Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1979

Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1979 is the title of a documentary produced by the BBC in 2014. The programme continues the Top of the Pops history documentaries which started with The Story of 1976.

The programme is narrated by Tamsin Grieg.

Subjects discussed

 * winter of discontent
 * Disco music
 * New wave/post-punk music
 * N. Ireland troubles
 * TOTP orchestra / Musican's union
 * Electronic music
 * Reggae music
 * Chart 'rigging' / compiling
 * Two-tone / ska
 * Loudness and technical difficulties
 * Studio audience / crowd
 * Voice-over to previous recordings and promo videos (November)
 * Arrival of Michael Hurll and 1980 preview (Human League, OMD, Ultravox, Adam and the Ants)

Interviewees

 * Gary Numan, Shaun Tilley, Patrick Humphries (pop historian) Nile Rogers, Trevor Nelson, Judd Lander, Jim Dooley, David Jensen, the Ruts, Linda Nolan, Richard Jobson, Jah Wobble, Nicky Tesco (The Members), Bruce Thomas (The Attractions), Chas and Dave, Dan Woodgate (Madness).

Featured performances (TOTP studio)

 * Chic - Le freak
 * PIL - Death Disco
 * Ruts - babylon's Burning
 * Nolans - Mood for Dancing
 * The Dooleys - Wanted
 * Generation X - King Rocker
 * Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Accidents Will Happen / Oliver's Army
 * Chas and Dave - Gertcha
 * The Jacksons - Destiny
 * Gary Numan - Cars
 * Tubeway Army - Are 'freinds' Electric
 * Denis Brown - Money in my Pocket
 * Janet Kay - Silly Games
 * The Members - Offshore Banking Business
 * The Police - Roxanne
 * Madness - One Step Beyond
 * The Ruts - Something That I Said
 * Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2 (video)