NME letters about Top of the Pops in 1968

[williammcgregor]

Verbatim from the famous "From You to Us" readers pages of the NME

JUNE 15TH 1968
I feel I must write to you regarding Davy Jones' recent appearance on "Top of the Pops" (June 6) His inane dancing, effeminate clothing and his "jokes" were frankly pathetic. This to me, and no doubt to many others, typifies the state of banality which so many of the established chart artists have reached. If this is progression, God help us... DAVE DICKINSON (Bath, Somerset)

JUNE 15TH 1968
I am writing within minutes of having watched the Rolling Stones on "Top of the Pops" (June 6) I was disgusted at the way they painted their faces and the way Mick Jagger pranced around in his efforts to sing "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed a good deal of the Stones material, and I think this disc is one of their best.
But surely this sort of performance is unnecessary? If the Stones are as good a group as people claim, surely it would be enough for them just to sing and play without any sensationalism. MISS R. HALL (Barry, Glam.)

JUNE 22ND 1968
I feel that what Dave Dickinson (FYTU June 15) referred to as Davy Jones' "Inane dancing" was merely an attempt to take an active part in the programme. Many other artists who have appeared on "Top of the Pops" in a similar manner have made no attempt to join in with the atmosphere of the show.
Also, what he calls "effeminate clothing" reminded me distinctly of the outfits Tom Jones and P.J.Proby were wearing not so long ago; these artists are probably considered as being among the most manly on the pop scene.
Dave Dickinson also speaks of "pathetic jokes," but as Davy does not claim to be a professional comedian and these jokes are unrehearsed, it seems highly unfair to hold this against him.
As Davy does not appear to be "typical" of established chart artists. I do not see that the reference to "progression" has any bearing on the subject. MISS L.C. MORRISON (Taunton, Somerset)

good "fight" there! (handbags at dawn)

[Deleted]

Many thanks for posting these William and please keep them coming.
I'm amazed at the constant stream of negativity by the NME readers but it is highly amusing to read the reactions the programme generated in this era.

[williammcgregor]

JUNE 29TH 1968
Fair play, "Top of the Pops;" The Easybeats did reach the BBC chart at No.20 for a couple of weeks, so why did'nt they make the programme? Is there someone there who does'nt like them?
Surely it was'nt through lack of trying on their part, as the programme is obviously one of the best possible plugs for any artist, and an appearance on the show would more than likely have pushed the disc up the charts much higher, which was exactly where "Hello How Are You" belonged.
Good luck to the group with their next record, and hoping they don't meet any prejudiced producers! C.J.BROWNE (London)

3RD AUGUST 1968
On "Top of the Pops" last week (July 19) Herman ruined an otherwise good song by laughing in the middle-but no-one has mentioned anything about it. Can you tell me why it is, then, that as soon as the Love Affair make just one mistake on TV everyone jumps down their throats? Can it be that people have been against the group from the start?
The pop scene is crying out for new talent, so why not leave the Love Affair alone and give them a chance to prove themselves. They can do it. E.NEWMAN (Peterborough)

21ST SEPTEMBER 1968
Here is an open (though not as open as we'd like it to be) letter to the Doors. We know this sounds rude, but honestly we feel that people who did'nt see them on "Top of the Pops" should know what they're really like.
It's an insult to British intelligence to be offered such drivel! Three members of the group looked at least decent, but Jim Morrison-well, he's just plain revolting. Have you ever seen anything so downright vulgar? He was positively sloth-like.
Words cannot describe our loathing and disgust as we watched him planted on stage like a great bladder of lard. Perhaps Americans will suffer it-we won't! JANE RENT AND ANN MULLINEYE (Stone, Staffs) Altogether now BOO! BOO! sssssss!

2ND NOVEMBER 1968
Who do Ann Mullineye and Jane Rent think they are? (FYTU Sept 21st) Who gave them the right to criticise the very talented Doors ? They must both be thick to be able to sit down and knock this fabulous group. The Doors have MANY fans in britain, and the quicker those two silly, ignorant little girls realise that the better!The Doors got to No1 in America with "Light My Fire" and "Hello I Love You" but, of course, they already know about that, don't they! If it's their worthless opinion that "It's an insult to British intelligence to be offered such drivel!" then they can keep it! JANE AND SUSAN (Cardiff) altogether now YIPEE! well done Jane and Susan!!!!!

[williammcgregor]

16TH NOVEMBER 1968
Why is it that on "Top of the Pops" we find discs like Barry Ryan's "Eloise" have been plugged from the day it was issued, while other releases by other world famous artists are complely ignored? Presumably it is because they do not conform to the tastes of the "Top of the Pops" team.
The example of this which stands out like a sore thumb is Hendrixs' "All Along the Watchtower" This has catapulted into the Top Ten in three weeks and yet we have not been given a chance of seeing Hendrix on the programme!
There would seem to be a number of other black-listed groups, such as Cream and the Rolling Stones. Their chart entries seem to be given relatively little exposure compared to those of Englebert Humerdinck, Tom Jones, etc.
So please, can't we have a bit more of an even spread over the Top Twenty and new releases on the programme? You've got very little competition, "Top of the Pops," so come on, give us a fair share cross-section of the sounds of the scene today, and stop plugging your own particular favourites! M.B.GUNN (Esther, Surrey)

7TH DECEMBER 1968
I think it's about time Pete Murray was put out to grass! On "Top of the Pops" last week he introduced Jeannie C. Riley by saying that she will be returning to America in the morning etc.
Then after her song he starts to chat her up, and as far as I could see, he was so stuck for something to say that he just uttered the first thing he could think of. "When are you returning home?"I think if he has no interest in the present chart artists, he should take off! JOHN DUNNE (Ripon, Yorks)

That's it for 1968

[Tony Walshaw]

Hendrix is 'representative' of the late 60s as viewed from now.

At the time though, I think you would hear little of him beyond Radio 1 on evenings and weekend afternoons. I doubt he was first choice on Jimmy Young's playlist.

[williammcgregor]

28TH DECEMBER 1968

No letters here, sorry, but nice all the same