That leaves 4 hours and 10 minutes to show maybe four Countdown episodes and a few songs, or five Countdown episodes back-to-back. Rage continues from 5am, but doesn't say Retro Month - let's hope it is.

Let's also hope they don't play any Recovery, Countdown Revolution or The Factory. They usually save that up for the last week in Retro Month, which may only give us three weeks of possible Countdown episodes.

Great news although I can't see any sign of that on the rage site or facey.

For a while now they have ended Retro programming at 5am so I wouldn't expect anything in the 5-7am slot.

A pity that repeats of Deep Water are shown after midnight leaving just 4 hours and 10 min, which is a bit shorter than usual but still has potential for a good night depending on what they choose. They have tended to play Countdown on the first night recently before digressing to other items. With Countdown episodes being roughly 52 min they will probably play related stand alone clips in between. If they were to play Countdown then 4 episodes would be about 3.5 hours. You could fit in a Hitscene and a GTK to fill the remaining 40 minutes but I suspect it will be common space-filler clips.

I will just hope for some non-repeated Countdowns.

Soz, but as much as i live Countdown (No.3 fan after Jason and Guru) and want heaps ilof unrepeated episodes, i have put in a request for an episode of The Factory or snippets from 1988 (their most succesful year) I suggested 29/10/88 Ep.52 with Bros and Transvision Vamp live in the studio. I posted this 5 times on their retro month Insta page so hopefully it gets a look in. Thanks again Guru for posting The Factory episodes on this forum many years ago. Giving them all the details will save them time searching through the vault!!

Only SIX more sleeps until ....

These are the Countdown episodes which have not yet aired on Rage. Which would you like to see?

1980

226 February 10 1980 Ted Mulry (Ted Mulry Gang)
237 April 27 1980 Gil Tucker (Cop Shop actor)
240 (May 18 1980) Steve Gilpin (Mi-Sex) from Brisbane *****lost episode******
241 (May 25 1980) Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) replaced Gary Numan***lost ep***

1981

272 February 15 1981 Dennis and Ray (Dr Hook)
275 March 8 1981 Molly (insert show due staging assistants strike)
290 June 21 1981 Jon English
296 August 9 1981 Craig Johnston (Mother Goose)
- September 29 1981 Wendy Stapleton (Wendy & The Rocketts) (standby program)
304 October 4 1981 Swanee
314 December 13 1981 James Reyne (Australian Crawl)

1982

- January 10 1982 Molly (Summer Special #4 Export bands)
330 May 30 1982 Ray and Dennis (Dr Hook)
351 October 31 1982 no host (Advance Australia theme - songs introduced by live acts)
355 November 28 1982 Tim Finn
356 December 5 1982 Wendy Stapleton (Wendy & The Rocketts)

1983

367 April 24 1983 episode not confirmed to exist - possibly missing
371 May 22 1983 no host
373 June 5 1983 Wendy Stapleton (Wendy & The Rocketts)
374 June 12 1983 Tim Finn
376 June 26 1983 Greedy Smith (Mental As Anything)
378 July 10 1983 John Hood (EONFM) and Keith Neill (Muir?) (7HT)
388 September 18 1983 James Reyne and Brad Robinson (Australian Crawl)
389 September 25 1983 Pat Wilson
392 October 16 1983 Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)
398 November 27 1983 James Reyne (Australian Crawl)
399 December 4 1983 Ross Wilson (Mondo Rock)
- December 5 1983 standby program of Molly’s favourite bands/videos

1984

405 February 26 1984 Alex Smith (Moving Pictures)
417 May 20 1984 Marc Hunter (Dragon)
425 July 15 1984 State Heats Beatstreet competition
430 August 19 1984 David Reyne (Takeaways)
432 September 2 1984 Thriller Dance competition (not in ABC archives?)
442A November 17 1984 U2 Special

1985

450 February 17 1985 Richard (No Nonsense) and Eric (Mondo Rock)
451 February 24 1985 Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)
452 March 3 1985 Marc Hunter (Dragon)
460 April 28 1985 Ben (teenager)
463 May 26 1985 Meatloaf
464 June 2 1985 Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)
468 June 30 1985 Molly interviews David Lee Roth
469 July 7 1985 Angry Anderson
471 July 21 1985 Dave and Brad (Hoodoo Gurus)
478 September 8 1985 Richard Bruce (No Nonsense)
480 September 22 1985 no host
481 September 29 1985 Greedy Smith (Mental As Anything)
483 October 13 1985 Lyn Buckfield (Electric Pandas)
485 October 27 1985 Kids In The Kitchen
489 November 24 1985 Brian Canham (Pseudo Echo)
- December 29 1985 Summer Show No 1

1986

- January 5 1986 Summer Show No 2
- January 12 1986 Summer Show No 3
- January 19 1986 Summer Show No 4
- January 26 1986 Summer Show No 5
496 February 16 1986 Martin Plaza (Mental As Anything)
499 March 9 1986 Molly (interviews Stevie Nicks)
501 March 23 1986 Bernie Lynch and Grace Knight (Eurogliders)
502 March 30 1986 Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)
505 April 20 1986 Live program prior to Countdown Awards
506 April 27 1986 Robert Blackwood (Molly chose him at a Sting concert)
508 May 11 1986 Molly (interviews Lloyd Cole & The Commotions)
510 May 25 1986 Video Story Board Competition
511 June 1 1986 Martin Plaza (Mental As Anything)
513 June 15 1986 Brian Canham (Pseudo Echo)
514 June 22 1986 Replacement program - Oz For Africa highlights
515 June 29 1986 not known to exist but probably in ABC archives
516 July 6 1986 Molly (interviews in London)
521 August 10 1986 Molly (interviews Elton John re. Tour)
522 August 17 1986 Molly (interviews Elton John re. marriage)
523 August 24 1986 Molly (interviews Bananarama)
524 August 31 1986 Molly (interviews Neil Finn and Paul Hester)
525 September 7 1986 Molly (interviews Red Symons)
528 September 28 1986 Stephen Cummings (insert show)
531 October 19 1986 Angry Anderson and Joe Cocker
532 October 26 1986 Molly (from Adelaide Grand Prix)
534 November 9 1986 Molly (interviews David Sylvian)
538 December 7 1986 Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)

1987

542 February 22 1987 David Reyne
547 March 29 1987 Mondo Rock
548 April 5 1987 Paul Young
552 May 3 1987 Molly (Georgia Satellites interview)
557 June 7 1987 Molly (live bands intro next segment)
559 June 21 1987 Greedy Smith and Red Symons

Definitely a Dr Hook hosting bonanza would be good...February 1981 & May 1982.

Arghhhh, the ABC so annoy me. rage is always the last priority of their list and in this country particularly MUSIC ALWAYS COMES LAST!

If rage play 4 Countdown's in a row then it will be a good night of programming but stil, rage usually starts around 11:45 and that is a good houir lost that could have included more retro times seeing we lost an extra weekend in January!

The anxiety and pressure begins! Arghhhhhhh

Any 1986 or 87 episode would be good because I missed most of them because I was working shift work. It will be a whole new adventure seeing them for the first time.

Retro Month 2021: Week One



Join us for the first instalment of Retro Month, Saturday February 6 from 11am, and later that night from 12:50am on ABC TV.

You’ve been hanging out for it for an entire year, and now, our long-awaited Retro Month is finally here.

We’ve spent countless hours combing through the vault and sifting through your requests to line up a month of unrivalled retro goodness – from vintage music videos, lives performances, rarely seen interviews, full episodes of Countdown, Rock Arena, and GTK, and more old school treats.

And now, we suggest you get your combs on standby, because in week one of Retro Month the hair is going to be as big as the hits. That’s right, we’re taking you back to the 1980s. At 11am we’ll be taking you back exactly 40 years to 1981, before heading even deeper into the hair-raising decade later that night with Countdown episodes featuring Australian Crawl, Dr. Hook and more.

So, clear your schedule, set the VCR to record and join us for the first instalment of Retro Month: Saturday February 6 from 11am, and later that night from 12:50am on ABC TV.

Even shorter than Week One, by eight minutes. Last year, Rage was starting much earlier:

2020

Week One - 11.29pm
Week Two - 11.00pm
Week Three - 10.30pm

We're getting ripped off even more this year. Not only are we getting just four weeks in February, rather than our five weeks we would have got in January. We are also losing up to two and a half hours (each night) of Retro time by starting at nearly 1am.

People need to contact rage via email like myself and Patrick do and ask for an extra weekend in March!

The way I get many requests played is to email them, no point in whinging and not contacting them. It is completely not fair how we have been ripped off an extra weekend and now these late starts in February but voices need to be spoken to them to get the message!

Saturday night 6 February 2021 on ABC 1

PLAYLIST

12:30am

SPACE INVADERS Player One (WEA)
DEVO - LIVE ON COUNTDOWN Workin' In A Coalmine (Warner)
SPLIT ENZ I Got You (Fest/Mush)
COUNTDOWN April 27, 1980 (237: Gil Tucker, Mental As Anything, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons) (ABC)
SIOUXSIE and THE BANSHEES Spellbound (Independent)
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY Nick The Stripper (Mushroom)

2:00am

COUNTDOWN December 13, 1981 (314: James Reyne, Australian Crawl, Joe Dulce) (ABC)

2:30am

THE CHURCH - LIVE ON COUNTDOWN Unguarded Moment (EMI)
THE CURE Charlotte Sometimes (Warner)

3:00am

COUNTDOWN May 28, 1982 (330: Dr Hook, Sardine) (ABC)

3:30am

DURAN DURAN Hungry Like The Wolf (EMI)
COUNTDOWN February 26, 1984 (405, Alex Smith from Moving Pictures) (ABC)
GARY NUMAN Down In The Park (Warner)

5:00am

DAVID BOWIE - LIVE China Girl (Virgin)
DAVID BOWIE Sorrow (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE - LIVE Fame (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE Valentine's Day (Universal)
DAVID BOWIE Fashion (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE D.J. (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE Life On Mars (EMI)
COUNTDOWN Interview with David Bowie, November 10th, 1978 ()

5:30am

DAVID BOWIE - LIVE Suffragette City (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE- LIVE Ziggy Stardust (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE Ashes To Ashes (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE Be My Wife (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE Strangers When We Meet (EMI)
DAVID BOWIE I'd Rather Be High (Sony)
DAVID BOWIE Little Wonder (BMG)
DAVID BOWIE Boys Keep Swinging (EMI)

I'm very happy with the Countdowns they have chosen - all from early 80s. I prefer them to later 80s. Disappointing that they are repeating film clips we've seen plenty of times already in between Countdowns. Still annoyed that they aren't showing more Countdowns, and that they aren't starting at an earlier time, say around 11pm like last year. The sad possibility is that they will show less Countdowns and more other shows as February progresses - let's hope not.

Only one more sleep til ....

Starting off the night with a bang with Space Invaders. I enjoy Countdowns from every era so happy with whatever they play. The one hosted by dorky Constable Roy Baker from Cop Shop should be fun. A Rock Arena would be nice though hopefully we'll get a couple in the next few weeks.

B

A great first night of Countdown in Retro Month. Loved all four episodes. The ABC logo was placed way over on the right, away from the picture. In the past, the logo has infringed on the picture, which was very annoying.

Enjoyed seeing Roy Baker hosting from a mock up of the Cop Shop set. Great night except for the horrible Nick Cave video

I was SO happy that the logo was placed right to the right as it makes 4.3 recording PERFECT!

There is NEVER a need for bard on COuntdown and I always record in 4.3 and this year so far the logo was perfectly put to the right so I can archive my Countdown's as they SHOULD BE!

Without bragging, you can thank me for the Countdown Episodes that were selected.

All four episodes were from my request list which rage emailed me back about saying to me they would play as much as possible from my list, YAY!

If they continue the rest of the month with my requests you will see more AMAZING episodes as I chose well, I must say!

Definitely want 15 June 1986 (fingers crossed).

Retro Month 2021: Week Two



Tune in for week two of Retro Month, Saturday February 13, from 11am, and later that night from 12:56am on ABC TV.

Keep your shoulder pads on and continue rocking that perm, because it’s week two of Retro Month and we’re still firmly in the 1980s.

This time, we’re taking you to the music scenes of 1983, 1986 and 1989 with full episodes of Rock Arena, featuring interviews and performances by Hunters and Collectors, TISM and more.

Tune in from 11am Saturday February 13 to re-live the 1989 Aussie charts. Then tune back in later that night from 12:56am to catch full episodes of Rock Arena on ABC TV.

And on Rage's Facebook page ....

rage aired a 20 minute TISM live concert segment from October 1988 in May 2020, as part of the TISM special, which repeated their 1995 rage guest programming. I've no doubt that this footage (which has a Rock Arena logo on it at the start) is from the 1989 episode being repeated this weekend.

So a third of one of the three Rock Arena episodes being shown aired less than a year ago on rage. Ugh.

Not excited about this coming weekend's show at all.

Yep, it's not looking good for more Countdowns this weekend, which is disappointing. It's only the second weekend of Retro Month and they're already ditching the Countdown episodes. If past years are anything to go by, it usually gets worse towards the end of the month. Let's hope they turn it around in week 3 and 4. But I have a horrible feeling they haven't got round to playing post-Countdown shows yet.

rage did mention GTK in their blurb last week.

I think next weekend will be GTK and maybe one COuntdown or two.

I hope they ditch the i90's, there is no need for any 90's s h i t

Pretty chuffed that we are finally getting some Rock Arena's-would be better though if they mixed them together instead of all Countdown's one week and all Rock Arena's the next.

Yes Jason, let's hope they fit some more Countdowns in before February finishes, otherwise 2021 will be known as the year with ONLY four Countdowns .... terrible!

RETRO MONTH - WEEK TWO

Saturday night 13 February 2021 on ABC1

PLAYLIST

12:30am

ROCK ARENA August 30, 1983 (Ep 21: Elvis Costello, Stray Cats, the Stranglers) (ABC)

2:00am

ROCK ARENA November 22, 1986 (Ep 88: Japan, Hunters & Collectors) (ABC)
ROCK ARENA January 31, 1989 (Ep 52: Black Sorrows, TISM) (ABC)
STONE ROSES She Bangs The Drums (Universal (MCA))
THE SUGARCUBES Regina (Lib/Sony)
KATE BUSH Love And Anger (EMI)
MIKE & THE MECHANICS The Living Years (Virgin)
THE BEACH BOYS Kokomo (Warner)
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK You Got It (The Right Stuff) (Sony)

4:30am

KATE CEBERANO Bedroom Eyes (Mushroom)
FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS She Drives Me Crazy (Polydor)
CHER If I Could Turn Back Time (Geffen)
THE BANGLES Eternal Flame (Festival)
THE PROCLAIMERS I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) (Festival)
ROXETTE The Look ()
MADONNA Like A Prayer (Warner)

5:00am

THE CURE Love Song (Warner)
THE PIXIES Monkey Gone To Heaven (Shock)
THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN Head On (Universal (MCA))
NEW ORDER Round & Round (Fest/Mush)
PETER MURPHY Cuts You Up (RCA)
ENYA Orinoco Flow (Warner)
TOM PETTY Free Fallin' (MCA)
BILLY JOEL We Didn't Start The Fire (Sony)

5:30am

WOMACK & WOMACK Teardrops (Universal)
NENEH CHERRY Buffalo Stance (Virgin)
TONE LOC Funky Cold Medina (Festival)
FAITH NO MORE Epic (Festival)
YOUNG MC Bust A Move (Polydor)
DONNA SUMMER This Time I Know It's For Real (Warner)
THE B-52S Love Shack (Warner)

I can't believe rage are wasting an hour of dedicated retro month time (pre-5 a.m.) to repeat the top 10 singles of 1989 from Saturday morning, as well as some other videos from 1989 that have all been aired in the last few years.

If they were dead-set on covering 1989 this weekend, they could have fit two unrepeated Countdown Revolutions into that timeslot.

So much for them delaying retro month so they could dig deep into the vaults...

I bet the GTK episodes are the ones they pulled out to play clip snippets for the Max Merritt tribute.

It doesn't really bother me but I would have preferred another Rock Arena,Countdown Revolution or even a Factory episode rather than clips that are easy to access on you tube.

So, does anyone have the details on the final Rock Arena of 1989?

TISM and The Black Sorrows sounds DIRE but just wanted to know if anything else was in there?

When looking at the Playlist I did expect after the 1989 Rock Arena, for there to be maybe another Rock Arena or some Countdown Revolution or maybe a Countdown ... But more towards a COuntdown Revolution because of the time frame.

Like Nathan, I also think that seeing rage are playing a 1989 Rock Arena, that they should have played 2 Countdown Revolution episodes to continue the 1989 theme or at least one! ... I did suggest to rage a bunch of 1989 Countdown Revolutions, that would have worked well instead of boring 1989 clips that they play over and over.

It's rather annoying that rage starts so late in February as it is and then to see that rage are not utilising their 'rage goes retro' time with as much ARCHIVAL ABC PROGRAMS is rather silly! I'm sure as much as myself and many prefer Countdown at least two Countdown Revolutions would have been really suitable for this weekend! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Extremely disappointed in last night's Rage Retro night. I found myself fast forwarding everything. I'm not a big fan of 1989, and I certainly didn't find the likes of Tism or Hunters & Collectors one bit interesting or enjoyable. Oh well, let's hope they see sense and return to some more 80s Countdown next week.

Didnt watch one second of any of it. All those videos on the 1983 episode are readily available from millions of other sources. Cant really comment on 1986 but there must be more interesting Rock Arenas around than these. Then again, maybe not. It would make far more sense to request Countdowns, I cannot see the fascination with Rock Arena. Some of the shows I watched at the time were OK and it was a good way of catching up with some items that Countdown never showed, but it is hardly a program in which one can wallow in the nostalgia, as one can do with any Countdown pre-1985. Let us face it, the first week was endlessly better than all this (mostly) dross. No more Rock Arenas please. And 1989 - as Jason would say - urghhhhhh....how many times can one show the selection of videos they showed from that year. Even Countdown Revolution would have been far better.

I fear that this may be it for anything of interest this year, making this the worst Retro season of all time. Next up will be the 1990s then the 2000s. Dont forget even that period is 20 years ago now. See you all next Summer - hopefully January and thats less time to wait!!

... and January 2022 has 5 weeks of Saturdays, like this year. They had better not stuff it up by "postponing" til February again.

I for one really enjoyed RockA rena in the 80s and still now. It's nostalgic for me and I got to record some AMAZING Dance and Alternative videos on RA in the 80s which Countdown didn't play.

COuntdown is my NUMBER ONE but I loved Rock Arena and The Noise on SBS desperately!

You can blame me for the 1986 Rock Arena as I requested it for the David Sylvian interview as I am a huge Japan and Sylvian fan and I LOVE that interview that Suzanne conducted with My Sylvian xxxx Sigh ...

I however HATED the 1989 ROck Arena and stopped the recorder and stopped watching, I LOATHE The Black Sorrows and 1989 is ****E.


I don';t have any high hopes for week 3 this weekend but live in hope that week 4, rage play some Countdown!

All four Countdown episodes on Week 1 were on ym request list and I got one of the Rock Arena's I want so I should shut up BUT I won't because let's face it. We all want as much Countdown as possible!!!!!!!!!!


I think lots of GTK this weekend coming which is of NO interest to me! It's VILE

Let's hope week three and four have been allocated to Countdown episodes, as four Countdowns (so far) is nowhere near enough for Retro Month 2021.

One of the best things about Rock Arena aside from the videos and interviews is Suzanne Dowling - the previous host is okay but Suzanne is the best

Retro Month 2021: Week Three



Tune in to week three of Retro Month Saturday, February 20, from 11am, and later that night from 12:20am on ABC TV.

We’ve spent a couple of weeks in the 1980s, and now, for the third instalment of Retro Month we’re turning back the clock even further and heading to the big-haired era’s predecessor where bell-bottoms ruled supreme and disco was on the rise.

That’s right retro ragers, we’re taking you on a journey through the 1970s with full episodes of everyone’s favourite black and white Australian music TV shows – Hit Scene and GTK. We’ve scoured the vault for some of the most requested episodes we could find, to bring you live performances, interviews, and segments featuring Geordie, Ike and Tina Turner, Gillian Armstrong, David Cassidy, and more. Plus, we even stumbled across some extremely rare footage from beloved ABC program Flashez, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that.

But don't panic, all you 1960s enthusiasts, we'll also be playing a selection of clips to keep your inner flower child alive including music videos from The Byrds, to Elvis and everything in between.

Tune in to week three of Retro Month Saturday, February 20, from 11am to re-live some of the hits of 1971, then switch back to rage later that night from 12:20am to catch full episodes of Hit Scene, GTK and more. On ABC TV.

COMPLETE F U C K I N G - S H I T! Not even ONE Countdown after the 60s and 70s, seriously?

Yes, I am most annoyed. I was looking back at all the Countdowns aired on Rage in past years, and some years had up to 15 episodes. That's almost 4 per week, on average. They could've had more Countdowns this year too, if they started Rage at a decent time - 11pm instead of 1pm. There are so many 1986 shows still to play, I'm sure they could've aired a few of those. In past years they have also played Countdowns after 5am in the morning. This year has been one VERY poor effort from the ABC Rage team.

I notice that Rage are pretty much ignoring those who have requested more Countdown on their Facebook page. Whereas they are more willing and happy to respond to those praising the airing of Rock Arena, GTK and Hitscene. I'm glad those who want to see these shows are getting what they desire though - lucky for you. :smiley:

Variety is the spice of Retro month.

Saturday night 20 February 2021 on ABC 1

PLAYLIST

12:00am

KATE BUSH Hammer Horror (EMI)
HIT SCENE March 25, 1972 (Ep 127: Yvonne Barrett, Bee Gees, Jeff St John) (ABC)

12:30am

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN Jolene (Universal)
THE SWEET Fever Of Love ()

1:00am

HIT SCENE July 24, 1970 (Ep 59: Carousels, The Who, Shirley Bassey) (ABC)

1:30am

THE MASTER'S APPRENTICES Interviewed on GTK, 1971 (ABC)
THE MASTER'S APPRENTICES Future Of Our Nation (EMI)
GTK February 6, 1974 (Ep 787: Geordie, Gillian Armstrong, Digby Richards) (ABC)
FLASHEZ Segment on Tattooing, 1977 (ABC)
BLACK SABBATH Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Vertigo)
LED ZEPPELIN Stairway To Heaven (Warner)

2:00am

RAINBOW Long Live Rock & Roll (Polydor)
FLASHEZ Vox Pops- Alice Cooper Concert, 1977 (ABC)
ALICE COOPER I'm Eighteen (EMI)
ROY ORBISON Interview at Pentridge Prison, 1975 ()
ROY ORBISON Crying (Virgin)
JOY DIVISION - LIVE Transmission (Fest/Mush)
HIT SCENE March 13, 1971 (Ep 82: Deep Purple, The Carpenters, Johnny Chester) (ABC)

2:30am

THE CARPENTERS Superstar (Independent)

3:00am

THE CARPENTERS Rainy Days And Mondays (Polydor)
THE CARPENTERS Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (Polydor)
FLASHEZ Interview with David Cassidy, 1976 (ABC)
GTK February 25, 1974 (Ep 793: David Cassidy, Geordie) (ABC)
RICHARD CLAPTON Suit Yourself (Infinity)
ALISON MacCALLUM & FRESHWATER I Ain't Got The Time (Live at the Doncaster Sound Theatre, 1971) (RCA)
PINK FLOYD Time (Polydor)

3:30am

JOAN ARMATRADING Bottom To The Top (A & M Records)
THE TOURISTS Deadly Kiss (RCA)
SYLVESTER Mighty Real (Festival)
STARLAND VOCAL BAND Afternoon Delight (RCA Victor)
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA Mr. Blue Sky (EMI)
GTK Ike & Tina Turner, 1975 (Rage)

4:00am

HIT SCENE April 11, 1970 (Ep 41) (ABC)

4:30am

AXIOM My Baby's Gone (Warner)
BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS Interview - GTK, 1970 (Festival)
BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS - LIVE ON GTK Most People I Know (Festival)
THE BEE GEES Spicks & Specks (Polydor)
THE ATLANTICS Bombora...The Next Generation (Independent)
THE BEACH BOYS Cabin Essence (Capital Records)

5:00am

ELVIS PRESLEY Suspicious Minds (Sony)
ROY ORBISON Oh, Pretty Woman (London)
LESLEY GORE You Don't Own Me (Philips)
THE KINKS You Really Got Me (Fest/Mush)
THE MONKEES Last Train To Clarksville (RCA)
THE SUPREMES Stop In The Name Of Love (EMI)
THE BEACH BOYS I Get Around (EMI)
THE ROLLING STONES Jumping Jack Flash (Sony)
THE EASYBEATS Friday On My Mind (EMI)
THE ANIMALS House Of The Rising Sun (Polydor)
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL I Put A Spell On You (Festival)

5:30am

THE BYRDS Turn Turn Turn (Sony)
JIMI HENDRIX Are You Experienced? (Polydor)
BLACK DIAMONDS, THE - Live on Be Our Guest, 1966 I Want, Need, Love You (ABC)
ETTA JAMES Baby, What You Want Me To Do (CBS)
LEE HAZLEWOOD & NANCY SINATRA Some Velvet Morning (Reprise Records)
SERGE GAINSBOURG & BRIGITTE BARDOT Bonnie And Clyde ()
SLIM DUSTY Pub With No Beer (EMI)

At Gary,

Variety is not the spice of life when we are into week 3 and only 4 Countdown's!rage are opening with Kate Bush - Hammer Horror and it's the video, at least play the 1978 Countdown performance so one Countdown piece can be shown!

And variety? The so called RARE Flashez material ... The Alice Cooper Vox-Pops at concert is a repeat, rage have already played that insert and they have already played the Roy Orbison at Pentridge interview as they have Joy Division with Transmission.

If they are going to do 70s at least play more Flashez inserts that haven't been played.

The fact is that most people are requesting Countdown and rage are ignoring most people. If Countdown was played outside of rage as it should be on ABC then it would be fine but instead we have to wait all f u c k i n g year and 4 Countdown's in a matter of 3 weeks and one extra weekend lost because rage shifted their rage goes retro from January to February. Not to mention the WASTE of weekend two with an hour to spare from 4 - 5 am and they repeat the 1989 Top 10 when that could have been 2 Countdown Revolutions, if they really wanted to stick to the 1989 theme. So much for needing an extra month to 'dig into the vaults'.

Well, I sure hope Rage redeem themselves and play plenty of Countdowns next week, because 4 Countdowns is NOT enough in Retro Month. Sadly, my money is on them playing late 80s and 90s rubbish like The Factory, Recovery or Countdown Revolution. They usually do in the last week of Retro Month. I just hope it isn't the last week, and that Rage see sense and add an extra week in March to make up for the lost weekend in January ... and play COUNTDOWN!!!