Returning to its original Countdown timeslot, Classic Countdown will launch on Sunday 17 September at 6pm on ABC, airing 13 one-hour episodes over consecutive weeks.
One of the most loved programs ever produced and broadcast by the ABC, Countdown spanned 13 years from 1974-1987 and provided the soundtrack to an entire generation of Australians.
Taking a year per episode, Classic Countdown pays tribute to the iconic artists, the incredible songs and Molly!
The original episodes have been lovingly and meticulously restored and the archives carefully searched to uncover performances not seen for decades. Unashamedly nostalgic and playful, Classic Countdown will celebrate the explosion in youth culture and Aussie music that was the driving force of the show’s success.
Classic Countdown will feature the very best music from the day, presented in the classic Countdown way… the artists performing their songs to a live studio audience.
The show will also feature the very best of Molly, his unique interview style and his incredible access to the likes of Elton John, Tina Turner, Abba, David Bowie, Kate Bush – not to mention the giants of Aussie Rock. The series will mirror the Countdown run-down with highlights of Humdrum plus a selection of the songs that were performed on the show that also made it to #1 each year.
Each episode will be narrated by an artist who performs in that episode; John Paul Young, Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey, Richard Clapton among many others. The shows will also feature the iconic voice of Gavin Wood, who will reprise his role as Countdown’s announcer.
Joining the tribute, ABC Music are proud to present Classic Countdown (out September 15), a massive 4CD collection and digital album featuring the biggest and most influential hits from the iconic original series including classic tracks from ABBA, Skyhooks, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, John Farnham plus many more.
Follow Classic Countdown online at abc.net.au/classiccountdown and via socials #ClassicCountdown
