08 May 1980

Thursday

1980-05-08

My age: 16

Events

 * I bought the 7" of 'Cars' by Gary Numan, "and I'm playing it at every possible moment". I was a bit slow here as the record had been out since last August (1979). I had probably got it via Oldies Unlimited mail order, and sadly without the picture sleeve which would have been this. The B side is non-album track 'Asylum' which I read somewhere was evidently inspired by the David Bowie track 'Warszawa'.

Top of the Pops
Historic show for me tonight as it featured two bands and songs which would make a huge impression on me, shaping my tastes in music and staying with me for the rest of my life. A special mention also for Jona Lewie and this one, featuring a distinctive synth sound: Full show line-up. Introduced by Peter Powell. (Chart position in brackets):
 * First one: Rock 'n' Roll by The Human League, which opened the show.
 * Second one: Messages by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
 * (30)	MYSTIC MERLIN – Just Can’t Give You Up (and charts)
 * (72)	The Human League – Rock And Roll
 * (2)	JOHNNY LOGAN – What’s Another Year?
 * (51)	PRELUDE – Platinum Blonde
 * (25)	MICHAEL JACKSON – She’s Out Of My Life (video)
 * (67)	MATCHBOX – Midnite Dynamos
 * (28)	AVERAGE WHITE BAND – Let’s Go Round Again (danced to by Legs & Co)
 * (73)	Jona Lewie – You’ll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties
 * (23)	COCKNEY REJECTS – The Greatest Cockney Rip-Off
 * (63)	BONEY M – My Friend Jack (video)
 * (27)	THE RUTS – Staring At The Rude Boys (repeat)
 * (53)	Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Messages
 * (10)	THE UNDERTONES – My Perfect Cousin
 * (1)	DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS – Geno (repeat)
 * (9)	HOT CHOCOLATE – No Doubt About It (play-out credits)

Read my blog entry on TOTP 80 for this show.

John Peel show

 * Peel plays side two of Just Can't Stop It the debut album by The Beat. The group were at no. 17 in the charts with 'Mirror in the Bathroom'.

Look-in
Can't remember if I was still getting/reading Look-in magazine, but anyway here's the cover (w/e 10 May 1980). No smash Hits this week.