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The Release of Telstar

Stuart Maconie looks back at another momentous event in pop music, the release of Joe Meek's Telstar.

Stuart Maconie looks back at another momentous event in pop music, the release of Joe Meek's Telstar. An incredibly futuristic-sounding pop single, it marked the launch of the Russian satellite (which, in itself, had rocked the western world). It pre-empted Kraftwerk, the Human League, Pet Shop Boys et al by decades and pointed a new way forward for pop.

First broadcast on Radio 2 in 2004.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Mar 201902:00
BBC Radio 6 Music

Music Played

  • The Tornados

    TELSTAR

    • The Legendary Joe Meek.
    • Castle Pulse.
    • PLSCD-769.

  • Humphrey Lyttelton

    BAD PENNY BLUES

    • TWO WAY FAMILY FAVOURITES.
    • EMI.
    • EMI-077778057727.

  • Buddy Holly

    NOT FADE AWAY

    • YOU CAN MAKE IT IF YOU TRY.
    • CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION.
    • VSOPCD-296.

  • The Blue Men

    I Hear A New World

  • The Tornados

    Telstar

    • Rediscover The 60's - Sealed With A.
    • Old Gold.
    • OG-3207*.

  • Jenny Moss

    HOBBIES

    • 1963 - THE YEAR THE 60S REALLY BEGAN.
    • SANCTUARY.
    • CMEDD-847.

  • Mansun

    Tax Loss

    • Parlophone.

  • Metronomy

    Night Owl

    • Because Music.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 23 Nov 201200:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Fri 10 Jul 201502:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Fri 29 Apr 201602:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Fri 28 Oct 201602:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Fri 15 Mar 201902:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music