Top of the Spots

Another in our series of occasional posts, which crop up when a Top of the Pops LP makes a cameo appearance in the media.

This time out, we spotted one of the LPs in the popular British TV show, Hollyoaks, a sort-of adolescent soap opera screened in the early evenings. OK, we don't normally watch the show, and don't know much about it, but our research reveals the following:

Down in "Hollyoaks Village" is an "emporium" (a junk shop) staffed by the character, Liberty Savage. The episode screened on Valentine's Day this year saw Liberty having a tense conversation with her sister, inside the emporium, and here's what we noticed:

There it is - just behind her - Top of the Pops volume 26.

For some reason, they've stuck a big pink label over the model's face. Something's written on it, but we can't make out what!

Here's the original LP sleeve:

Next to it on the shelf is a Contour album, which may well be another budget cover version LP. Impossible to say. We don't recognise the red album sleeve behind it, but then again, it doesn't necessarily belong to the disc anyway.

Watch out for more 'Top of the Spots' - and if you see any yourself, drop us a line.

Top of the Spots

More television cameos for those Top of the Pops LPs...

This time, it's the short comedy series, The Rebel, starring Simon Callow.

Callow plays an anti-establishment, ex-mod who refuses to grow old and likes nothing more than sticking two fingers to the law. Filmed in Brighton, scene of the most famous mod-rocker showdown in the '60s, episode 2 has him leading a group of pensioners in a riot over improper use of charity shop donations.

Down on Brighton beach, one of his army - an elderly lady in a Zimmer frame - proceeds to produce some Top of the Pops LPs, and, launching one as a frisbee, leads a charge against the enemy, LPs held aloft...

Here are some stills of her in action:

We can spot very clearly, volume 15 (the frisbee) and volume 35.

There's a third LP we don't get to see, the very edge of which is just poking out from behind volume 15. Given the red frame just visible, this must be an upside down sleeve, and the sharp square corner of said frame leads me to think it's volume 21:

If you see any surprise appearances like this, on TV, film, magazine, etc - send them in, and we'll feature them here.

Top of the Pops - more TV exposure!

A few weeks ago I mentioned the guest appearance of a Top of the Pops LP on UK national TV here. Well it seems the LPs are getting a taste for the limelight ... fellow collector Colin Cannon pointed out to us another small-screen cameo, aired on New Years Eve just gone.

The show is the Scottish comedy, Still Game, which included a flashback scene to a 1970s party, chucking in everything the decade had to offer from ghastly wallpapers to fibre-optic table lamps. And spinning on the "music centre" was none other than "Top of the Pops" volume 25:

Alas, viewers didn't get to hear the LP, for dubbed over the top was "That's The Way (I Like It)" by KC and the Sunshine Band.

Still, great to see one of the old TOTP LPs being used, obviously for its status as a 1970s icon.

Little Jimmy Osmond discovers Top of the Pops!

There I was, casually ignoring the TV set tonight, when my attention was suddenly grabbed by a familiar sight: the sleeve of Top of the Pops volume 28...

What was it doing on BBC TV? You'll never guess - so I'll tell you!

The show was Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. The basic idea is a couple of celebs hook up with a couple of antiques experts, and travel from town to town hunting bargains to sell - hopefully at a profit - at auction. The whole thing is filmed of course. In tonight's gripping head-to-head, (no longer Little) Jimmy Osmond was pitting his wits against fellow popster, Tony Christie.

What happened next was quite unexpected. Jimmy and antiques expert Catherine Southon arrived in a second-hand shop in the town of Much Wenlock in Shropshire. They chanced upon a stack of old LPs, and out of the pile emerged this one. Jimmy Osmond was impressed to see an old Osmonds hit, "Crazy Horses" listed on the sleeve (he didn't seem to know it was a cover version though!):

Of course he had to buy it - and even more so when Catherine Southon pointed out another hit - Jimmy's own "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" also on the LP!

Turns out 'Little' Jimmy is a 'big' deal when it comes to bargaining. He managed to get half a dozen LPs, a vintage Marconiphone record player, and even a wire record rack for a fantastic all-in price of £25. Great bargain lot to take to auction.

And Jimmy had more tricks up his sleeve. He autographed the LP, and then proceeded to lead a chorus of "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" from the auction floor!

Bidding started at £50 and edged up to £56 - a £31 profit on the day. To be honest, if I'd been there I'd have raised the stakes considerably to secure this one - the record player alone was worth the price, never mind that LP.

Some lucky person took this gem home with him, and has a fantastic tale to tell. How often do you see one of the original recording artists proudly holding a Top of the Pops LP, let alone an autographed copy? (If the winning bidder is reading this, please get in touch and tell us about your day!)

If you're quick, you may be able to catch the whole episode on BBC iPlayer

Top of the Pops LPs feature on BBC TV!

Stop Press - BBC's early-evening The One Show has just broadcast an episode with coverage of the Top of the Pops album series, which includes interview material with session singer Martin Jay.

At the moment this is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer - but it won't be there for long! Check it out here - the Top of the Pops feature begins around the 12:30 mark...

THE ONE SHOW