It was 30 years ago that a partnership between major record labels came up with an idea so simple, it was amazing it hadn't been done before. Compilation albums of hits by various artists were nothing new, but they tended to consist of hits from years gone by, in a specific genre (for example 20 Golden Country Greats, or Hits of the Sixties, or other such titles I just made up!). The 'Now! That's What I Call Music' (often shortened to just 'Now!') series of compilation records was different. These records, selling for a reasonable price, were issued originally on double vinyl LP or cassette (CD came later) and contained a bumper selection of hit singles by current acts, and the songs themselves were all still fresh in the mind, having been in the charts only weeks earlier.
The fact that the records were on double LP was also important, the limitations of the format meant that to obtain optimum sound quality, a vinyl LP could not go for much longer than 20 minutes a side. Earlier compilation albums released by budget labels always tried to cram at least an hour's worth of music onto a single LP, at the expense of volume and clarity.
The format was an immediate success, as a buyer could have a whole album full of recent hits at a fraction of the price it would have cost to buy them all as singles. Follow-up compilations were soon released, settling at the rate of three per year and always including the chart hits from the intervening period.
Other record labels soon got in on the act, and similar compilations featuring hits from acts on their rosters began to appear in the shops. For a time in the 1980s, the album charts were almost completely dominated by these compilation albums as they sold in large numbers. That all changed at the end of the 1980s when the same record labels began to complain that their marquee acts were being kept off the top of the album charts by these compilations. The chart compilers sympathised, and a separate chart was established to contain only these multi-artist compilation albums. Where that left the credibility of the album charts, based as it was on sales, was questionable. However, the Now! series has continued to this day, at the time of writing the 84th 'Now!' album has just been released, although these days it is issued on CD and also as a digital download. Even this is better value, since it works out cheaper to buy a download of the Now! compilations than it would be to buy the same tracks separately.
The original vinyl LP track listing for the first 'Now! That's What I Call Music' album was as follows:
Side one
Phil Collins : "You Can't Hurry Love"
Duran Duran : "Is There Something I Should Know"
UB40 : "Red Red Wine"
Limahl : "Only for Love"
Heaven 17 : "Temptation"
KC & The Sunshine Band : "Give It Up"
Malcolm McClaren : "Double Dutch"
Bonnie Tyler : "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Side two
Culture Club : "Karma Chameleon"
Men Without Hats : "The Safety Dance"
Kajagoogoo : "Too Shy"
Mike Oldfield : "Moonlight Shadow"
Men at Work : "Down Under"
Rock Steady Crew : "Hey You (Rock Steady Crew)"
Rod Stewart : "Baby Jane"
Paul Young : "Wherever I Lay My Hat"
Side three
New Edition : "Candy Girl"
Kajagoogoo : "Big Apple"
Tina Turner : "Let's Stay Together"
The Human League : "(Keep Feeling) Fascination"
Howard Jones : "New Song"
UB40 : "Please Don't Make Me Cry"
Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack : "Tonight I Celebrate My Love"
Side four
Tracey Ullman : "They Don't Know"
Will Powers : "Kissing with Confidence"
Genesis : "That's All"
The Cure : "The Love Cats"
Simple Minds : "Waterfront"
Madness : "The Sun and the Rain"
Culture Club : "Victims"
Looking through these compilations, they are a time capsule of the years in which they were released. To close this look back, here is an advert from 1983 advertising that very first Now! album (2023 edit: dead link replaced):
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
The Cabbage Patch Kids craze
The 'must-have' toy of 1983 was the Cabbage Patch Kids doll. Created by Xavier Roberts, these were hand-stitched, soft-sculptured dolls resembling small children, which were sold complete with an 'adoption' certificate, and each doll was unique. Launched nationwide by US toy firm Coleco, the dolls soon became popular among collectors and rapidly became the latest must-have toy. The scarcity of the dolls led directly to riots at stores, as demand far outstripped supply and angry consumers fought amongst themselves for the much-prized dolls. The scenes were forerunners to the now-annual Black Friday sales in the US and elsewhere, when customers looking for bargains frequently fought one another for the few heavily discounted items on offer.
As with most fads, the Cabbage Patch Kids demand ebbed away in later years as new 'must-have' toys emerged; the dolls are still produced to this day however and still have a cult following, even a dedicated website.
A period commercial for Cabbage Patch Kids is shown here:
As with most fads, the Cabbage Patch Kids demand ebbed away in later years as new 'must-have' toys emerged; the dolls are still produced to this day however and still have a cult following, even a dedicated website.
A period commercial for Cabbage Patch Kids is shown here:
Monday, 25 November 2013
The Brinks-Mat Robbery: the crime of the century
The media called it 'the crime of the century' when in November 1983, a gang of six thieves broke into the Brinks-Mat warehouse sited close to London Heathrow Airport. Having forced their way past the security guard, the gang once inside poured petrol over staff inside, threatening to ignite it if the combination to the vaults was not surrendered. Expecting to find £3.2 million in cash, the gang instead discovered that the vault contained three tonnes of gold bullion. Ultimately the haul was £26million in gold, diamonds and cash (worth around £500 million in today's money). The bullion was owned by Johnson Matthey bankers, who subsequently collapsed and came under police investigation themselves when it was discovered that they had made large loans to fraudsters and insolvent firms.
It later emerged that the security guard was a brother-in-law to one of the robbers, and had been in on the plot. Both were arrested in December 1983. Members of the gang were tracked down and arrested, most notably Kenneth Noye who was convicted of handling the stolen gold in 1986 and imprisoned. He served seven years before he became involved in a 'road rage' murder of another motorist in 1996. Having fled to Spain, he was extradited and tried, receiving a life sentence. One of the thieves, Micky McAvoy was given a 25-year prison sentence for his part in the robbery. An associate (George Francis) was later murdered, but none of the other robbers were ever caught.
Most of the three tonnes of stolen gold was never recovered, and it is believed at least half of it made its way back onto the market by 1996. Many of those involved directly or indirectly have met with early deaths, leading to the so-called 'curse of Brinks-Mat'.
The robbery has become almost as notorious as the Great Train Robbery of the 1960s and has been the basis for several documentaries and a film ('Fools Gold', 1992) starring Sean Bean as one of the thieves.
It later emerged that the security guard was a brother-in-law to one of the robbers, and had been in on the plot. Both were arrested in December 1983. Members of the gang were tracked down and arrested, most notably Kenneth Noye who was convicted of handling the stolen gold in 1986 and imprisoned. He served seven years before he became involved in a 'road rage' murder of another motorist in 1996. Having fled to Spain, he was extradited and tried, receiving a life sentence. One of the thieves, Micky McAvoy was given a 25-year prison sentence for his part in the robbery. An associate (George Francis) was later murdered, but none of the other robbers were ever caught.
Most of the three tonnes of stolen gold was never recovered, and it is believed at least half of it made its way back onto the market by 1996. Many of those involved directly or indirectly have met with early deaths, leading to the so-called 'curse of Brinks-Mat'.
The robbery has become almost as notorious as the Great Train Robbery of the 1960s and has been the basis for several documentaries and a film ('Fools Gold', 1992) starring Sean Bean as one of the thieves.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Vandalism of The Blue Peter Garden
Vandalism was nothing new even in 1983 but the news that the Blue Peter garden had been destroyed in a senseless act made national headlines. Blue Peter was a long-running magazine show broadcast twice weekly on BBC television, aimed at children its variety of features appealed to all ages. The garden was a regular feature on the programme, created in 1974 by Percy Thrower (the original celebrity TV gardener) it featured a greenhouse, a vegetable patch and a sunken garden with a pond.
The vandalism was reported on the programme itself by then presenter Janet Ellis, damage reported included a broken urn, trampled-upon vegetation and oil deposited into the pond, poisoning the goldfish within. She appealed on-air for information which would lead to the arrest of the vandals, but the identity of the culprits remained a mystery until, in an apparent confession in the year 2000, former QPR, Newcastle and Tottenham football player Les Ferdinand said he 'might have' helped others over the wall including fellow former player Dennis Wise (a schoolfriend of his at the time). Although Ferdinand claimed this was said in jest, the press published it as a confession and the story made national headlines once again.
A more amusing reference to this incident came in the 2006 TV cop/time travel series 'Ashes To Ashes'; in the story, a suspect is being chased by DCI Gene Hunt (played by Philip Glenister) when he suddenly climbs over a wall. Hunt climbs after him while, closely behind, DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) launches a missile over the wall and (incredibly) hits the suspect with it. The missile was an oil can, and Hunt is seen coming back over to demand assistance in apprehending the suspect, still unaware of where he is. When the camera zooms out, the famous 'Blue Peter' logo is revealed.
As for the garden itself, it was eventually restored and many years later, was relocated when the BBC moved the children's section north to Salford. 'Blue Peter' is still shown but is nowadays broadcast on the specialist CBBC channel, a far cry from the days when it commanded millions of viewers of all ages.
The vandalism was reported on the programme itself by then presenter Janet Ellis, damage reported included a broken urn, trampled-upon vegetation and oil deposited into the pond, poisoning the goldfish within. She appealed on-air for information which would lead to the arrest of the vandals, but the identity of the culprits remained a mystery until, in an apparent confession in the year 2000, former QPR, Newcastle and Tottenham football player Les Ferdinand said he 'might have' helped others over the wall including fellow former player Dennis Wise (a schoolfriend of his at the time). Although Ferdinand claimed this was said in jest, the press published it as a confession and the story made national headlines once again.
A more amusing reference to this incident came in the 2006 TV cop/time travel series 'Ashes To Ashes'; in the story, a suspect is being chased by DCI Gene Hunt (played by Philip Glenister) when he suddenly climbs over a wall. Hunt climbs after him while, closely behind, DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) launches a missile over the wall and (incredibly) hits the suspect with it. The missile was an oil can, and Hunt is seen coming back over to demand assistance in apprehending the suspect, still unaware of where he is. When the camera zooms out, the famous 'Blue Peter' logo is revealed.
As for the garden itself, it was eventually restored and many years later, was relocated when the BBC moved the children's section north to Salford. 'Blue Peter' is still shown but is nowadays broadcast on the specialist CBBC channel, a far cry from the days when it commanded millions of viewers of all ages.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
1983 in television: The Day After
Television movie 'The Day After' was first shown in the United States on 20 November 1983. The film, which depicted war breaking out between the NATO alliance (headed by the US) and the Warsaw Pact countries of the Soviet Union, drew an audience of over 100 million people. Coming as it did at a time of real tension between these two blocs, this fictionalised account of events leading up to an exchange of nuclear strikes and the consequences struck a chord with many, most notably including then-President Ronald Reagan.
The plot, in brief, chronicles a military build-up in (then Warsaw Pact-held) East Germany by the Soviet forces, who are aiming to drive the US, UK and French garrisons from West Berlin. When this does not succeed, tensions escalate with the Soviet Union blockading West Berlin and provoking NATO forces into East Germany in order to liberate their half of the divided city. Eventually it escalates into full-blown conflict, and nuclear missiles are launched from both sides (the film's producers intentionally left it ambiguous as to which side struck first).
The film's frank depiction of the aftermath of a nuclear attack on an ordinary American city hit home with viewers, since before the attack scenes the characters were introduced complete with back stories, families, leading lives that many could relate to.
Director Nicholas Meyer set out to show as honest a depiction of the disastrous effects of nuclear war as possible, and fought with censors from ABC television to get his wishes. In addition, he did not want to use any big-name stars in the movie, although actor Steve Guttenberg (who went on to star in the Police Academy series of movies) was cast. Following the film's transmission in the US, ABC aired a live studio debate including figures such as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, scientist Carl Sagan and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, as well as General Brent Scowcroft and a conservative political commentator (William F. Buckley, Jr). The film was also shown internationally, being broadcast in the UK on the ITV network soon after transmission in the US.
Also shown in early 1984 (filmed in 1983) was the BBC's own film 'Threads'; this was an even darker production which focused on two families in Sheffield, UK who were drawn together by the engagement of a son and daughter from either family. Their plans for a life together are at first underscored by news reports depicting a military build-up similar to that told in 'The Day After' then shattered altogether by a sudden escalation of hostilities, culminating in an attack on the UK and its (bleak) aftermath.
Both 'The Day After' and 'Threads' brought it home to the ordinary person in the street just what could happen at any time, and the period was a worrying time in late 20th century history. Ultimately the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact collapsed at the end of the 1980s and so none of this came to pass, however the weapons remain and although many have grown up without the shadow of 'mutually assured destruction' hanging over them, threats from other nations remain.
Shown is a trailer for 'The Day After':
The plot, in brief, chronicles a military build-up in (then Warsaw Pact-held) East Germany by the Soviet forces, who are aiming to drive the US, UK and French garrisons from West Berlin. When this does not succeed, tensions escalate with the Soviet Union blockading West Berlin and provoking NATO forces into East Germany in order to liberate their half of the divided city. Eventually it escalates into full-blown conflict, and nuclear missiles are launched from both sides (the film's producers intentionally left it ambiguous as to which side struck first).
The film's frank depiction of the aftermath of a nuclear attack on an ordinary American city hit home with viewers, since before the attack scenes the characters were introduced complete with back stories, families, leading lives that many could relate to.
Director Nicholas Meyer set out to show as honest a depiction of the disastrous effects of nuclear war as possible, and fought with censors from ABC television to get his wishes. In addition, he did not want to use any big-name stars in the movie, although actor Steve Guttenberg (who went on to star in the Police Academy series of movies) was cast. Following the film's transmission in the US, ABC aired a live studio debate including figures such as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, scientist Carl Sagan and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, as well as General Brent Scowcroft and a conservative political commentator (William F. Buckley, Jr). The film was also shown internationally, being broadcast in the UK on the ITV network soon after transmission in the US.
Also shown in early 1984 (filmed in 1983) was the BBC's own film 'Threads'; this was an even darker production which focused on two families in Sheffield, UK who were drawn together by the engagement of a son and daughter from either family. Their plans for a life together are at first underscored by news reports depicting a military build-up similar to that told in 'The Day After' then shattered altogether by a sudden escalation of hostilities, culminating in an attack on the UK and its (bleak) aftermath.
Both 'The Day After' and 'Threads' brought it home to the ordinary person in the street just what could happen at any time, and the period was a worrying time in late 20th century history. Ultimately the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact collapsed at the end of the 1980s and so none of this came to pass, however the weapons remain and although many have grown up without the shadow of 'mutually assured destruction' hanging over them, threats from other nations remain.
Shown is a trailer for 'The Day After':
Monday, 11 November 2013
1983 in television: Auf Wiedersehen Pet
First broadcast on ITV in 1983, the comedy-drama 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' about a group of British construction workers who found work in (West) Germany, was a hit show and made stars of its cast, notably Geordie actor Jimmy Nail (cast as builder 'Oz'), Timothy Spall (as electrician Barry), Kevin Whately (who played Neville, he later had another hit role alongside John Thaw in the 'Inspector Morse' series), Tim Healy (who played lead character Dennis) and wrestler-turned-actor Pat 'Bomber' Roach, whose character was coincidentally called Bomber. Also starring in this series was Gary Holton, a former rock musician who played 'chirpy Cockney' carpenter Wayne.
The first series, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais of 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?' fame, chronicled the group as they worked on a site in Düsseldorf, finding that their accommodation was not the promised hostel, but a small hut ('like a PoW camp' according to the group) and chronicling the interaction between the guys, who hailed from different parts of the country (including one Scouse character, plasterer 'Moxey' played by Christopher Fairbank) but centred on the three Geordies in the group, 'Oz' (Jimmy Nail), Dennis (Tim Healey) and Neville (Kevin Whately). Although set in Germany, much of the filming took place on the backlot at Borehamwood (used in many UK productions including 'The Prisoner') which was then operated by series producers Central TV. A notable 'first' for this series was the use of lightweight video cameras, then in their infancy and used more frequently by news reporters at that time.
By the end of series one, the guys were forced to return to the UK as a change in tax laws meant their stay in Germany was no longer tenable. It wasn't until 1986 that a follow-up series was produced with the guys now working on a site in Wolverhampton then heading to Spain to work on another project. Sadly, actor Gary Holton died during filming of this series; with body doubles and script rewrites used to compensate for his absence.
After many years off-screen the surviving cast were reunited in 2002 for a new series, this time airing on BBC One, to further success and a second series was commissioned in 2004. In Holton's place, actor Noel Clarke joined the cast as Wayne's son Wyman. The saga finally concluded in December that year with a two-part special.
Many of the cast are still known to this day for their roles in this series, Spall in particular is frequently cast as a Brummie even though he is actually a Londoner. The series is fondly remembered today, and has sometimes been repeated on satellite TV.
The theme tune 'That's Living Alright' was a hit single for singer Joe Fagin, here is his performance on Top of The Pops:
The first series, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais of 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?' fame, chronicled the group as they worked on a site in Düsseldorf, finding that their accommodation was not the promised hostel, but a small hut ('like a PoW camp' according to the group) and chronicling the interaction between the guys, who hailed from different parts of the country (including one Scouse character, plasterer 'Moxey' played by Christopher Fairbank) but centred on the three Geordies in the group, 'Oz' (Jimmy Nail), Dennis (Tim Healey) and Neville (Kevin Whately). Although set in Germany, much of the filming took place on the backlot at Borehamwood (used in many UK productions including 'The Prisoner') which was then operated by series producers Central TV. A notable 'first' for this series was the use of lightweight video cameras, then in their infancy and used more frequently by news reporters at that time.
By the end of series one, the guys were forced to return to the UK as a change in tax laws meant their stay in Germany was no longer tenable. It wasn't until 1986 that a follow-up series was produced with the guys now working on a site in Wolverhampton then heading to Spain to work on another project. Sadly, actor Gary Holton died during filming of this series; with body doubles and script rewrites used to compensate for his absence.
After many years off-screen the surviving cast were reunited in 2002 for a new series, this time airing on BBC One, to further success and a second series was commissioned in 2004. In Holton's place, actor Noel Clarke joined the cast as Wayne's son Wyman. The saga finally concluded in December that year with a two-part special.
Many of the cast are still known to this day for their roles in this series, Spall in particular is frequently cast as a Brummie even though he is actually a Londoner. The series is fondly remembered today, and has sometimes been repeated on satellite TV.
The theme tune 'That's Living Alright' was a hit single for singer Joe Fagin, here is his performance on Top of The Pops:
Saturday, 2 November 2013
1983 in music: Status Quo score hit with 'Back To Back' album
On the face of it, 1983 appeared to be a great year for UK boogie veterans Status Quo. They were still considered a legitimate rock band (they'd headlined the Donington Monsters of Rock festival the previous year), and they were still releasing albums on an annual basis at this time. Their 'Back To Back' album which was released in November of 1983, spawned several hit singles. As ever, they were regulars on BBC's 'Top Of The Pops' (in actual fact they still hold the record for most appearances on the show) and on one memorable occasion, guitarist/vocalist Rick Parfitt took a tumble into the drum kit while they lip-synced to the song 'Marguerita Time'!
However, behind the scenes the cracks were already showing in the band, which eventually led to them calling a halt to live performances the next year (temporarily, as it turned out) and resulting in the departure of long-time bassist/vocalist Alan Lancaster. One of the hits off this album, 'Ol' Rag Blues' was written by Lancaster with Keith Lamb, and was originally intended to feature his lead vocal. To his dismay, the label insisted that a version featuring the lead vocal of regular frontman Francis Rossi be issued instead, and that duly reached number 9 in the UK singles charts.
Lancaster was also less than happy with the inclusion of 'Marguerita Time' and declined to appear on 'Top Of The Pops'; his place being taken by Slade's Jim Lea. Nonetheless, the single scored highly, reaching number 3 in the charts (despite Parfitt's televised mishap). Other hits from the album were 'Going Down Town Tonight', and a cover of 'A Mess Of Blues', originally made famous by Elvis Presley.
Tensions in the band beneath the surface eventually boiled over, and the band announced their intention to retire from live performances in early 1984. Taken at the time as a split in the band, it was denied on stage by Rossi but following their 'final' show at Milton Keynes Bowl, Lancaster retired to Australia and drummer Pete Kircher (who had replaced John Coghlan only two years before) quietly left the group. They did break out the Telecasters once more on 13 July 1985, as the openers for Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, but when Rossi and Parfitt eventually decided to get Quo active again in 1986, it was with a new rhythm section backing themselves and long-time keyboard player Andy Bown. Bass player John 'Rhino' Edwards remains with the group to this day, while they have recently recruited drummer Leon Cave in place of previous incumbent Matt Letley.
In 2013, the so-called 'Frantic Four' of Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan reunited for a series of UK gigs which were well-received, but it was made clear that this was a one-off and that the 'present' Quo line-up would continue. That line-up is scheduled to play more shows in winter 2013.
Here is the infamous Top of The Pops performance of 'Marguerita Time' with Parfitt demolishing the drum kit. (2023 edit: dead link replaced.) Look out for Jim Lea appearing in place of Alan Lancaster also:
However, behind the scenes the cracks were already showing in the band, which eventually led to them calling a halt to live performances the next year (temporarily, as it turned out) and resulting in the departure of long-time bassist/vocalist Alan Lancaster. One of the hits off this album, 'Ol' Rag Blues' was written by Lancaster with Keith Lamb, and was originally intended to feature his lead vocal. To his dismay, the label insisted that a version featuring the lead vocal of regular frontman Francis Rossi be issued instead, and that duly reached number 9 in the UK singles charts.
Lancaster was also less than happy with the inclusion of 'Marguerita Time' and declined to appear on 'Top Of The Pops'; his place being taken by Slade's Jim Lea. Nonetheless, the single scored highly, reaching number 3 in the charts (despite Parfitt's televised mishap). Other hits from the album were 'Going Down Town Tonight', and a cover of 'A Mess Of Blues', originally made famous by Elvis Presley.
Tensions in the band beneath the surface eventually boiled over, and the band announced their intention to retire from live performances in early 1984. Taken at the time as a split in the band, it was denied on stage by Rossi but following their 'final' show at Milton Keynes Bowl, Lancaster retired to Australia and drummer Pete Kircher (who had replaced John Coghlan only two years before) quietly left the group. They did break out the Telecasters once more on 13 July 1985, as the openers for Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, but when Rossi and Parfitt eventually decided to get Quo active again in 1986, it was with a new rhythm section backing themselves and long-time keyboard player Andy Bown. Bass player John 'Rhino' Edwards remains with the group to this day, while they have recently recruited drummer Leon Cave in place of previous incumbent Matt Letley.
In 2013, the so-called 'Frantic Four' of Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan reunited for a series of UK gigs which were well-received, but it was made clear that this was a one-off and that the 'present' Quo line-up would continue. That line-up is scheduled to play more shows in winter 2013.
Here is the infamous Top of The Pops performance of 'Marguerita Time' with Parfitt demolishing the drum kit. (2023 edit: dead link replaced.) Look out for Jim Lea appearing in place of Alan Lancaster also:
Friday, 1 November 2013
1983 in music: The Rolling Stones go Undercover
The Rolling Stones seem to have been around since time began, and even in 1983 they were seen as the old guard. Having been contemporaries of The Beatles they'd survived many different changes in musical trends down the years, and would continue through many more to survive to the present day.
Their album of 1983, 'Undercover' was their first album of all-new material of that decade, and saw the band attempting to move with the times. While frontman Mick Jagger was keen to push the envelope, guitarist Keith Richards was less so, preferring to stay true to the group's rock 'n' roll roots. Consequently the album covered several bases, and lead-off single 'Undercover Of The Night' was mostly a Jagger composition, with its lyrical content dealing with the dangerous political situation in South American countries:
Their album of 1983, 'Undercover' was their first album of all-new material of that decade, and saw the band attempting to move with the times. While frontman Mick Jagger was keen to push the envelope, guitarist Keith Richards was less so, preferring to stay true to the group's rock 'n' roll roots. Consequently the album covered several bases, and lead-off single 'Undercover Of The Night' was mostly a Jagger composition, with its lyrical content dealing with the dangerous political situation in South American countries:
"One hundred thousand disparos
Lost in the jails in South America".
Lost in the jails in South America".
The video to the song attracted yet more controversy since it showed Jagger as a detective trying to rescue a hostage from kidnappers, only to be shot by one of them (played by Richards). British tabloid papers screamed headlines such as 'Beeb ban Mick's video nasty'; referring to the then-ongoing controversy over explicitly gory horror films released on video cassette being easily accessible to minors. The BBC did ban it, but it was shown on Channel 4's 'The Tube' music show. That was accompanied by a fractious interview where Jagger was grilled by presenter Muriel Gray over the content, the encounter established TV newcomer Gray as a tough interviewer unafraid to stand up to even established stars.
Shown is the controversial video for 'Undercover Of The Night':
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