 The band appeared on Top of the Pops about 20 times, says Kyriacou |
The drummer in 80s pop band Modern Romance, Andy Kyriacou, recalls how the group's appearances on Top of the Pops were the realisation of a childhood dream.
I used to drum in my bedroom, and in my mind I was either playing to an audience in a massive stadium or I would be on Top of the Pops.
It was always a dream to be on Top of the Pops.
I did make a point of watching every Thursday - Top of the Pops was just something that was not missed.
It had flashing lights and dry ice - it was like a concert brought into your home. There was so much going on that it almost mesmerised you.
There are so many bands out there that I saw for the first time on Top of the Pops.
I remember watching the Sweet when they did Blockbuster on Top of the Pops, and I thought, 'This is great,' and I went out and bought it the next day. When David Bowie appeared on Top of the Pops for the first time in the 70s, no-one knew who the hell he was.
Then he appeared on there and he kissed Mick Ronson - that was outrageous in those days - that moment people knew who the hell he was. After that David Bowie took off big time.
The first appearance is quite amazing - our first one was for Everybody Salsa.
The feeling was, 'We have arrived, we are there.' It was like the musical holy grail.
 | MODERN ROMANCE HITS Everybody Salsa Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey Queen Of The Rapping Scene Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White Best Years Of Our Lives High Life Walking In The Rain |
The feeling was of euphoria. Top of the Pops was responsible for a lot of good feelings in those days. I had phone calls galore at my mum's the same evening and the following day. The next day is the first time I got recognised walking down the street.
I think the BBC will regret this in later years.
Top of the Pops has a brilliant format - you get a cross-section. You will get a funky band, then you will get a pop band, then you will get rap.
You are not sitting there listening to the same stuff every time. I think that was quite innovative of Top of the Pops to do something like that.
I think they are taking away the opportunity for children to have that access to different kinds of music. 