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1976 Countdown Hosts

1976

I'm going to start a thread devoted to working out the hosts for shows from 1976. I've found information from researching old Melbourne Age newspapers. The Melbourne Age was pretty good, in the early days, of naming the hosts/guest acts of upcoming shows for the weekend. Toward the end of the decade however, there was much less information about each show. They just had a generic comment for Countdown virtually every week.

Anyway, I was hoping that, together, we could all research what we can to help fill in the gaps. I know university libraries, state libraries and other institutes around the country have extensive collections (mainly electronic) of newspapers going back to the 70s. Perhaps there is information in newspapers other than the Melbourne Age that contain the information we need.

Worth a try, don't you think? I welcome any additions or corrections.

07/03/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
14/03/76 -
21/03/76 – Renee Geyer (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
28/03/76 -

04/04/76 -
11/04/76 – Daryl Braithwaite (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
18/04/76 – Molly Meldrum (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
25/04/76 – Chuck McKinney (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

02/05/76 – Glenn Shorrock (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
09/05/76 – Andy Upton (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
16/05/76 – Ray Burgess (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
23/05/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
30/05/76 -

06/06/76 –
13/06/76 - John Paul Young (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
20/06/76 -
27/06/76 – Benjamin Hugg (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

04/07/76 -
11/07/76 – Keith Lamb (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
18/07/76 -
25/07/76 – Frankie Holden (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

01/08/76 -
08/08/76 -
15/08/76 -
22/08/76 -
29/08/76 -

05/09/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
12/09/76 – Marcia Hines (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
19/09/76 -
26/09/76 – John Paul Young (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

03/10/76 -
10/10/76 – Les Gock (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
17/10/76 – Mick Pealing (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
24/10/76 – Gary Twinn (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
31/10/76 – Shirley Strachan (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

07/11/76 – Red Symons (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
14/11/76 – Frankie Holden (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
21/11/76 – Marcia Hines (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
28/11/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

05/12/76 – John Paul Young (Source: Rage)
12/12/76 – Daryl Braithwaite (Source: Rage)
19/12/76 –
26/12/76 –

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Ah-ha, found one from ...

1976

06/06/1976 - Mark Holden (Source: The Melbourne Age, June 3, 1976 - TV Guide)

6.00PM - COUNTDOWN - ABC pop series for young people, with local and overseas personalities. Mark Holden pres. Rabbit. Stylus Normie Rowe, Robin Jolley, Madder Lake. (The Melbourne Age, June 3, 1976)

Lucky to find this one.

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Another one ...

1976

08/08/76 - Mark Holden (Source: The Melbourne Age, 5th August, 1976)

"6.00PM COUNTDOWN - ABC pop magazine for young people with local and overseas personalities. Mark Holden pres. Richard Clapton, Stylus, Ray Burgess, ABBA, Avalanche, Peter Frampton, Brian Terry." (The Melbourne Age, August 5, 1976)

Love the nostalgia!

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

They keep coming ...

1976

15/08/76 - Gary Twinn (Source: The Melbourne Age, 12th August, 1976)

"6.00PM COUNTDOWN - ABC pop magazine for young people with local and overseas personalities. Gary Twinn pres. Hush, Rabbit, Skyhooks, Sailor, John Paul Young and the Allstars, Supernaut." (The Melbourne Age, August 12, 1976)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Updated list ...

1976

07/03/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
14/03/76 -
21/03/76 – Renee Geyer (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
28/03/76 -

04/04/76 -
11/04/76 – Daryl Braithwaite (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
18/04/76 – Molly Meldrum (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
25/04/76 – Chuck McKinney (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

02/05/76 – Glenn Shorrock (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
09/05/76 – Andy Upton (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
16/05/76 – Ray Burgess (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
23/05/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
30/05/76 -

06/06/76 – Mark Holden (Source: The Melbourne Age, June 3, 1976 - TV Guide)
13/06/76 - John Paul Young (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
20/06/76 -
27/06/76 – Benjamin Hugg (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

04/07/76 -
11/07/76 – Keith Lamb (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
18/07/76 -
25/07/76 – Frankie Holden (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

01/08/76 -
08/08/76 - Mark Holden (Source: The Melbourne Age, 5th August, 1976)
15/08/76 - Gary Twinn (Source: The Melbourne Age, 12th August, 1976)
22/08/76 -
29/08/76 -

05/09/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
12/09/76 – Marcia Hines (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
19/09/76 -
26/09/76 – John Paul Young (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

03/10/76 -
10/10/76 – Les Gock (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
17/10/76 – Mick Pealing (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
24/10/76 – Gary Twinn (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
31/10/76 – Shirley Strachan (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

07/11/76 – Red Symons (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
14/11/76 – Frankie Holden (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
21/11/76 – Marcia Hines (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)
28/11/76 – Ted Mulry (Source: Melbourne Age TV Guide)

05/12/76 – John Paul Young (Source: Rage)
12/12/76 – Daryl Braithwaite (Source: Rage)
19/12/76 –
26/12/76 –

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

August 8, 1976 - hosted by Mark Holden

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August8_1976

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

First show for 1976 - March 7 - hosted by Ted Mulry

1976_Countdown_The_Age_March07

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

March 14, 1976 - doesn't specifically say who hosts the show.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_March14

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

March 21, 1976 - hosted by Renee Geyer

1976_Countdown_The_Age_March21

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

28th March, 1976 - it's not clear who hosts the show.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_March28

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

April 4, 1976 - host unknown.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_April04

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

11th April, 1976 - Daryl Braithwaite as host.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_April11

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

18th April, 1976 - host unknown.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_April18

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

25th April, 1976 - hosted by Chuck McKinney

1976_Countdown_The_Age_April25

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

2nd May, 1976 - hosted by Glenn Shorrock

1976_Countdown_The_Age_May02

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

9th May, 1976 - presented by Andy Upton

1976_Countdown_The_Age_May09

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

16th May, 1976 - hosted by Ray Burgess.

1976_Countdown_The_Age_May16

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

23rd May - hosted by Ted Mulry (Source: The Age)

1976_Countdown_The_Age_May23

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

30th May, 1976 - host unknown

1976_Countdown_The_Age_May30

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

13th June, 1976 - hosted by John Paul Young

1976_Countdown_The_Age_June13

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

27th June, 1976 - hosted by Benjamin Hugg

1976_Countdown_The_Age_June27

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

4th July, 1976 - hosted by Red Symons

1976_Countdown_The_Age_July04

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

11th July, 1976 - presented by Keith Lamb

1976_Countdown_The_Age_July11

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

18th July, 1976 - host unknown

1976_Countdown_The_Age_July18

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

25th July, 1976 - hosted by Frankie Holden & Jimmy Mansie (Ol'55)

1976_Countdown_The_Age_July25

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

These little ad's are a great find. Just wondering what the black strip under the date is covering up?

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

1st August, 1976 - host unknown

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August01

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

8th August, 1976 - hosted by Marc Holden

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August08

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Nothing Matt, the black strips were just part of the TV Guide at the time. It went right across the page. I've just clipped the Countdown bit, and put it with the date.

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

15th August, 1976 - Garry Twinn hosts

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August15

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

22nd August, 1976 - host unknown

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August22

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

29th August, 1976 - host unknown

1976_Countdown_The_Age_August29

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

5th September, 1976 - hosted by Ted Mulry

1976_Countdown_The_Age_09_Sept05

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

12th September, 1976 - hosted by Marcia Hines

1976_Countdown_The_Age_09_Sept12

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

19th September, 1976 - Edited version of Sherbet Live at the Adelaide Festival Hall

1976_Countdown_The_Age_09_Sept19

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

26th September, 1976 - hosted by John Paul Young

1976_Countdown_The_Age_09_Sept26

(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

3rd October, 1976 - hosted by Mark Holden

1976_Countdown_The_Age_10_Oct03
(Source: The Age)




10th October, 1976 - hosted by Les Gock

1976_Countdown_The_Age_10_Oct10
(Source: The Age)




17th October, 1976 - hosted by Mick Pealing

1976_Countdown_The_Age_10_Oct17
(Source: The Age)




24th October, 1976 - hosted by Gary Twinn

1976_Countdown_The_Age_10_Oct24
(Source: The Age)




31st October, 1976 - hosted by Shirley Strachan

1976_Countdown_The_Age_10_Oct31
(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

7th November, 1976 - host Red Symons
1976_Countdown_The_Age_11_Nov07
(Source: The Age)


14th November, 1976 - host Frankie Holden
1976_Countdown_The_Age_11_Nov14
(Source: The Age)


21st November, 1976 - host Marcia Hines
1976_Countdown_The_Age_11_Nov21
(Source: The Age)


28th November, 1976 - host Ted Mulry
1976_Countdown_The_Age_11_Nov28
(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

5th December, 1976 - hosted by John Paul Young (Source: Rage, ABC)

1976_Countdown_The_Age_12_Dec05
(Source: The Age)



12th December, 1976 - hosted by Daryl Braithwaite (Source: Rage, ABC)

1976_Countdown_The_Age_12_Dec12
(Source: The Age)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Well, that's it ... January through to December of TV listings for Countdown in 1976. I'll keep looking, and I hope you guys can help fill some gaps. The Age was obviously my main source of information for two reasons. It provides excellent detail much of the time, which other papers don't seem to do as well. Secondly, it is easily found online, as opposed to physically attending state libraries. That may be my next port of call. Anyway, I look forward to any further contributions you guys might have to help out. Cheers.

Screen_Shot_2018_07_20_at_7_56_16_PM

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

RetroTragic, I’ve only just read these posts after being off this forum for a while. I just wanted to say “fantastic work”, and I’m so thrilled someone loves the detail as much as I do. Also, I can now say, my early Countdown knowledge is so much better!

Cheers mate!

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Thank you, vinylLOVER. It has been such a pleasure, and absolute fun, to search for this information and post them here for us all to help fill in the gaps. I thought it was important to supply the evidence from the newspapers at the time, so we are virtually certain of who hosted what. I've hit a stumbling block though, as I have exhausted all current online google searches for newspapers. My next step might have to be a visit to a large city library that contains newspapers on microfiche, and sit through endless copies of newspaper TV guides - absolute bliss for me ... ha ha.

Of course, if anyone else has access to such a library, and wants to help fill in gaps, that would be just so fantastic. Together, we will get there - every episode to air on ABC from 1974 to 1987.

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Here's one for the Top 80 shows they played over summer holidays 1977/1978. I didn't realise they played them on Tuesday nights.

SMH-1976-01-05

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Another one, this one the final of the Top 80 specials ...

1976-02-02-Top100-Final

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

80 songs in 55 minutes?

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

The Top 80's from early 1976 started on January 6th (Tuesday night) and ran for 5 weeks. So I guess they played 20 songs per show.

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

RetroTragic
The Top 80's from early 1976 started on January 6th (Tuesday night) and ran for 5 weeks. So I guess they played 20 songs per show.
Ahh, now that makes more sense. Cheers.

(and to be picky, 80 songs over 5 weeks would be 16 songs per show, which would just about cram into 55 minutes given the average length of singles back then)

Re: 1976 Countdown Hosts

Oh yeah, maths is not my strongest. :blush: With each song going for three or four minutes (about standard), that makes sense.