NEW YORK,NY (VH1) - VH1 Classic has acquired the exclusive U.S. television rights for the BBC's final episode of "Top of the Pops." The historic one-hour special, featuring memorable performances by such pop music icons as Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Jackson 5,
David Bowie, Wham,
Sonny & Cher, Coldplay,
Robbie Williams and the
Spice Girls will debut on VH1 Classic on Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 PM/ET.
Candace Carlisle, Senior Vice President BBC Worldwide Americas says, "'Top of the Pops' is one of the most dearly loved music shows of all time - it's a musical institution. Fortunately the BBC's archives are full of outstanding performances stretching over 40 years. This finale UK show is a treat for music lovers of all ages."
"This 'Top of the Pops' series finale is a tremendous time capsule featuring the best and brightest stars of pop music from the last 40 years. We're proud to be the only outlet in the United States to share it with music lovers here," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, VH1 Classic.
"Top of the Pops" was the world's longest running weekly music show, counting down the brightest music acts on the U.K. and international music scene for 42 years and over 2000 editions. The final episode aired on the BBC on July 30 of this year. The special includes full performances by the following:
2000s
Beyonce - "Crazy In Love"
Coldplay - "Speed of Sound"
1990s
Spice Girls - "Wannabe"
1980s
Wham - "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go"
Madonna - "Like A Virgin"
1970s
David Bowie - "Star Man"
Jackson Five - "Rockin' Robin"
1960s
Sonny and Cher - "I Got You Babe"
The Rolling Stones - "The Last Time," from the very first episode taped in Manchester in 1964!
The special also includes rare footage never before seen in the U.S. of The Bee Gees, Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Cliff Richard, John Lennon, Rod Stewart, ABBA, Status Quo, T-Rex, Three Degrees, Bing Crosby, Culture Club, Band Aid, Duran Duran, Adam Ant, Elton John, Frankie, Eurythmics, Bryan Adams, Wet Wet Wet, Bros, Nirvana, Britney Spears, Oasis, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, U2, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Eminem, Osbournes and Green Day.
Launched in 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents music videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best rock, soul and pop artists from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. VH1 Classic is available on all digital cable satellite platforms, reaching 33 million households across the country.
