Post by Mike Goldwater on Jul 25, 2020 20:08:20 GMT
I'm currently in the process of researching and uncovering music promo clips (otherwise known as music videos) made during the 1960's and 70's, viewable copies of which are scattered in prints of varying quality across Youtube and other video streaming sites. It's still a work in process, although I have managed to compile a playlist of 1960's Music Promo Clips, it's quite an expansive list, covering over 250 tracks in all, dating from 1960 - 1969, charting the early development of the music video through the decade from Scoptione to fully fledged music videos as the influence of television grew on the music industry to promote their artists and bands. Not all the videos I have uncovered are available on the internet, although I'am currently compiling an Excel style spread-sheet which will serve as a useful directory in future.
Link: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uryDfRmYZomemJXBDDZs4lL1bQ-fAlE
Some of the highlights in my opinion include "The Legend of Xanadu" (1968) which sees Dave Dee, Dozy, Beach, Mich & Tich running around the countryside in a spoof Spaghetti Western, "Good Vibrations" (1966) featuring the Beach Boys pretending to be Firemen attending a blaze, "Walk on By" (1964), where Dionne Warwick is passed by endless hordes of men on a rooftop setting, "I'm Not Sayin" (1965) with Nico walking around a harbour which is notable for being the first music video directed by Peter Whitehead , "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" (1967) which features Alan Price walking around London with a bear cub to the curious reaction of onlookers and "Ragamuffin Man" (1969) where Manfred Mann are seen strutting around the streets dressed up as tramps.
Some of these finds are particularly rare, and may have featured on Brisith music programs like Top of the Pops and other shows, here are some examples:
Corporal Clegg; Pink Floyd (1968): www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB73_k0Xxjk
This is a non lip sync promo of the song which features David Gilmour debuting on vocals. It features the band dressed up in military gear stuffing their faces at a dining table, this clip differs from the much better known promo clip of the band performing the song that featured as part of a television special for the Belgium show Tienerklanten which was broadcast in February 1968. This clip was filmed over a year after the release of the song, for the West German television show P-1 in September 1969.
Michael and His Slipper Tree; The Equals (1969): www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFGofdLiIk
Another lip synch free promo, it features The Equals larking around Dreamland and Margate beach, in a montage eerily similar to the one seen in the Only Fools and Horses episode 'The Jolly Boys Outing' made 20 years later, perhaps this video had a profound effect on the young Tony Dow and John Sullivan, sublimaly influencing them in the years to come.
Another clip I have found which is not related to the list, is a b&w clip for the Bobbie Gentry song "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (1969): www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIVOjfadGf0, which doesn't feature Gentry at all but instead feautres a couple running around on a hill. My guess is that may have produced and filmed for Top of the Pops, as the original promo clip features her performing the song on a sound-stage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkNzMxO2zFk; this wouldn't have been suitable at all as it would have contravened the miming rules at the time. This ban prevented a good deal of promo clips from being shown on British television including most notably the Beatles "Hello Goodbye" (1967), of which a Top of the Pops promo was produced and also survives.
Link: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uryDfRmYZomemJXBDDZs4lL1bQ-fAlE
Some of the highlights in my opinion include "The Legend of Xanadu" (1968) which sees Dave Dee, Dozy, Beach, Mich & Tich running around the countryside in a spoof Spaghetti Western, "Good Vibrations" (1966) featuring the Beach Boys pretending to be Firemen attending a blaze, "Walk on By" (1964), where Dionne Warwick is passed by endless hordes of men on a rooftop setting, "I'm Not Sayin" (1965) with Nico walking around a harbour which is notable for being the first music video directed by Peter Whitehead , "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" (1967) which features Alan Price walking around London with a bear cub to the curious reaction of onlookers and "Ragamuffin Man" (1969) where Manfred Mann are seen strutting around the streets dressed up as tramps.
Some of these finds are particularly rare, and may have featured on Brisith music programs like Top of the Pops and other shows, here are some examples:
Corporal Clegg; Pink Floyd (1968): www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB73_k0Xxjk
This is a non lip sync promo of the song which features David Gilmour debuting on vocals. It features the band dressed up in military gear stuffing their faces at a dining table, this clip differs from the much better known promo clip of the band performing the song that featured as part of a television special for the Belgium show Tienerklanten which was broadcast in February 1968. This clip was filmed over a year after the release of the song, for the West German television show P-1 in September 1969.
Michael and His Slipper Tree; The Equals (1969): www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFGofdLiIk
Another lip synch free promo, it features The Equals larking around Dreamland and Margate beach, in a montage eerily similar to the one seen in the Only Fools and Horses episode 'The Jolly Boys Outing' made 20 years later, perhaps this video had a profound effect on the young Tony Dow and John Sullivan, sublimaly influencing them in the years to come.
Another clip I have found which is not related to the list, is a b&w clip for the Bobbie Gentry song "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (1969): www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIVOjfadGf0, which doesn't feature Gentry at all but instead feautres a couple running around on a hill. My guess is that may have produced and filmed for Top of the Pops, as the original promo clip features her performing the song on a sound-stage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkNzMxO2zFk; this wouldn't have been suitable at all as it would have contravened the miming rules at the time. This ban prevented a good deal of promo clips from being shown on British television including most notably the Beatles "Hello Goodbye" (1967), of which a Top of the Pops promo was produced and also survives.