Golden Oldie Picture Show – Page 3 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Golden Oldie Picture Show – ‘Softly As I Leave You’ – Gail Herbert

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

These photos are from a location shoot for the ‘Golden Oldie Picture Show’, an entertainment series, presented by Radio 1 D.J., Dave Lee Travis, and produced at Pebble Mill by John King’s department. Music videos were made for classic hits, recorded before the age of music videos. Guest directors would choose the hit they wanted to shoot the video for, and create the story for it. Dave Lee Travis linked the different videos together.

This shoot was for the song ‘Softly As I Leave You’ composed by Hal Shaper.

Gail Herbert was the production assistant for the series.

The first photo shows sparks Roy Carn, creating a gobo effect with a tree branch. The second photo features exec producer John King.

Golden Oldie Picture Show – Christmas 1986

The ‘Golden Oldie Picture Show’ was presented by Radio 1 D.J., Dave Lee Travis. The show created music videos for Hits which pre-dated the era of music videos, and directors were encouraged to choose a track and create a story around it. It was produced at Pebble Mill by Exec, John King.

This photo dates from Christmas 1986, and was taken on location at the Red Lion, Somerton, Somerset, where the links for that show were recorded. Left to right, back row it includes: Dave Lee Travis (presenter), John King (exec), Mike Williams (lighting cameraman), John Parker (sound), Jim Hatchard (set design). Front row: Andy Frizzell (lighting), Nigel Davey (camera), Phil O’Shea (props), Gail Herbert (P.A.), Veronica McAleer (Brebner)(make-up).

Thanks to Gail Herbert for making the photo available, and to Andy Frizzell, Kevin Lakin and Lesley Weaver for adding information.

Golden Oldie Picture Show, Little Willy – photos by Gail Herbert

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

The ‘Golden Oldie Picture Show’, was an entertainment series presented and linked by Radio 1 D.J., Dave Lee Travis between 1985-88. Guest directors would shoot music videos for past hits, which had never had videos made. It was their chance to interpret a song visually in whatever way they wanted.

These photos are from the video for ‘Sweet’s’ 1973 hit song ‘Little Willy’. It was recorded in Stratford Upon Avon. The cameraman is Jim Knights – shown in the photos. The make up artist checking the tramp is Val Ackrill.

Golden Oldie Picture Show – He Ain’t Heavy

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

The Golden Oldie Picture Show ran from 1985-88 and was presented by Radio 1 DJ, Dave Lee Travis. The show consisted of specially shot music videos, created for popular hits recorded before music videos were routinely made. Individual directors suggested the tracks they’d like to create videos for, so there were a myriad of styles of both videos and music, linked by DLT.

These photos are from a shoot which cameraman John Williams directed for the hit ‘He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother’. It was shot at a centre for young people with disabilities which John had a connection with. The resulting film was poignant and uplifting. There are several versions of the ballad, including recordings by The Hollies and Neil Diamond. I’m not sure which version was used for the film.

The photos show John Williams (white shirt, pale blue trousers), grips Jimmy Monk (bent over by Variety Club van) and Keith Schofield (crouched by van).

Thanks to Gail Herbert for sharing the photos.

John Williams, Jimmy Monk, Keith Schofield

Andy Meikle’s Golden Oldie Picture Show video

This photo is of Pebble Mill producer Andy Meikle. The tricycle was used for the film he directed on the Golden Oldie Picture Show. The Golden Oldie Picture Show was presented by DJ Dave Lee Travis, the exec producer was John King. Guest directors were asked to create music videos for popular hits which had never had videos made. The song he was creating a video for was “Down, Down” by Status Quo and it was shot at Tatton Park in Cheshire. The story was about a load of rockers fighting over a girl in a hay rick!

Andy actually drove the bike up and down the M6.

(Thanks to Annie Gumbley for making the photo available, and to Gail Herbert for the information).

Andy Meikle test drives the props!