On BBC2 tonight....

[drakula63]

Was it worth a slot on BBC2? Why not? It's of legitimate interest.

Dave Clark is being entirely consistent in his behaviour if he made this doc. He also bought up Rediffusion's Ready Steady Go archive and repackaged the shows for later transmission on the BBC. His compilations always seemed to include the DC5 ...

But TWO hours?

I'd have thought BBC Four would have been a better place for it.

(Me thinks that a Shadows documentary is LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG overdue!!!!)

[Iain Purdon]

It's more BBC4 than 2, I agree.

[dave robinson]

Sadly a Shadows documentry would only attract a narrow band of viewers which is probably why none of the T.V. companies are interested. Fact is, the DC-5 were massive in America too, although I was never an ardent fan. They made some decent hits though.

[stephen]

The DC5 were hyped mercilessly - some parties (southerners?) were desperate to de-throne/replace the Fab 4. Pathetic then - and certainly now.

Finally got around to watching it last night. I'd forgotten just how many hit records they had and also how big they were, stateside. Do recall being irritated by how often they were on TV at the time. Even though I was never that keen on them, must admit Mike Smith could really belt out those vocals and had a powerful 'rock' voice. Didn't realise that they were meant to be 'the south's' answer to The Beatles, though. Always thought that The 'Stones were supposed to be their southern rivals for chart success. To their credit, from what I've both remembered & read about that time, The Beatles were quite laid back, friendly & often generous in both appreciation and assistance to most of their contemporaries. Possibly they felt quite comfortable with their position & ranking in the pop hierarchy of the day........who knows?
Dave Clark himself? The documentary just reminded me of how much his appearance & drumming (although very powerful!), coupled with that almost manic smile, was like the Duracell bunny on speed! In later footage, just what had he done to those eyebrows of his? Most strange! Also didn't realise what a Svengali-type figure he was behind the scenes, controlling everything and the other band members being just paid employees.
Obviously his shrewdness & business acumen paid off and he still maintains a comfortable lifestyle.
Must watch that Joe Meek film next.
Stephen.

[Iain Purdon]

... the other band members being just paid employees

Paying band members was not at all unusual, though. When Tony and Jet left The Shadows, their successors Brian, Licorice and John were all paid employees through to the first disbandment in 1968. Subsequent players were simply hired as freelance musicians for the recording or gig.

[Mike Honey]

As a Tottenham born and bred lad I watched the DC5 every Friday/Saturday that they played at the Royal. It was quite a short residence once 'Glad all over' became a hit. They had a very big sound ( due mainly to the sax/organ combination). Dave Clark was never going to be the worlds best drummer but neither was Ringo. I enjoyed the programme and the nostalgia!!

[RayL]

At the very end of the programme's credits was 'Executive Producer for the BBC - Mark Cooper', or something similar. For many years, Mark Cooper* has been overseeing BBC TV music programmes for a wide range of popular music. His name crops up on credits time and time again.

My guess is that Mark Cooper actually 'toned down' the programme that was offered to the BBC by Dave Clark. His job would have been to ensure more of a 'balanced view' before it was transmitted. Obviously the chance to see so much good quality vintage footage could not be turned down, but the 'ego trip' nature of the production that we saw might well be less than on the original edit!

If there is a DVD release (without the influence of Mark Cooper) it would be interesting to see what the original edit looked like!

*Mark Cooper made one 'on-screen' appearance back in the 1990s. There was a music programme (i forget the name) which had for it's opening credits a band bursting into BBC Television Centre Main Reception. A 'down-and-out' in the corner is startled out of sleep. The 'down-and-out' was Mark Cooper, obviously taking part in a private joke, rather like John Peel playing mandolin on Rod Stewart's 'Maggie May' for TOTP.

[anniv 63]

Just noticed on Amazon, that the DC5 documentary was released on DVD in America in May 2014.
Its Region 1 of course and seems to have about 2 hours extra bonus footage in the form of a Mike Smith interview,
full song performances and that colour pop film they made called Hold ON that lasts about an hour or so.
Hold On did get a broadcast on Channel 4 some time around 1989/90 when they also showed re runs of Ready Steady go.
It would be good if the Ready Steady Go shows were repackaged and remastered on DVD as official releases.
However no doubt after a few days someone would upload to You Tube, making a certain Mr Clark unhappy!!!
The great pity is he has a massive archive of rare material, which it seems we will be unable to see in our remaining life times,
and we are the generation that it is relevant and of interest to.

Mike

[drakula63]

There is, of course, a HUGE difference between being popular and popular and influential. If one was to compare how 'influential' both the Shadows and the DC5 were and remain, I would suggest that the Shadows were far more influential and, in the pre-Beatles days, probably just as popular. Which is why I am still mystified as to why there has never been a good Shadows documentary on either BBC 2 or BBC 4.

I have a friend who works at the BBC. I shall try to get some suggestions heard by the right people. I shall say no more.

Stay tuned.

[neil2726]

It seems Dave Clark did ok for himself and has a £12 million mansion in London, whereas when Mike Smith died, I believe he left a modest £66,000!