Pop: The History Makers with Steve Blame

Phil Harding is a renowned British music producer and audio engineer, best known for his work in the 1980s and 1990s. He gained prominence as a key member of the Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) production team, contributing to a string of hits for pop acts such as Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, and Dead or Alive.Watch on YouTube⁠www.popthehistorymakers.com⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee - Support this podcast⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers⁠Harding's expertise in mixing and production played a significant role in shaping the sound of mainstream pop during this era, characterized by catchy melodies, electronic beats, and polished production. Beyond his work with SAW, Harding has collaborated with various artists across genres, continuously influencing the pop and dance music scenes with his technical prowess and creative vision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carl Magnus Palm on the facts you may not know behind ABBA'S most streamed songsWatch on YouTube⁠www.popthehistorymakers.com⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee - Support this podcast⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers⁠Swedish author and historian, Carl Magnus Palm, is best known for his extensive research on the iconic pop group ABBA. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on the band, having written numerous books that delve into their music, history, and cultural impact. Palm's work includes detailed biographies, such as Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, which provides an in-depth look at ABBA's rise to global stardom, their personal struggles, and their lasting influence on the music industry, and is released in Paperback on October 17th.If you are interested in a signed copy go to;https://bookshop.se/signed-abba-bio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin McAloon remains a key figure in the legacy of Prefab Sprout, continuing his tour of acoustic versions of his brother Paddy's songs. He maintains he was only a bass player, but we all know he's been much more than that. ⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠www.popthehistorymakers.com⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee - Support this podcast⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers⁠⁠Martin McAloon is a British musician best known as the bassist and founding member of the band Prefab Sprout, formed in 1978 alongside his brother, singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon. While Paddy took on the primary role of writing and vocals, Martin's bass playing became an integral part of the band's distinctive sound, which blends pop, rock, and sophisticated arrangements. Prefab Sprout gained recognition in the 1980s with critically acclaimed albums like Steve McQueen (1985) and From Langley Park to Memphis (1988), with hits such as "When Love Breaks Down" and "Cars and Girls." Martin McAloon is known for his understated yet foundational contributions to the band's music, supporting the lush, melodic structures for which they are celebrated.⁠⁠Tour Dates; https://www.martinmcaloon.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British musician, songwriter, and music video director, Kevin Godley was born on October 7, 1945, in Prestwich, England.Best known as a founding member of the progressive rock band 10cc, which achieved commercial success in the 1970s with hits like "I'm Not in Love" and "Dreadlock Holiday." Godley played a crucial role in shaping the band's sound with his distinctive vocals, his contribution to the songwriting. and the experimentation which he and Lol Creme brought to the band.Watch on YouTube⁠www.popthehistorymakers.com⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee - Support this podcast⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers⁠In addition to his work with 10cc, he collaborated with bandmate Lol Creme on the innovative side project "Godley & Creme." Beyond his musical career, Kevin Godley gained recognition as a music video director, directing iconic videos for artists such as The Police ("Every Breath You Take") and U2 ("Sunday Bloody Sunday"). His multifaceted contributions to the music industry have established him as a versatile and influential figure in both music and visual storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pauline Henry is a renowned British-Jamaican singer, best known as the powerful lead vocalist of the 1990s band The Chimes. ⁠⁠Watch the interview at; ⁠https://youtu.be/w-wB7rBJVf0⁠With her soulful voice and dynamic stage presence, she helped catapult the band to international fame, particularly with their hit cover of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," which showcased her unique ability to blend pop, soul, and dance music. After her success with The Chimes, Pauline embarked on a solo career, continuing to captivate audiences with her distinctive voice and genre-defying musical style. Her contributions have left a lasting imprint on the British soul and dance music scenes.⁠⁠Join Pauline at Pizza Express Live in association with Shades of Soul on 17th October for an unforgettable night that will leave you longing for more! 🤩⁠⁠She’ll be singing all the classics, ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, ‘Feel Like Making Love’ and ‘Heaven’ and much more, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear me live.⁠⁠Tickets are £36 and the show starts at 8 pm - Pauline can't wait to see you! 😉⁠⁠https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/pauline-henry-the-chimes⁠-⁠#PaulineHenry #TheChimes #LiveShow #PaulineHenryTheChimes #PizzaExpressHolborn #PizzaExpressEvents⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veronica Swift is a highly acclaimed jazz vocalist known for her extraordinary technique, versatility, and captivating stage presence. Born into a musical family—her father is jazz pianist Hod O'Brien, and her mother is singer Stephanie Nakasian—Swift grew up immersed in the world of jazz, performing at an early age. She gained significant recognition after placing second in the 2015 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition, and became one of the most sought-after jazz singers of her generation. Join the YouTube channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5S9xw1B-ppDXVkAuvRRQtg/joinTo watch this on video go to my website:www.popthehistorymakers.comBut Swift's versatility has allowed to cross over genres and styles - something she calls Transgenre, allowing her vocal prowess to shine in both traditional jazz standards with more modern interpretations, performing rock classics and originals and blending technical brilliance with emotional depth. Her ability to infuse each performance with creativity and passion has made her a standout performer who will undoubtedly shine brightly in the coming years.Here's some links to Veronica's music:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21f3FnoNAA(The Show Must Go On)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aSnlkCigz4(Do nothing til you hear from me=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPLjmn22nzA(I get a kick out of you)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypRBXNdoO0(This Bitter Earth) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Fearon is a British record producer, singer, and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the 1980s band Galaxy. Born on July 30, 1956, in London, Fearon played a pivotal role in the UK's dance and soul music scenes during the early 1980s. Galaxy, often billed as "Phil Fearon and Galaxy," achieved significant success with hits like "Dancing Tight," "What Do I Do?," and "Everybody's Laughing." Their music, a vibrant mix of funk, soul, and disco, was released by Ensign Records. ⁠⁠Link to the interview on YouTube;⁠https://youtu.be/0o9PKIH4ufo⁠Memberships on You Tubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5S9xw1B-ppDXVkAuvRRQtg/join⁠Beyond his work with Galaxy, Fearon produced for other acts, including the dance music group Baby D, known for the 1994 hit "Let Me Be Your Fantasy." He also collaborated with Pepsi & Shirlie, former Wham! backing vocalists, producing and writing for their projects. Fearon's smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and production talent made him a key figure in the UK music scene, with his influence extending beyond his own performances to shaping the sound of other successful artists of the time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saffron, born Samantha Marie Sprackling on June 3, 1968, in Lagos, Nigeria, is a British singer and actress best known as the lead vocalist of the band Republica. Raised in the UK, she initially pursued a career in musical theatre before transitioning to the music industry. Saffron first gained attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a backing vocalist and dancer for the dance group N-Joi and as a member of the band The Shamen. However, her breakthrough came in 1994 when she joined Republica, a band that blended alternative rock with electronic dance music. The group achieved significant success with their self-titled debut album in 1996, particularly with the hit singles "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous," which became iconic tracks of the 90s. Saffron's distinctive voice and vibrant stage persona were key to the band's appeal, making her a recognizable figure in the Britpop and electronic rock scenes of the time. After Republica disbanded in the early 2000s, Saffron pursued various solo projects and collaborations, and the band eventually reformed in 2008, continuing to perform and release new music.To watch on YouTube Singer Saffron, From Lagos to London Stage to N-Joi to Republica & Drop D-ad Gorgeous Chart successhttps://youtu.be/QuXYaHBlR1A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A distinguished figure in television production, Malcolm Gerrie is celebrated for his innovative contributions to the music and entertainment industries. With a career spanning several decades, Gerrie has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of music television, bringing iconic performances and groundbreaking formats to screens worldwide. His work is characterized by a unique ability to capture the zeitgeist of contemporary culture, seamlessly blending artistry with mainstream appeal.Link; Please share!https://youtu.be/v2uOR0OV650For any of my generation, his most notable achievements is his role as the creator and producer of "The Tube," a pioneering music television program that aired on Channel 4 from 1982 to 1987. "The Tube" revolutionized the way music was presented on television, offering a vibrant, eclectic mix of live performances, interviews, and music videos. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, known for its edgy and unconventional style, which broke away from the polished presentation typical of music shows of the time."The Tube" was renowned for its live, often unpredictable broadcasts and its commitment to showcasing a diverse array of musical talent. The program featured performances from an impressive lineup of artists, including U2, Madonna, The Smiths, and Duran Duran, many of whom were on the cusp of achieving global stardom. This platform not only helped launch the careers of numerous musicians but also cemented "The Tube" as a vital hub for contemporary music culture.Other highlights include breaking new ground in ad-funding with the first UK prime-time series featuring the sponsor in the title (the Pepsi Chart) and he produced the first ever global live stream for YouTube with a live concert from U2 at the Rose Bowl, California. He also launched ‘The Match’ – a reality/football series for Sky One which remains the highest-rated UK-commissioned show ever for the channel; 15 years at the helm of the ‘British Academy Film Awards’ for a worldwide TV audience, ‘Let’s Dance’ for BBC1 which ran for five seasons, the hit teen drama series ‘Miami 7’ and ‘LA 7’, and the Emmy award-winning ‘Concerto’. Malcolm has also been instrumental in over 15 major charity initiatives for TV including ‘Live 8’, ‘Band Aid’, ‘Red Hot & Blue’; ‘War Child’, ‘Nelson Mandela’s 46664’, ‘Fashion Rocks for the Prince’s Trust’ and ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ which he introduced to the UK following its success in the USA.Today, Malcolm is active as the founder of Whizz Kid Entertainment spearheading business development whilst also taking an role in production and the creative vision of the company. After 30-plus years in the industry there isn’t a genre of programming that Malcolm has not been involved with be it prime time entertainment, scripted, arts, music, kids, documentaries, events, 3D, comedy or digital content.Beyond his contributions to music programming, Malcolm Gerrie's leadership extends to various high-profile productions and his involvement with key industry initiatives. His passion for fostering new talent and his unwavering dedication to excellence continue to inspire both colleagues and audiences alike, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern entertainment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born on January 12, 1959, in Halmstad, Sweden, Per Gessle is a celebrated musician, singer, and songwriter, most famously known as one-half of the iconic pop duo Roxette. Alongside Marie Fredriksson, Gessle propelled Roxette to international stardom in the late 1980s and 1990s with an impressive array of hits, including "The Look," "Listen to Your Heart," "It Must Have Been Love," and "Joyride"—all of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This achievement helped cement Roxette's status as the second biggest-selling Swedish band of all time, surpassed only by ABBA. YouTube Interview link here - if you want to watch this interviewhttps://youtu.be/h-MyOxGmyQAThere was, sadly, tragedy in the story of Roxette with Marie Fredriksson's health struggles and eventual passing. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which she bravely battled for several years. Despite her illness, Fredriksson continued to perform and record music, displaying remarkable resilience and dedication to her craft. Unfortunately, her health issues persisted, leading to her tragic passing on December 9, 2019.Gessle's career commenced in the late 1970s with the Swedish band Gyllene Tider, enjoying considerable success in Sweden. Known for his knack for crafting catchy melodies and evocative lyrics, Gessle has been a pivotal figure in the music industry, both as a performer and a composer. Beyond his work with Roxette, he has released several solo albums and continued to leave an indelible mark on the pop and rock music scenes, maintaining a lasting legacy in global pop culture.Per Gessle had announced a Roxette tour in 2025 with Lena Philipsson as singer, and also a musical using Roxette’s songs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.