1983 in television: Late Late Breakfast Show

In the 1980s with just four TV channels to choose from, the Saturday night ratings battle between BBC and ITV was still raging. ITV had scored a hit in 1981 with their practical joke-orientated show 'Game For A Laugh', and the BBC responded with a light entertainment show of their own, 'The Late, Late Breakfast Show' presented by DJ-turned TV host Noel Edmonds. The programme went out live, and after a slow start hit its stride once the producers started to book major names as guests.

The format of 'The Late, Late Breakfast Show' included comedy, music and initially, a monologue spot featuring fellow DJ John Peel. Peel was included presumably to give the show a more credible 'edge'; his image was more Keith Richards to Edmonds' Cliff Richard-type 'safe' image. Comic spots included a practical joke segment (featuring 'The Hit Squad', the BBC's answer to 'Game For A Laugh'), and the 'Golden Egg Awards', including humorous TV out-takes. Music features included interviews and appearances, most notably ABBA made their final TV appearance on this show.

Also included was the 'Give It A Whirl' slot - this would feature a viewer who had called into the show and volunteered to take part in a stunt. The stunt was selected using the 'Whirly Wheel', although it was meant to appear random, the stunt had in fact been pre-arranged with the viewer being trained up to perform the stunt live on TV the next week.  It was with these stunts that the show attracted controversy; a clip from a 1983 edition of the programme (which can be seen below) illustrates just how far they went.



Watching that clip 30 years on, and with the knowledge that such an ill-prepared stunt would never be allowed to air on television today, it is absolutely shocking viewing. Remember, this show aired live on Saturday evenings. Not only were the crowd too close, but after the first jump went wrong (the driver was shaken, but not seriously hurt) they did ANOTHER one! The second jump (with a different stunt driver) was even worse, and the stunt driver involved sustained a fractured pelvis. The track-side commentator was John Peel, who later expressed regret at ever having agreed to be involved with the show when he saw just how dangerous the stunts had become.

Unbelievably, the BBC were allowed to continue to run stunts involving viewers, and, having not heeded the warnings, tragedy struck three years later when another contestant was killed while practising for a bungee jump stunt due to be aired on that week's programme. Only then was the programme pulled, with the producers heavily criticised. Edmonds immediately resigned from the show.

Ultimately, what started out as an entertaining show of comedy, music and chat ended because of a producer's desire to 'push the boundaries'. It would be several years before Edmonds returned to Saturday night live television, with 'Noel's House Party'. This time the focus was more on humour and practical jokes, with no dangerous stunts involved.

Controversial Kratochvilova sets a still-standing world record in 1983

Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova appeared, seemingly from nowhere to become a powerhouse in womens' athletics in 1983. Aged 32 at the time, she had been around the circuit for several years without attracting attention but 1983 was the year when all that changed. Her appearance drew gasps from many commentators at the time; with short curly brown hair, and bursting with muscles, she aroused a great deal of suspicion because of her masculine look.

Those suspicions were not quelled when she turned in a series of blistering performances on the track; a specialist 400 metre runner, she broke the 48-second barrier in Helsinki at the inaugural world championships, running 47.99 to set a world record on the way to winning gold. Another performance which raised several eyebrows was her anchor leg in the 4x400 metres relay at the 1983 European Championships; taking over the baton in a distant third behind the East German and Soviet Union runners, she utterly blitzed the others in the home straight to win easily for her Czechoslovakia team. (See video below)

Kratochvilova anchor leg, 4x400m relay European Championships 1983:


Kratochvilova also ran the 800 metres, which is unusual in athletics since it is considered a 'middle-distance' event while the 400 metres is considered a 'sprint'. Nonetheless, she was just as dominant over two laps as she was over one, and in July 1983 set a world record for the 800 metres which still stands today. (Her 400 metres record was broken by East Germany's Marita Koch in 1985, a time of 47.6 which also still stands today.)

In subsequent years Kratochvilova was not as dominant as in 1983, further fuelling speculation about just how those times were achieved. It should be said that she never failed any tests during her career, and Kratochvilova today, now an athletics coach, continues to maintain that her performances were legitimate. 

With this, and Marita Koch's 400 metres record no nearer being broken, there have been calls for the record books to be wiped clean and started afresh since it is now known that the East German performances of this period were tainted, however these calls have so far been resisted and the records stand. It is likely that these times will stand for several years to come.

1983 in rock: Metallica debut album released

1983 was the year that Metallica burst onto the scene with their debut album, 'Kill 'em All'. Formed by guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, and drummer Lars Ulrich, Metallica were heavily influenced by the Heavy Metal scene in the UK of just a few years earlier (dubbed by the press as the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal'). Ulrich, hailing from a wealthy family (his father was a successful tennis professional) was in a privileged position to be able to import almost everything that came out of the scene, and he would cite the UK band Diamond Head as one of his primary influences for Metallica.

The line-up was completed by guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Cliff Burton. Hammett had only recently replaced previous axeman Dave Mustaine, and Mustaine's influence was still apparent on the finished record. He had co-writing credits on four of the songs, and Hammett's guitar solos were based on Mustaine's early contributions. Dave Mustaine had parted company with the band in somewhat acrimonious circumstances, and he subsequently founded Megadeth, achieving success on his own terms, although the press made much of the supposed 'rivalry' between the two camps in later years.

Released on the independent Megaforce label in the US, and on Music For Nations in the UK, the album became something of a template for the emerging 'thrash metal' scene. Countless bands who have come afterwards have cited Metallica as an influence, and although their later albums made them huge it is still 'Kill 'em All' which is most fondly remembered by their early fans.

Metallica went on to be signed up by Elektra records in the US for their second album 'Ride the Lightning', while remaining independent in the UK. It wasn't until their fourth album 'And Justice For All' that the group were picked up by Phonogram in Europe; by that time they'd experienced both major success and tragedy. Bassist Cliff Burton was killed while on tour with the band in September of 1986 following a crash of the band's tour bus. The band were quick to recruit new bassist Jason Newsted in his place who would hold down the position for the next 14 years, however Metallica have acknowledged that they should have allowed themselves more time after Burton's death, since the well-documented 'hazing' of Newsted throughout his time with Metallica had its roots in his not being Cliff Burton.

Metallica have gone on to become megastars and probably the very thing they set out not to become, when they released 'Kill 'em All' as feisty young Metalheads who looked a lot like the New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts they were trying to emulate. For those who think their career began with the Black Album, or even 'Load' - 'Kill 'em All' is an essential listen.

From a show in 1983 here is Metallica's bassist Cliff Burton performing his solo 'Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)' which leads into 'Whiplash':

Tom Watson wins his final major title at The Open

The 1983 Open golf championship (the 112th), held at Royal Birkdale, Southport from the 14th to the 17th July, was won by American superstar Tom Watson. In winning this, his fifth Open, he successfully defended the Claret Jug, having claimed it at Royal Troon the year before.

Aged 33 at the time of this win, Watson had already achieved a great deal in the game having won the Masters at Augusta twice (1977, 1981), and the US Open (1982) to go with the four previous Open Championships he had already won (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982). He vied with the "Golden Bear", Jack Nicklaus, for the title of world number one for much of this period and the two were often seen at the top of leaderboards tussling for titles.

Although Watson remained a force in the game for many years after 1983, this win was to be his final Major championship to date. He came close to adding to the tally on a number of occasions, most notably at the Open Championship in 2009 (held at Turnberry, Scotland) when, at the age of 59 he was narrowly defeated in a four-hole play-off, losing out to compatriot Stewart Cink.

Watson continues to play on the main PGA Tour (and indeed appeared once again at the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield), and is now also seen on the Champions Tour for professionals aged 50 and over. He has since won numerous titles on that tour, including three (British) Senior Open championships.

Still a popular figure on the circuit today, it is to be hoped Watson will continue to delight golf fans for a few more years yet.

Below is a brief clip from the 1983 Open Championship won by Tom Watson:

1983 in music: Paul Young becomes a star with debut album

1983 was a breakout year for UK singer Paul Young. He'd had some success previously, firstly as part of Streetband who had a novelty chart hit with 'Toast' in 1978, then as lead singer with soul revivalists Q-Tips. After the latter band broke up at the end of 1982, Young was signed to Columbia Records (CBS in the UK).

Retaining only the organ player from the Q-Tips, Young's new backing band 'The Royal Family' included two female backing singers going under the jocular name 'The Fabulous Wealthy Tarts', and fretless bass player Pino Palladino. It was this latter acquisition which gave Young's music a distinctive sound. His debut solo album, 'No Parlez', was released in July 1983, but it wasn't until his third single (a cover of 'Wherever I Lay My Hat, That's My Home', originally by Marvin Gaye) charted that his solo career took off. Reaching number one on the UK charts, from then on Young enjoyed a string of hits, including a re-release of his cover of 'Love Of The Common People' (previously a hit for The Four Preps in 1967) which charted for Young second time around.

The album included numerous covers, including a re-interpretation of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' (originally a hit for Manchester post-punk band Joy Division) but also featured some songs penned by Young and keyboard player Ian Kewley. 

Paul Young went on to enjoy several years of success off the back of this album, although in later years he scaled back his touring and formed a band with the intention of going 'back to basics' and playing smaller venues. Los Pacaminos was formed in 1995 and has toured frequently ever since.

From the Channel 4 music programme 'The Tube', here is Paul Young performing 'Love Of The Common People' live:

1983 in rock: Quiet Riot hit big with a decade-old song

1983 was a breakthrough year for hard rock/metal in the US, with first Motley Crue then Quiet Riot hitting it big. Quiet Riot, a four-piece fronted by the ever-controversial vocalist Kevin DuBrow, released their third album 'Metal Health' in March of this year. The band had been notable for once featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads, who appeared on their first two albums (released only in Japan) before he and bassist Rudy Sarzo departed for a stint touring with Ozzy Osbourne. That ended abruptly on 19th March 1982 when Rhoads was killed in an aeroplane crash, leaving fans of his innovative playing wondering what might have been. A devastated Sarzo eventually rejoined Quiet Riot alongside new guitar player Carlos Cavazo, as the band (with producer Spencer Proffer) signed to Columbia Records.

The album reached the top spot on the Billboard chart in November 1983, becoming the first 'metal' album to achieve the feat. This was aided by the album's second single, a cover of Slade's 'Cum On Feel The Noize'. Slade's original version had topped the British chart a full ten years earlier, in an era when bands actually had to sell a huge amount of records to do so. However the song was almost unknown in the United States, a territory where Slade had tried and failed to crack several years earlier (although their efforts did not go unnoticed, one band in particular - KISS - cited Slade as a major influence on their look and sound.)

Quiet Riot's cover changed all of that, as the song (belatedly) became a Stateside smash. The story goes that the band, not being particularly fond of the original song, were reluctant to do the cover and only agreed at the instigation of the producer. Their version is a fairly straight rendition of the song, albeit with a cleaner 1980s sound than that of the original, and DuBrow's vocal styling approached that of the dynamic Noddy Holder. Perhaps nobody was more surprised than Quiet Riot themselves when the song rocketed up the US charts, with music video channel MTV (then still a relatively new phenomenon) picking up the promo video for extensive airplay. The band exploded in popularity as a result, and rode the wave of the LA 'hair metal' boom of the period. Meanwhile, the original artists were enjoying a revival themselves in their home country, as the Stateside cover of their ten year old hit helped rekindle interest in Slade and they enjoyed an Indian summer to their own career. They even scored a US hit of their own at last the following year, with the song 'Run Runaway'.

Quiet Riot's popularity was not to last however, as the follow-up album 'Condition Critical' attempted to repeat the winning formula but failed to match its predecessors' sales figures. They tried the same trick again with another Slade cover ('Mama Weer All Crazee Now') which charted briefly, but the band were soon overtaken by newer LA 'hair metal' acts, most notably Ratt. The group stumbled on for a few more years before fizzling out towards the end of the decade, with vocalist Paul Shortino briefly taking over the microphone from DuBrow.

Kevin DuBrow attempted several comebacks in the decades since then, with partial success, but died on 19th November 2007 aged just 52. His old band have toured off and on since, with various line-ups featuring original drummer Frankie Banali. Despite the fact that the group were not keen on the song that made them huge, it launched their career and to this day in the US, many fans
still find it hard to believe that 'Cum On Feel The Noize' was not one of their compositions.

1983 in rock: Robert Plant scores solo hit single

1983 saw former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant score a UK hit single, something he never did with his old band as they were famed for eschewing the single format throughout their career, at least in their home country. He'd reappeared the year before with his first solo album 'Pictures At Eleven', which featured drums from both Phil Collins and Cozy Powell, and when that charted on both sides of the Atlantic he was soon back in the studio to craft 'The Principle of Moments', released in July 1983. Collins appeared on several tracks once again, although the musical direction of both this and his previous offering aimed to move away from out and out hard rock as exemplified by Led Zeppelin.

The gentler, laidback track 'Big Log' would prove to be Plant's breakthrough hit in the UK, even earning him an appearance on BBC chart rundown show 'Top Of The Pops', albeit only in video form. That video was a popular clip on MTV, a road-movie style clip shot in numerous locations including Death Valley Junction in California, as well as Crystal Road, Nevada (the location for the gas station shots).

Plant toured the album with Collins on drums for the US leg of the tour, the Genesis man remained a background figure even though he was a star in his own right by this point. Another single, 'In The Mood', followed in November 1983 and was also a hit, charting as high as 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 while reaching 39 on the UK singles charts. This established Plant as a successful solo artist, enabling him to move on from his Led Zeppelin days and during this period, he declined to play any Zeppelin material live. He reasoned at the time that he could not do it without his old bandmates, although he would later relent and introduce classic Zeppelin songs into the live set in later years.

Led Zeppelin never reformed (and could never do so fully, following the death of drummer John Bonham) although there were sporadic reunions over the years of the surviving members. The two which stand out were 1985's Live Aid performance (poorly received critically, but significant as it was their first major reunion since their split) and 2007's show at London's o2 Arena, ostensibly to celebrate the life of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun and with other notable acts on the bill, but the interest in the show centred exclusively on Zeppelin who were to perform their first full set since Bonham's death (drums were performed by Jason Bonham). They have resisted every call to reform fully since then. Plant has worked with guitarist Jimmy Page in the interim however, the pair collaborated on tracks on Plant's 1988 album 'Now and Zen' and toured together in the 1990s, not under the Zeppelin name as their former bassist John Paul Jones was not involved in that project.

From 1983's 'The Principle Of Moments', here is 'Big Log':