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Pick of the Pops

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Pick of the Pops
GenreMusic
Running time120 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home station
Hosted by
Produced by
    • Heather Wall (2018–2020)
    • Tom Du Croz (2015–2018, 2020–present)
    • Kellie White (2020)
    • Phil "The Collector" Swern (1989–1992, 1997–2023)
Executive producer(s)Tom Du Croz (2015–2018, 2020–present)
Richard Power (2018–2019)
Recording studioBroadcasting House, London (1955–1972, 1989–1992, 1997–2006, 2024–present)
Wogan House, London (2006–2024)
Maida Vale Studios (2023–24)
Original release4 October 1955 –
present
Audio formatStereophonic
Opening theme"At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal" by Brass Incorporated
Websitewww.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wqx7

Pick of the Pops is a long-running BBC Radio programme; it was based originally on the Top 20 from the UK Singles Chart and was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on 4 October 1955.[1] It transferred to BBC Radio 1 (simulcast on BBC Radio 2) from 1967 to 1972.[2] The show returned to the BBC in 1989 and its current production run started on BBC Radio 2 in 1997.

Its longest-serving presenters were Alan Freeman from 1961 to 1962 and from 1964 to 2000 and Dale Winton from 2000 to 2010. The current host is Mark Goodier, who returned to the show as its permanent presenter from 6 July 2024, following the death of Steve Wright.

Original format (1955–72)

Initially, the show did not feature chart music, but in September 1957, Alan Dell introduced the format of running through the charts of the week; he played the top tens from various music papers, plus entries to the top 20s.

David Jacobs broadcast the first averaged BBC Top 20 to the helm on Saturday 29 March 1958. Alan Freeman took over in September 1961, taking the show to a regular Sunday slot in January 1962. The programme ended in September 1972, while the Top 20 continued as part of Solid Gold Sixty.

Freeman, who became the show's longest-serving presenter, had been a radio announcer in Melbourne, Australia. He arrived in Britain in 1957 and joined the Light Programme in 1960 to present Records Around Five. That same year, he replaced David Jacobs as presenter of Pick of the Pops, which was then part of a Saturday evening programme called Trad Tavern, named after traditional jazz, which had a following at the time. Pick of the Pops became a separate programme in January 1962;[3] it was produced by Derek Chinnery.

Denys Jones (producer 1961–72) and Freeman split the programme into four sections: chart newcomers, new releases, LPs and the Top 10.[3] The programme attracted large audiences, as the BBC had "needle time" restrictions and could play relatively few commercially available recordings each week. Freeman continued with the show when it moved to Radio 1 and stayed until the programme ended on 24 September 1972.[4]

Revivals

Freeman revived Pick of the Pops on London station Capital Radio in 1982. This format was broadcast on Capital until 1988, as Pick of the Pops – Take Two, combining the new chart (Top 15s compiled successively by Record Business, the NME and MRIB) with a chart from the past. In 1989, Freeman returned to Radio 1 where the show featured three past charts each week; it was produced by Phil Swern until March 1992 and by Sue Foster for the rest of 1992.[5] Freeman stood down from the programme in 1992, after stating then that he would not present the show again and signed off with The Beatles' "The End".

However, Freeman revived the show on Capital Gold in April 1994 as Pick of the Pops – Take Three.[6]

BBC Radio 2 era (1997–present)

Alan Freeman (April 1997 – April 2000)

Alan Freeman at the BBC (1973)

Pick of the Pops returned to the BBC as an independent production by Unique Broadcasting on BBC Radio 2 on 5 April 1997, with Freeman now counting down two archive charts each Saturday afternoon, featuring the top 10s and interspersing trivia about the records, again researched by producer Swern. Fluff featured the years 1956 to 1992.

Dale Winton (April 2000 – October 2010)

Due to poor health, Freeman retired from radio broadcasting after presenting his last edition of the show on 1 April 2000. He was replaced by Dale Winton, who joined him on this edition. Winton first presented the show solo on 8 April 2000.[7] The regular weekly edition ended on 28 August 2004, with limited broadcast of special editions on Bank Holidays.

Pick of the Pops then returned every week in September 2005, on a Sunday afternoon, again presented by Winton. The BBC then moved the show to a Saturday lunchtime slot in April 2009, where it remains today.[8]

Winton presented his final Pick of the Pops on 30 October 2010, stepping down due to other commitments. During his tenure, years between 1957 and 1999 were featured.

Tony Blackburn (November 2010 – February 2016)

On 24 September 2010, it was announced that Tony Blackburn would replace Winton. His first show aired on 6 November 2010. Although the show was pre-recorded during the Winton era, from 29 January 2011 the show was mostly broadcast live, which allowed Blackburn to interact with listeners through emails and text messages. In August 2015, Tom Du Croz joined Swern as a producer. Blackburn was dismissed by the BBC on 25 February 2016, having presented his last edition of the show five days earlier which featured 1966 and 1974. Blackburn featured the years 1956 to 2001. Blackburn was dismissed by the BBC in February 2016.[9]

Paul Gambaccini (July 2016 – October 2023)

Following Blackburn's dismissal, Mark Goodier became a presenter temporarily between 27 February and 2 July 2016[10] Goodier returned to Pick of The Pops as its permanent host from 6 July 2024. [11]

Paul Gambaccini presented the show from 2016 to 2023.

Paul Gambaccini became a presenter of Pick of the Pops on 9 July 2016, still produced by Swern and Du Croz. Du Croz was later replaced by Heather Wall but returned in 2020. At the start of his tenure as a presenter, Gambaccini featured music from the Billboard charts, along with the UK top 20, but this ended in 2017. Mark Goodier presented the 6 January and 24 February 2018 editions as Gambaccini was absent due to weather disruption and illness. Early in the Coronavirus pandemic, the show was voice-tracked (although still live) due to Gambaccini being unable to travel to Wogan House.

Noel Gallagher guest hosted the show on 29 May 2021, to mark his birthday, becoming the only celebrity guest host in the show's history, playing music from the chart dated 25 May 1967 (his birth year) and 2 June 1979.[12] Gary Davies guest hosted the show on 21 and 28 August 2021 and 2 July 2022.

During this time on the show Gambaccini played fewer 1960s and early 1970s charts from 2020 onwards due to the change in Radio 2 music policy; the 1950s were last featured in 2017. Instead he played more mid to late 1990s and early 2000s charts during this time as host. His featured years were 1958-2006. He played 1982 and 1987 most during his era, both featuring over 30 times over a 7 and half year period.

Gambaccini announced his departure from the show on 12 August 2023, and his final show was broadcast on 7 October, featuring charts from October 1970, the week he first came to the UK, and October 1993. This show was also the last to be produced by Swern, who left the show after over 30 years.

Steve Wright (October 2023 – February 2024)

On 10 August 2023, it was announced that Steve Wright would become the new host from 14 October. His first regular show on 21 October featured charts from 1984 and 1990.[13] Wright provided longer links than Gambaccini or Winton as he told listeners facts about the acts & bands in the top 20, along with the featured year, which has continued into the Davies and Goodier eras. Wright died on 12 February 2024, whilst still the incumbent host with 1978 and 1986 being his final rundown on 10 February. Steve featured the years 1966 to 2002 during his tenure. During the Wright era, the show returned to being pre-recorded.

Mark Goodier (July 2024 - present)

Gary Davies took over as an interim host from 17 February until 29 June 2024, following Wright's sudden death. In his first show he featured the years Wright joined BBC Radios 1 and 2; 1980 and 1996 respectively. Davies' featured years were between 1968 and 2003. The show returned to being live for the first time since the end of the Gambaccini era.

It was announced on 15 April 2024, that Mark Goodier would return to the show to take over from Wright on a permanent basis from 6 July 2024, following his decision to leave Greatest Hits Radio.[14] Goodier's first show featured 1986 and 1998, and saw the return of listener messages being read out, as well as continuing to be live.

Presenters

  • Franklin Engelmann (1955)
  • Alan Dell (1956 and 1957–58)
  • David Jacobs (September 1956 – September 1957; March 1958 – September 1961; September – December 1962)
  • Don Moss (September – December 1963)
  • Alan Freeman (September 1961 – 1 April 2000)
  • Dale Winton (1 April 2000 – 30 October 2010)
  • Tony Blackburn (6 November 2010 – 20 February 2016)
  • Mark Goodier (Interim host between Blackburn's departure and Gambaccini's arrival, 27 February 2016 – 2 July 2016, plus two shows as stand in cover for Gambaccini in January and February 2018; 6 July 2024 – present)
  • Paul Gambaccini (9 July 2016 – 7 October 2023)
  • Noel Gallagher (one show stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 29 May 2021)
  • Gary Davies (three shows as stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 21 and 28 August 2021, 2 July 2022 and interim host between Wright’s death and Goodier’s return; 17 February – 29 June 2024)
  • Scott Mills (one show as stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 16 April 2022)
  • Steve Wright (National Album Day specials, 15 October 2022; 21 October 2023 – 10 February 2024)

Theme music

Between 1961 and 1966, the theme tune was "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal" written and performed by Brian Fahey and his Orchestra. In 1966 it was replaced with "Quite Beside The Point" by the Harry Roberts Sound but was reinstated in 1970, with a new recording by Brass Incorporated.

References

  1. ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Pick of the Pops - Available now". BBC. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Pick of the Pops". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b "BBC Radio 1 People – Alan Freeman – Not Arf!". Radio Rewind. 28 November 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ^ BBC Genome listing - 24 September 1972
  5. ^ BBC Genome listings
  6. ^ Alan Freeman's Guardian obituary by Adam Sweeting - 28 November 2006
  7. ^ BBC Genome listing - 8 April 2000
  8. ^ "Radio 2 announces new weekend schedule" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  9. ^ Quinn, Ben (25 February 2016). "Tony Blackburn says he will take legal action against BBC after alleged sacking". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  10. ^ Rawlinson, Kevin; Sweney, Mark (25 February 2016). "BBC 'parted company' with Tony Blackburn over Savile inquiry evidence". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  11. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68816377
  12. ^ BBC Programme Index - BBC Radio 2 listings 29 May 2021
  13. ^ Bushby, Helen (10 August 2023). "Steve Wright and Paul Gambaccini get new Radio 2 shows". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  14. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68816377

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