July 30th: The Day 'Top of the Pops' Stops

After 42 years of broadcasting, the British TV show Top of the Pops was shown for the final time on July 30th 2006. Beginning on January 1st 1964, the weekly chart music show drew in loyal viewers to what was one of the most watched shows of the last half century. The show gave the spotlight to artists and bands of the moment, celebrating the now, and it soon became an honour to appear on the show, and even better to be ranked in the Top 10.

   Always with a lively studio audience, Top of the Pops was a vastly entertaining show for even those at home. The funky costumes, excitable atmosphere and memorable presenters (Jimmy Saville being among them) made it a bit different from other programmes it was up against at the time. Watching Top of the Pops was the first time I heard Led Zepplin's legendary song 'Whole Lotta Love', which became the show's theme tune. Although the weekly show got cancelled in 2006, the Christmas Specials are aired annually, along with Top of the Pops 2 which takes a journey to the yesteryears of music.