Popular Nostalgia

Friday nights at 6pm were where everyone knew – “The Weekend Starts Here”. The BBC’s flagship youth programme opened to the tune of The Sufaris’ track: “Wipe Out,” which was later replaced by Manfred Mann’s “5-4-3-2-1″ and finally Them’s “Baby Please Don’t Go”. Cathy McGowan cemented her place at th forefront of Mod fashion after being selected as the front woman for the show based on style rather than experience. She knew the quirks and ideals of the Mod movement and helped to shape its development. Keith Fordyce, however, was far too starchy to be on the programme and eventualy left. Watch him fluff it with the Beachboys here. There were other presenters such as Dusty Springfield, Michael Aldred and David Gell.

Many young viewers tuned in to look for style advice on mini-skirts, tab collars and button-down shirts. The music, however, was cutting edge; Eric Burdon, The Animals, The Kinks, Donovan, The Pretty Things, Sonny and Cher, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Rufus Thomas and Marvin Gaye, all had their introductions to UK audiences on the show. Other acts that appeared on the show include: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Gerry And The Pacemakers, Marvin Gaye, Gene Pitney, The Beach Boys, Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black and Manfred Mann.

Ready Steady Go

It wasn’t all about music, though. There were weekly fashion reports and the show was moved to a later slot and adopted a “live-music only” policy. This took Ready Steady Go to a new level, with McGowan as the sole presented in a bigger studio. It finished in 1966 but was revived by video compilations released in the 80′s. Cathy McGowan went on to release her own clothing line and accessories which acheive a good price on Ebay. She was linked romantically with Michael Ball and acts as a style consultant to the stars.