The Flying Pickets television special (1983) - part 1 of 4

Originally broadcast by Granada Television in 1983. Apologies for the flickering across the bottom of the picture; this video was rescued from my Dad's VHS recording made at the time of broadcast.

[@lonrorow7571]

26 January 2022: this video stands admirably the test of time. Thank you Flying Pickets.

[@beatrixmitchell8614]

Love this...so sad to hear of Brian Hibbard's death! So young at 65! Saw them 1st at the Edinburgh Festival as a teenager they were Brilliant. Hope you're still rocking wherever you are Brian. Huge condolences to his family...x

[@nikg1335]

My dad was i one of the original flying pickets ( James gibb) these guys used to come to our house. He left as we were so small and lived in Scotland and these guys were headed for London doing this. These guys were amazing x

[@janehamill8494]

That's so cool! Although I always thought this was the original lineup? Wikipedia supports this but hey, we know Wikipedia isn't always reliable! This was the lineup I saw with my family in 1983. I wasn't even 10 at that point but my sister and I were obsessed with them 😊

[@nikg1335]

They were all in a show together called ‘One big blow’ it was about a brass band.. they all toured this show together early 80’s would have to ask my mum more about it. It was always pretty cool knowing my dad was a flying picket though

[@nikg1335]

@@janehamill8494 yeh I know his name isn’t in wiki. Sad.. who knows who writes that stuff. X

[@janehamill8494]

@@nikg1335 his name is there but later. Again it would allow for people who were around the original six in the beginning.

[@nikg1335]

@@janehamill8494 yeh , I think anyone can add to wiki so it’s not v accurate. My mum said they toured in the stage show. Did edinburgh festival etc. when they finally headed to London he left and joined Borderline Theatre company , Glasgow. That would have been 1982(ish) I would have been 6 and my brother 8. Mum says they never realised how far the pickets would go. Every time I hear them I get goose bumps. Dad did the lower notes. He did a lot of theatre and tv ( mostly Scottish) in the 80s early 90s. .. he trained at RADA with Robbie coltrain and Gregor fisher etc. Sadly he passed away 8 years ago.

[@thejanie5932]

You're very welcome :) My parents recorded it because they'd seen The Flying Pickets on a programme some time before and wanted to hear more. My sister and I listened when they did and loved it too. We ended up seeing them live in Southport a short time later. I think Dad taped all the radio programmes too but goodness only knows where they are now!

[@DJNee]

GAWD.......THANKS SO MUCH for posting this video!! It's actually The Flying Pickets LIVE from The Albany Empire. My mum & dad recorded this on a VHS tape off TSW (south west ITV) back in the 90's after Clint Eastwood - The Outlaw Josey Wales...they left the videotape run....and ne and my sister were hooked ever since! Thanks for upping this one...been hunting this footage for years!!!!

[@thejanie5932]

You're so welcome! I uploaded it because I couldn't find a digital copy anywhere. So glad you've enjoyed watching it again :)

[@mtbailey106]

Thanks for posting brings back many good memories

[@inesborstel5592]

💛💛💛

[@DJNee]

I hope you don't mind, but i've reuploaded your 4 parter as one whole video, and whilst i was at it i have remastered the audio a bit (i do audio editing as a hobby!)

[@inkeri60]

Niin ihanan kaunista ))) Minulla Flying Pickers vinyyli ja en ikinä luovu siitä !!!

[@DEOO100]

The original and best

[@MyCroydon]

Thanks for posting !

[@richardanderson5424]

Red Stripe used to be known as Eric the flame as he was a fire eater, I have a program signed by them all and his was signed from Eric the Flame.

[@zdzichus.3264]

it's shooting me out of my sleepers... right now!

[@zdzichus.3264]

this is such a treasure! I really wish all youngsters to discover this for themselves!

[@cryingonion2]

Wow fantastic! I was mad about the flying pickets, but I've never seen this - maybe it wasn't shown in the south of england! Well done for uploading.

[@maggieboo8142]

I used to have a hairdressers in South London in the eighties and Brian the little guy with the hat wife used come and have her hair done, they lived right near my shop, I visited their house, lovely people, one great group 😀

[@cryingonion2]

@@maggieboo8142 I think that might have been David.

[@maggieboo8142]

Yes I think you are right I've got a bad memory, David Brett yes 😀

[@TWILAlovesJESUS]

Singin' n shavin YIKES!!😂⚓😲

[@janehamillartglass]

You're very welcome :)

[@Tinaf653]

Love this! :)

[@Theelby33]

The greatest salesman I ever seen. Btw where can I get one of them suits.

[@hughmorgan3746]

J

[@dostfez]

Ummm....only U and no more...the rest is well embarrassing.

[@zdzichus.3264]

and you're still living in that shithole, buddy? There's a world outside, I'm telling you!