Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

The Story of Ready Steady Go!

Documentary that showcases Britain’s iconic 1960s music show, Ready Steady Go!, which revolutionised television 'for the kids' and introduced emerging talent from the era.

The story of Britain’s iconic 1960s music show, Ready Steady Go! The programme revolutionised television ‘for the kids’ and coincided with the tremendous explosion of British pop talent that took the world by storm. It championed emerging talent like The Beatles, The Who, Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black, Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones.

This definitive documentary covers every aspect of a pioneering show. Its style rewrote the rulebook for music programmes, with its intoxicating blend of performance, celebrity interviews and items on fashion. It often featured cameras in shot, live mishaps and the young audience interacting with their pop star heroes.

We go behind the scenes and speak to the people who made it all happen, including original producer Vicki Wickham and the programme’s pioneering director, Michael Lindsay-Hogg. Plus further contributions from Annie Nightingale, Eric Burdon, Chris Farlowe, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Paul Jones, Gerry Marsden and Jools Holland.

59 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Mar 2020 02:00
BBC Four

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    The Surfaris

    Wipe Out

  • 00:02

    Manfred Mann

    5-4-3-2-1

  • 00:02

    The Shadows

    Foot Tapper

  • 00:06

    Dusty Springfield

    Every Day I Have To Cry

  • 00:07

    Lulu & The Luvvers & Lulu

    Shout

  • 00:07

    The Fourmost

    Baby I Need Your Loving

  • 00:07

    The Merseybeats

    I Think Of You

  • 00:07

    The Merseybeats

    I Think Of You

  • 00:10

    Gerry and the Pacemakers

    Ferry Cross the Mersey

  • 00:11

    The Searchers

    What Have They Done To The Rain

  • 00:12

    BBC Radiophonic Workshop

    Doctor Who Theme

  • 00:16

    Sandie Shaw

    (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me

  • 00:16

    Nancy Sinatra

    These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

  • 00:17

    The Searchers

    When You Walk In The Room

  • 00:21

    The Animals

    Club-A-Go-Go (Mono)

  • 00:24

    The Animals

    Baby Let Me Take You Home

  • 00:26

    Georgie Fame

    Like We Used To Be

  • 00:27

    Dusty Springfield

    Can I Get A Witness

  • 00:28

    Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

    Dancing In The Street

  • 00:29

    Junior Walker & The All Stars

    Shotgun (Single Version)

  • 00:29

    The Orchids

    Gonna Make Him Mine

  • 00:32

    Brenda Lee

    Let's Jump The Broomstick

  • 00:36

    Them

    Please Don't Go

  • 00:37

    Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas

    Little Children

  • 00:39

    Manfred Mann

    Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble)

  • 00:39

    Donovan

    Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness)

  • 00:40

    The Who

    Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere

  • 00:45

    Jr. Walker & the All Stars

    (I'm a) Road Runner

  • 00:54

    Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds

    Girl Trouble

  • 00:41

    The Rolling Stones

    Little Red Rooster

  • 00:57

    The Merseys

    Sorrow

  • 00:58

    Small Faces

    Itchycoo Park

  • 00:58

    The Lovin’ Spoonful

    Lonely

Credits

Interviewed Guest Eric Burdon
Interviewed Guest Melanie Coe
Interviewed Guest Theresa Confrey
Interviewed Guest Chris Cowey
Interviewed Guest Georgie Fame
Interviewed Guest Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Executive Producer Malcolm Gerrie
Executive Producer Genevieve Dolittle
Producer Geoff Wonfor
Producer Samantha Peters

Broadcasts

Featured in...

  • Pop Greats

    Celebrating some of the biggest names in music