Alright Now
Encyclopedia
Alright Now was a short-lived rock music
television series made by Tyne Tees Television
for ITV
in 1979–1980.The show was named for the song "All Right Now
" by the band Free
. the series showcased both established and up-and-coming acts, with a focus on those from North East England
; among them were Dire Straits
and The Police
, both enjoying their first chart successes. (In contrast, Lindisfarne
were given an entire show to themselves.) The show ran for one season and was not renewed. In 1982, Tyne Tees produced the similar music show The Tube
for the then-new Channel 4
.
The show was initially hosted by former Darts
singer Den Hegarty
, but he was dismissed from the show for "outrageous" behaviour,—he later became the host of the children's show Tiswas
, which also aired on Tyne Tees.
Alright Now was notorious for an interview by guest host Billy Connolly
of Led Zeppelin
drummer John Bonham
, in which Bonham responded to all Connolly's questions in monosyllables.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
television series made by Tyne Tees Television
Tyne Tees Television
Tyne Tees Television is the ITV television franchise for North East England and parts of North Yorkshire. As of 2009, it forms part of a non-franchise ITV Tyne Tees & Border region, shared with the ITV Border region...
for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in 1979–1980.The show was named for the song "All Right Now
All Right Now
"All Right Now" is a rock single by the English rock band Free. The song, released in mid-1970, hit #2 on the UK singles chart and #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "All Right Now" originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records label, formed...
" by the band Free
Free (band)
Free were an English rock band, formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Simon Kirke on drums; lead guitarist Paul Kossoff died from a...
. the series showcased both established and up-and-coming acts, with a focus on those from North East England
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
; among them were Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
and The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, both enjoying their first chart successes. (In contrast, Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne were a British folk/rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1970 and fronted by singer/songwriter Alan Hull. Their music combined a strong sense of yearning with an even stronger sense of fun...
were given an entire show to themselves.) The show ran for one season and was not renewed. In 1982, Tyne Tees produced the similar music show The Tube
The Tube (TV series)
The Tube was an innovative United Kingdom pop/rock music television programme, which ran for five seasons, from 5 November 1982 until 1987...
for the then-new Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
The show was initially hosted by former Darts
Darts (band)
Darts were a nine-piece British doo-wop revival band that achieved chart success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The popular London-based band had a number of UK top 20 hits including three successive Number twos with revivals of early U.S...
singer Den Hegarty
Den Hegarty
Den Hegarty is a rock and roll, doo-wop and a cappella singer.-Biography:At an early age Hegarty moved to Brighton, England...
, but he was dismissed from the show for "outrageous" behaviour,—he later became the host of the children's show Tiswas
Tiswas
Tiswas was a Saturday morning children's British television series which ran from 5 January 1974 to 3 April 1982 and was produced for the ITV network by ATV Network Limited....
, which also aired on Tyne Tees.
Alright Now was notorious for an interview by guest host Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
drummer John Bonham
John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
, in which Bonham responded to all Connolly's questions in monosyllables.
See also
- Revolver (TV series)Revolver (TV series)Revolver was a British music TV series on ITV that ran for one series only, of eight episodes, in 1978.It was produced by ATV. The series producer was Mickie Most, who was inspired to make the programme after he saw an interview with Top of the Pops producer Robin Nash, in which he boasted that...
- Top of the PopsTop of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
- Old Grey Whistle TestOld Grey Whistle TestThe Old Grey Whistle Test was an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers...
- Check it Out (UK TV series)Check it Out (UK TV series)Check it Out was a youth-oriented television series produced twice weekly by Tyne Tees Television for ITV in 1979-1982. It presented a mix of rock music performances and segments dealing with social issues including homelessness and homosexuality....