Top of the Pops (1964–2012)

A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.

Stars:

Pan's People, The Ladybirds, Lulu Cartwright

1 win.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Pan's People	...	Themselves (213 episodes, 1966-1976)
The Ladybirds	...	Vocal Backing (106 episodes, 1968-1978)
Lulu Cartwright	...	Herself - Member of Legs & Co (93 episodes, 1976-1978)

Storyline

A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.

---

Plot Keywords:

pop music | chart show | music video | lip synching | live performance | 

---

Genres:

Music

---

Details

Official Sites:

BBC TV

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

TOTP

Filming Locations:

Kew Bridge Steam Museum, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 60 min (1 episode) 35 min (5 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono Stereo

Color:

Color (1970-2006) Black and White (1964-1970)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The very first episode was show at 6:36pm on New Years Day in 1964. The pilot episode was titled, "The Teen & Twenty Record Club". Top of the UK charts at the time of the series launch were:

• 1. I Want to Hold Your Hand (The Beatles)
• 2. Glad All Over (The Dave Clark Five)
• 3. She Loves You (The Beatles)
• 4. You Were Made For Me (Freddie & The Dreamers)
• 5. I Only Want to Be With You (Dusty Springfield)
• 6. 24 Hours From Tulsa (Gene Pitney)
• 7. Dominique (The Singing Nun)
• 8. Secret Love (Kathy Kirby)
• 9. Swingin' On a Star (Big Dee Irwin)
• 10. Hippy Hippy Shake (The Swinging Blue Jeans)

---

Connections

Featured in Reggae Britannia (2011)

---

Soundtracks

"The Wizard"
Written by Paul Hardcastle
Performed by Paul Hardcastle

User Reviews

bottom of the pops

i was born in 1967 so i can remember watching top of the pops from the early seventies to its peak which was the early 1980s. beyond that i think it has gone downhill which is a shame because it is our longest running show in great Britain and to watch it in 2006 is so disappointing. the presenters for a start don't fit bring back Reggie Yates! he is cool and his face fits! and Ferne cotton is OK but the rest! get rid! i think totps best era was in the middle 60's IE 1966-1969 and then from 1970-1971

after that in my opinion it had lost its appeal and by the way, the BBC shouldn't have wiped all those 60s editions of totps. time has shown that people like to re watch the old black and white editions. plus there was so many good groups and singers around in those days!