SCAFFOLD QUERY

[johnstewart]

SCAFFOLD QUERY

Regarding the survival of Scaffold TV appearances; this has been mentioned before, though mainly in context of 'SCORE WITH THE SCAFFOLD'; a BBC series which was wiped. It ran from 1970 - 71. In the second series in her first appearance after 'Dr Who', Wendy Padbury appeared as a presenter. seem to recall her in dungarees introducing the band curiously as 'The Aintree Iron'; possibly misremembered detail on one edition; for some reason.

Scaffold wrote several records used as or specifically for TV shows. These included 'LIVER BIRDS' (largely exists) and 'DO YOU REMEMBER' (1967 - 69) (short 'All our yesterdays' type show - doesn't exist).

'TOTP' appearances. Mostly wiped. These included 'Thank U very much' (1967); 'Lily the Pink' (1969) and 'Liverpool Lou' (1974 - their comeback).

What hasn't been covered extensively before was the other shows that included Scaffold appearances. The following appear to exist (some of these were previously mentioned). Any additions or further details would be much appreciated.

BBC Programme from series 'At the Eleventh hour' 1968. In this Roger McGough appears and also sings what's described as 'Scaffold song' (unspecified).

BBC2 Live from the talk of the town 1969. A colour tape of the edition featuring 'Lily the Pink' seems to exist.

From ITV (ATV) show; similar period featuring 'Lily the Pink' (can't remember the title).

Beer commercial (B+W). Used on Ch. 4s 'Sounds of 69' documentary; a party scene with people those typical 50s / 60s egg box hats. Scaffold perform 'Lily' I think standing on a table again in the white suits; wonder if this was recorded in 68 as it looks very dated.

TOTP Xmas 69 'Lily the Pink'. A snippet was posted on the internet in recent years despite the absence of the official archive master.

Something exists for another 'Lily the Pink' c. 1974. In this Scaffold are dressed in ordinary clothes, donkey jackets or John Gorman in grey suit jacket. This may be German TV; an appearance at the point of 'Liverpool Lou' I recall reading about; appears to be a '2nd house' style format with images back projected intermittently. Could be British - ? Theres a similar clip on the 'Rock and Roll - the greatest years' VHS tape series.

[Stephen Doran]

John-Do you mean 1968 Rock and Roll-the greatest years?

[garyjordanbrum]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbvDy1wv2mA

From TOTP 69 xmas

[Stephen Doran]

Great but who was the topless lady?

[William Martin]

Oo er , more tame porno, what an odd collection, I wonder what else he had. keep a look out on youtube it probably won't be there for long.

[Phil Chappell]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=04LJvXVf5tc

This thread reminded me of The Scaffold in the Watneys Pale Ale ad. so I've uploaded it to Youtube so you can take a look. Enjoy.

[Stephen Doran]

Once saw that on a ready steady go video and didnt get it cos lily the pink was recorded in 1968 and the ad was years earlier?

[johnstewart]

stephendoran said:

John-Do you mean 1968 Rock and Roll-the greatest years?

Yes - I had read there was some kind of appearance from 1973 -74; I think German to promote their 'comeback' single 'Liverpool Lou'; and that this performance of 'Lily' tied in with that one (as a second track on the show).

[johnstewart]

stephendoran said:

Once saw that on a ready steady go video and didnt get it cos lily the pink was recorded in 1968 and the ad was years earlier?

The 'Ready steady go' videos were compilations as far as I know; which were a hotch potch of other sources as well as RSG; i.e. Dave Clark five other show appearances; and 'Pathe News' shorts.

[Peter Elliott]

Between his 1981 autobiography and various album sleevenotes over the years, Michael McCartney aka Mike McGear has mentioned various TV appearances.

Scaffold had a residency on an ABC magazine show called "Gazette" between 1963 and 1964. A live show I would be very surprised if anything has survived.

In 1966 Scaffold apparently hosted one of the last editions of "Ready Steady Go!".

Renowned film director Stephen Frears made a special with Scaffold for the BBC in 1968 which Mike stated was rather surreal and that led to him being namechecked as Mr Frears in "Lily The Pink".

He also reminisces about a promo film shoot for the US directed by Jim Goddard at LFC in Anfield for "Thank U Very Much" where the Kop fans yelled out the "our favourite team" line. Roger McGough being Evertonian was "elsewhere" that day.

"Lily The Pink" being number one at Xmas 1968 resulted in a busy schedule and theres extracts from the band itenrary for that week in McGears book revealing... the Talk Of The Town Scaffold Special was recorded on December 17th, a 12 o'clock call for "Crackerjack" on the 18th, a "live" TOTP on the 19th and on the 20th they recorded the famous "Liver Birds" theme tune with Pauline Collins at the BBC.

The Watney ad was what Scaffold were working on when Paul McCartney got married. Mike had only been told the night before about the wedding since he had promised to be Pauls' best man and Scaffold had to get the train from Lime Street to Euston on the day only for the train to break down resulting in Pauls' wedding being delayed by an hour and Mike being late for the commercial shoot as well!

Finally there was the 1971 single "Do The Albert" commissioned for a 1971 BBC show from the Albert Hall celebrating the Beebs' 50th anniversary (I think) and Scaffold performed that song in the show and apparently had the strange sight of John Gorman miming to the drum parts played by Keith Moon on the record which was a bit of a struggle.

I live in Liverpool and one of my best mates is pals with John Gorman who after a few years living in France is back in his native Merseyside and he has a habit of popping up and performing randomly at local poetry events with his madcap sense of humour intact. I've yet to meet him but I am hoping to do so before long and maybe then I can take the chance to ask him about some of these TV appearances.

Hope some of this info is useful and interesting.

[johnstewart]

Once again - absolutely great Peter and thank you.

If the meet up does happen with John Gorman; it may be worth mentioning also the following points.

Most are aware the two 'Score with the Scaffold' series don't officially exist; depleting much of Scaffolds catalogue; as the TOTP stuff doesn't likewise.

I noted on a programme on Roger McGough on BBC around 8 years ago or more. I think this was a Sunday shgw; possibly 'The Heavan and Earth show'. In this a clip of SCAFFOLD on a variety show (B+W T - R) was shown. The band were dressed in dark grey / black roll neck sweaters, and were performing 'Thank - u - very much'. BBC Senior Andrew Martin couldn't match this clip to anything in the BBC Archive and I wonder what it might be from.

SCAFFOLD also did the theme tune to 'Do you Remember' a sort of POINTS OF VIEW type review series on recent history year by year (c. 1969).

[Simon Winters]

Can you still buy Watneys beer in the USA?

[LanceM]

Simon,

I was looking at some articles, since I have never seen it for sale in the shops and stores in the USa. Looks like when the UK brewery closed, so did exportation to the US as well. Have not been able to see if anyone picked up the torch and is still brewing Watneys. I am getting mixed reports, some say it was the worse beer ever, others say the opposite that it was the greatest UK brewed bbr ever. I wish I could have a pint, and then decide for myself.Hope that helps.

Cheers, Lance.

[Deleted]

It no longer exists in the archives though!

[johnstewart]

johnstewart said:

Once again - absolutely great Peter and thank you.

If the meet up does happen with John Gorman; it may be worth mentioning also the following points.

Most are aware the two 'Score with the Scaffold' series don't officially exist; depleting much of Scaffolds catalogue; as the TOTP stuff doesn't likewise.

I noted on a programme on Roger McGough on BBC around 8 years ago or more. I think this was a Sunday shgw; possibly 'The Heavan and Earth show'. In this a clip of SCAFFOLD on a variety show (B+W T - R) was shown. The band were dressed in dark grey / black roll neck sweaters, and were performing 'Thank - u - very much'. BBC Senior Andrew Martin couldn't match this clip to anything in the BBC Archive and I wonder what it might be from.

SCAFFOLD also did the theme tune to 'Do you Remember' a sort of POINTS OF VIEW type review series on recent history year by year (c. 1969).

Re: the 'Thank - u - very much' B+W T/R. Noted with interest a clip shown on Sunday (recent) 'SOUTH BANK SHOW' on mersey poets.

This showed a B+W T/R from 1968 of Scaffold. It's credited as being an ABC programme featuring them called 'AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR' and includes songs.

Possibly this was the source; as it obviously exists?