December 16, 2009
Led Zeppelin don’t rock top gear
Well fancy that – Led Zeppelin played a loud and boring role on Top Gear three decades before Jeremy Clarkson made political incorrectness de rigueur on the programme. Apparently according to news leaked by the BBC today, legendary rockers-to-be Led Zeppelin were somewhat dull and unconvincing – and the pretentious BBC radio hacks would rather listen to Muddy Waters if they wanted some bluesy riffs back in 1969.
I am exaggerating slightly of course – as Top Gear’s first incarnation was a cult radio show of the much-admired John Peal – rather than a lad’s showcase loosely built around fuel-powered penis extensions. But for some reason, the reaction of ill-qualified BBC producers from 40 years ago hit the news this week.
The fact that Led Zeppelin’s early bluesy stuff got a rather sniffy reaction for the worties at the BBC is supposed to be a bit of a shock. But those of us who have heard the session know the BBC hacks got their critique of soon-to-be classics as Dazed & Confused and Communication Breakdown spot on.
Also it is difficult to disagree with the BBC audition panel’s less than enthusiastic reception of David Bowie in 1965. “ A singer devoid of personality”, apparently.
I’m also quite taken with the panel’s perceptive view of T Rex. “Crap – and pretentious crap at that”. Spot on.
Top Gear was presumably cutting edge stuff in 1969. Radio 1 was set up as recently as 1967 to combat the rise of pirate radio stations, which had lured millions of listeners hungry for more modern music. The BBC was obviously determined to be right on and groovy. But as the audition reports show, they were still determined to uphold more traditional standards.
DJ Bob Harris, who joined Radio 1 in 1970 said: “In 1969 there was still a somewhat resentful attitude among some at the BBC that Radio 1 had been foisted upon them. Some of the old guard looked down their noses at rock.”
Peel eventually broadcast over 4,000 sessions by more than 2,000 artists, giving early exposure to bands such as The Smiths and The White Stripes. Meanwhile Radio 1 is so cutting edge, right on and groovy in 2009 that it wants you to start your day with the unfunny and talentless Chris Moyles. Some people never learn.
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