1 week Ago By Lisa Rockman
November 8, 1974, was an important date in Australian television history. Login or signup to continue reading At 6.30pm that evening Countdown premiered on our television screens, we met host Ian "Molly" Meldrum, and the rest is music history.
Now, 50 years later, the ABC is celebrating the little Aussie music show that became a global phenomenon. Countdown 50 Years On will relive the glory days of Countdown at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 16, on ABC TV and ABC iview.
The special event will combine juicy behind-the-scenes stories and interviews from Countdown's original 13-year run with never-before-seen archival footage and live performances from some of Australian music's biggest stars. Hosted by Myf Warhust and Tony Armstrong, the epic night of music will feature the talents of Daryl Braithwaite, Joe Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, GANGgajang, Marcia Hines, Grace Knight, Russell Morris, Leo Sayer and Ross Wilson. Electric Fields, Kate Miller-Heidke, Nooky, Regurgitator and Katy Steele will take to the stage to perform classic Countdown hits.
Also joining the festivities are special guests Dylan Lewis and Les Gock. But the party doesn't stop there. ABC Radio is bringing Countdown In Your Town to Newcastle throughout November, featuring bands playing iconic hits from the Countdown era.
Myf Warhust says it is "an honour and a privilege" to host Countdown 50 Years On . "For someone like me who grew up watching Countdown every Sunday night with my brothers - it was our church - it's such a big deal because it was my window to the world at that time," she told the Newcastle Herald . "There was no internet, we only had ABC TV.
It was a different time, and Australia was very isolated, so a show like this was global and exciting for us. "And the great thing was that Molly had access to these international artists, people like Madonna, Elton John, Boy George, that other countries never got. They all came out to Australia and gave him exclusive interviews.
"He had the knowledge and their respect." Newcastle Herald Newcastle Herald DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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