offer to research old NME's Disc for tv show info

[Peter Stirling]

William do you have anything on the Dusty Springfield series for ATV in the spring of 1968 I think?
I recall she did more than sing and sometimes played comedy in sketches but not sure which series she did those in.

[williammcgregor]

Dusty Springfield UPDATE number 1

Hi Peter,

This following interview by NME's Keith Altham is taken from the NME dated 6th July 1968

Dusty Springfield would, I was informed, like to "hit back !" Now this did not sound like the fun-loving lass I knew of old. A skilfully placed over-head lob with a cream doughnut or a half volley with a Teapot yes ! But Dusty of an acid verbal variety was something to be seen and heard.

And so I sallied forth to the Lime Grove studios where Miss Springfield espied me in the canteen and quoth: "I wanna talk to you." So to the privacy of the dressing room from which the name plate has been removed to repel boarders and the table littered with cosmetics from Dusty's portable make-up department.

The subject at hand was Dusty's CURRENT ATV SERIES, "MUST BE DUSTY" of which there has been much adverse criticism. "And quite right too," said Dusty with lowered lips. "I did'nt produce it and all I can say is that I tried my best and channeled as much energy into it as the previous series. But there are certain systems that I can't fight and I can't fight that particular one. There was a total lack of imagination about the whole series and although I don't like to bring politics into it-the other two series were with another company (BBC) - and I hope to be doing the next series back with the old firm.

"I'll never work for the other one again I'll tell you that !" And that as they say is that. On to far more pleasant things which include the emergence of a fine new single from Dusty, " I close My Eyes and Count to Ten." "Clive Westlake wrote the song for me-he wrote 'All I see You is You' and 'Losing You' with my brother Tom. It was around for some time and I was dashing about and never actually heard it until he finally got it to me personnally. "It affected me immediately as a possible single-it had a lot to do with the demonstration record he made. He always makes beautiful demos and plays the piano on them !" I put it tactfully that as her last single did not do as much as she hoped ("It was a flop, folks," emphasised Dusty brightly) was the success of this record even more important?

"Yes, it's very good for me ego, I certainly have not got to the stage where I can do without hit records. I can exist without them but I would rather not !" Dusty is about to become managerless when her contract finishes a few weeks from now with Vic Billings. What kind of organisation is she to have to guide her career from then?

"At the moment everything is being handled by Harold Davison and very well too. I feel very safe in that enviroment. In the states I have a lawyer, who looks at contracts and sees that I don't feel a desperate need for a personal manager at the moment"

How difficult has it been for Dusty to find the right material and has the long time between singles been because of this difficulty?

"It really is enormously difficult," said Dusty, "And I have waited a long time for this song-I was so lucky to get it.

"Jim Webb is said to be writing some things for me. I met him and got to know him a little. It would be marvellous if he did write something."

The nice thing about Dusty and there is more than one is that she retains that nervous, quietly spoken and sensitive manner when you meet her. Nice, because for someone who is so professional and played to so many huge audiences she might be forgiven for becoming blase. She is particularly concerned that the fans should not misunderstand her American activities.

"I've done quite a lot of TV in America and I really enjoy trying to get through to the college kids," said Dusty. "but because I leap off to work there occasionally does not mean I'm going to stay there. Some of the kids who write to me get very upset about it and it's very flattering, but really I'm staying and to prove it I've just bought a house here which is something I've been wanting to do for ages."

At the moment the preparations for her Talk of the Town season are "tearing" her up and in spite of the best laid plans-"all has been left to the last minute and I'm in the usual panic." Is she planning new things to do?

"Yes, to which the critics will probably say why does'nt she stick to singing. It's no great departure but having flung myself around the stage for fifty minutes last time and had the critics say 'She's too static' I shall probably nail both my feet to the floor this time."

Intrigued by Dusty doings things other than singing I persisted into enquiring of her new act.

Dusty smiled, "Well I do a little juggling and there's the trampoline-leaping gnomes folks."

That's more like the original article.

(more info from other NME's to follow)

[williammcgregor]

Can't find any ref about Dusty in comedy routines etc but maybe the following info will be of use?


Dusty Springfield UPDATE number 2

NME 20/1/68
Dusty Springfield's engagement book for the remainder of 1968 is now completely full! Details of her next 3 visits to America have been finalised-she will play cabaret dates, make major TV appearances and record an LP
in the states. Dusty is to star in another BBC1 series during the summer, and her return to London's Talk of the Town is now set. Besides a British concert tour she plans to visit Australia, Japan and Europe durring the course of the year.
Next week Dusty cuts a new single for early March release. She plays a week in cabaret at Batley Variety club from January 28th and leaves for America on February 5th for a month long cabaret and TV visit.
During this trip she will guest in TV shows hosted by Jonathan Winters, Pat Boone, Dick Clark and Mike Douglas as well as in the "Tonight" series.
Dusty returns in time to take part as already reported-in the Grand Gala du Disque in Amsterdam on 8th. The next 2 weeks will be devoted to British radio and TV appearances to promote her new single.
She flies to Canada on March 21st to play a 3 week cabaret season in Vancouver, then travels to Los Angeles for a season of similar length in that city during which she will guest in U.S.TV's "Bob Hope Show"
On returning to Britain Dusty stars in her second headlining cabaret season at London's Talk of the Town, for 4 weeks from May 6th.
She then telerecords a series of 6 half-hour BBC1 shows for screening in the late summer.
Another visit to Australia and Japan is tentatively planned for July-Dusty is being sought for a return cabaret season at Sydney's Chequers restaurant, and for cabaret and TV in Tokyo.
Numerous continental offers are also being considered and it is likely some of these will be taken up during the summer period.
Dusty's 3rd US visit of the year is scheduled for the autumn.
It will be a lengthy one involving cabaret seasons at Los Angeles West Side Room, New York Copacabana, Las Vegas Sands and Los Angeles Century Plaza.
She will also cut an LP in Hollywood.
During the course of this tight itinerary, Dusty intends to fit in a string of British concert dates. It is not yet certain exactly when these will take place, but late spring seems the most likely time.

[williammcgregor]

Dusty Springfield UPDATE number 3

NME 9/3/68
article on Dusty's upcoming ATV series which would be her first for Independant TV (6 shows) on a weekly basis, starting to be screened first in the London area on Tuesday May 7th and in most other regions on Friday 10th. The programmes run for 30 mins, and each would feature a special guest. Dusty's show replaced plans for a spring Mireille Mathieu series which was shelved until that autumn due to the French star being injured in a car accident.

NME 16/3/68
article on ATV's new weekly series "The Big Show" filmed primarily for U.S. TV under the title "Showtime" Dusty was booked for (April 21st) along with Frank Ifield and The Acker Bilk band

NME 23/3/68
Dusty withdraws from her scheduled appearance at the Academy Awards presentation ceremony in Hollywood on April 11th in which she was to have performed Burt Bacharach's Oscar nominated song "The Look of Love" she has decided that she has been spending too much time abroad, and intends 4 months to working in Britain.

[Deleted]

Thanks for your efforts in posting all this music info, William. It's always fascinating to read something from the time, to give original context!

[Peter Stirling]

Absolutely fascinating William thank you very much.

I know ATV loved Mireille Mathieu and its looks like she would have been first choice for the series had she not been in a car accident?

[williammcgregor]

Thanks Laurence and Peter

Dusty Springfield UPDATE number 4

here's something from the back page of the NME dated 13th July 1968
it has a small b/w picture of Dusty looking very coy dressed as Shirley Temple! then the following article by the NME's Andy Gray:-

DIMPLY DUSTY

Dusty Lollipop or Shirley Springtemple! That was the big surprise of Dusty's new act at the Talk of the Town on Monday (see picture left)

Her next-to-closing item was "On the Good Ship Lollipop." made famous some 30 years ago by moppet Shirley Temple. Dusty appeared in a little girl dress, with large red blobs on it, a big bow in her curly hair. She tapped danced with four "sailors."
Good fun and proud that Dusty is determined to have a well produced act (by Fred Perry of the Grade Organisation.

Blonde-wigged Dusty's first creation was pink, with bolero jacket and silver belt, from which flowed an ample skirt. Throughout her 75 minutes
she displayed great confidence, giving us most of her hits and her present chart climber, "I close my Eyes and Count to Ten." She sang Jacques Brel's "If You Go Away," paid tribute to Peggy Lee with "Money"
"Mr Wonderful," etc; did a pointless pointe number about railways (which she told us she sang at 15), and an Astrid Gilberto-sounding "Carnival."

After her movie star bit, which included a funny old film, she ended in diamantes to sing a powerful "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and "Satisfaction." Maybe a bit long but this can prune into the best act Dusty has ever done.

[Peter Stirling]

Thanks William, Shirley Temple has helped as I am pretty sure it was still ATV and it was 1930s style comedy and was with maybe Tom or Englebert. but don't worry about looking for it as you have helped enough.

[williammcgregor]

ok Peter, glad my info helped

[williammcgregor]

Honeybus UPDATE number 3

Honeybus interview whilst at the "Top of the Pops"studio

source: NME 20/4/68 article by NME reporter Keith Altham

Easter time at BBC "Top of the Pops" was bursting at the seams with pop talent. Ther was Honeybus, now reaping the rewards of their "I Can't Let Maggie Go" success and falling asleep all over their dressing room.

I visited the Honeybus, who were trying to catch up on a few hours lost kip in their dressing room.

"I Can't Let Maggie Go" is their third single and is the work of vocalist-guitarist Pete Dello.
Sometimes referred to as Pyscho-"Dello" he gave me his reasons for the success of their first hit.
"Apart from the fact that the record is obviously commercial-there were three DJ's behind us from the word go, I'd like to mention them.

"They were Kenny Everett, David Symonds and John Peel. Between them they helped us get the record off the ground."
The Honeybus are one of Britain's hottest properties at present but young manager Terry Noon is not rushing them into anything.

"The record company is already to rush us into an album." said Pete, "but we believe that we must take some time over this. "It's no use having a hit single in the charts and suddenly an album appears over the horizon. We have'nt even got a clue what is going to follow the single yet."

to all: (The above is just part of a fuller article which contains interviews with Graham Nash, Cliff Richard and Lulu who must have been on the same episode of TOTP?)

If you want to know any of the other interviews please let me know!

Previous Honeybus update is on page 2

cheers

[Brian Denton]

Although the strange BBC habit of putting 'The' before groups ("The Cream","The Pink Floyd" etc) is well-known, I've never before seen "The Honeybus". Thanks for that, William !

[jerryg]

Hi william ,if it is possible is there any listings in your music papers on the lift off xmas edition ,from dec 23rd 1970 ,many thanks.

[williammcgregor]

Lift-Off UPDATE number 3

Hi Jerry,

I found the info you're looking for within the NME dated 28th November 1970 on page 14 there is the following article:-

Star names for 'Lift Off' show

More big names have been lined up for Granada-TV's "Lift Off" which is fast becoming ITV's answer to "Top of the Pops." Lates bookings include Tommy Roe, The Equals, Mike Leroy and Black Magic (Wednesday December 2nd) Ken Dodd, Keith Potger and The New Seekers, Dave Dee, Dream Police and Billie Davis (Dec 9th) Peter Noone with Herman's Hermits, Julie Rogers, Stavely Makepiece and Jeff Collins (Dec 16th)

and Marmalade, Graham Bonney, Cassidy and Mike Leroy on (December 23rd)




cheers
William

[jerryg]

Hi william ,thank you so much for researching the info on lift off.you have certainley filled in a lot of gaps of artists that appeared on lift off,you have found some excellent info on pop shows ,can i just thank you so much for all your input on here ,if any time you come accross any more info on lift off either from 1971 ,or 1972 ,it would be very much appreciated.

[williammcgregor]

no problem jerry

It's a pleasure, I enjoy looking through the mags and if I can be helpful at the same time then that's even better.

regards William