Pick of the Pops countdown (1972) 
The legend himself, Alan 'Fluff' Freeman counts down the chart for the final time, on 24th September 1972 - see if you can keep up with him! This was the second version of his famous theme tune, 'At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal' by Brass Incorporated used from 1970. (See the bottom of this page for more Fluff clips).Top 20 clip (1977)
Radio 1 bosses were looking for a new sound for the chart show in 1972, so an actor named Tom Browne was hired to present. Initially he hosted a three hour slot called Solid Gold Sixty; but despite the name it still only featured a countdown of the Top 20. In 1974 the show was pruned back to one hour. This short clip dates from September 1977, some seven months before he left the network. Top 40 clip (1978)
The next chart show presenter was Simon Bates; here is a very short excerpt of his chart countdown from 1978. During his tenure, the show changed from a Top 20 to a Top 40. Top 40 clip (1981)
Tony Blackburn was given the job of presenting the chart show in August 1979. He said he decided to model his presentation on Alan Freeman's; listen to this short clip from 26th July 1981 to see if you agree! Top 10 countdown (1983)
Tony's successor on the Top 40 was Tommy Vance, who took over in January 1982. He was best known for slipping in bite-sized snippets of information about each artist as he announced their record; but in contrast his countdown technique was straightforward and fuss-free - listen to this Top 10 rundown from 23rd January 1983. Top 10 countdown (1984)
Simon Bates returned to the Top 40 for a short spell in 1984, then Richard Skinner took over in September of that year. This Top 10 countdown is from 21st October 1984. Top 40 theme (mid 80s)
Later on, the Top 40 theme became 'Rockall' by Mezzoforte - this is a clip of it without any voiceover. Top 40 intro (1988)
From 1986, for the next sixteen years only two presenters would host the Top 40 on a regular basis, and both would become inexorably linked with the show. Here, the first of those two, Bruno Brookes, introduces the chart show on 26th June 1988. From the start of October 1987, the chart was now revealed for the first time on the Sunday afternoon, rather than already being five days old. This music bed was almost certainly introduced at the same time. Top 40 countdown (1989)
The complete chart countdown from 15th January 1989, as presented by Bruno. This music bed was introduced in October 1988 and was used until the end of 1989. Top 40 countdown (1990)
This bed was introduced as part of Radio 1's new jingle package at the start of January 1990, and was used until March 1992. Listen here to its fourth outing, on 28th January. Top 40 countdown (1991)
Same bed as the previous clip (although this recording is in stereo) but with Mark Goodier now in charge, having taken over from Bruno in September 1990. This countdown dates from 27th October 1991, the week that Bryan Adams was finally toppled from the number 1 spot after 16 weeks, by U2's 'The Fly'. Top 40 countdown (1992)
Bruno Brookes wrested back control of the chart show in March 1992 (although Mark was given his own daily countdown based on listener votes, Mega Hits, to compensate), and another new jingle package saw another new bed. This full countdown is from 24th May 1992. Top 40 countdown (1994)
Towards the end of Bruno's reign as chart supremo, a somewhat more upbeat bed was introduced. This recording was made on 2nd January 1994, the first time it was used. Top 40 countdown (1995)
Bruno was resigned by the Radio 1 bosses in April 1995, and so he was succeeded for a second time by Mark Goodier. This time there was a whole new sound to the Top 40 (coinciding with Radio 1 dropping its sung jingles) which immediately made the previous theme sound incredibly dated. Bizzarely, it coincided with a major turning point in the chart itself; from now on, virtually all new number one records would enter at the top, rather than climbing there. 23rd April 1995 was the date of this chart countdown; Mark is in serious danger of being completely drowned out by the music here! Apologies for the rather odd sound quality on this one. Top 40 countdown (1996)
Another year, and yet another new bed, possibly the most exciting sounding one yet! This countdown dates from 28th April 1996. Top 40 countdown (1998)
A big surprise in August 1998 - the return of the classic Pick of the Pops theme, albeit in remixed form by chart-topper Fatboy Slim, which you can listen to here, from 9th August 1998. Note the rather lengthy burst of music at 1 min 20 secs; and that the countdown now includes a short clip of each Top 10 hit. Top 40 countdown (2001)
The Fatboy remix didn't last long, however; just two months later, in October 1998, it was replaced by 'Crash' by The Propellerheads, which is also based on the POTP theme. It remained in use for more than four years, having surely become the longest lived chart show theme since the original version! This recording was made on 26th August 2001. The Top 10 should have contained a short burst of each record, as with the previous clip - but here Mark presses the wrong button and restarts the countdown bed instead. But despite being slightly thrown by this, his professionalism shines through! | 
