Speculating The 70s Year-end Show

[at40petebattistini]

It appears that a few AT40 fans on this site like to forecast upcoming weekly programs. I'd like to go one step further.

Looking ahead to December -- and just for fun among message board members -- what 70s year-end program would you prefer to hear? I'm not asking what program you believe will air -- I'd like you to note the one you want to hear.

As you know, the 70s programs that are released every week are scheduled for a three-hour time period. However, we learned over July 4th weekend that a four-hour special program "pioneered" its way into airplay. Since we don't yet know what we'll hear at the end of 2008, we can only speculate. And that's why I listed nearly every poll option. I added the option of a non-year-end show, just in case there's another special you'd prefer.

I need to point out that I have no decision-making connections, nor do I expect this poll to actually reflect what is decided. In fact, it's certainly possible that the program decision has already been made. Regardless, it'll be interesting to see the outcome.

[domino5s]

Great idea, Pete!

Over the past two years, I believe that we have heard the year-end programs on XM for 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. It would be nice to hear any of the other five, but I'm voting for 1970.

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

1974 would be a good one-it's the first YE Top 100. Lots of variety: disco, country, soul, pop and rock.

[upland1425]

I also vote for 1974, Pete. Otherwise, I would like to hear 1976 which I have missed.

[dougray2]

I voted for 1975 but any year that hasn't been played so far would be good. Premiere would solve the 3-4 hour dilemma by playing 70 or 72 in 2 parts over Christmas and New Years weekend.

[briguy52748]

I chose 1979, simply because we rarely hear any countdown shows from that year.

In addition, I'd like to see it connected to the "decade-end" 1970s special: the top 50 hits of the 1970s the following week (the show that aired Jan. 5, 1980). The "decade-end" special would be a perfect show for New Year's Eve/New Year's Day or the following weekend (Jan. 3-4, 2009).

Brian

[redsox]

I went with 1972

[jefferyc4]

The 1970 Year End show is my Favorite. I voted for that one.

[vto66]

I'm anxious to hear the 1976 Fourth of July special, but that's a definite longshot. My next choice would be either the 1974 "Extraordinary British Acts" show or the 1978 "Movie Songs" special.

[jdelachjr2002]

I'm anxious to hear the 1976 Fourth of July special, but that's a definite longshot.

If you have a subscription to Reelradio, you can listen to the 1976 4th of July special right now (via WPIX). Personally, I vote for the 1979 year-ending show since we'll never hear a regular 1979 Countdown show OTA.

[vince]

I would have voted for 1978 since that was the first one I heard. Since they played '78 last year, I voted for 1970.

[mrjukebox]

I would vote for 1970,which is the year that "AT40" was launched.

[briguy52748]

Here's another thought about the year-end specials that Premiere could do, insofar as the 1980s countdowns are concerned.

If Premiere decides to air the 1970 year-end countdown, they could also do — and I know this countdown comes more than a year after Casey Kasem left the show and Shadoe Stevens took over — the 1989 year-end countdown for their "Casey Kasem's American Top 40: The 80s" show. For stations that air both the 1970s and 1980s programs, it would be quite a history lesson, and there would be quite a difference between the sound, presentation and songs featured in the 1970 and 1989 shows ... which makes it all the better to air them both, side-by-side.

Using AT40 would be moreso a means to consistency — i.e., use of the Billboard chart as opposed to "Casey's Top 40," which used Radio & Records — even though Shadoe Stevens was hosting.

Thoughts?

Brian

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

It really would be good to hear the AT40 1989 YE on American Top 40: The 80s but I don't think that it's going to happen. According to Premiere, American Top 40: The 80s covers 1980 to 1988 (they say nothing about at what point in 1988 the show's coverage ends, so they could include, I guess, the Top 100 of 1988, which would also be really good to hear).

If by some miracle, they were to broadcast AT40 1989 YE, a good optional extra would be "Don't Shut Me Out" by Kevin Paige. When 98.1 in Memphis played the show, they included this song as a local extra just before playing #40. I recorded the show and still listen to that clip. They were really proud that a Memphis artist like Paige had a song on the Billboard Top 40 in 1989, although it peaked too low to chart in the Top 100 fo that year. By the way, Kevin Paige still lives in Memphis, has a permanent gig in one of the night clubs on Beale Street and is a music minister at one of the churches in the area.

[mkarns]

I assume it ends at 8/6/88, which was Casey's last AT40 show of the 1980s. Since it's officially called "Casey Kasem's American Top 40: The 80s", we presumably don't get any shows with Shadoe or anyone else hosting, or any "Casey's Top 40" (originally for Westwood One.)