Top of the Pops: 1979
Season 16 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Top of the Pops Season 15.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 16 Progress Shield
4th January 1979
Jan 4, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Mike Read. Featuring Generation X, Elton John, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Olivia Newton-John, Racey, Barry White, Brotherhood of Man, Villag
11th January 1979
Jan 11, 1979 · 40 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by David 'Kid' Jensen. Featuring Bonnie Tyler, Sally Oldfield, Paul Evans, the Shadows, Steve Allen, Driver 67, the Village People, Rocky Sharp
18th January 1979
Jan 18, 1979 · 40 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Peter Powell. Featuring Olympic Runners, Anne Murray, the Three Degrees, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Billy Joel, Chic, the Village People and
25th January 1979
Jan 25, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Dr. Feelgood, Third World, The Doll, and Judas Priest. Introduced by Dave Lee
1 February 1979
Feb 1, 1979 · 35 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Mike Read, including performances by Nazareth, the Three Degrees, UFO, the Members, Sally Oldfield, Two Man Sound, Generation X and the Poin
8th February 1979
Feb 8, 1979 · 35 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by David 'Kid' Jensen, including performances by Mick Jackson, the Jacksons, Darts, Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Leif Garre
15th February 1979
Feb 15, 1979 · 35 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Dooleys, Generation X, Alan Price, the Pretenders, Lene Lovich, the Skids and Bl
22nd February 1979
Feb 22, 1979 · 30 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Real Thing, The Bee Gees, Gene Chandler, and Darts. Introduced by Dave Le
1st March 1979
Mar 1, 1979 · 35 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Skids, Thin Lizzy, Chic and David Essex. With dance sequences by Legs & Co.
9th March 1979
Mar 9, 1979 · 39 min
Kid Jensen presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from Inner Circle, Elvis Costello, the Buzzcocks, Dennis Brown, the Late Show, the Real Thi
15th March 1979
Mar 15, 1979 · 40 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Jam, Lene Lovich, the Cars, Violinski, Herbie Hancock and Black Lace. With dance
22nd March 1979
Mar 22, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Sham 69, The Players Association, Village People, and Queen. Introduced by Da
29 March 1979
Mar 29, 1979 · 35 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Three Degrees, Rocky Sharpe & the Replays, Dana, Showaddywaddy, Kandidate and Black
5th April 1979
Apr 5, 1979 · 40 min
Tony Blackburn presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from M, Squeeze, the Members, the Jacksons, Milk and Honey & Gali Atari and the Jam. Wi
12th April 1979
Apr 12, 1979 · 35 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from Kate Bush, Neil Diamond, Racey, Supertramp, Sham 69, Kandidate, Sister Sledge and Li
19th April 1979
Apr 19, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Gordon Giltrap, M, Wings, and Gonzalez. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
26th April 1979
Apr 26, 1979 · 35 min
David 'Kid' Jensen presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from Generation X, Supertramp, Eruption, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Racey, Amii Ste
3rd May 1979
May 3, 1979 · 25 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Undertones, M, Peaches & Herb, and Mike Oldfield. Introduced by Jimmy Sav
10th May 1979
May 10, 1979 · 35 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from Elkie Brooks, Sparks, the Shadows, Eruption, Roxy Music and Gary Moore. With dance sequ
17th May 1979
May 17, 1979 · 35 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Tubes, Earth Wind & Fire, the Emotions, the Police, M, Abba and Donna Summer.
24th May 1979
May 24, 1979 · 40 min
David 'Kid' Jensen presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show, including performances from the Skids, Roxy Music, ELO, Tubeway Army, Liner, David Bowie, Blondie and Elvi
31st May 1979
May 31, 1979 · 45 min
Paul Burnett presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show including performances from Quantum Jump, Chas and Dave, Sparks, Fischer-Z, Peaches and Herb, Voyager, Blondie an
7th June 1979
Jun 7, 1979 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Tourists, Anita Ward, Linda Lewis, and Sister Sledge. Introduced by Jimmy
14th June 1979
Jun 14, 1979 · 40 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show including performances from Match, McFadden and Whitehead, Edwin Starr, Tubeway Army, Janet Kay, Chas and Dave, Sque
21st May 1979
Jun 21, 1979 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Eddy Grant, Village People, The Ruts, and Dame Edna Everage. Introduced by Da
28th June 1979
Jun 28, 1979 · 35 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show including performances from Thom Pace, Janet Kay, Thin Lizzy, Squeeze, Tubeway Army, Quantum Jump, UK Subs, Lene
5th July 1979
Jul 5, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Manfred Mann's Earth Band, The Korgis, Eddy Grant, and The Ruts. Introduced b
12th July 1979
Jul 12, 1979 · 40 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart show including performances from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Thom Pace, the Police, Rickie Lee Jones, Chantal Curtis, Publ
19th July 1979
Jul 19, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by David Jensen. Includes performances from The Real Thing, Dave Edmunds, Darts, UK Subs, the Pretenders, The Knack, Sparks, The Boomtown Rats,
26th July 1979
Jul 26, 1979 · 40 min
800th edition of the chart show. A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Judie Tzuke, Electric Light Orchestra, Super
2nd August 1979
Aug 2, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Peter Powell, with performances from Sham 69, Olympic Runners, ABBA, the Korgis, BA Robertson, Sparks, the Specials, the Boomtown Rats and t
9th August 1979
Aug 9, 1979 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Kandidate, The Flying Lizards, Me & You Feat. We The People Band, and Spyro G
23rd August 1979
Aug 23, 1979 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Jam, Joe Jackson, The Flying Lizards, and Roxy Music. Introduced by Jimmy
30th August 1979
Aug 30, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by David Jensen, with performances from Secret Affair, Dollar, Nick Lowe, the Gibson Brothers, Gary Numan, Johnny Mathis, the Stranglers and Cl
6th September 1979
Sep 6, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Peter Powell with performances by Randy Vanwarmer, Madness, Boney M, the Ruts, the Crusaders, ELO, Bill Lovelady, Roxy Music and Cliff Richa
13th September 1979
Sep 13, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Nick Lowe, Frantique, Secret Affair, and Dollar. Introduced by Dave Lee Travi
20th September 1979
Sep 20, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by Mike Read with performances by the Starjets, the Jags, Kate Bush, Madness, the Bellamy Brothers, the Tourists, the Police, Sad Cafe, Rainbow
27th September 1979
Sep 27, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Frantique, The Skids, Michael Jackson, and Dave Edmunds. Introduced by Jimmy
4th October 1979
Oct 4, 1979 · 30 min
Weekly pop chart programme presented by David Jensen with performances from XTC, Blondie, Matumbi, Buggles, Sad Cafe, Squeeze, the Jags and the Police and dance sequences by Legs &
11th October 1979
Oct 11, 1979 · 30 min
Andy Peebles presents another edition of the weekly pop chart with performances by the Dooleys, the Headboys, Chic, Dr Hook, Viola Wills, Errol Dunkley, the Charlie Daniels Band, C
18th October 1979
Oct 18, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Suzi Quatro, Abba, Lena Martell, and Fleetwood Mac. Introduced by Dave Lee Tr
25th October 1979
Oct 25, 1979 · 30 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart with performances by the Specials, Viola Wills, Queen, Dr Hook, Iris Williams, the Dooleys, Janet Brown, Lena Martell
1st November 1979
Nov 1, 1979 · 30 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart with performances by Sparks, the Ramblers, Darts, the Jam, Lene Lovich, Thin Lizzy, Suzi Quatro, BA Robertson, Lena Marte
8th November 1979
Nov 8, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Matchbox, Dr. Hook, The Commodores, and Abba. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.
15th November 1979
Nov 15, 1979 · 30 min
David Jensen presents another edition of the weekly pop chart with performances by the Jam, Cliff Richard, the Moody Blues, Kool and the Gang, Secret Affair, Ramblers, Showaddywadd
22nd November 1979
Nov 22, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Commodores, The Pretenders, Madness, and Dynasty. Introduced by Dave Lee
29th November 1979
Nov 29, 1979 · 30 min
Peter Powell presents another edition of the weekly pop chart including performances from the Gibson Brothers, the Police, the Tourists, Pink Floyd, Blondie, Thin Lizzy, Rose Royce
6th December 1979
Dec 6, 1979 · 30 min
Simon Bates presents another edition of the weekly pop chart including performances from Darts, Dollar, UK Subs, the Three Degrees, the Sugarhill Gang, Storm, Motorhead, Marianne F
13th December 1979
Dec 13, 1979 · 30 min
Mike Read presents another edition of the weekly pop chart including performances from Fiddler's Dram, Paul McCartney, the Tourists, Abba, the Beat, the Pretenders and Pink Floyd,
20th December 1979
Dec 20, 1979 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Greedies, The Skids, K.c. & The Sunshine Band, and David Bowie. Introduce
Christmas 1979
Dec 25, 1979 · 60 min
David 'Kid' Jensen and Peter Powell introduce a special Christmas Day edition, featuring some of the best selling records of 1979. Including performances from Ian Dury & The Blockh
Christmas 1979 - Part 2
Dec 27, 1979 · 40 min
Dave Lee Travis and Mike Read introduce a special Christmas edition, featuring some of the best selling records of 1979. Including performances from Abba, Village People, Art Garfu