Pop Gear (1965)

So, I found this movie while scrolling through the program guide on my cable box. Anything that features Eric Burdon and the Animals will cause me to watch! And I must say, it was an extremely satisfying experience!! I was familiar with some of the bands, especially those who had hits in America, such as Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, the aforementioned Animals, the Nashville Teens, the Spencer Davis Group (featuring Steve Winwood), the Honeycombs, Herman's Hermits and, of course, the Beatles. Many of the other bands I've encountered during my BritPop research in the 70s and early 80s (while I was working in radio). It was a great opportunity for me to see these artists in action, and get a feel for what my friends in the UK were listening to. An earlier post listed the artists and songs in the order in which they appeared on the film. I disagree with some of the song titles that were used and I'd like to share my research!The Beatles, "She Loves You", in concert, screaming girls and all! Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, "Little Children". A number one in the UK, it was their first top 10 hit in the US (its flip side, "Bad to Me" also was a top 10). They charted four more songs in the US.Susan Maughan, "Make Him Mine". Never charted in the US, and not one of her charted hits in the UK.The Four Pennies, "Juliet". A UK #1, they never reached that pinnacle again. It never was a big hit in the US, but did garner some airplay. Here's a bit of trivia. The US girl group, the Chiffons, also were known as the Four Pennies! The Animals, "House of the Rising Sun". #1 in both the US and UK. Their first US release.The Fourmost, "A Little Loving" (sometimes listed as, "A Little Lovin'"). Reached #6 on the UK charts, never charted in the US. They did get some US airplay with "Here, There and Everywhere".The Rockin' Berries, "He's in Town". #3 in the UK, never charted in the US.The Honeycombs, "Have I the Right". Do I ever remember this tune! The deejays used to comment on the fact that the group had a female drummer (Ann "Honey" Lantree), an anomaly in the 60s. The song was #1 in the UK and #5 in the US.Sounds Incorporated, "Rinky Dink". The flip side of their UK hit, "Spanish Harlem" (#35 in the UK). A six-piece instrumental group, they backed Gene Vincent and Little Richard. They even appear on the Beatles "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album on the track, "Good Morning, Good Morning". They never made it as big as the Shadows .Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), "A World Without Love". Went to number one in the UK and the US.Matt Monro, "Walk Away". Top ten in the UK (#4), top 25 in the US (#23).Herman's Hermits, "I'm Into Something Good". Their first release, it hit number done in the UK, but stalled at lucky 13 in the UiS.Tommy Quickly and the Remo Four, "Humpty Dumpty". The Remo Four originally backed Johnny Sandon, but it was Beatles manager Brian Epstein who decided to replace him with Quickly. Only one of this lineup's songs made the charts, but not this one.Billie Davis, "Whatcha Gonna Do". Didn't chart.Spencer Davis Group, "My Babe". A cut from their first LP entitled, "Their First LP". I kid you not. The album was also released as "Every Little Bit Hurts" on another label. The same album re-released as "Sittin' and Thinking'" with the order of the songs changed. It was great to see and hear Steve Winwood perform.Nashville Teens, "Tobacco Road". #14 in the US and #& in the UK. I still hear oldies stations playing it! The Rockin' Berries, "What in the World's Come Over You". #23 in the UK; Tom Jones' version was played in the US.Matt Monro, "For Mama". Not a big hit on either side of the pond - #36 on the UK charts and barely caused a ripple in the US.The Four Pennies, "Black Girl". A Leadbelly tune, hit #20 in the UK.Sounds Incorporated, "William Tell". Didn't reach the charts.The Nashville Teens, "Google Eye". A top ten hit (#10) in the UK; it received some airplay in the US.The Honeycombs, "Eyes". Never made the charts. Their song "That's the Way", was the only other Honeycombs' single to break the top 15 in the UK (#12).The Animals, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". #10 US and #3 UK. I admit to being an Eric Burdon fan. When I worked at Oldies radio in the US I looked for opportunities to play the Animals. One cut a night! Matt Monro sang a "Pop Gear" ditty. As far as I know, it was never released as a single.The Beatles ended the show with "Twist and Shout".

I just saw this TV on some obscure cable channel. What a great period piece. A mix of well-known groups and the obscure, at least in the States. It was most interesting to me to see how some of the greats just sort of leaped off the screen, even though it was all lip-synched. Stevie Winwood in the Spencer Davis Group, as one. The Animals another. In fact, I thought the Animals out and out killed. I thought Herman's Hermits were good.Lot of comment on the Beatles here. Nice to have some live Beatles clips for sure, but I did not think they were that remarkable.The group with the red-haired singer asked about by another comment is the Rocking Berries. A real gem of a group that I had not heard of. Billie Davis was great, too. A real cutie, exuding personality.Also, a good illustration of how there is really bad music in any era, too.Dress and hair styles were great, too. Within a couple of years it would all be different.Well worth watching.

It's a very entertaining time capsule of pop culture and lots of fun to watch. The host is such a 60's stereotype that he's sometimes distracting. Yes, I know he's a very famous British artist, but no less off putting.It's a shame some of the performers aren't identified - the lesser known bands remain unknown. But you can't miss a very young Steve Winwood with the Spencer Davis Group. Wow, he really stands out with his bluesy voice...loved it.I'm still wondering how all those musicians played electrical instruments in the movie without any cords or cables. Ahhh..the 60s were indeed magical.

This is a fun film showcasing a number of hits from 1964, many of the performances stages specifically for the film. I had not seen it in years, but it has re-emerged on AMC, so if that year's music holds any interest to you, watch and have a ball.