|
|
Post by Keith Brockway on Oct 9, 2003 20:00:51 GMT
Do any of the "Lift Off" series still exist .It was generally a teenagers programme but did have the habit of attracting top names at the time to perform in the pop slot and the lovely Ayesha Brough made it even more compulsive viewing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harry on Oct 10, 2003 7:56:19 GMT
Sore point! It seems not many survive. About 2 or 3, although it's hard to get any details on exactly what. Wonder what effect if any this merger will affect archive access or releases?
|
|
|
|
Post by Laurence Piper on Oct 10, 2003 8:11:22 GMT
Yes, although Granada generally keep a good archive, they seriously slipped up with Lift Off. I know that at one time it was fondly imagined that Granada (being Granada) would have the lot - if only! Anyone know EXACTLY what has been retained and why?
I recall the show best in it's earlier days when it was just "Lift Off". A long-running series with many episodes to it's name. Many interesting acts appeared on there; you'd have thought they would have given it a higher presence in the archives. It's a real missing link in pop shows, bridging the fap between the '60s RSG / TYLS era and later things like Supersonic. Oh to see the Sweet performing "Alexander Graham Bell" on the show again!
|
|
|
|
Post by Harry on Oct 10, 2003 8:15:54 GMT
And it covered that transitional era when '60s pop had become bubblegum at the onset of the '70s, just prior to the coming of glam rock. It's a period not well represented generally in the archives anyway. Would have been a real historical document to that fascinating period of change.
|
|
|
|
Post by ASM on Oct 10, 2003 13:30:22 GMT
Dear All
Only two episodes from the final 1974 season exist. One about Sixth from last featuring the "Bay City Rollers" and the very final show. I got this from Granada but their records are suspect as a show they insisted was the first ep and existing was in fact a Xmas 68 special of Harry Fowler and Kenny Lynch and their adventures on a London bus!! Nothing to do with Lift Off!! Now believe this or not but Granadas archives OMIT the first series of Lift Off from Autumn 1968 With Billy J Kramer and Diane Greaves - but believe me it was transmitted in Granada and thames regions. So relying on Granadas old records is hopeless. ASM
|
|
|
|
Post by Laurence Piper on Oct 10, 2003 19:55:50 GMT
Didn't know of a 1968 series - I thought it began in '69. Even more episodes AWOL!
|
|
|
|
Post by ASM on Oct 11, 2003 8:16:53 GMT
Yes Laurence! "Lift Off" most definatly began in Autumn 68. That first season wasn't fully networked though so that's why it's been overlooked - even by Granada's own files!! But exist it does; or should I say did! certain to have been wiped! Incidently, no Ayshea in this season! As i stated - Diane greaves co-presented with Billy J. Kramer. ASM
|
|
Brian D not logged in
Guest
|
Post by Brian D not logged in on Oct 11, 2003 10:22:39 GMT
Didn't Lift Off - like many of these late sixties early seventies programmes - run a spin-off magazine? Some of these will have survived and would probably run features on forthcoming appearances etc, and perhaps the odd still photograph.
Mind you, I was in a shop in Chester recently and was amazed/depressed to see how much my DC comics (Superman/Batman/Flash/Green Lantern etc) from the sixties would be worth had I kept them! I had literally hundreds and even tatty ones seem to be selling for about £25. Not only the BBC was guilty of the 'great early seventies clear out'!
I blame me mum...............
|
|
|
|
Post by ASM on Oct 13, 2003 13:55:11 GMT
Hello! before everyone and his dog jump on me-yes! the first two series of Lift Off were titled "Discotheque" but it was the same show. I relayed this to Granada when asking about what existed. Their records only go back to 29 Jan 69 for the show. Some info now! "Discotheque" commenced on 2nd November 1968. Hosts Billy J Kramer and Diane Greaves. It was transmitted every Friday mostly at 5.20 to 5.50 pm in the Granada, Anglia, Harlech and Thames regions. It ran up to 24th January 1969 - Then only Five days later moved to Wednesdays where it is regarded as season Two. Now fully networked at 4.55 to 5.20 pm it was now hosted by Graham Bonney and Diane Greaves. Ayshea (Brough) joined as Grahams co-host in show 8 on 19th March 1969. Season two finished it's run on 23rd April 1969. When the show returned on 5th November 1969 it was titled "Lift Off" Hosts Graham Bonney and Ayshea, resident group the patterns. This series ran to 28th January 1970. Next series began on 7th October 1970 hosts Graham Bonney and Ayshea PLUS puppets Ollie Beak and Fred Barker!! series ran to 30th December 1970. The next series commenced 10th August 1971 now hosted by Wally Whyton and Ayshea, this ran to 13th January 1972. After this show titled "Lift Off With Ayshea" which started on 12th April 1972 and ran to 5th july 1972. Next series "L.O.W.A" 11th October 1972 to 3rd January 1973. Next series 27th April 1973 to 29th June 1973. Next Series 17th October 1973 to 9th January 1974. FINAL series ran from 1st July 1974 to 17th December 1974. According to Granada only the shows transmitted on 15th October 1974 and the finale on 17th Dec 1974 exist and would cost £235 each for copies - WOW!! Granada said first ever ep tx on 21 Dec 1968 existed - But NO!! this was in their lists titled "At Last It's Christmas" but it's a Xmas special with Harry Fowler and Kenny Lynch on a London Double dekker Bus (WHY!) which is NOTHING to do with "Discotheque/Lift Off" I phoned Granada and after a days enquiery they admitted a big mistake there. A few months later I passed them full details on series 1 of "Discotheque" to update their files. A final bit of interest "Black Sabbath" appeared on the show on the 21st October 1970 edition - pity it's wiped! ASM
|
|
|
|
Post by Harry on Dec 1, 2003 15:15:48 GMT
I've just been reading a thread over on Mausoleum about ATV's archive gradually being catalogued and transferred by Carlton and the BFI. Until now, the details of the whys and wherefores of ATV's 'archiving' policy have been the subject of rumour and speculation.
The other huge ITV archive of similar status is of course Granada's. They seem virtually impenetrable and no one seems to have a complete understanding of exactly what they hold (their general retention rate seems to have been much better than many companies going way back; there are curious gapas however).
What i'm wondering is has all of Granada's archive already been catalogued and transferred as with ATV's? If not, are there any forgotten vaults or departments that may still be found to contain any of the missing stuff, such as Lift Off? Anyone here that has personal knowledge of the Granada archive? For such an impressive collection, they sure don't seem to be bothered about exploiting much of it!!
|
|
|
|
Post by ASM on Dec 2, 2003 12:01:02 GMT
Harry, I spoke to the Granada Office. They come across as VERY lax. Gave me wrong data, and had no knowledge about Discotheque. I do know of footage from a 1974 edition which exists (The Sweet are featured) and Granada don't log it. ASM
|
|
|
|
Post by Dinsdale Seaton on Nov 3, 2005 17:41:17 GMT
Is it this thread you're after?
|
|
|
|
Post by gary brum on Nov 3, 2005 19:18:50 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith Brockway on Nov 9, 2005 11:56:15 GMT
Do any of the "Lift Off" series still exist .It was generally a teenagers programme but did have the habit of attracting top names at the time to perform in the pop slot and the lovely Ayesha Brough made it even more compulsive viewing. Nice to see my 2 year old thread given a second wind! ;D |
|
John Stewart Miller
Guest
|
Post by John Stewart Miller on Nov 9, 2005 21:38:04 GMT
Didn't Lift Off - like many of these late sixties early seventies programmes - run a spin-off magazine? Some of these will have survived and would probably run features on forthcoming appearances etc, and perhaps the odd still photograph. Mind you, I was in a shop in Chester recently and was amazed/depressed to see how much my DC comics (Superman/Batman/Flash/Green Lantern etc) from the sixties would be worth had I kept them! I had literally hundreds and even tatty ones seem to be selling for about £25. Not only the BBC was guilty of the 'great early seventies clear out'! I blame me mum............... I didn't know there was any spin off. All I know is that it appears some acts (i.e. T. Rex) appeared as film inserts. Most of these were from promos like 'music spectacular' (i.e. sweet - poppa Joe), or stock (T. Rex 'the groover'). However T. Rex apparently only recorded one cut especially for the show - 'Truck on Tyke' the weakest of the 1973 hits. This was done as a film insert. Bolan was known to own a video recorder then and collect stuff. it always struck me that perhaps June Feld might be in possession of Marcs archive collection? Just a thought.. |
|
