University to celebrate milestone birthday of music TV show

University News Last updated 30 October 2012

The Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research at Birmingham City University is to host a discussion event next month to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Channel 4 music show, ‘The Tube’.

Launched in November 1982, ‘The Tube’ was broadcast live on Friday evenings by Tyne Tees Television, now known as ITV Tyne Tees, showcasing many emerging 1980s bands and featuring hosts that included Jools Holland and Paula Yates.

Leading the event at Birmingham City University on Wednesday 14 November will be the show’s co-producer, Chris Phipps, taking the audience on an insider’s trip through unseen images, sounds and backstage anecdotes of life working on the show.

Now a music historian, Chris has contributed to a number of innovative music documentaries, including ‘Bob Marley – Time Will Tell’ and ‘Mark Knopfler – A Life in Song’.

Dr Paul Long, Reader in Media and Cultural History at Birmingham City University, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chris Phipps to the University to celebrate the anniversary of a legendary show that changed the format of pop music television.

“Chris will be reflecting on his passion for documenting regional pop history for network and local television as well as speaking about his radio and television roots in the Midlands.”

The event runs from 7pm - 9pm at the University’s School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BX. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked online by visiting store.bcu.ac.uk. For more information about the event, email annette.copper@bcu.ac.uk.

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