Rock and pop music on 'Granada Reports' 1973-1989

[markdixon]

After reading the recent Joy Division thread I thought some of you might be interested in information that I’ve gathered together regarding music performances and music-related interviews on ‘Granada Reports’.

The programme began in October 1973, but it appears that Granada didn’t start to keep complete editions on a regular basis until September 1980. Here’s a list of the music-related clips from the early years of the programme that still exist in the archives:

Music clips listed on ITN Source

1974: Film footage of Bill Wyman being interviewed by Tony Wilson
15 Sept 1975: Film footage of Paul McCartney being interviewed by Wilson
3 Dec 1976: Film footage of George Harrison being interviewed by Wilson
Feb 1977 (?): Film footage of John Cooper Clarke performing in Manchester venues (this exists in an edition of ‘So It Goes’ broadcast on 9 Oct 1977)
10 Mar 1977: Film footage of Genesis drummers Phil Collins and Chester Thompson being interviewed by Wilson
Jul 1977: Wreckless Eric performing ‘Whole Wide World’ in the studio (exists as poor-quality off-air recording)
21 July 1977: Elvis Costello performing ‘Alison’ in the studio (exists as poor-quality off-air recording)
7 November 1977: Blondie performing ‘Rip Her to Shreds’ (exists as poor-quality off air recording)
20 Sept 1978: Joy Division performing ‘Shadowplay’ in the studio
26 Nov 1979: Film footage of Paul and Linda McCartney being interviewed by Billy Butler

It is near-impossible to compile a definitive list of missing music clips from ‘Granada Reports’ because it’s difficult to establish what was actually broadcast in the first place. As far as I know Granada-region ‘TV Times’ and North West local newspapers didn’t carry details of the guests who were due to appear on the programme. I’ve looked at various books and websites that contain details regarding particular appearances. I think my list below is reasonably reliable.

 
Missing studio appearances:

1974 (?): David Cassidy was interviewed by Wilson
1974 (?): Johnnie Ray was interviewed by Trevor Hyett
1974 (?): Leonard Cohen performed 'Chelsea Hotel # 2' and was interviewed by Wilson
09 Sept 1976: Performance by Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
25 Feb 1977: John Martyn performed ‘May You Never’ and was interviewed by Wilson
03 Mar 1977: Iggy Pop was interviewed by Wilson
07 Apr 1977: Buzzcocks performed ‘Boredom’
07 Jul 1977: Slaughter and the Dogs performed ‘Cranked Up Really High’ 
c. Jul 1977: Studio performance by Nervous Breakdown, a teenage punk band from Manchester. There was also a studio discussion about punk in the same episode.
1977: Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds performed ‘Ain’t Bin to No Music School’ (this exists as poor quality footage filmed off a TV screen and was included in the documentary ‘The Rise and Fall of the Nosebleeds’)
1977 (?): The Slits were interviewed by Wilson
Aug 1978: The Human League performed ‘Being Boiled’ (a domestic video recording of this is on YouTube)
Early 1979 (?): Eddie and the Hot Rods were interviewed by Wilson
20 Apr 1979: Iggy Pop was interviewed by Wilson
18 Jun 1979: Public Image Limited performed ‘Death Disco’ and were interviewed by Wilson
Jul 1979 (?): The B-52’s were interviewed by Wilson
Aug 1979 (?): Grace Jones was interviewed by Wilson
1979 or 1980 (?): Durutti Column guitarist Vini Reilly performed an experimental track with the Invisible Girls (Martin Hannett and Steve Hopkins)
1980: Performance by X-O-Dus (reggae band signed to Factory Records)
6 Jun 1980: Toyah performed ‘Blue Meanings’ and interviewed herself (this exists as a poor-quality domestic video recording on YouTube)

I haven’t been able to find enough evidence to prove or disprove whether the following were actually broadcast on ‘Granada Reports’ or not:

Possible missing clips

1975: Performance by Dr Feelgood?
1977: Performance by Deaf School of ‘What A Way To End It All’?
Late 70s: Performance by This Heat?
1980: U2 interviewed by Wilson?

There are probably more missing appearances by other notable bands that I haven’t mentioned. ‘Granada Reports’ also featured many obscure North West bands during this era. For example the Mancunian Mod revival band the Two Tone Pinks appeared on the programme on 20 June 1980. Their performance is missing.

Hopefully some more domestic video or audio recordings of missing ‘Granada Reports’ music clips will turn up one day.

[markdixon]

Here's an update to my above list. I've gathered this info from various books and websites.

Missing music clips

c.1973 - Performance by the Electric Light Orchestra (it's possible that this was shown on 'Newsday', the predecessor to 'Granada Reports', which ran from 1970-1973)

30 Oct 1975 - Tony Wilson introduced a promo film of 'Moongirl' by Barclay James Harvest

19 Feb 1976 - Emmylou Harris was interviewed by Wilson  and she performed 'Together Again'

c. Jun 1978 (?) - Magazine appeared on 'Granada Reports' on three consecutive nights, probably playing tracks from their debut album 'Real Life'

29 Jun 1978 - 'Granada Reports - GRD!' ('Granada Reports Disco!'). This was a 45-minute special featuring a disco-dancing contest hosted by Pattie Coldwell. Ian Levine was one of the judges and the venue was Angels nightclub, Burnley. I think Kaleidoscope have a domestic video recording of this.

1980 -Performance by Run 229 (a Welsh Mod Revival band)

Possible missing clips

I haven't been able to find enough evidence to prove or disprove whether the following were broadcast on 'Granada Reports' or not:

c.1977 - Performance by Ian Dury and the Blockheads?

Late 1970s -Performance by Devo?

1979 or 1980 - Performance by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark?

More surviving music-related film footage listed on ITN Source

29 Nov 1973 - Rick Wakeman rehearses at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester

14 Oct 1974 - Trevor Hyett visits Stag Music, a Liverpool recording studio and independent label (includes footage of cabaret band the Silver Set and singer-songwriter John Cornelius)

24 Jun 1977 - Mike McGear of the Scaffold is interviewed by Trevor Hyett at the Hope Street Festival, Liverpool

01 Dec 1978 - Feature about Piccadilly Radio, Manchester

A correction

In my previous post I mentioned an experimental track by Vini Reilly from the Durutti Column. I've found out that this wasn't shown on 'Granada Reports'. The Durutti Column appeared on Granada's regional arts show 'Celebration' on 24 January 1980. They performed an improvised piece called 'In D'. The entire programme still exists.

Any additions or corrections to the above list are welcome.

[Ray Langstone (was saintsray)]

Definitely related, but slightly off-topic - What's On 27/07/78 - this is the full show with slate and it features the Buzzcocks and Magazine. You may be able to spot a teenage Mick Hucknall in the audience:- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh4wdKcvGc4

[Jeff Leach]

I do remember a lot of artists being featured on the programme - There is a friend of mine who owns a local record shop who has several hundred betamax tapes with mostly music programmes on them he says a lot of local stuff, but he has them in storage and its he's always saying he's gonna to let me go through them. - Going to have another go at him this week.

[Jeff Lewis]

Tony Wilson a recorded a lot of his "So It Goes" programmes on a domestic recorder because some of it was broadcast as part of retrospective series for Granada. Did he offer to return material to Granada?

[John Green]

Oct 25, 2015 16:00:18 GMT Jeff Leach said:

I do remember a lot of artists being featured on the programme - There is a friend of mine who owns a local record shop who has several hundred betamax tapes with mostly music programmes on them he says a lot of local stuff, but he has them in storage and its he's always saying he's gonna to let me go through them. - Going to have another go at him this week.

Tell him if he doesn't we'll move in next door to him.
If he does,he'll be a People's Hero,and he'll be mobbed at conventions. (Hopefully,that'll lead to a "Yes"!).

[markdixon]

Oct 25, 2015 20:18:59 GMT Jeff Lewis said:

Tony Wilson a recorded a lot of his "So It Goes" programmes on a domestic recorder because some of it was broadcast as part of retrospective series for Granada. Did he offer to return material to Granada?

Channel 4's 'The Way We Were' (1986) included clips of Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric and Blondie which were broadcast originally during the 'What's On' segment of 'Granada Reports' in 1977. I think it's likely that these clips were home video recordings donated by Wilson. It's possible that he taped other performances from 'Granada Reports' during the late 70s, but maybe these were too obscure to feature in 'The Way We Were'.

I don't think Wilson taped the TV debuts of the Buzzcocks and Public Image Limited or the British TV debut of Iggy Pop. These clips would have surfaced in documentaries by now if he had.

It's likely that Wilson taped extracts from 'So It Goes' (1976-1977) and the late-night 30-minute editions of 'What's On' (1978-1979). However that wouldn't have mattered to Granada because all these episodes still exist in broadcast quality in the archives.

[Jeff Leach]

Oct 26, 2015 15:51:50 GMT John Green said:

Oct 25, 2015 16:00:18 GMT Jeff Leach said:

I do remember a lot of artists being featured on the programme - There is a friend of mine who owns a local record shop who has several hundred betamax tapes with mostly music programmes on them he says a lot of local stuff, but he has them in storage and its he's always saying he's gonna to let me go through them. - Going to have another go at him this week.

Tell him if he doesn't we'll move in next door to him.
If he does,he'll be a People's Hero,and he'll be mobbed at conventions. (Hopefully,that'll lead to a "Yes"!).

Been in touch with him today - he still has the tapes - Will keep you posted John

[John Green]

Brilliant,Jeff.As someone once said,it's the day after your burst pipes thaw that you regret not "getting around to doing something about" those rare artifacts.

(It was I).

[Jeff Lewis]

Oct 26, 2015 19:34:18 GMT markdixon said:

Oct 25, 2015 20:18:59 GMT Jeff Lewis said:

Tony Wilson a recorded a lot of his "So It Goes" programmes on a domestic recorder because some of it was broadcast as part of retrospective series for Granada. Did he offer to return material to Granada?

Channel 4's 'The Way We Were' (1986) included clips of Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric and Blondie which were broadcast originally during the 'What's On' segment of 'Granada Reports' in 1977. I think it's likely that these clips were home video recordings donated by Wilson. It's possible that he taped other performances from 'Granada Reports' during the late 70s, but maybe these were too obscure to feature in 'The Way We Were'.

I don't think Wilson taped the TV debuts of the Buzzcocks and Public Image Limited or the British TV debut of Iggy Pop. These clips would have surfaced in documentaries by now if he had.

It's likely that Wilson taped extracts from 'So It Goes' (1976-1977) and the late-night 30-minute editions of 'What's On' (1978-1979). However that wouldn't have mattered to Granada because all these episodes still exist in broadcast quality in the archives.

I seem to recall Wilson made a big issue that certain clips came from his own recordings. Then again he did have an ego

[markdixon]

Here’s another update.


More missing performances from ‘Granada Reports’

Jun 1974 (?): Performance by the Liverpool Scene

c.1976: Performance by Sad Café

1979 (?): The Human League performed “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”

1981 (?): Tony Wilson interviewed Steel Pulse

1981 (?): Tony Wilson interviewed the Plastics (Japanese New Wave band)

1982: Performance by the Pale Fountains

c. May 1982: Theatre of Hate performed ‘The Hop’ (this is on YouTube)

16 Sep 1982: Elvis Costello performed ‘Shipbuilding’

c. Nov 1982: The Fall performed ‘Solicitor in Studio’ (this is on YouTube)

1983: Performance by the Lotus Eaters

1983: Appearance by Gary Numan

c. Aug 1985: Feature about Frank Sidebottom

1986: Appearance by Gary Numan 

c. May 1989: Feature about the Stone Roses (this is on YouTube)

3 Nov 1989: Feature about the Inspiral Carpets (this is on YouTube)


The Factory Club connection (1978-1980)

Apparently quite a few musicians fitted in a ‘Granada Reports’ appearance before playing at the Factory at the Russell Club, Manchester. This is certainly true in the cases of Iggy Pop (20 April 1979) and Public Image Limited (18 June 1979), but I haven’t got any other examples. I know that the Factory club hosted notable names such as the Gang of Four, the Skids, Jilted John, Ultravox, the Damned, the Undertones, the Cure, the Radio Stars, Link Wray, Simple Minds, the Only Ones, the Tourists, Adam and the Ants, the Psychedelic Furs, UB40, Secret Affair, the Purple Hearts, Eddy Grant and Robert Fripp. Did any of these performers ever appear on ‘Granada Reports’?


Missing performance of 'This Charming Man' by the Smiths? 


Apparently a clip of the Smiths performing “This Charming Man” has been lost. This lost Smiths performance was mentioned in a tribute to Tony Wilson which was sent out as part of a ‘TV Cream’ email newsletter in 2007. The extract below refers to “From The Beatles To Oasis”, a music retrospective broadcast in the Granada region only on 3 May 1996.


"PLEASE, COULD YOU GIVE US A CALL?"

When Granada decided to celebrate forty years at the forefront of rock and pop on television, who else but Tony Wilson could they choose to preside over the cavalcade of clips from LIFT OFF WITH AYESHA, SHANG-A-LANG, THE STONES IN THE PARK and - of course - SO IT GOES? The proud boasts of Granada's capacious and meticulously-maintained archives were borne out by the surprising inclusion of Peter Sellers doing his version of 'A Hard Day's Night' (on the original videotape!), The Stone Roses' album cover-generating performance on THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT, and mental footage of people spinning on their heads at the Wigan Casino.

However, after showing a clip of himself interviewing a frighteningly young-looking Morrissey and Johnny Marr, Wilson theatrically pressed 'Stop' on one of those big VT machines and mentioned that "one of the saddest things about doing a show like this is the stuff you can't find", referring to the fact that the accompanying performance of 'This Charming Man' had gone walkabout and that if anyone watching had taped it, "please, could you give us a call?". Whether or not anyone did is something we don't know, sadly, but hopefully they did as that kind of honesty is worth a million BBC Treasure Hunts.


I didn’t see “From The Beatles to Oasis”, so I don’t know how much of the “TV Cream” piece is accurate. However, the listing on the BFI website confirms that a clip of Morrissey and Marr was used in the programme. On YouTube there’s a clip of Wilson interviewing the Smiths on “Granada Reports’ on 21 February 1985. However, it doesn’t include a performance of “This Charming Man”.


Did the Smiths appear on “Granada Reports” in Autumn 1983 when ‘This Charming Man’ was released as a single? I couldn’t find any mention of such an appearance in any books or websites about the Smiths. However, it’s possible that an early, regional TV appearance by the band could have gone undocumented.

Any corrections or additions to any of the above are welcome.

[markdixon]

Here’s an update about missing musical performances and music-related items from ‘Granada Reports’:

05 Jul 1974: Feature about ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert’, a musical by Willy Russell. The item included footage of the Beatles from the Granada archives.
c. 1975: Edgar Broughton Band and Spider Mike King performed at an open-air location near Jodrell Bank, Cheshire (?)
1975: Performance by Alberto Y Lost Trio Paranoias
23 Oct 1975: Pete Atkin and Clive James promoted the album ‘Live Libel’. Clive James dressed up as Margaret Thatcher and Spiderman during the show.
Christmas 1976: Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias sang ‘Adeste Fidelis’ (the band dressed up as choirboys)
c. Nov 1977: The Real Thing were filmed in Toxteth (aka Liverpool 8), to promote their album “Four From Eight’, which was inspired by the area.
16 May 1980: The Salford Jets performed ‘Who You Looking At?’ on the ‘What’s On’ segment of the programme. Other guests were Grace Jones and Adrian Henri (The Salford Jets clip is on YouTube)
17 Nov 1980: ‘In Focus’ feature about Bow Wow Wow
1981: Performance by The Games (synth band from the Wirral)
April 1981: Foreign Press (a Mancunian post-punk band) performed ‘Remember You’
05 Jun 1981 Justin Hayward was interviewed by Judy Finnegan about the latest release by The Moody Blues (this is on YouTube)
Dec 1981: Tony Wilson presented a filmed report about Beatle landmarks in Liverpool following the publication of the guide book ‘In the Footsteps of the Beatles’ (an edited version of this is on YouTube)
1982: Some Detergents (a synth band from the Wirral) performed ‘Modern Problems (TV Times)’
c. May 1982: The Earwigs (a Mancunian neo-psychedelic band) performed ‘Wargames’ (this clip is on YouTube)
13 Aug 1982: The Zanti Misfits (a post-punk band from Lancashire) performed “Love Ends at 8” (the clip has been released on a DVD compilation)
23 Dec 1982: New Order provided the soundtrack to a short film by Tony Wilson, which took an irreverent look at the Christmas season. The tracks ‘Rocking Carol’ and ‘Ode to Joy’ were released on the Hacienda Club’s Christmas flexi-disc in 1982.
15 Jul 1983: Item about Whirled Music (experimental music project featuring Max Eastley, Steve Beresford, Paul Burwell and David Toop)
c.1983: Item presented by Tony Wilson about electro-funk and breakdancing
1984: Don McLean performed ‘Winterwood’ and was interviewed by Richard Madeley (this is on YouTube)
1984: One on One (an obscure Liverpool band) were shown rehearsing in an item about the Bridewell rehearsal studio, Liverpool (this is on YouTube)
1989: Sonic Youth were interviewed by Tony Wilson (I think this was from ‘Granada Reports’, but I can’t check because the clip was removed from YouTube a few years ago) 

During the 1980s, ‘Granada Reports’ often featured at least 2 bands a week. Not all these bands achieved commercial or critical success. Some of the more obscure performers included Redline, Norman Beaker Band, Gags, Some Like It Hot, Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble, Special 20, the Naughty Boys and the Quest.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the programme also featured Northern comedy folk performers such as Bob Williamson, Mike Harding, Les Barker and Bernard Wrigley.

[Ray Langstone (was saintsray)]

Mar 10, 2019 11:11:35 GMT markdixon said:

Here’s an update about missing musical performances and music-related items from ‘Granada Reports’:

05 Jul 1974: Feature about ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert’, a musical by Willy Russell. The item included footage of the Beatles from the Granada archives.
c. 1975: Edgar Broughton Band and Spider Mike King performed at an open-air location near Jodrell Bank, Cheshire (?)
1975: Performance by Alberto Y Lost Trio Paranoias
23 Oct 1975: Pete Atkin and Clive James promoted the album ‘Live Libel’. Clive James dressed up as Margaret Thatcher and Spiderman during the show.
Christmas 1976: Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias sang ‘Adeste Fidelis’ (the band dressed up as choirboys)
c. Nov 1977: The Real Thing were filmed in Toxteth (aka Liverpool 8), to promote their album “Four From Eight’, which was inspired by the area.
16 May 1980: The Salford Jets performed ‘Who You Looking At?’ on the ‘What’s On’ segment of the programme. Other guests were Grace Jones and Adrian Henri (The Salford Jets clip is on YouTube)
17 Nov 1980: ‘In Focus’ feature about Bow Wow Wow
1981: Performance by The Games (synth band from the Wirral)
April 1981: Foreign Press (a Mancunian post-punk band) performed ‘Remember You’
05 Jun 1981 Justin Hayward was interviewed by Judy Finnegan about the latest release by The Moody Blues (this is on YouTube)
Dec 1981: Tony Wilson presented a filmed report about Beatle landmarks in Liverpool following the publication of the guide book ‘In the Footsteps of the Beatles’ (an edited version of this is on YouTube)
1982: Some Detergents (a synth band from the Wirral) performed ‘Modern Problems (TV Times)’
c. May 1982: The Earwigs (a Mancunian neo-psychedelic band) performed ‘Wargames’ (this clip is on YouTube)
13 Aug 1982: The Zanti Misfits (a post-punk band from Lancashire) performed “Love Ends at 8” (the clip has been released on a DVD compilation)
23 Dec 1982: New Order provided the soundtrack to a short film by Tony Wilson, which took an irreverent look at the Christmas season. The tracks ‘Rocking Carol’ and ‘Ode to Joy’ were released on the Hacienda Club’s Christmas flexi-disc in 1982.
15 Jul 1983: Item about Whirled Music (experimental music project featuring Max Eastley, Steve Beresford, Paul Burwell and David Toop)
c.1983: Item presented by Tony Wilson about electro-funk and breakdancing
1984: Don McLean performed ‘Winterwood’ and was interviewed by Richard Madeley (this is on YouTube)
1984: One on One (an obscure Liverpool band) were shown rehearsing in an item about the Bridewell rehearsal studio, Liverpool (this is on YouTube)
1989: Sonic Youth were interviewed by Tony Wilson (I think this was from ‘Granada Reports’, but I can’t check because the clip was removed from YouTube a few years ago) 

During the 1980s, ‘Granada Reports’ often featured at least 2 bands a week. Not all these bands achieved commercial or critical success. Some of the more obscure performers included Redline, Norman Beaker Band, Gags, Some Like It Hot, Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble, Special 20, the Naughty Boys and the Quest.


In the 1970s and 1980s, the programme also featured Northern comedy folk performers such as Bob Williamson, Mike Harding, Les Barker and Bernard Wrigley.

Nice list, Mark. You say these are ALL MISSING?

[robertreinstein]

I have this on VHS (3 minutes 47 seconds):
Dec 1981: Tony Wilson presented a filmed report about Beatle landmarks in Liverpool following the publication of the guide book ‘In the Footsteps of the Beatles’ (an edited version of this is on YouTube)

[Ray Langstone (was saintsray)]

Mar 11, 2019 15:52:09 GMT robertreinstein said:

I have this on VHS (3 minutes 47 seconds):
Dec 1981: Tony Wilson presented a filmed report about Beatle landmarks in Liverpool following the publication of the guide book ‘In the Footsteps of the Beatles’ (an edited version of this is on YouTube)

I used to have the book - Liverpool City Council published it.

I'm sure you can get the clip over to Kaleidoscope, Robert....!!!!