Countdown - the ABC of pop music
June 29th 2007 00:13
The definitive 70’s music program – hosted by the communicatively challenged – Ian (Molly) Meldrum, was essentially - either the yellow brick road to stardom - or the poison chalice from which burgeoning talent drank – never to be seen or heard of again.
A product of the ABC in the mid 70’s – the program was apparently earmarked to run as part of the station’s ‘quota’ of test transmissions in the run up to the launch of colour television in Australia in 1975 – with just eight half hour episodes budgeted for.
Much to the chagrin of senior ABC execs – the program proved a success and quickly epitomized the booming music scene of the 70’s.
The program’s historic ‘first’ screening as part of full scale colour transmission featured the then “King of Pop” – Johnny Farnham while the first group to appear was the Graeme “Shirley” Strachan led – Skyhooks.
Despite attempts by rival networks (including Seven with Sounds Unlimited – hosted by Donnie Sutherland and a re-launch of TCN-9’s Bandstand) nothing came close to capturing the both the imagination of the audience or the rapport Molly seem to enjoy with both local and international artists.
From Sherbet to AC/DC, ABBA to Hush, Blondie to Kiss – they were all there.
. . . and of course – so was Molly - for 13 (yes, count them 13) years.
When of course the show finally came to an end in 1987 – it’s number was well and truly up.
While multitudes were crushed by the decision – time had marched on – and the generational change had voted via the remote.
But let’s not forget the euphoria that engulfed Sunday nights as households around Australia turned in to satin jackets, bouffant hair styles and extra-ordinary talent.
Do yourself a favour . . . .
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