Hawkwind

[Ian Abrahams]

Hi folks, I'm working on a biography of Hawkwind at the moment, and was having a look at the TOTYP database for the programme in 1972 that showed the promo clip of Silver Machine. I see that it is listed as having been shown three times during July and August 1972 (and again a couple of times as "disc" which I'm not sure what this means) - none of which survive?

The Silver Machine clip does survive - does anybody know why (is this because it was lifted for the Time-Out 0f-Mind Moorcock documentary in 79/80?).

Thanks for any info!

Ian ([e-mail])

[Gary C]

Ian, I've certainly seen the 'Silver Machine' promo on MTV quite a lot recently. (apologies if you already knew this)

[Shaun B]

Ian:
Off on another Hawkwind tangent, do you know where the clip taken (presumably) from the "Space Ritual" tour used in Channel 4's "Top Ten Prog" show originated? Be nice to think a complete show from that tour was documented visually (Stacia and all!).

Shaun

[Laurence Piper]

The Hawkwind clip survives because it wasn't shot by the BBC. I remember seeing the clip on TOTP at the time but it has been seen more recently on other music shows too. Don't know where it was shot but it was stage footage.

[Ian Abrahams]

I've never heard before that it wasn't shot by the BBC, do you know who filmed it by any chance?

[Ian Abrahams]

Guest-Shaun said:

Ian:
Off on another Hawkwind tangent, do you know where the clip taken (presumably) from the "Space Ritual" tour used in Channel 4's "Top Ten Prog" show originated? Be nice to think a complete show from that tour was documented visually (Stacia and all!).

Shaun

No, but I understand the band are investigating this material and trying to obtain a copy!

[Laurence Piper]

If it's any help, the footage was used in a Disco edition (ZDF). I think I have it in one of the episodes somewhere. I've just checked the P as Bs for 1972 TOTP and the footage is credited to "other sources" (not BBC), specifically Tom Taylor. At that time, TOTP used many such bought-in film clips.

By the way, people might be interested to know that the missing material from the start of the 22/6/72 edition (part of Elvis Presley's American Trilogy) was a promo film. That film exists in it's original film form in the archives. So it's possible that a reconstruction can take place of the partially missing track (the recording of the show cuts in towards the end of the track so nothing will be missing bar the oprning credits and DJ welcome).

[Ian Abrahams]

Guest-Laurence said:

If it's any help, the footage was used in a Disco edition (ZDF). I think I have it in one of the episodes somewhere. I've just checked the P as Bs for 1972 TOTP and the footage is credited to "other sources" (not BBC), specifically Tom Taylor. At that time, TOTP used many such bought-in film clips.

Any idea who Tom Taylor was? (Laurence, thanks - this is very helpful indeed!)
Ian

[Harry]

I remember that film. It was stage footage with light shows and bubbles being blown or something. Very much of it's time.

[Ian Abrahams]

Guest-Harry said:

I remember that film. It was stage footage with light shows and bubbles being blown or something. Very much of it's time.

Thats the one - Dunstable 1972 was the gig, apparently about 30 minutes of the concert was shot and then condensed to make up the promo film for Silver Machine. Features a young (well, younger) Lemmy on bass & lead vocals.

[Laurence Piper]

There were a few individuals named in relation to TOTP films. I would imagine they worked freelance as an outside agency to shoot such material. I don't know any more of Tom but I think he'd be a cameraman (unless of course his was the name heading a small company that provided such material). That Hawkwind film is quite a well-known item and definitely has been circulated to various shows since.

[Neil Barker]

I thought Gary Glitter's "Rock & Roll" was the missing first song on the 22/6/72 edition?

[Matthew North]

im sure that totp2 mentioned that there is a silver machine lipthat was recently disovered, was his the same clip from the reel of film that was discovered of a complete gig that was mute of sound?

Matt

[Laurence Piper]

Neil said:

I thought Gary Glitter's "Rock & Roll" was the missing first song on the 22/6/72 edition?

It was definitely Elvis that was missing from that show, as I saw it at the NFT. The recording just cuts in about two thirds through the promo. Can't recall the Gary Glitter song in it (it's awhile ago now) but presumably it'll be in there. Anyone seen the show recently to confirm? There is however an existing clip of that song from elsewhere though.

[Pete Seaton]

i have the incomplete version on VT:

TOP OF THE POPS 22/06/72 (Incomplete, from BBC Scotland)
Introduced by Ed Stewart (start clipped)

>>Sweet - Little willy (Disc)
>>Gary Glitter - Rock and roll part 2 (Studio)

launches two thirds into this song....

Elvis Presley - American trilogy (Caravel film)
Argent - Tragedy (Studio)
Free - Little bit of love (Disc/Pans People)
New Seekers - Circles (Studio)
Dana - Crossword puzzles (Studio)
Move - California man (Studio)
Don MacLean - Vincent (Promo)
B Bumble & The Stingers - Nut rocker (Disc/Crowd/Credits)

(Credits) >> Top of the pops, Introduced this week by Ed Stewart,
Top thirty specially prepared for the BBC and Record Mirror by The British Market Research Bureau, Top Of The Pops Orchestra Directed by Johnny Pearson,
Vocal Backing by The Ladybirds, Musical Associate - Derek Warne,
Pan’s People Choreography by Flick Colby, Costume - Hazel Pethig,
Elvis Presley Film Directed by Tom Taylor, Edited by Caravel Films,
Still Photographer - Harry Goodwin, Sound - Richard Chamberlain,
Lighting - Ron Koplick, Design - David Chandler,
Produced by Johnnie Stewart,