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In 1982, Andrea Wonfor headed Tyne Tees' youth department. It became obvious
to her, through interviews with children, that magazine shows had an
unimaginative dependence on promotional videos. With her new format, Wonfor
sought to regain some spark by devising a rock concert inside a television
studio, not unlike Ready, Steady, Go! (ITV, 1963-66).
Transmitted live from Newcastle, The Tube (a reference to the studio
entrance) was launched during Channel 4's opening week. Its hosts were
ex-Squeeze keyboardist Jools Holland and the provocative Paula Yates. The pair's
confidently irreverent approach chimed well with Channel 4's mould-breaking
self-image.
The series supported the rock and pop aristocracy as well as the independent music scenes, touching on many innovative new styles
emerging from America. In a teeming decade, The Tube had a refreshing lack of
musical snobbery, proudly developing close relationships with the likes of U2,
Eurythmics, Culture Club and Duran Duran. For Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Madonna
and Terence Trent D'Arby, first appearances were critical. Indeed, the spectacle
of Frankie... in bondage gear was enough to get them signed overnight.
A string of supporting presenters guided the programme content. Scottish
journalist Muriel Gray made her mark here, as did Leslie Ash when she deputised
for Yates throughout series two. Famously, Felix Howard, at the time barely in his teens, joined for the final run. Notable guest hosts included Peter Cook, Nicholas Parsons and John Peel.
'Rock concert' constituted just half of The Tube, with a magazine hour acting
as warm up. Fashion items, filmed reports and backstage interviews were typical
fare. Comedy too, with The Comic Strip Presents... team making regular
appearances.
After five years of fighting its corner, The Tube collapsed in April 1987
under the weight of internal bickering. Holland inadvertently stoked tensions
with a colourful slip during a live trailer, leading to a six-week suspension.
It did, however, inspire the title of his comic travelogue The Groovy Fellers
(Channel 4, 1989) with Rowland Rivron.
A Tube revival was proposed in 1994, but the original producers instead
developed The White Room (Channel 4, 1995-96). A millennium special, hosted by
Chris Moyles and Donna Air, aired on 20 November 1999 as Apocalypse Tube. Even then, there was no firm intent for a new series.
Ian Greaves
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1982: The Jam - A Town Called Malice (3:10)
