TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999

A mainly studio bound show produced by Francis Essex with bandleader Jack Payne introducing singers and bands, with behind the scenes reports about the music business.

Payne, talking to Melody Maker a a few weeks before the show's debut said, "The series will really be a review of the whole record industry. Records are the focal point of the pop music world today, and we aim to present all facets of the business. This means that bands, show stars, singers, anyone in the record news will be presented. And I shall probably introduce American recording celebrities visiting the country."

BBC TV's Light Entertainment head Ronnie Waldman told the New Musical Express in March 1955 "For a long time it has been a permanent worry on our minds, to know how best to present gramophone records on TV. Neither we not the Americans had hither too found a satisfactory answer, but we feel that this new programme idea will solve the problem. We shall play, perhaps, one or two records per programme - in which case we shall try to illustrate the music with production numbers as we have done in the past - but for the most part we shall concentrate on presenting the artists themselves to sing the songs which they have recorded, even though he orchestral arrangements may not be identical with the recorded versions." By and large the British record industry felt it a worthwhile endeavour, with Johnnie Franz of Philips claiming "This scheme should prove of great benefit to the record business in general."

Each week the artists would be backed by the George Mitchell Singers, with music arranged by Stanley Black. A few skiffle and early British rock and roll acts crept into later shows.

Taking over production for the second series was Bill Cotton Junior. Talking ahead of the second series in September 1956 Jack Payne told the Melody Maker "We hope to occasionally bring in performers other than those who record pop music. We also hope to bring to the television screen some lesser-known recording artists, some of whom have not yet appeared in 'Off The Record' or, in fact, on TV at all."

A few clips including Alma Cogan and Max Bygraves exist.

OFF THE RECORD

BBC

11th May 1955 - 13th March 1958