The show, first broadcast from a converted church in Salford on New Year鈥檚 Day 1964, went on to win over the heart of a nation. Originally commissioned for only six episodes, Top of the Pops became compulsory viewing for decades. It reached music fans like no other show could, as viewers eagerly awaited their favourite band's all-important performance. There have been over 150 presenters, 13 logos and 10 different theme tunes. It has become a global brand transmitted in over 120 countries in which time Cliff Richard has managed to clock up a record 160 appearances.
 | | Sir Cliff does his thang! |
In its 1970s heyday the show attracted audiences of 15 million. However these figures dropped severely to just three million by 2002. Despite a revamp in 2003, which brought in star interviews, it failed to pull in new viewers and was moved to 大象传媒 Two. Former Shed Seven lead singer, York's Rick Witter, performed 10 times on the show. He believes 鈥渋t has lost its edge鈥 and that 鈥渢imes have now moved on.鈥 鈥淭he legacy of the show will stay with a certain era of people yet the sad fact is the new youth of today won鈥檛 bat an eyelid.鈥 | "Until we were on Top of the Pops, not even my gran believed I was in a successful rock band" | | Toby Jepson |
Rick was part of one of the first guitar bands of the 鈥楤ritpop鈥 era to appear live on the show. Originally however, critics slated the indie band for being on Top of the Pops. Yet this attitude soon changed with the likes of Supergrass and the Blue Tones following suit, with what Rick calls 鈥渢he resurgence of the guitar.鈥 鈥淭hey were very exciting times appearing on the show, yet there were too many polished pop stars who were miming throughout their performance. I would always sing live and took pride in this. I would even deliberately sing out of tune and change the odd word to prove this.鈥 The lead singer now with the Dukes admits one of the best things about the show was meeting such a variety of great people. 鈥淚 remember meeting Prince Naseem once when he had a collaboration single in the charts. I won鈥檛 forget because he jumped in front of me in the dinner queue.鈥
 | | Little Angels on TOTP, 1994 |
Toby Jepson, who lives in Scarborough, also performed on Top of the Pops five times with his former rock band Little Angels. He believes the show has finished due to 鈥渢he changing landscape of the music industry today.鈥 鈥淭op of the Pops used to be the benchmark in any band's career with everyone on a level playing field, not having to worry about being hip. Its sad that such a pivotal show is coming to an end.鈥 Little Angels knew they had made it when they performed on the show for the first time. 鈥淚t was just amazing, something every band wanted to achieve. Until that point not even my gran believed I was in a successful rock band.鈥 However it was on Top of the Pops where Toby had his greatest ever musical moment. 鈥淲e were sat waiting in the green room for rehearsals at the time, singing and strumming a few Beatles numbers, when of all people, Paul McCartney entered the room. He stayed and harmonised with us for almost half an hour in what seemed like the most surreal moment imaginable.鈥 Top of the Pops downfall is due to a changing attitude towards the way in which we buy and listen to our music. It has been overrun by the power of 24-hour music channels, downloading and the Internet.
 | | Now then, now then... |
The relevance of the chart today is waning, almost paling into insignificance, which has been most noticeable in the show's falling audience figures of late. 鈥淭oday there is so much choice, with the emphasis on downloads taking away the importance of the top 40. Nowadays you don鈥檛 even have to sell as many records to chart high like you once used to,鈥 said Rick. One thing is for sure; the show will leave a legacy like no other. No matter what age or what musical taste, everyone has his or her own special Top of the Pops memory. So, 42 years on, 2,204 episodes later Jimmy Saville will return to utter the words 鈥淚t鈥檚 number one, it鈥檚 Top of the Pops鈥 for the last time. Alex Jackson | 
