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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2011 14:25:36 GMT
Very sorry to hear this. When someone like Jimmy, who has been around almost as long as I can remember, goes, it's a shock. As has already been said, a true eccentric and memorable broadcaster. He said what he thought and definitely not one of the latter generation of shallow DJ clones that came after him, all of which were xeroxed from a mix of him, Blackburn or Freeman.
R.I.P. Jimmy
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Post by Peter Stirling on Oct 30, 2011 16:47:15 GMT
One of those people you dont think about as dying, you think they are always going to be turning up somewhere.
If the 60s were a party, then he certainly got us through the hangover of the 70s.
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Post by Paul Cooksley on Oct 30, 2011 16:47:21 GMT
Well, out of my 50 TOTP editions that I attended, I am proud to say one of these was with Sir Jimmy co-presenting..... this was the recording of the final weekly edition on 26 July 2006.
The BBC really, really wanted to do the final weekly TOTP live on the Sunday that week (as was usual at the time, most Sunday editions were live from TV Centre). Savile had originally said no problem to this, but, the feeling was that he angered bosses a little by then accepting an invitation to host the Highland Games on that Sunday. So - and because the BBC desperately wanted him as part of the final weekly show, they hastily re-arranged the show from being live to being recorded on the Wednesday night before the Sunday tx. I know all this because I spoke to Jimmy about it as well as having a production guest invite to that particular TOTP which had to be re-arranged for the Wednesday recording...
Actually getting to meet him on that show was fantastic - he was so very iconic and someone that I had to literally pinch myself into reality with, at the time, to actually believe that I was standing next to him!
However, the one thing, from studying him at this recording that was very apparent (that certainly wasn't on screen during links etc) was just how tired and, dare I say, "doddery" and "confused" he appeared as soon as the link was over. Perhaps not surprising, given the fact that he was nearly 80 at the time of that recording. He'd liven up/joke/be his usual self when the link was being recorded, but the moment it cut to the vt montage, he'd have floor assistants etc coming up to him...."Do you want to sit down..?" ...."are you sure you're ok..." etc... Just watching him as everyone mulled around the next presenters links etc. it really did become apparant that he appeared quite bemused and perplexed by it all...... something that, for some reason, really suprised me.
I later actually was invited to do several BBC radio interviews to talk about the final weekly edition of TOTP WITH Sir Jimmy! Mr "no one" me guesting alongside Sir Jimmy in the same interview. I felt incredibly privileged.
We then kept in touch by several letters which I still have - just posted some of them on my Facebook page along with one of the radio interviews.....
So, such very sad news yesterday. To me, he was one of those figures that you assumed would just "go on forever". R.I.P. Jimmy....... thanks for all great memories....
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Post by James C on Oct 30, 2011 18:39:10 GMT
I thought Jimmy would live forever, the eternal teenager. R.I.P. Now then now then!
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Post by Peter Stirling on Oct 30, 2011 23:20:47 GMT
Well, out of my 50 TOTP editions that I attended, I am proud to say one of these was with Sir Jimmy co-presenting..... this was the recording of the final weekly edition on 26 July 2006. However, the one thing, from studying him at this recording that was very apparent (that certainly wasn't on screen during links etc) was just how tired and, dare I say, "doddery" and "confused" he appeared as soon as the link was over. Perhaps not surprising, given the fact that he was nearly 80 at the time of that recording. He'd liven up/joke/be his usual self when the link was being recorded, but the moment it cut to the vt montage, he'd have floor assistants etc coming up to him...."Do you want to sit down..?" ...."are you sure you're ok..." etc... Just watching him as everyone mulled around the next presenters links etc. it really did become apparant that he appeared quite bemused and perplexed by it all...... something that, for some reason, really suprised me. Paul great anecdote I think Jimmy had had a major heart operation around that time If I remember correctly, and could explain why they were fussing around him ? but like Bob Monkhouse (when he was very ill) they were a dying breed of 'star' where the show must go on and they must appear how their audience expects to see them. RIP Sir Jim |
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Post by Paul Cooksley on Oct 31, 2011 10:21:01 GMT
Well, out of my 50 TOTP editions that I attended, I am proud to say one of these was with Sir Jimmy co-presenting..... this was the recording of the final weekly edition on 26 July 2006. However, the one thing, from studying him at this recording that was very apparent (that certainly wasn't on screen during links etc) was just how tired and, dare I say, "doddery" and "confused" he appeared as soon as the link was over. Perhaps not surprising, given the fact that he was nearly 80 at the time of that recording. He'd liven up/joke/be his usual self when the link was being recorded, but the moment it cut to the vt montage, he'd have floor assistants etc coming up to him...."Do you want to sit down..?" ...."are you sure you're ok..." etc... Just watching him as everyone mulled around the next presenters links etc. it really did become apparant that he appeared quite bemused and perplexed by it all...... something that, for some reason, really suprised me. Paul great anecdote I think Jimmy had had a major heart operation around that time If I remember correctly, and could explain why they were fussing around him ? but like Bob Monkhouse (when he was very ill) they were a dying breed of 'star' where the show must go on and they must appear how their audience expects to see them. RIP Sir Jim Very true Peter, very true...... Whilst the links were being recorded with other presenters, (so after we cut to a vt montage and the audience were then milling around the next presenter links) I stayed with Jimmy at the edge of one of the sets in TC3, chatting about the show and just being totally in awe of standing next to a legend like this! He said on one hand he understood the reasons why it was ending - although he put it down to the "manufacturing" of the show and how it had lost it's original atmosphere. I agreed with him up to a point, certainly perhaps on screen, but also pointed out that, when recording the show at TV Centre, it *always* to me, had the same "magic" atmosphere....at this point in time (2006) I had done 18 years worth of recordings... He then explained that he was talking about the show's haydays in the 60's and 70's - something I was just a little too young to remember or be a big part of.... A couple of days later we did a radio interview for BBC Scotland.... I could ask him anything I wanted (!) so I chose to ask his opinions on the very poor state of the TOTP BBC archives during the sixties to mid seventies..... I said wasn't it a crying shame that the BBC didn't bother to keep much of this period in complete editions etc... ? His reply? He said it was all down to "storage" issues plus the fact they were all recorded on film and film deteriorates, that's why they weren't kept! Of course, how on earth could I correct him? Instead I remained silent whilst the presenter luckily changed subjects!!!!!! |
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Post by markg on Oct 31, 2011 11:19:00 GMT
I remember someone brought their video recorder into our Scouts meeting, and showed an edition of Top of the Pops recorded from the previous evening. This would be around 1974 or thereabouts (I vaguely remember Mud doing Tiger feet or some such). Of course, being something I'd already seen, it did not seem that 'momentous' ...
The one thing I remember about that "final" edition (apart from it being one of the worst/dullest TOTP shows ever), was Jim's final 'shutting down the big switch with a sad shrug and a disapproving glare to the camera.
Although, what seemed to make amends was a 'special' TOTP which was more like the old days, for 'Comic Relief' or "Children in need" where The Saturdays were meant to have the number one but had failed, so basically it was an old-style show (I know Oasis did "Falling Down"), and all the better a final episode for it.
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Post by Paul Cooksley on Oct 31, 2011 14:22:49 GMT
I remember someone brought their video recorder into our Scouts meeting, and showed an edition of Top of the Pops recorded from the previous evening. This would be around 1974 or thereabouts (I vaguely remember Mud doing Tiger feet or some such). Of course, being something I'd already seen, it did not seem that 'momentous' ... The one thing I remember about that "final" edition (apart from it being one of the worst/dullest TOTP shows ever), was Jim's final 'shutting down the big switch with a sad shrug and a disapproving glare to the camera. Although, what seemed to make amends was a 'special' TOTP which was more like the old days, for 'Comic Relief' or "Children in need" where The Saturdays were meant to have the number one but had failed, so basically it was an old-style show (I know Oasis did "Falling Down"), and all the better a final episode for it. The final weekly edition was a bit of a let down yes...... I knew well in advance that there would be no acts performing in the studio, but, of course, the general audience didn't know, so I think it came as a bit of blow to alot of people that they weren't actually going to see any big names perform. There were media/newspaper reports that "half the audience walked out" in disgust, but I can say that was certainly not true - people may have been somewhat disapppointed, but I don't think many left before the very end.... It was slightly embarrising for me later that evening, as I was a guest on BBC News 24, which I had to head to straight after the recording. The reason it was a tad embarrisisng was, the presenter asked me what "big names" performed on the show and who "we would be seeing on Sunday?" I somehow had to reply that no-one performed at all! I think I just about managed to get out of that one - tricky though, live on air - had to think of a decent answer quickly! Going back on topic to Sir Jimmy, yes, it was his idea to "put the lights out" - something, ironically, that was recorded at the very start of the programme! And....as you mention the Comic Relief Special, just thought I would add that this was one of the *best* ever TOTP atmosphere's I had ever encountered in 22 years! I got to meet so many people, and, for once, photography rules were relaxed and you could freely take piccys - which I did - loads of them! Fantastic night - plus got meet David Tennant - and being a huge Dr Who fan, was a dream come true - my two "tv greats" (!) - Dr Who and Top of the Pops with a night at TV Centre. Great memories! |
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Post by Ray Langstone (was saintsray) on Oct 31, 2011 14:28:10 GMT
the 'Jean Genie' episode:-
""TOP OF THE POPS 04/01/73 (BBC1 6.45pm) ®
Introduced by Jimmy Savile
David Bowie - The jean genie (Studio) FOUND (2 inch)
Status Quo - Paper plane (Studio)
Wings - C moon (Promo)
Lieutenant Pigeon - Desperate Dan (Studio)
New Seekers - Come softly to me (Promo)
T.Rex - Solid gold easy action (Studio) Rpt (on video Ultimate Collection)
Carly Simon - You’re so vain (Disc)
Cat Stevens - Can’t keep it in (Disc)
Wizzard - Ball park incident (Disc)
Little Jimmy Osmond - Long haired lover from Liverpool (Studio) Rpt
(Credits) >> Musical Director - Johnny Pearson, Choreography - Flick Colby, Sound - Richard Chamberlain, Produced by Johnnie Stewart""
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Post by ajsmith on Oct 31, 2011 17:06:34 GMT
What annoys me is that if that last TOTPs had been just on week earlier, the No.1 would've been McFly performing "Don't Stop Me Now": a perfect song to end th show on. And I'm SURE we would''ve been treated to one final in the studio performance.
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Post by Mark Leech on Oct 31, 2011 18:20:32 GMT
the man was a legend - always enjoyed his appearances on Top Of The Pops. Even if the line-up wasn't the best you could always guarantee his links would entertain. RIP Jim.
P.S. shame the great man didn't keep any of his appearances on the show - what a trove that would have been.
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Post by Richard Hunter on Oct 31, 2011 21:39:21 GMT
Jimmy was one of a kind and will be sadly missed.
He certainly brought a smile to many peoples faces myself included.
He must also have made a large number of kids happy with his Jim'll Fix It TV show.
I loved one of his comments on one of the recent TOTP repeats on BBC4 where he introduces Abba's Dancing Queen by saying "How are you ladies and gentlemen" then replying "very well thank you".
If anyone else said it like that it wouldn't make sense however with Jim it didn't matter.
RIP Sir Jim.
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Post by LanceM on Oct 31, 2011 23:11:05 GMT
Ray:
I hope this may spurr ( in light of recent events ) a re-screening of the Jean Jeanie clip. Betting David Bowie's management will be interested in this material as well by the way. Would suggest trying to get in touch with them at some point there.
Another one of those, fingers crossed times eh? Hoping we all get to see this at some point. Any further news there by the way? Just wondering is all.
Very sad indeed there in regards to Sir. Saville's passing, no one can ever replace his charismatic-dramatic-and enduring character. No one will ever replace him there in regards. Thank you for so many great memories. Great hearing everyone's anecdotes for this great individual. He will quite obviously be missed by many, myself definitely included there. Now, in finding some of his other now "lost" moments in TV history. The search goes on.......
Cheers, Lance.
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Post by Ray Langstone (was saintsray) on Nov 1, 2011 8:44:53 GMT
Hi Lance,
the owner of the Jean Genie clip is in touch with Kal, and at this point, the main thing is to get in transferred and preserved which I have good faith that Kal will do as long as it's got to that stage.
At this point, I don't think there is any need to contact Bowie's management.
Kal I'm sure will let anyone who needs to know at the appropriate time, although I am pretty sure that some BBC staff are aware the footage is in the process of potential recovery, as it was originally mentioned on one of their shows.
It's in safe hands with Kal.
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Post by Chris Dabbs on Nov 2, 2011 11:19:33 GMT
I wrote to Jim'll Fixit as a 7yo kid. Very sad of the news, naturally. I loved his Saville's Travels radio shows.
:-)
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