Cliff and Radio 2

[MikeAB]

The Beeb did the same thing after failing to televise the Moody Blues @ Glastonbury when even the organiser chose to go on stage with them rather than suffer Kanye West, who of course was televised. After the fuss the Moodies and Justin Hayward were played far more and the latter got a live spot on Ken Bruce's show. So shallow.

[iefje]

I remember reading somewhere that the BBC or other British radio station refused to play The Beatles' reunion single "Free As A Bird", back in 1995, because in their opinion, The Beatles weren't relevant artists anymore. A disgrace in my opinion, but it managed to climb to number 2.

[Iain Purdon]

I used to work for Radio 2 and I do not remember anyone ever banning anything, nor any edicts about treatment of artistes. Music choice was down to each programme's producer. If Ken Bruce's producer is playing Cliff's new stuff, great; well done that person.

[drakula63]

Interestingly, the latest edition of 'Private Eye' picked up on the fact that the Beeb were giving airplay to Cliff's latest single and album and queried the possibility that with the prospect of Cliff's legal action imminent have maybe sought to soften the potential effect of the court case.
I for one think that they behaved reprehensibly in collusion with the South Yorks Police over the allegations. I would normally defend the BBC to the hilt; they come under extremely unfair attacks from rags such as the Daily Mail et al, but I do believe they need to be bought to book over this incident........ Rant over!....."Nurse, the screens!"
Incidentally, the new single features some superb guitar lead breaks!!

Lord Flingel of Buntshire

I would dispute that the BBC comes under 'extremely unfair attacks' from the Mail. I have never read anything in any of their coverage that hasn't seemed perfectly fair, justified and well thought out. I have a friend who listens to BBC radio quite a lot, unlike myself, and I get regular reports from him as to its content and bias, none of which I have reason to doubt.

I watched the One Show last night and I must say that, as expected, the presenters were all over Cliff like a cheap suit - fawning and grovelling in a hilariously sycophantic manner. As I don't usually watch this programme I have to ask, in all seriousness, are they like that with all their guests?

I have read a lot of coverage of and commentary on the Cliff/BBC/SYP saga on line and in various papers and I think it is fair to say that the general consensus of opinion is that either or both the BBC and the SYP acted wrongly for a number of reasons. That is the way it is generally reported anyway.

Anyway, his new album is out today (including yet another re-recording of Move it!). I am planning on buying it on the 24th in HMV in Lincoln. The day before my birthday!

All the best,
Chris

[drakula63]

I used to work for Radio 2 and I do not remember anyone ever banning anything, nor any edicts about treatment of artistes. Music choice was down to each programme's producer. If Ken Bruce's producer is playing Cliff's new stuff, great; well done that person.

The only record I seem to remember the BBC 'banning' from being played was 'Anarchy in the UK' by the Sex Pistols way back in 1977. I think I'm right in saying that the 'banning' had the opposite effect to what they intended and the record became a huge hit (although there is some dispute as to whether it got to No 1 or No 2).

[Monty]

BBC banned quite a few - the infamous 'a record by Max Romeo' as Alan 'Fluff' Freeman could only say, and that French heavy breathing Jane Birkin and Serge wotsit dirge that made TOP SPOT in 1969...!

Duane Eddy's 'Deep in The Heart of Texas' was discouraged from being played for fear it would stop factory workers from working as it was too catchy ! - Jet's 'Main Title Theme' from 'Man With The Golden Arm' was banned I think due to the film's drug references !

The Small Faces' 'I Can't Make it', Wings 'Hi Hi Hi', for being too sexually explicit plus a few political songs etc

there were some dreadful hits I WISH had been banned tho'....!

[MartcasterJunior]

Free As A Bird was premiered on UK radio on BBC Radio 1 in the early hours of the morning that it was released (which I think followed the TV premiere at the end of the first episode of the Anthology series the evening before).

I remember Status Quo getting into a bit of a funk a few years ago when Radio 2 took them off the playlist, but they eventually got put back on again.

[drakula63]

BBC banned quite a few - the infamous 'a record by Max Romeo' as Alan 'Fluff' Freeman could only say, and that French heavy breathing Jane Birkin and Serge wotsit dirge that made TOP SPOT in 1969...!

Duane Eddy's 'Deep in The Heart of Texas' was discouraged from being played for fear it would stop factory workers from working as it was too catchy ! - Jet's 'Main Title Theme' from 'Man With The Golden Arm' was banned I think due to the film's drug references !

The Small Faces' 'I Can't Make it', Wings 'Hi Hi Hi', for being too sexually explicit plus a few political songs etc

there were some dreadful hits I WISH had been banned tho'....!

Interesting. Amazing to think that a song could be banned because of perceived inappropriate content within the associated film! Still at least it makes Jet (and by association, the Shadows), seem a bit more 'dangerous' !! Maybe. I can't imagine too many 'pop' records today being banned for being 'too catchy' - most should be banned for other reasons though!

Having said all this, I did hear that the BBC wouldn't play Cliff any more because he was 'too old' or something. I can only imagine that this ban didn't last too long (or maybe it was just Radio 1). Frankly, all things considered, I'd consider a ban from Radio 1 these days as being a compliment!!!

I look forward to seeing 'Just Fabulous Rock n' Roll' in the top ten next week.

[Iain Purdon]

BBC banned quite a few

Radio 1 did, yes. Not Radio 2 though.

[Twang46]

I'm sorry guys, but from what I've seen of Cliff's "new" album it's looking more & more like Daniel O Donell does R&R part II...........................

Cliff never was a "real" rock & roller (apart from a brief flirtation in the early days) & I just find it somewhat uncomfortable watching him do stuff like this

His forte has always been catchy pop songs & ballads & while I'm sure the new CD will do very well sales wise, helped no doubt by the sympathy we feel for the disgraceful treatment he has had to endure recently

Maybe I'm just expecting to much from him.

He is doing the right thing by going on the radio/tv shows at the BBC, it's an important part of the process settling things for him

Oh well, tin hat time I suppose.


Dick.