Top of the Pops

[drakula63]

Here's an interesting picture that I had not seen before. Found it on the getty images website.

It's from Top of the Pops but it doesn't give a year. My guess is that it is from 1965 and is from a performance of 'Don't Make My Baby Blue'.

I gather that there is a recording of this in the BBC archive, although it never seems to get shown and I haven't seen it on Youtube. It may not. of course, be a recording of this particular performance. Looks like Brian's in the Pit!

[iefje]

Or maybe "The Dreams I Dream"? Both tracks have a lead guitar and piano, but "Don't Make My Baby Blue" features more lead guitar than "The Dreams I Dream", so as Hank is behind a piano, my guess is the latter is probably played (or mimed to?). But I could be wrong of course.

[StuartD]

Hi

It's 'The Dreams I Dream'. I saw it at the time

I'm not sure if that is a Harpsichord. I seem to remember something about it at the time.



Regards

Stuart

[UlrichS]

If it's "The Dreams I Dream", this was broadcasted on 17. November 1966.

[drakula63]

Thanks. I had forgotten about the lead guitar. I suppose Hank could have jumped up and played that bit and then sat down again. So it seems unlikely that we shall ever see this again (on TV). A shame.

I can't imagine that this is a harpsichord as they are not usually upright. I think it is just a normal small upright piano.

[Derek Mowbray]

this must be a still photo, Top of The Pops was still in black and white at this time.

[Uncle Fiesta]

... I can't imagine that this is a harpsichord as they are not usually upright. I think it is just a normal small upright piano.

I'd like to say Mk II Mellotron, but fear this may just be wishful thinking.

[drakula63]

I probably should have posted the picture before I made it smaller. Some detail is lost...

It looks like an acoustic instrument to me.

[RayL]

TOTP? 1966? Surely they are singing to a backing track, which means that the instruments that you see are just props.

Having worked in the various BBC West London studios where TOTP was recorded in the '60's, '70's, '80's and '90's (in Lime Grove, Television Centre and Elstree) I can testify that a hire company would deliver drums, amps, pianos, whatever was needed for the show. The drums would come with rubber discs for the heads (and probably snares removed) to cut down on acoustic noise when singing (using live mics) to tracks. Some identifiable instruments turned up many times, such as the white Shergold twin-neck guitar.

Obviously when a performer had a sponsorship deal, then that guitar (or other instrument) would be brought and used by the performer, but otherwise the band (and their management) were only too pleased not to have to bring a van-load of gear to the studio just to provide props.

There was a period when the Musician's Union insisted that new backing tracks were made for each TOTP performance. This was got round, of course, since reproducing the original (which might have taken days or weeks) was out of the question. On the morning of the show, a studio would be booked and the band would go through the motions of recording. When the MU rep turned up, he would be taken out to lunch and when he returned, lo and behold, a finished backing track was ready (really just a copy of the original) and everyone was happy.

[Graham C. Marshall]

RAY - I love this sort of 'behind the scenes' stuff. You'll probably have enough material for a book. Have you ever considered writing one?