TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999

The half-hour series was placed in prime time, 7.30 - 8.00 pm and was hosted by (among others) Ron Parry and produced by Tig Roe. The show provided a shop front for British jazz bands. The show would feature a Pin-Up spot which offered glamorous singers, and a Tin Pan Alley spot, hosted by Peter Leslie which provided gossip and stories about the street, its song writers and song pluggers. Both of these spots would be dropped after a few weeks, but it's not known if 'Song Seller Corner' remained. The first show appeared to have several different hosts introducing too many faces and features.

After two shows Roe would be replaced by American Richard Lester (on the 1st or 15th November 1955) and the show would be "drastically altered" according to the station, with the show concentrating more on the bands themselves. Lester told the Melody Maker "Jazz is a serious form of expression and it should be treated in the same way as, say, a symphony orchestra. We intend to cater for the core of enthusiasts who want to see British bands presented without qualification or adornment." Former producer Tig Roe told the New Musical Express "I was originally assigned two programmes, and as my other series 'Focus on Pocus' brought a better reaction from viewers, it was decided to give 'Downbeat' to another producer. The sound breakdown in the first transmission, which featured Ted Heath's band, probably had something to do with the decision. However, I am remaining as musical adviser to 'Downbeat' and hope to have a dance music series of my own in the new year."

The show featured many of the British greats of the time like Johnny Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton, The Kirchins etc, but any thought of getting Americans onto the show was apparently met with a swift "no" from the Musicians Union.

DOWNBEAT

Associated Rediffusion

4th October 1955 - 27th December 1955