Totp Surviving Website Database

[Paul Watkins]

After reading this forum for a while i noticed loads of questions about what survives in the archives, private collections/bootlegs, but it was time consuming to read all the posts (so of which are not clear) so i decided to build a webpage. I am in the middle of compiling the website database of all the surviving Totp clips and shows from 1964 - 1974.
I've currently got as far as 1970. Any additions/corrections would be appreciated.
Here's the webpage:
homepage.ntlworld.com/e.watkins/musictv/interest.htm

[Deleted]

There is such a list already, Paul. If you go to:
www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/totpperf/search.pl?type=totp1
you will find a searchable database on TOTP from day one. It lists the content of every episode in a fair amount of detail including a general idea of what survives (although your list is more detailed in this respect, which is handy!). I helped compile this information myself for the website and, although a few errors crept in with whoever put it online, it is a useful research tool. I'm glad to see the BBC haven't removed it now that the show itself has ended!

There are a few surviving clips listed on your site that I hadn't heard of before (e.g. I Can See For Miles). Are these all confirmed as existing?

[Paul Watkins]

Thanks for the information Lawrence, i was aware of this database and a valuable research tool it is, but it does not list the clips that have turned up on bootlegs and private collections, this is why i've put this webpage together to try and find out what is out there and maybe get it returned to the archive so we can all see the clips.
Regarding 'The Who - I can see for miles'. I don't have this clip but have been assured that it does exist , but in very poor quality. I thought it might be the clip from the show 'twice a fortnight' but was told it was definately totp from 67. I'd love to see it if anyone has a copy or even a screen grab
Anything marked with an asterix is not confirmed.

[Deleted]

Cheers, Paul. Good idea to create a site specifically for this subject! By the way, off the top of my head, one 1966 performance you missed out that exists outside of the BBC is The Walker Brothers' Baby, You Don't Have To Tell Me. Poor copies are doing the rounds (I have this myself so I can confirm it exists).

[Mark Leech]

Nice one - there is tons of stuff rumoured to exist, but not a definitive list of stuff that exists unofficially. I have a few bits and pieces here that you can add to the list:

GENE PITNEY - That Girl Belongs To Yesterday (TOTP 11-3-64)
THE SEEKERS - The Carnival Is Over (TOTP 1965 - unsure of the date, but it's a different performance than the one on the TOTP 40th Anniversary DVD). Has a bit of link from Alan Freeman at the beginning, so presumably is from 4-11-65. I think the DVD one is from 25-12-65 but not certain).

I have a few more but need to date them properly first.....

[garyjordanbrum]

Paul great work, keep it up, One addition to 1965 is Merry Gentle Pops Barron Knights Think I first saw this on boxpops I hope this helps

Gaz

gaztotp.blogspot.com/

[Barry Edwards]

A nice idea Paul.On last nights TOTPS 2 we had Cockney Rebel's Mr.Soft.If you go to the 'official' Top of the Pops database they list the show that this is from(August 15th 1974) as being wiped.A few of us on this board now know that this particular edition survives.Bring on the new list.....i look forward to seeing it when it's complete!

[alistairwilson]

Congratulations on the site Paul. It's an excellent companion to the TOTP database.

Hopefully the 2 surviving '66 editions in the US can be verified and returned one day. 1966 was an amazing year for bands and music so it's tragic to see it so dismally represented in the archives.

I seem to recall earlier this year a copy of the Tremeloes' 'Silence is golden' being advertised on ebay. Was it ever ascertained if this was genuine or (as I rather suspect) another infernal hoax?

[Richard Hunter]

You have the beginnings of an excellent website there Paul, well done.

An open question to those who frequent this web page I thought The Shadows "Don't Make My Baby Blue" had gone walkies from the BBC?

I recall when the TOTP2 message board was still going that the message board moderator-Edward Russell had advised that the clip had subsequently gone missing.

Can anyone confirm what the status is on this clip, I personally suspect it has gone missing as it's never been shown on TOTP2.

[Deleted]

Just a couple more additions to your list of existing clips, Paul:
30/09/65 - insert of Peter Paul and Mary performing "Early Morning Rain", recorded 20/09/65 on the set of "Tonight in Person" for use in TOTP, it was only discovered a year or two ago on a tape containing most of their two editions of TIP.
18/07/68 - Richard Harris "Macarthur Park" promo - this has been held for ages but the tx date was only added comparitively recently.
Both of the above are verified by Andrew Martin of the BBC, where they reside.

Also, I believe the Love Live Love rehearsal clip was for the
25/12/65 edition and not June.

[Kev Mulrenan]

I'm pretty sure Anatomy of Pop has some TOTP fragments.

I recall a 30 second clip of Maddie Bell on it.

It has Free Alright Now which already exists.

[Deleted]

True. But these are just fragments. Let's give Paul a chance to get all the complete performances up and accurate before he worries about these! Poor bloke! Another area for later on might be off-air audio recordings too, as there are many of these in existence.

[jonathanwood]

Good idea Paul.

Is it actually worth though listing unsubstantiated rumoured performances? Literally anything could be rumoured to exist. Anyway, if you think it's worthwhile listing these then maybe the "unconfirmed" flag could be to have different coloured text and then the spare column could accommodate more detail about definite sources, e.g. Disco etc. Just an idea.

Some additions in the archive:-

The Foundations Baby, Now That I've Found You 25th Dec 1967 Performance
Vanity Fair Hitchin' a Ride 18th Dec 1969 Performance
Chicago I'm A Man 29th Jan 70 Pan's People
Benny Hill Ernie 27th Dec 1971 Promo
Diana Ross Im Still Waiting 27th Dec 1971 Promo
George Harrison My Sweet Lord 27th Dec 1971 Pan's People
Rod Stewart Maggie May 27th Dec 1971 Performance
Rolling Stones Brown Sugar 27th Dec 1971 Performance
T.Rex Get It On 27th Dec 1971 Performance

Corrections:-
Marvin Gaye Heard It Through The Grapevine 27th Feb 1969 Disc/Audience
Jackson 5 Want You Back 5th Feb 70 Disc/Audience
Shocking Blue Venus 26th Feb 70 Disc/Audience

[Andrew Martin]

clivemonk said:

You have the beginnings of an excellent website there Paul, well done.

An open question to those who frequent this web page I thought The Shadows "Don't Make My Baby Blue" had gone walkies from the BBC?

I recall when the TOTP2 message board was still going that the message board moderator-Edward Russell had advised that the clip had subsequently gone missing.

Can anyone confirm what the status is on this clip, I personally suspect it has gone missing as it's never been shown on TOTP2.

It definitely does exist - it's part of the material that survives on original VT from a 1965 edition (29/7/65?), the same source as the Byrds, Jonathan King, Sonny and Cher, Herman's Hermits etc. A clip of the Shadows' performance was used in the TOTP 25th Anniversary show on 31/12/88, and the complete material, part of a Bob Pratt compilation tape is now logged under the first "Rock 'n' Roll Years" - which might explain why it is difficult to find, though not impossible...

[Paul Watkins]

Good Idea Jonathan
I've changed the layout slightly. I need information on some of the sources though.
Regarding the additional clips. I understand that those clips shown on the christmas editions were actually from earlier in the year (where i've listed them). If they are different then i'll list them in the christmas editions aswell, perhaps someone knows on this forum?
I'm currently working on the 1970-72 period and hope to update it this weekend.