Top 10 WTF Top Of The Pops Performances

[@WatchMojoUK]

Check out our LATEST TOTP Video! Top 10 Underrated Top Of The Pops Performances kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZS3kmOPiL6prZY

[@esclad]

Rather than put "Top of the Pops (1964-2006)" at the start of every clip, if might have been more useful if you showed the date of the actual appearance by the artists. So annoying.

[@MysticWig]

This is for copyright compliance. Chill out

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

@@MysticWig Copyright compliance = Corporate greed.

[@sueidge4731]

@@MysticWig Was the correct pronunciation of Status Quo copyrighted too?

[@mahlonchristensen6514]

Second this idea although as an American, I like the fact that you put the years that Totpwas on the air

[@robertolofsson3355]

​@@sueidge4731 notice who "the bassist" that leans to drummer is aswell 😅😂😂

[@DJRandomHajile]

Enjoyed the video, but wanted to add some information about the #1 item on the list... The outfits/hoods were 'capirote'. A Catholic thing used as a mark of humiliation/penitence. Drummond and Cauty created Doctorin' The Tardis as a piss-take of modern pop at the time and it was also the basis of their book "How To Have A Number One The Easy Way" (which Austrian band Eidelweiss followed and scored a number one... the easy way). They created the name Timelords (as opposed to their normal band name of The JAM) to distance themselves from it and even went so far as to say the creator was Ford Timelord (Cauty's car at the time and the star of the corresponding music video). It's also where the 'dunce cap' is said to originate from. The KKK appropriating them is a bit ironic since that particular group is anti-Catholic... I guess they're using it like a dunce's cap?... Additionally, the was in 1988 and Glitter wasn't sentenced until 2015. He had a hit back in 1973 with 'Do You Wanna Touch Me' (trust me, if you thought just that line was creepy, the song will seriously make you question why he wasn't caught earlier). The appearance was probably part of Gary In The Tardis, which was the same song, but with a 'feature' of the nonce. At the time of the JAMs releasing that song, however, Glitter wouldn't have been as reviled as he is today. I would have put Oasis on the list as well, somewhere near the bottom... For the time the did Roll With It and Noel was singing and it was actually Liam's voice and Liam was pretending to play the guitar... If you couldn't tell, I used to love the KLF/JAM back in the day. 😅

[@harri7416]

The Jamms*

[@montys8th]

The Jam? Paul Weller thinks you are wrong there.

[@ZoahLord]

@@montys8th JAM - Justified Ancients of Mu-Mu (one of the many code-names of The KLF), not to be confused with The Jam

[@leegearing3297]

Thank you for the clarity, anyone who knows Cauty knows he was neither racist or a pedo but you can see as an outsider looking in there could be a couple of contentions.

[@tdurb0]

Just to add to Mark Harridge’s answer that yes they were called The JAMMs (justified ancients of mu mu) And to say that if you didn’t know The Jam were a completely separate group, you weren’t that big a fan! Was kinda very very common knowledge (and also described in the lyrics to Last Train To Trancentral) Also loved that they burnt one million pounds on live TV

[@samanthajennings359]

With Robbie Williams wearing a dress, he wore that after losing a bet with a mate over a football match

[@glenndouglas8822]

And coked/pilled and pissed out of his head......😉

[@extryk8143]

And a sad attempt at controversy for the pop-loving kids' parents to shit themselves senseless, or not.

[@ganndeber1621]

@@glenndouglas8822 I do hope so, good man

[@ianhunkin5384]

He's a women and his wife is a man.?look at their physiology

[@okmickey232]

Course he did, it was all macho lads banter, nothing strange or gay about it at all...

[@Garylpool1]

Gary Numans first appearance with Tubeway Army and David Bowie’s ‘Starman’ performance where he puts his arm on Mick Ronson should be top. They both caused stir in music and society

[@dodgysai666]

Plastic Bertrand performing Ça Plane Pour Moi on a trampoline gets an honourable from me here.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

ok now must immediately search this. I love this song 😀

[@utrapzab]

robbie williams did not define music in the late 90s onwards, all he define was the archetypal R SOLE

[@colcostello160]

Probably coked off his nut aswell

[@Phoenix2312]

Yup! Have to agree - That being said though ... Cannot deny he had some Banger Hits!

[@thefreedomguyuk]

Well.....He was initially being treated quite badly. No wonder he was sticking two fingers up to those in the industry to those who had screwed him. Sort of saying "Take t.... !!" to everyone. Remember, they said he was just the fat dancer.

[@Kidderbean]

Never ever got the love in for robbie williams

[@toriladybird511]

Part of his behaviour was he was under the influence of several things.

[@leftyamazed]

When I used to watch TOTP in the 1970-1990s, these sort of performances were what made the show legendary. The basic premise was the establishment of Auntie Beeb against the rebels of the performers and the performers were always striving to outsmart the stuffed shirts.

[@jamesbrinner3678]

legend has it that John Lennon phoned Ringo Star during Sparks performance to ask if he was also seeing Hitler play keyboards with Marc Bolan on the tv

[@staceykeeley4219]

Lol brilliant 😊 I thought I knew everything John said but I didn't know that.

[@MichaelLuke-w6p]

it was actually Paul McCartney who said it😂😂

[@LuDux]

@@MichaelLuke-w6p No, Paul said "Ringo isn't even best drummer in the band" Ringo said "If you want my body and you think I'm sexy · Come on, sugar, let me know"

[@MrSmriley]

If you come from the UK, nothing on here seems strange at all.

[@tonysplattery]

Except the narrator's (mis)pronunciation of Status Quo?

[@vikkiledgard8483]

That's a fair point.

[@sarahjaneclarke6614]

I miss the days when you turn on the TV at seven thirty and top of the pop's was on, just another memory

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Yes, to have made it a band needed to complete the trilogy a John Peel session, Front cover of NME/Sounds/melody Maker/Smash Hits and appear on top of the pops.

[@keithroberts5611]

When i was a lot younger i attended an agriculture collage, Where we had our own club and sports facilities, A TV room where upon come Thursday night we enjoyed "Man from uncle" followed by Top of pops and pans people!! Best 18mouths of my life!!!

[@mrwomby5007]

The KLF (appearing here as The Timelords) should also be remembered for their appearance with the song Justified and Ancient; not only did they have Tammy Wynette on lead vocals (via video link) but the two guitarists were dressed as ice cream cones.

[@0x777]

Nothing beats their appearance with ENT at the Brits. Their trolling of the music industry wasn't just next level, it was a league of its own.

[@ashtonbadger]

@@0x777 loved them as the JAMMS doing 'it's grim up north'

[@aversivespider]

Justified and Ancient is one of my favourite songs. Pure nonsense but pure genius. Make mine a 99!

[@andrewkingsley4580]

​@aversivespider make mine a 99 is my screensaver at work. When it pops up people allways ask what it means. I,ll never tell

[@nostalgiacorner1]

Yes I remember well. When watching TOTP as a child in the 70s Ron Mael of Sparks was definitely a bit scary! 😮

[@RachaelMorgan-om4xw]

Me too, but I also thought he was a funny Hitler 🤭

[@robmiddleton44]

Just Ron being Ron, still doing it with panache to the present day. He's actually one of the nicest people in music.

[@PlasticGirl65]

Ron Mael's look is part of the charm of Sparks.

[@robmiddleton44]

Nail on head, he's a legend.

[@ethanprince356]

The Manic Street Preachers should’ve been on this list twice: the “You Love Us” performance when James Dean Bradfield wore red paint with the title on his chest, and the “Faster” performance when the band wore balaclavas reminiscent of terrorists. Weird AF

[@duncancurtis1758]

And the Rah Band with the silver robot for Clouds Across The Moon 1985.

[@andrewfurniss8944]

Trying to make their boring music more exciting I guess…

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Oh yes I remember that when I was a student, they got into right hot water for the baclavas, as people thought it was IRA sympathy. They always were a sloganeering band with a post punk aesthetic, so not too surprising, but on TOTP it was!

[@markrobinson6129]

@@JasmineSurrealVideos Remember seeing that - I think they were playing 'Faster'. At the time I thought the fact that the singer had his name James embroidered across the front made it obvious he was taking the piss.

[@nil3413]

I always thought Kurt was singing like Ian Curtis. He changes the lyrics to, "She's overjoyed and self-assured." I don't know why everyone thinks he's imitating Morrissey.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I instantly heard Ian Curtis, too.

[@markrobinson6129]

@@5roundsrapid263 I seem to remember that Morrissey was on the same edition of the show.

[@Cokoshea]

Cobain himself said in an interview that he was trying to sing like Morrissey.

[@Sirdickymint]

Sparks were absolutely fantastic they never frightened anyone.

[@robmiddleton44]

Sparks still are absolutely fantastic, and more likely to make you smile than frighten anyone.

[@TwoLeftThumbs]

I was a bit frightened but I loved it

[@nataliepattinson128]

I was expecting All About Eve's infamous miming. 😄

[@craigmoe85]

Noel and Liam swapped places when performing Roll with it. Makes me laugh when the camera zooms in on Liam doing the guitar solo. You can see guigsy cracking up

[@paulwilson8169]

"He likely terrifed children across the country. Ans we respect him for that" 🤣🤣🤣

[@nickmaclachlan5178]

And they weren't talking about Jimmy Saville.......😅😅😅

[@Gordanovich02]

I have to say though, the blue guy has his robo moves absolutely nailed.

[@ILoveMusicfromthesonwards]

On the subject of group members having a tipple before their performance, 27th December 1971 edition (which does exist in the BBC archives), The Tams performed Hey Girl ! Don't Bother Me. The performance starts with FIVE singers and ends up with FOUR. One of the singers after drinking in the dressing room before the performance and he was so pissed, he fell backwards off the stage.

[@swabianking]

Found the video, so funny, he clearly cannot focus, his dance moves are all off and his one band mate is staring at him with panic in his eyes throughout.

[@richardbrooks50]

You missed John Peel on Mandolin with the Faces ! Now that’s a WTF moment

[@extryk8143]

It was there, stop watching the bloody footy.

[@richardbrooks50]

@@extryk8143 🙄

[@markrobinson6129]

Classic indeed. Rod deliberately stood near Peel during most of the performance to get him on camera.

[@lisajohnson1528]

Thank you how did they miss that detail

[@anemone104]

@@lisajohnson1528 The production team are too young to remember the legend that was Peely. Died 20 years ago last month.

[@FannyLerouxTime]

I went to see status quo years ago at knowsley hall. We were at the back of the crowd until my mum saw the crew on stage acting in a way and she said "they're getting ready for coming on, hang on to me" and she got me to near the front. It's the only concert to date where my jeans vibrated the whole show, they were absolutely brilliant live and despite only knowing a few of their songs, I really enjoyed myself.

[@Shelsight]

Your mum sounds pretty cool :)

[@trinaq]

Nobody was ready to hear "Smells like Teen Spirit" in THAT context. It makes me miss Kurt Cobain, he was FAR from dull, and had many infamous moments.

[@sarahblunden4372]

I remember my brother singing "load up on drugs and kill your friends" and thinking what? When I heard smells like teen spirit I was confused as the wording was different and wondering where my brother got it from. I only discovered recently watching best of totp 1990 that I found out where it came from lol

[@andrewwinch474]

@@sarahblunden4372 they were the original lyrics.

[@sarahblunden4372]

@@andrewwinch474 I never realised that, suppose it was how Kurt was singing it, when he performed it on TOTP it was easier to make it out

[@sarahblunden4372]

Loved weird Al's version smells like Nirvana

[@marknewbold2583]

He was dull enough to take smack

[@paulturner5339]

Probably considered mild by todays standards but Bowie's performance of Starman' caused quiet a stir at the time when he put his arm around Ronson in what could be considered an affectionate way. Also Pete Townsend kicking over the drum kit at the end of one performance in frustration and anger at having to mime to a pre recorded version of the sing.

[@PeterMackett]

Ron Mael is a legend!, the strange thing is in real life he is perfectly normal yet his brother is totally eccentric!

[@tylersweet5994]

2:16 That's NOT the band's 'Bassist' it's Guitarist Rick Parfitt (not even playing Bass in this video but an Acoustic guitar!) with Bass being played by Jim Lea from 'Slade'. Whoever wrote the script for this voiceover is clueless.

[@archivist17]

You also missed that the 'mandolin player' in the Maggie May clip was radio DJ and cultural icon John Peel.

[@RachaelMorgan-om4xw]

No shit????? 🤭

[@richf5165]

None of this was deeply disturbing. Just another Thursday evening in front of the box.

[@mr.classic6823]

Gotta admit the Blue robot singing about The Koochy was Hilarious asf🤣🤣

[@philmarsh5593]

The KLF performance was years before Glitter was exposed for what he was. So only a WTF in hindsight really. If you grew up through the 70s onwards none of these really elicit a "WTF". No mention of John Peel miming the mandolin for Rod and The Faces either! Now seeing Peely on stage at the time would have been a minor WTF moment. But then maybe you haven't heard of John Peel...

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

The Cure also refused to mime and Funboy Three actually sat down cross-legged and refused to pretend to play their instruments either.

[@ranger_dangerz]

The Timelords are the first iteration of the KLF who based a whole career around bizarre stunts including burning £1m

[@sh4dowchas3r]

It was also the case study / proof to their book "The Manual (How to Have a Number One the Easy Way)"

[@mariaaguadoball3407]

That I did not know!

[@paulsnell534]

Before they was The Timelords and KLF they was "The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu"

[@markrobinson6129]

Biggest-selling singles band in the world in 1991. Get your facts right.

[@rogershore7189]

The KLF actually predates The Timelords, in terms of record releases, by 2 months. They released “Burn The Bastards”/“Burn The Beat” in March 1988, whilst “Doctorin’ The Tardis” was released May the same year.

[@sarahblunden4372]

I was in the audience in 2006, a few months before the show ended. The atmosphere was amazing

[@williamcharles7222]

there I'm sorry for my manner of approach but i really love to get to know you. hope you are not upset

[@sarahblunden4372]

I'm sorry I'm not looking for anything right now. I'm very weary of people online

[@sarahblunden4372]

@@williamcharles7222 I'm not upset but I always find these people who contact me on these platforms are usually in another country and I'm super weary of people I don't know anyway

[@williamcharles7222]

@@sarahblunden4372 but that's really not a big deal because there away for transportation

[@sarahblunden4372]

@@williamcharles7222 yeah well I still don't do long distance relationships it's a boundary I have in place which is non negotiable. I would rather have a relationship where I see that person regularly not once a year if I'm lucky

[@DarylBaines]

Also the KLF - I think it was Justified and Ancient - with Tammy Winette, Zulu Warriors chorus and giant ice-cream cones on guitar and bass.

[@CaptRobertApril]

Let's just all be thankful that Robbie Williams doesn't go commando.

[@extryk8143]

Nowt t'see there, like, nowt between the ears!

[@yussepig6629]

Jealous men lol

[@freya8133]

@@yussepig6629 No one's jealous. He sucks.

[@markywellsboy2182]

At least do your research. Status Quo appeared more than "several times". They are credited with over 100 appearances. And Rick was not the bass player. He was strictly rhythm, as Mark Knoppfler would say. Also, bassist Alan Lancaster wasn't there. He hated Margarita Time and refused to play it on TOTP, preferring to sulk in Australia. Slade's Jim Lea is standing in for him. On another occasion, they made mannequin of Alan Lancaster that was bobbing around on TOTP and hardly anyone noticed.

[@rossi6113]

Its Status Quo (pronounced "staytus" not stattus). It was Rick Parfitt (RIP) the rhythm (not bass) guitarist that laid across the drums (it was a pre arranged stunt)

[@erikjonez]

,,,,, and its Jim Lea of Slade on bass!

[@michael5089]

@@erikjonez yes!! 👍👊👊

[@rossi6113]

@@erikjonez Indeed it is.

[@antonyberry1632]

correct 👍

[@nickcastings1568]

Exactly trying to sound American rather than English

[@PTD2023]

Hardly surprising - the "Timelords" were the KLF !

[@Jackel7]

The mimeing skills of these artists was legendary.

[@pearljam619]

Surely TOTP will still work today? Have a handful of artists, including one classic performance per 30 minute episode? Such a brilliant show.

[@Phoenix2312]

You would think so but the numbers don't lie... At its peak it was pulling in upwards of 20 Million viewers a show... But when it finally got cancelled it had as few as EastEnders does now... And yet EastEnders is still on the Air??? I grew up with TOTP... And I have to be honest - It does have a shelf life... I stopped watching when I reached 19-20 as I was now actually BUYING RECORDS and Enjoying my music on my terms... Another thing that also hurt TOTP - The rise of Rave, Hip-Hop and Techno... ...Much as I like Artists such as Fatboy Slim, David Guetta, and such - And while they do get massive crowds at Ibiza and other such places... They are NOT actually entertaining to watch perform as they just stand behind a desk spinning a few records and twiddling Knobs! The same issues with Techno, Even Hip-Hop and Rap became far too manufactured to make "Live Shows" interesting. And the Best Rap and Hip-Hop Music was also NEVER going to get Mainstream Airplay as it was WAY TOO CONTREVERSIAL! (Yeah, I am a rocker at heart... But I do like Hip-Hop and Rap... When its RAW - I don't like the Over commercialised and Sanitised stuff that hits the main stream charts these days! Cardi B "WAP" was a deliberate and lame attempt to play to controversy... And I actually find it PATHETIC... It does not have any real message or meaning, Its just about SEX! The Best Hip-Hop and Rap was about REAL LIFE STRUGGLES and Confronted the Political Powers with HEART...)

[@leegearing3297]

I think it would work. Away from the BBC, theres the rightful connection with the evil Savill that wont ever fade. A reboot with another broadcaster would be a fresh incarnation, its definately a format that worked.

[@Phoenix2312]

@@leegearing3297 Many have tried... There was The Chart Show on ITV, and a few others... But I feel except for The Chart Show - They lacked promotion. I would like to see something like TOTP back, and Yeah - I also want to see bands perform LIVE! That's how you gauge the talent... Anyone can MIME... And some artists will as the way their records are produced, They don't have a choice... That's fine! But have more Live Acts that ACTUALLY PERFORM! Something many people don't realise about the Industry - Most Artists make more money directly for themselves from LIVE SHOWS... So any Artist being promoted and fans being encouraged to see them live supports that artist MORE than buying their records! Will it happen? Will we see a New TOTP... I dunno! I hope so!

[@toriladybird511]

@@Phoenix2312 you missed David doing New years in Paris 2020 into 2021.. He was amazing

[@rolandbaldwin]

So you're wrong about Kurt Cobain. He was very sick that day and had to sing it in a different key. He couldn't hit the octave the song was usually sung in. This was documented in a recent Top of the Pops: The Story of. It's possibly 92 I think. A little research would have easily told you this

[@wisteela]

I never knew that.

[@CaptRobertApril]

They could have just as easily gone back on the live singing bit and mimed it like everybody else. Whether or not Kurt was actually not in proper voice is a maybe, he saw a chance to make some mischief and took it.

[@solsol1624]

Exactly I watched the same show a few weeks back. And it was live of course

[@paulmoneill]

@@CaptRobertApril According to Tim Booth from James who were on the show the same night, Kurt offered to mime it because he had a sore throat but TOTP insisted on him singing it live as that was the show's policy at the end of 1991 which was not usually the norm for the show throughout its long tenure. Knowing he couldn't sing it the way he sang it normally he simply sang it one or two octaves lower to protect his voice while simultaneously serving as an FU to the producers of the show for being dicks.

[@CaptRobertApril]

@@paulmoneill Sounds like Cobain.

[@DeanBallDarlo]

Stipe always performed Orange Crush with a megaphone.

[@therodge319]

Your wording was wrong for the Quo one, it was the Rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt that walk into the drum kit… the bass player was Jim Lea I think from slade as Lancaster didn’t like the song so refused to play on totp

[@glodglodson7710]

That was ray the guitarist from status quo, who fell into the drums, you can see the bassist standing off to the side laughing

[@JoeBleasdaleReal]

My favourite rendition of This Town by Sparks was probably Mark Heap in Green Wing - he was made to play Dr Alan Statham playing Ron Mael 😂

[@TheSudsy]

Siouxsie and the Banshees included it in their "Through the looking glass" covers / tributes album. Also a great version

[@paulsnell534]

There was a whole legion of these sort of bands in the mid 80's to early 90's. KLF and all it's previous and later incarnations. Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Gaye Bykers on Acid and The Shamen just to name a few. We had genre names for them and I think "Grebo" was the most encompasing name for them. It was a genre that incorporated Rock, Goth, Dance, Industrial, Rap and mainstream indie and I loved it. For me Pop Will Eat Itself was the pinnacle of that Genre and when you consider Clint Mansell is now a successful Movie soundtrack artist (like Trent Reznor) he probably knew his stuff back then too or certainly winged it

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

I loved the Poppies and remember being totally mind-blown when I discovered Clint had done the Requiem For A Dream soundtrack with Kronos Quartet. I knew the Quartet were amazingly talented, but I sheepishly admit I had no idea HE was 😲 (no matter how much fun Can U Dig It was - lol)

[@vikkiledgard8483]

PWEI were legendary 🙌 ❤️❤️❤️

[@rockfyre3095]

Trio using a small Casiotone keyboard/calculator set to the rhythm pattern of Rock 1. I actually owned one of these back in the early 80s.

[@tinarobinson5479]

I've still got mine lol ,Casio vl tone

[@rain7bow437]

That blue robotic guy is actually terrifying 😮

[@Azphreal]

You missed Oasis where Noel and Liam were annoyed about the miming rule so the changed places on the show.

[@IrvoDominguez]

About The Timelords - KLF: The black hoods and black robes are more reminiscent of those wear by the faithful during the Holy Week and Easter in Spain and many towns through Latin America.

[@barrysmith4588]

my mum used to wear a pointy hat: she was a white witch and not a member of the KKK... and my dad had a small moustache: but was not Hitler!

[@mifi4216]

The only performance that is worthy of WTF is Gary Glitter. Could’ve done without seeing it tbh

[@garethglitter5932]

Fucker stole my name too....

[@cracklinjack___9466]

Let's face it, Rod and The Faces were just classically mad. Mac, Plonk and Kenny were old hands at this Rock Star lark at this point, having been with the incomparable Steve Marriott in The Small Faces, and, like Rod, was as bloody brilliant and as mad as. These guys were, to me, the absolute epitome of Rock Stars. Tons of talent, tons of master level understanding of their respective instruments, and when they wanted to goof around, nothing was going to stop them. I wonder did we realize the level of seriousness and stuck up self-righteousness that we have today would we have appreciated them even more? Four lads and instruments, one guy and a hell of a voice. Backing singers and let talent flow. Just basics done good.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Rod Stewart is hilarious, takes the piss, great fun!

[@GVike]

BTW Rod knew a bit about footy. He once considered making it his career...

[@johnsharp6618]

Status quo, Rick wasn't drunk. He did it on purpose to show that totp was not live music being played by the bands on the show.

[@marknewbold2583]

He was probably coked up

[@barrie5852]

I remember 1 performance where it purposely knocked the microphone out of the stand to show they were miming

[@markrobinson6129]

Also, bassist Alan Lancaster was so ashamed of the song, he refused to do the show. That's actually Slade's bass player (Jim Lea?) in the clip.

[@Adam-pu6jg]

New Order's live performance of Blue Monday should've been included, as it was a farce (but somehow they barely hold it together, tbf Blue Monday wasn't the easiest song to perform live)

[@matthewdean2669]

Can’t believe you missed out the Manic Street Preachers playing ‘Faster’ surrounded by fire torches and frontman James wearing a balaclava at the height of news of IRA terrorism in the UK at the time. A bit silly that there were 20,000 complaints just for that but I understand why it might have scared some young kids!

[@tonkysue207]

Loved this.hope the world gets back to these mad times,great fun.💙uk

[@tay7366]

Yea we weren’t easily offended at the time 😂🫣

[@RachaelMorgan-om4xw]

So true! I was14 and I fancied Les Gray from MUD! Ohhh the humanity!!!!!!!!!

[@Technaudio]

Faith No More - From Out Of Nowhere 1990, Mike Patton clearly taking the P out of having to mime.

[@stevehyperdriver]

Jackie Wilson by Dexy’s Midnight Runners where they mistakenly put up a banner of jocky wilson

[@RachaelMorgan-om4xw]

Chuckle!!!

[@christopherpalmer4944]

Kevin Rowland later confessed that they’d done it deliberately but blamed the BBC to embarrass them

[@strakermidwich9679]

Fun fact in the Rod Stewart clip the guy playing Mandolin sat down is none other than th late great John Peel

[@kevinho0681]

If you want to go by public response, surely Keith flints performance before the watershed for fire starter was at least worth a mention?

[@tombrookes2923]

Can't believe you missed out Arthur brown - fire That scared my mom out of watching top of the pops for almost 4 years

[@EddieGaster]

"I am the god of hellfire and I bring you..."

[@tdurb0]

KLF absolutely made it their point to completely fk the music industry up, and managed it effortlessly. Timelords being just one example of this

[@GVike]

REMs "Orange Crush" did have a part sung over a megaphone, but I guess Stipe thought just do all of it for fun.

[@Clem_Fandango11]

Live Aid with Paul Weller singing the Bono part 😂😂😂😂

[@woodyjud7149]

Stipe always swings a megaphone on orange crush

[@drewcampbell8555]

Gary Glitter hadn't even been charged let alone convicted of any sexual offences at the time of this performance. Indeed he was appearing in ads for cornflakes and prime time chatshows. Like Savile he was almost a national treasure at this point in his career, so it was more of a joke than a subversive act by the (soon-to-be) KLF.

[@aaronleverton4221]

"...now-disgraced..."

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@@aaronleverton4221 An unnervingly understated euphemism for "never to be released because he's a monster" 😕

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

You Guys know that the Timelords are also the KLF, those robes are a recurring theme! They are on record saying that they wanted GG on the original, but he said he's only do it if they got to No1. So that performance, was when they got to No1. The Orb are a KLF offshoot, again art school situationist cultural terrorists, so made sense. I think Trio were a Joke by a music teacher so again made sense.

[@rabfallon4507]

no shit Sherlock

[@valentinch0]

#1 - WTF for the public, but absolutely ordinary for Bill and Jimmy

[@mikekelly5869]

The Timelords costumes and marching drums are Spanish Semana Santa penetentienes costumes. Nothing to do with the KKK but a bit spooky looking. Mix in Gary Gliiter and that's a real bad trip, right there.

[@kaineridge2787]

Glad someone said this

[@gethinap]

That Maggie May performance, how did you miss John Peel "playing" mandolin?

[@julianaylor4351]

Which on the record was played by the late Ronnie Lane.

[@fcamsterdam4364]

@@julianaylor4351 As far as I know mandolin was played by a member of Lindisfarne. Name slipped my mind

[@leebritnell2405]

People that compiled this have probably never heard of him(but like to give an impression of vast knowledge).

[@tonysplattery]

@@fcamsterdam4364 (According to Wikipedia) it was Ray Jackson - I had an uncle of the same name. Great bloke.

[@eddieg2522]

@@tonysplattery Ray Jackson in Bloodsport? Ok USA!!!

[@bericjeavons8362]

Delighted to see the Quo on here but there is a lot nott right. First off. Rick who falls on the drum kit is not the bass player, hence why he is very clearly playing an acoustic guitar. The Bassist Jim Lea (seen here) Is also not their Bass Player. Jim Lea was in the band Slade. Alan Lancaster (Co-founder of Status Quo and actual Quo Bassist) hated the cheesy pop tune so much he refused to appear in all videos of the song including the music video and an appearance on cannon and ball. You also miss out someone batting out the mic with a balloon. not saying it necessarily should have made it higher on the list. but you've missed out on a lot of very public and actually visible info.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Very entertaining video, please make another compilation of these. How about Travis when they appeared and had a very Sooty Show like messy food fight, and Fran Healy had a lobster on his head or something, like they did in the video? Bet that was fun to clear up for the cleaners after lol.

[@MrMillipeed]

Please do your research. Status Quo - the man falling into the drums is Rick Parfitt. He is not and never was the bass player for Status Quo, he was one the the founding members, singer, songwriter and guitarist. In this clip the bassist is not even a member of Status Quo, that's Jim Lea and he isn't the bassist for Status Quo either - he is the bass player for Slade, just a mate hanging around and stepping in for the ToP performance. Oh and Rick wasn't drunk - this is an often mistaken anecdote. It is believable because Status Quo were well known for their wild rock 'n' roll behaviour, in this case Rick was sober and had told the drummer he was going to fall into the drums as a joke.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

That Nirvana performance, I came in to the room about half way through that when it was broadcast, I honestly thought it was Julian Cope being odd... Again!

[@malthuswasright]

Not sure kooch is that well known a euphemism over in the uk - certainly not in those days. Great to see John Peel not playing mandolin on Maggie May though!

[@Spacey7]

They were all awesome at the time & still are the tracks from awesome artists giving the best performances! They don't do anything even remotely as good these days!!! Gary glitter was a terrific performer, whatever happened in the end!

[@martymart6143]

The Jesus Jones' keyboard player should have been in there. Swinging around his keyboard during International Bright Young Thing 🤣

[@Starsk25]

I liked the performances by The Faces and Nirvana!

[@jenhasken]

The megaphone actually works for the type of song Orange Crush is and the vocals.

[@cobblerama]

Was gonna say that and I've seen more than a couple bands use megaphones live.

[@christopherpalmer4944]

I saw REM on that tour - Michael Stipe used a megaphone on a few songs.

[@ispi_video_photo]

Erm... Rick Parfitt was not Status Quo's bassist, niether was anyone drunk. It was a pranke thought up between Parfitt and Pete Kircher before the performance.

[@tdurb0]

Newman and Baddiel (or the Mary Whitehouse Experience) did a pisstake of MTV Unplugged with people like The Orb, Orbital, Prodigy etc. Very funny sketches back in the 90s

[@JudithARobinson]

I loved The Mary Whitehouse Experience!!! Good to see it mentioned 😊

[@midnightmosesuk]

Some people are very easily disturbed.

[@philipjohnson4175]

Robbie Williams, a perfect example of confidence being more important than talent.

[@yussepig6629]

You’re just jealous. Nice cheeks

[@iiconicprinxe]

Nobody asked Philip.

[@freya8133]

Exactly!

[@freya8133]

@@yussepig6629 I'm not jealous.

[@freya8133]

@@iiconicprinxe I asked.

[@danielredmond6101]

No mention of Kernkraft 400 - Zombie Nation in 2000(01?)? The band walked on stage all dressed up in full-on zombie costumes - was not the most common thing to see at 7:30 pm on a Friday.

[@ivelinaminkova2646]

Neighbours be like "she's at it again" 🥴

[@jimmanycricket3756]

Do your research ffs that was not quos bassist falling into the drummer but it was in fact fellow guitarist Rick Parfitt

[@stonecold6521]

Nobody really cares.

[@msbronzekitten]

Who hurt you???

[@julianaylor4351]

May have been stoned.

[@camillomorlotti5388]

It was a set up

[@delenngm]

@@stonecold6521 Some care because watch mojo are probably the worse channel(s) for doing little to no research and consequently producing meaningless shite. Rather like your pointless comment as it happens.

[@andrewclarvis8976]

I’ve always thought that Robbie Williams was a bell end

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

he had some good songs, but yeah, arrogance by the shed load!

[@marcusphoenixish]

He still is

[@davedennison7386]

Was,is and always will be....

[@JammyGit]

You always thought right mate 😆

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

And you could practically see the bell end through his dress lol.

[@stonemoshed]

Rick Parfitt was NOT the bassist in Status Quo. Also, what about Tin Machine when Reeves Gabrels "played" the guitar solo at the end of 'You Belong In Rock And Roll' with a chocolate éclair because the BBC baulked at him using a vibrator as per the recording.

[@mickb44]

yep made by idiots who have no idea

[@pureb7235]

Sparks performance was iconic.

[@dougxvale]

Honourable mention: Bjork and Skunk Anansie (1995). Great metal version of Army of Me but creepy especially for kids.

[@leighpowell1062]

It didn't creep me out though

[@jadepixie2719]

I don’t think that performance should be on this list , it was pretty cool, it didn’t scary 😟 me at all.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Amazing song that, just thunders with edge.

[@geraldbumblepop7582]

I'm surprised Laurie Anderson's "O superman" wasn't on the list. I know she wasn't part of the performance but definitely far more weird than a lot on this list.

[@BuhurtUK]

Stipe performed that song with a megaphone for parts of the song anyway so he'd be getting out if they weren't miming anyway 🤷‍♂️

[@kenwyncorbitt6100]

I came here to say the same thing. I think it was recorded with a megaphone as well.

[@katrenathacker9226]

It was recorded and performed with a megaphone because it was a protest song against the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam.

[@BobGolob]

I like the Stranglers performance too.

[@sazmullium]

Robbie literally only did it for attention as he wasn’t doing too well outside of take that originally… it got him some attention and then he faded into irrelevance again..

[@RachaelMorgan-om4xw]

Robbie Williams does everything for attention.

[@chrisdeburghconcertvids5222]

Michael Stipe of course used the megaphone when performing that song live from that point onwards, with a mic in it of course!

[@bevmaxey8968]

Ron Mael terrified me but he is a legend and Sparks remain one of the best bands around

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Saw them at teh John peel tent one glasto (Billed as FFS with Franz Ferdinand), after 4 album songs they alternated each others hits, still had it then.

[@garymcteer7620]

Most definitely

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

They are fantastic, innovative, creative and hilarious, and a moustache.

[@freya8133]

🤢🤮 To each his own!