFORMING LIVE.
LIVE STUDIO ITEMS:
MI-SEX 'IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I'M LAUGHING'
HEROES 'BABY'S HAD A TASTE'
SHARON O'NEIL 'HOW DO YOU TALK TO BOYS'
BOYS 'WHEN YOU'RE LONELY'
LOCAL ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
DUGITES 'GOODBYE'
OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO CLIPS:
MOTELS 'DANGER'
MARTHA & THE MUFFINS 'ECHO BEACH'
TOURISTS 'I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU'
DAVID BOWIE 'ASHES TO ASHES'
CARS 'TOUCH AND GO'
CHARTBUSTERS:
OL'55 'TWO FACES HAVE I'
JAMES FREUD 'MODERN GIRL'
MANHATTAN TRANSFER 'TWILIGHT ZONE'
ERIC CARMEN 'IT HURTS TOO MUCH'
ROCKY BURNETTE 'FALLIN' IN LOVE'
HUMDRUM ITEMS:
PHIL LYNOTT 'KINGS CALL'
GEORGE BENSON 'GIVE ME THE NIGHT'
DADDY COOL 'EAGLE ROCK'
TOP TEN ITEMS:
AUSTRALIAN CRAWL 'DOWNHEARTED'
KISS 'SHANDI'
ROCKY BURNETTE 'FALLIN' IN LOVE'
ROLLING STONES 'EMOTIONAL RESCUE'
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN/ELO 'XANADU'
VILLAGE PEOPLE 'CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC'
ROMANTICS 'WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU'
GENGHIS KHAN 'MOSCOW'
Great episode Brad!
Unfortunately, it would not surprise me at all if they crop the Countdown performances shown as part of these specials so that they appear widescreen; in fact, I'm expecting that they will do this.
I saw the One Plus One interview with Marcia Hines last night, and any Countdown footage they showed of her during it was cropped/zoomed in on so that it appeared widescreen.
In some respects I wish they filmed the show as [ironically] this would pose less of a problem with High Definition and upscalling, than video sourced programmes.
To those that religiouslly check the electronic program guide, do we know if and when Sunday's Countdown will be repeated during the week?
For some reason i thought it started tonight.
How do you go about getting the phone number for Rage
^ I noticed that too.
Ripped Off! I wonder why they cut short the Cyndi Lauper performance of 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' from tonight's 1984 episode????? It's one of the best studio performances.
Funny how there've been no comments so far on the '85, '86, or '87 episodes. I have to say that the 1987 episode shown tonight (or rather, last night now) was BAD; featuring a bunch of 'pub rock' Australian bands that few people probably remember, if they were aware of their existence in the first place, alongside the overenthusiastic Countdown dancers, which just looked silly. Although I thought I liked 1987's music at the time, I now see that Countdown really wasn't that great during the year, as Jason has said.
I will make a comment 😀 The 1985 episode was much better than i thought it would be and i knew Kate would get the honour of narrating it. Fave years of what they put together was 1983 and 1985. Great to get Deb Conway narrating 1986. I just have to ask...who is Paul Stewart who narrated 1987? They should have got John Farnham to narrate it. Speaking of JF what a performance of 'You're The Voice'! at the end of 1986. Blows me away every time and of course it was lifted from the episode that i requested a few years and got played 😀 Back to 1987, what a way to go out with 'Don't Dream It's Over' by the Millanes, sorry, Crowded House. Always seemed like the part was over when they played to no audience. One of the Countdown dancers that really gave me the ****s was that blonde head mullet guy dancing in the background. He was on almost every episode and even on the '87 Countdown Awards mowing the lawn to The Mentals 'He's Just No Good For You'. Hope they repeat all the episodes again over the Xmas and New Year hols.
I had to google it the other day, but apparently Paul Stewart is out of Painters & Dockers.
Very, very poor choice of host. The 1986 episode was by far the least enjoyable, with the over-emphasis on audience members dancing almost ruining the performances, it all looks so amateur.
Far too much emphasis on obscure Aussie rock, it wasn't a true reflection of what was popular in 1987, but more of a "Triple J' bias that made it look like a very bad year.
The 1985 and 1986 episodes were good though, with Kate and Deborah fitting choices as hosts.
Hi all. Thought I'd share some Classic Countdown covers I made for DVD or Bluray. You can get them here: Google Drive - Countdown. Cheers, criscles.
Sorry all, the previous link was just to the BR cover. Here's the folder: Google Drive - Countdown Folder